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 November 2014

Natural Disasters
It’s going to get insanely cold across the United States this weekIt’s going to get insanely cold across the United States this week
Natural Disasters

Though be careful before blaming the “polar vortex.”

By Brad Plumer
Video
The unprecedented comet landing, explained in 3 minutesThe unprecedented comet landing, explained in 3 minutes
Play
Video

Comets may have brought the ingredients of life to Earth. Now we’re repaying the visit.

By Joseph Stromberg and Joss Fong
Syria
How Congress’ debate over ISIS could end the war on terror — or expand itHow Congress’ debate over ISIS could end the war on terror — or expand it
Syria

In the debate over an ISIS AUMF, Congress has a golden opportunity to rethink the entire war on terrorism. Will it take the chance?

By Zack Beauchamp
Climate
The Netherlands built a bike path entirely out of solar panelsThe Netherlands built a bike path entirely out of solar panels
Climate

It’s neat, but this is a really inefficient way to generate solar power.

By Brad Plumer
Almanac
Read a version of The Jungle Book written in meows, thanks to this programRead a version of The Jungle Book written in meows, thanks to this program
Almanac

Moby-Dick is a long and strenuous book to read, but what if you could read the canonical work of literature as a cat might — in only meows.

By Kelsey McKinney
War on Drugs
What you should know about the surprisingly promising push to shrink federal prisonsWhat you should know about the surprisingly promising push to shrink federal prisons
War on Drugs

There’s a bipartisan bill to cut prison sentences for federal drug crimes in half.

By Dara Lind
Health Care
The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to discipline 1,000 more employeesThe Department of Veterans Affairs plans to discipline 1,000 more employees
Health Care

The effects of the VA scandal are still trickling through the troubled agency.

By German Lopez
Health Care
Obamacare premiums are falling by 0.2% across 48 major citiesObamacare premiums are falling by 0.2% across 48 major cities
Health Care

Some very good news for Obamacare.

By Ezra Klein
Neuroscience
How bionic technology will change what it means to be humanHow bionic technology will change what it means to be human
Neuroscience

Researchers have already built exoskeletons for super strength and artificial eyes that let the blind see.

By Susannah Locke
archives
Where America’s veterans live, mappedWhere America’s veterans live, mapped
archives

Florida, Arizona, and Nevada — plus rural areas.

By Matthew Yglesias
archives
Veterans Day should actually be about serving veteransVeterans Day should actually be about serving veterans
Culture
Why the internet is obsessed with the truly bizarre Too Many CooksWhy the internet is obsessed with the truly bizarre Too Many Cooks
Culture

It’s great. It’s also very strange and disturbing.

By Emily St. James
archives
If Comcast doesn’t want more regulation, maybe it should be less terribleIf Comcast doesn’t want more regulation, maybe it should be less terrible
archives

Bad customer service is bad politics.

By Matthew Yglesias
Space
Philae is about to become the first spacecraft ever to land on a cometPhilae is about to become the first spacecraft ever to land on a comet
Play
Space

We’ve landed on six celestial bodies ever. The tiny spacecraft is about to make it seven.

By Joseph Stromberg
Climate
Is there a free-market solution to global warming?Is there a free-market solution to global warming?
Climate

Some conservatives have suggested a revenue-neutral carbon tax. But that won’t necessarily break the partisan deadlock.

By Brad Plumer