Recent editors’ picks
Middle of Somewhere
“One remote highway in Nevada links far-flung communities that attracted settlers for generations. Why are some still drawn there today?”
The Mars Delusion
“Establishing a human colony on Mars is fraught with risk. Why are so many people obsessed with achieving it?”
Secrets of the Magus
“Ricky Jay does closeup magic that flouts reality.”
Return to the River
“Nearly a year after the devastating July 4 floods, Hill Country communities are still grieving and rebuilding, while hoping to welcome visitors back to the Guadalupe.”
Nobody Here Wants the Data Center: An Oral History
“We’ve gathered stories from all across the country detailing what happens when Big Tech’s latest monstrosities come to town.”
A Winding Road, a Bottle of Wine, and a Crash That Keeps Punishing Oak Grove
“Ananya Rao was not driving when she was badly injured and a friend from Lakeside High was killed. But her parents might go to prison.”
The Mom Who Runs a Household With a Staff of AI Agents
“Jesse Genet’s time was scarce. So she hired Claire, Sylvie, Clark, Dan, and Chloe.”
How the Crossword Conquered America
“Even in a boom time for games, the decidedly old-fashioned puzzles are more popular than ever. I went to the best place on Earth to understand why.”
A Diehard Drinker Accidentally Quits
“The cultural discourse around avoiding alcohol never convinced me—and why sober up when the world is burning? Then life intervened.”
