Imagining a Future Where a Spy Could Disappear

In Emily St. John Mandel’s new novel Exit Party, becoming a “ghost” means running afoul of the state. In this excerpt, a secret agent discovers it doesn’t take much.

Book Excerpt: Emily St. John Mandel’s ‘Exit Party’ Imagines a Future Where a Spy Could Disappear

In Emily St. John Mandel’s new novel Exit Party, becoming a “ghost” means running afoul of the state. In this excerpt, a secret agent discovers it doesn’t take much.

How NASA Testing Changed US Food Inspection Forever

In the early 20th century, public outcry following Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle led to stricter food safety protocols. NASA took them a step further.

Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and the Misreading of Science Fiction

Beyond Elon Musk’s interpretation of The Odyssey, Silicon Valley leaders have often misunderstood classic books like Foundation and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. It’s evident in their tech.

The Real Story Behind the 2018 Google Walkout

In 2018, more than 20,000 employees walked out to protest how Google handled allegations of sexual harassment. Here’s how they organized it from inside the company.

The Chatbot That Foretold Why People Share Secrets With ChatGPT

In the 1960s an MIT professor named Joseph Weizenbaum created a chatbot called ELIZA. The conversations people had with it set precedents for the chatbots to come.

People Used to Control Machines. They Don’t Anymore

In a world regulated by devices, humanity has become disconnected from the physical world—from stick-shift cars to postcards.

The Untold Story of the Google Buses That Took Over San Francisco

A decade ago, commuter buses attracted big protests in San Francisco. Years later, the city is still feeling the repercussions.

Gen Z Is Pioneering a New Understanding of Truth

The first generation to truly grow up online, Generation Z and their cohort live in a social media ecosystem that blends facts and feelings. It’s significantly shifting how they understand what’s true.

Why Soccer Still Defies Statistical Analysis

Sarah Rudd, who once ran analytics for Arsenal, made her name applying the tenets of probability theory to movements on the pitch. Even she admits not everything can be solved with data.