Culture
A Phrase That’s Been Stuck in My Head for Four Years, Recalled: On Ted Chiang’s Exhalation
In his column, Jonathan Russell Clark re-examines the work of Ted Chiang, using it as a lens through which to understand today’s AI discourse.
Beautifully Ruined: A Case for Re-visiting Kate Braverman’s Lithium for Medea
Punk! Real estate! Venice Beach! Myriam Gurba re-introduces readers to Kate Braverman’s cult classic Lithium for Medea.
Treasure Box
In Treasure Box, Jamilla VanDyke-Bailey reflects on an important conversation that came too late.
Community
In his column, Alejandro Heredia meditates on the concept and practice of community: is it a group of people who beyond identity might have no personal and interpersonal bonds, or a commodity for corporations, non-profits, egotistical activists, and social media spiritual gurus looking to make profit off of an increasingly conscious society, or is it shared visions of the future as building blocks of collective living?
Secret CVs: The Slow Violence of Casual Sexism in Academia
An anonymous whistleblower describes the cumulative effect of sexual harassment in academia.
A Biography’s Tale: On Anthony Burgess by Roger Lewis
Columnist Jonathan Russell Clark proves that sometimes, the best biographers can’t stand their subjects.
Black Candles for Bad Men
A supermarket worker turns to her ancestors for help stopping sexual harassment.
Infidelity for Beginners
A publicist engages in an activity she can tell no one about: an affair with her boss.
Priest of Snark: Why One Young Man Heeded the Call
Isabel Tehan profiles a young man who followed his vocation into a dying profession: the Catholic priesthood.
So You’ve Decided to “Live Your Life” Now That You Think COVID is Over…
As the pandemic rages on, Anna Hamilton urges the continued use of Covid precautions: "On some level, I understand being 'tired' of the pandemic. I understand missing 'normalcy.' But for people who have debilitating chronic illness, chronic pain/fatigue, and/or long Covid, our normal sucks."
MOVED: On Speaking Spanish
Maria Bustillos and Myriam Gurba discuss growing up bilingual in a monolingual world.
Tamales Are For Eating, Not Walking
Of all the sounds you can wake up to in Mexico City, my favorite by far is the distant shout of the local vendor slowly approaching your street, yelling “tamales.” My partner was usually up before me and would let me know the vendor was getting close as he handed me my hot cup of […]
Of Tacos y Heartbreak
Isabel Quintero and her ex-husband find the perfect tacos to eat at the end of their marriage.
No Princesses: Reflections on the Passing of Sacheen Littlefeather
Critic Myriam Gurba reflects on the passing of Sacheen Littlefeather and her attempted takedown by a notorious “pretendian” researcher.
Noncompliant Heart
Writer Wendy C. Ortiz traces the development of her rebellious spirit and schools us in fascism’s ties to the Pledge of Allegiance.