Pan-Asianism Redux, or Why We Think Japan Is Special
Observers have long hailed Japan’s aptitude for cultural synthesis. Is this characterization warranted, or does it reflect a collective fantasy about exceptionalism?
The Power of the Purse
The first time a president withheld funds for something approved by Congress, it led to the Impoundment Control Act. We’ll soon find out if that law has teeth.
Cochabamba People’s Agreement: Annotated
In April 2010, representatives from 140 countries gathered in Bolivia to outline an explicitly anti-capitalist, decolonial agenda for the sake of the planet.
Versatile Velcro™
Velcro is used in many spaces, from spacecraft to shoes. A relatively recent invention, it was inspired by the close observation of nature.
The Media’s Bottom-Line Problem
The health of our democracy depends on a free press. What happens when the thirst for profits, eyeballs, and clicks drives political coverage?
Our Obsession with Art Heists
A deeply ingrained interest in stolen objects and their recovery reflects our collective uncertainty over how we value art.
How a Forbidden Russian Epic Finally Got Published
Soviet dissident Vasily Grossman’s Life and Fate was “arrested” by the KGB in 1961. Here’s how it finally saw the light of day.
After the Capitol Riot, Who Will Govern Speech Online?
Protecting democracy from the power of free speech seems like a paradox. However, free speech on the internet has never truly been free.
Superbarrio: The People’s Superhero
Defender of the poor tenants and evictor of the voracious landlords, a masked lucha libre wrestler rose from the ruins of Mexico City’s 1985 earthquake.
The Miyawaki Method: A Better Way to Build Forests?
India’s forest production company is following the tenets of the master Japanese botanist, restoring biodiversity in resource-depleted communities.