Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Archive

Archives for October 2014

archives
Pictures of black voters make whites more likely to support voter ID lawsPictures of black voters make whites more likely to support voter ID laws
archives

But the near future of voter ID doesn’t rest on voters — it’s in the hands of the courts

By Dara Lind
archives
What causes failed marriages: Poor communication, money trouble...and expensive rings?What causes failed marriages: Poor communication, money trouble...and expensive rings?
archives

A new study has all sorts of fun (and maybe meaningless) correlations about the relationship between your wedding and your marriage

By Danielle Kurtzleben
Money
The $245,000 cost of raising a child, in 5 chartsThe $245,000 cost of raising a child, in 5 charts
Money

Child care and health care are both helping drive up the cost of raising a kid.

By Danielle Kurtzleben
Congress
Just because Congress is hopelessly broken doesn’t mean the midterms are meaninglessJust because Congress is hopelessly broken doesn’t mean the midterms are meaningless
Congress

Who runs the Senate will make a difference, but who runs states like Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Illinois is a much bigger deal.

By Matthew Yglesias
Marriage Equality
Why Catholic bishops are meeting in Rome to discuss same-sex marriageWhy Catholic bishops are meeting in Rome to discuss same-sex marriage
Marriage Equality

The Church said that gay people “have gifts and qualities to offer the Christian community.” What does that actually mean?

By Brandon Ambrosino
Syria
The Kurdish war: How ISIS and Syria are reigniting an old conflict in TurkeyThe Kurdish war: How ISIS and Syria are reigniting an old conflict in Turkey
Syria

If the Turkey-PKK conflict restarts in earnest, the Syrian civil war will get even more intractable. And ISIS would almost certainly emerge as a big winner.

By Zack Beauchamp
The pain test: Doctors have no idea how much their patients suffer. That’s about to change
Health Care

Brain scans could transform how doctors understand pain, and bring relief to millions.

By Susannah Locke
Video
The 2014 midterms, explained in 8 bitsThe 2014 midterms, explained in 8 bits
Play
Video

This year is a particularly menacing level of Donkey Kong for Democrats. But 2016 isn’t.

By Ezra Klein
archives
Immigrants aren’t taking your jobs, they’re making their ownImmigrants aren’t taking your jobs, they’re making their own
archives

Immigrants aren’t taking your jobs, they’re making their own

By Anand Katakam
Media
Unless you are Sasha or Malia, you will fully enjoy Michelle Obama dancing with a turnipUnless you are Sasha or Malia, you will fully enjoy Michelle Obama dancing with a turnip
Media

It’s the mom joke to end all mom jokes.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Technology
Why so many people have become dependent on centralized apps like SlackWhy so many people have become dependent on centralized apps like Slack
Technology

The internet used to be highly decentralized. It’s not any more.

By Timothy B. Lee
Health Care
Supreme Court blocks Texas from closing most of its abortion clincsSupreme Court blocks Texas from closing most of its abortion clincs
Health Care

Thirteen Texas abortion clinics will remain open, after the Supreme Court blocked a stringent new law from taking effect.

By Sarah Kliff
archives
National Democrats are giving up on Alison Lundergan Grimes in KentuckyNational Democrats are giving up on Alison Lundergan Grimes in Kentucky
archives

Picking and choosing their battles.

By Andrew Prokop
Climate
How falling oil prices are squeezing Iran, Russia, and Saudi ArabiaHow falling oil prices are squeezing Iran, Russia, and Saudi Arabia
Climate

Russia’s economy could be seriously hurt. But the Saudis are far more optimistic.

By Brad Plumer
Education
Student loan repayment is so complicated, even a top expert can’t figure it outStudent loan repayment is so complicated, even a top expert can’t figure it out
Education

A former Obama administration official tried to enroll his niece in income-based repayment and learned it’s a struggle. Here’s how it could be easier.

By Libby Nelson