Russia’s Lab Rat
Amateur cyclist Bryan Fogel asked a Russian scientist to help him dope himself. He wound up working with the man who would expose Russia’s anti-doping fraud.
The Many Theories of Malcolm GladwellHow does Gladwell justify a character profile, explain a historical oversight, or spice up a story? He hangs a theory on it.
Why Are Police Unions So Aggressive?Former Boston cop Tom Nolan on why many police unions are angry at the public.
Brandt Tobler Has a Problem With AuthorityTales from the guy who once threw a roulette ball at a pit boss.
The Scaramucci TapesThis American Life producer Zoe Chace digs up her 2016 interview with the former White House communications director. His past suggests he’ll bounce right back.
No Hard FeelingsScientist Lisa Feldman Barrett says the results are in: Your feelings are a construct.
Alan Alda Seeks ClarityIn his new book, the MASH star shares his hope for better communication between scientists and curious amateurs.
How Democrats Condescend to the White Working ClassJoan C. Williams says a third of the country is feeling talked down to. Here’s how to stop it.
A Kid in the Hall Tells AllKevin McDonald on the special alchemy that made Kids in the Hall a truly groundbreaking comedy troupe.
Unearthing a Cult ClassicComedy writer Mike Sacks on the 40th anniversary of the Dixie-fried action caper Stinker Lets Loose.
The Year MTV Took Over the ChartsIn 1982, synth-pop came in strong, Hall and Oates crossed over into R&B, and Paul McCartney learned about racial harmony.
The Overreaction DoctrineMoshe Maor on how Trump’s over-the-top policy ideas are actually good politics.
About the Google MemoEven if Google was right to fire James Damore, why does it insist that employees can still expect freedom of expression at work?
Maria Bamford Wants to See EmotionA stand-up comic graciously shares her show notes for sports program producers.
A Video Game Thoreau Might PlayIn Walden, a game, players can pick berries, walk in the woods, or spend the rest of their virtual lives in jail for tax evasion.
How to Beat a CasinoIn the new ESPN podcast documentary A Queen of Sorts, the story of a woman who turned the tables on casinos around the world.
They Called Him Son of SamA Smithsonian Channel documentary revisits the media hysteria surrounding the 1970s serial killer known as the Son of Sam.
Why Did Trump and Putin Meet in Secret?Ian Bremmer broke the story of the second Trump-Putin meeting. But are we blowing it out of proportion?
Al Gore, Ever HopefulThe former vice president returns with a sequel to his climate change documentary, An Inconvenient Truth.
The Garbage Art of Handwriting AnalysisThe Gist’s resident guff detector Maria Konnikova returns to look at the (appropriately) lost art of graphology.