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Culture

The entertainment and cultural moments that define our society.

Will Taylor Swift’s Kamala Harris endorsement actually matter?
Culture

The highly coveted endorsement comes after a year of paranoid speculation.

By Constance Grady
Will Taylor Swift’s Kamala Harris endorsement actually matter?
Culture

The highly coveted endorsement comes after a year of paranoid speculation.

By Constance Grady
When did sodas, teas, and tonics become medicine?When did sodas, teas, and tonics become medicine?
Even Better

From prebiotic sodas to collagen waters, beverages are trying to do the most. Consumers are drinking it up.

By Keren Landman, MD
The perfect escape from our online worldThe perfect escape from our online world
Future Perfect

Why the new luxury is flip phones and vinyl LPs

By Zoë Bernard
How do kids have fun? Inside the state of child’s play in 2024.How do kids have fun? Inside the state of child’s play in 2024.
Family

Kids are still playing, but they need help.

By Anna North

The latest in Culture

How “Am I the Asshole?” ate the internet
Culture

From TikTok to Two Hot Takes, everyone sucks here.

By Aja Romano
Beyoncé’s shocking, predictable CMA snub, explainedBeyoncé’s shocking, predictable CMA snub, explained
Culture

The CMA snub just proves what Beyoncé was trying to tell us all along.

By Aja Romano
Did Brittany Mahomes’s Donald Trump support put her on the outs with Taylor Swift?Did Brittany Mahomes’s Donald Trump support put her on the outs with Taylor Swift?
Culture

Why everyone suddenly cares about Brittany Mahomes’s politics.

By Alex Abad-Santos
The Carrie Bradshaws of TikTokThe Carrie Bradshaws of TikTok
Culture

They detail their dates for the public. I can’t stop watching.

By Rebecca Jennings
America’s love affair with the increasingly weird KennedysAmerica’s love affair with the increasingly weird Kennedys
Culture

Why are we still talking about this strange, glamorous family?

By Alex Abad-Santos
The hidden reason why Beetlejuice was a massive hitThe hidden reason why Beetlejuice was a massive hit
Culture

The 1988 classic shows how far Tim Burton strayed from the mischievous formula that made him great.

By Constance Grady
The right-wing podcasters turned Russian propaganda dupes, explainedThe right-wing podcasters turned Russian propaganda dupes, explained
Politics

The DOJ says Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, Benny Johnson and others were unwitting Russian stooges.

By Aja Romano
iPad kids speak upiPad kids speak up
Life

Inside Gen Alpha’s relationship with tech.

By Anna North
Has The Bachelorette finally gone too far?Has The Bachelorette finally gone too far?
Culture

The Bachelorette finale was riveting TV — and unfathomably cruel.

By Dylan Scott
The storm of controversy around Black Myth: Wukong, explainedThe storm of controversy around Black Myth: Wukong, explained
Culture

How China’s first global gaming blockbuster became a weird rallying point for the right.

By Aja Romano
Is there a winner in Bennifer’s divorce PR battle?Is there a winner in Bennifer’s divorce PR battle?
Culture

Jennifer Lopez’s and Ben Affleck’s reactions to their split are both very on-brand and kind of pointless.

By Kyndall Cunningham
Serial’s Adnan Syed has once again had his conviction reinstated. Here’s what that really means.Serial’s Adnan Syed has once again had his conviction reinstated. Here’s what that really means.
Culture

The back-and-forth over a wildly rare appeal is a win for victim’s rights.

By Aja Romano
The essential Lord of the Rings lore you need to watch The Rings of PowerThe essential Lord of the Rings lore you need to watch The Rings of Power
Culture

The second season of the series has huge news for fans of Tom Bombadil.

By Rebecca Jennings
Your guide to the confusing, exciting, and utterly new world of Gen AlphaYour guide to the confusing, exciting, and utterly new world of Gen Alpha
Family

A newsletter about kids, for everyone.

By Anna North
The surprisingly subdued resurrection of Abercrombie & FitchThe surprisingly subdued resurrection of Abercrombie & Fitch
Consumerism

How the once-maligned retailer quietly became a closet staple — and a stock market giant — once again.

By Amanda Lewellyn
Why I changed my mind about volunteering
Culture

My generation was taught to change the system. That lesson came at a cost.

By Rachel M. Cohen
The difference between American and UK Love Is BlindThe difference between American and UK Love Is Blind
Culture

The pods across the pond feel a lot less toxic.

By Alex Abad-Santos
All the nonsense you need to know about Sabrina CarpenterAll the nonsense you need to know about Sabrina Carpenter
Culture

The singer’s new album, Short n’ Sweet, is full of the sexy clown wordplay she’s known for.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Theo Von’s interview with Donald Trump makes more sense than you thinkTheo Von’s interview with Donald Trump makes more sense than you think
Culture

Cocaine, UFC, politics, and the former president’s podcast bro tour, explained.

By Aja Romano
Why did anyone think Beyonce was going to play the DNC?Why did anyone think Beyonce was going to play the DNC?
Culture

Kamala Harris was the main event, but fans, the internet, and the media fell for rumors of a Beyoncé concert.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Pumpkin spice lattes — and the backlash, and the backlash to the backlash — explainedPumpkin spice lattes — and the backlash, and the backlash to the backlash — explained
Money

Pumpkin spice is America’s most hatable seasonal flavor. But Starbucks is leaning in even more heavily this year.

By Rebecca Jennings
Chappell Roan spent 7 years becoming an overnight successChappell Roan spent 7 years becoming an overnight success
Culture

The rising Midwest princess is finally embracing queer joy — and learning that fame comes with a price.

By Constance Grady
20 years of Bennifer ends in divorce20 years of Bennifer ends in divorce
Culture

Looking back at this 20-year on-again, off-again, on-again, and now off-again Hollywood love story.

By Alex Abad-Santos
The It Ends With Us drama is the new Don’t Worry Darling dramaThe It Ends With Us drama is the new Don’t Worry Darling drama
Culture

Is there actually beef between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni?

By Kyndall Cunningham
What Beyoncé’s “Freedom” can tell you about Kamala HarrisWhat Beyoncé’s “Freedom” can tell you about Kamala Harris
Culture

Why do we care so much about campaign songs?

By Kyndall Cunningham
Why Indian doctors are protesting after the rape and death of a colleagueWhy Indian doctors are protesting after the rape and death of a colleague
Culture

India has systemic problems with sexual violence.

By Ellen Ioanes
Husband, zaddy, first gentleman? The evolution of Doug Emhoff.Husband, zaddy, first gentleman? The evolution of Doug Emhoff.
Politics

How the second gentleman became the internet’s favorite male feminist.

By Anna North
Scott Peterson’s guilt, explainedScott Peterson’s guilt, explained
Culture

The Innocence Project has taken on Scott Peterson. But there are limits to reasonable doubt.

By Aja Romano
What Kamala Harris and Beyoncé have in common 
Politics

Our society demands Black women be “twice as good.” Beyoncé has found a solution that Harris seems keen to copy.

By Jonquilyn Hill
Why is everyone mad at Blake Lively?Why is everyone mad at Blake Lively?
Culture

On the It Ends With Us press tour, the actor’s persona, side hustles, and career are all in conflict.

By Alex Abad-Santos
How Raygun earned her spot — fair and square — as an Olympics breakerHow Raygun earned her spot — fair and square — as an Olympics breaker
Culture

The truth behind the ongoing controversy over the highly memeable dancer.

By Aja Romano
Does being a gifted kid make for a burned-out adulthood?
Mental Health

How being labeled “gifted” can rearrange your life — for better and for worse.

By Constance Grady
The fight over Jordan Chiles’s bronze medal is barely about gymnasticsThe fight over Jordan Chiles’s bronze medal is barely about gymnastics
Culture

The Olympian was asked to give her medal back — and the racist attacks began.

By Alex Abad-Santos
What George Orwell’s 1984 can teach us about 2024What George Orwell’s 1984 can teach us about 2024
Audio
The Gray Area

Orwell prized clear communication, so why are people misusing his name?

By Sean Illing
Industry is the soapy, sleazy spectacle prestige TV is missingIndustry is the soapy, sleazy spectacle prestige TV is missing
Culture

How is a show about banking more fun than anything else?

By Kyndall Cunningham
The case for pole dancing in the OlympicsThe case for pole dancing in the Olympics
Culture

Pole dancing is basically gymnastics. But the world isn’t ready for it.

By Celia Ford
Tim Walz is riding the wave of the vibes electionTim Walz is riding the wave of the vibes election
Culture

This moment is all about feelings. Enter a friendly Midwestern governor armed with dad jokes.

By Rebecca Jennings
Paris reminded us why we love the OlympicsParis reminded us why we love the Olympics
Today, Explained newsletter

Paris hosted a great Olympics. That’ll probably be the exception going forward.

By Bryan Walsh
Who is Noah Lyles? The star sprinter’s Olympics went perfectly — until it didn’t.Who is Noah Lyles? The star sprinter’s Olympics went perfectly — until it didn’t.
Olympics

The Olympian won gold in the 100 meters, then caught Covid and came up short in his signature event.

By Kyndall Cunningham
Everything you need to know for breaking’s Olympic debutEverything you need to know for breaking’s Olympic debut
Culture

Rule number one: Don’t call it breakdancing.

By Aja Romano