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Archive

Archives for November 2014

Culture
Why Aaron Sorkin has struggled to create great TV since the West WingWhy Aaron Sorkin has struggled to create great TV since the West Wing
Culture

It’s all about conflict and exposition.

By Emily St. James
Technology
Did we give the pill too much power?Did we give the pill too much power?
Technology

More than 50 years after its invention, the promise of the birth control pill is still out of reach for many women.

By New America Foundation Weekly Wonk
Space
What aliens can teach us about global warmingWhat aliens can teach us about global warming
Space

What if climate change is a predictable consequence of intelligent life?

By Joseph Stromberg
Criminal Justice
North Korea finally releases American prisoners Kenneth Bae and Matthew Todd MillerNorth Korea finally releases American prisoners Kenneth Bae and Matthew Todd Miller
Criminal Justice

What you need to know about the two American prisoners who were just released in North Korea.

By Amanda Taub
Culture
Taylor Swift isn’t on Spotify anymore, but here’s a playlist of replacement jamsTaylor Swift isn’t on Spotify anymore, but here’s a playlist of replacement jams
Culture

Taylor Swift pulled all of her songs from streaming services this week. Survive the weekend with these songs

By Kelsey McKinney and Scott Kellum
Natural Disasters
Scientists were expecting a big El Niño this year. So where did it go?Scientists were expecting a big El Niño this year. So where did it go?
Natural Disasters

The odds of El Niño are now down to 58% — and if one emerges, it’s expected to be weak.

By Brad Plumer
Politics
A totally legal, totally shady way that Republicans could ensure Hillary Clinton’s defeatA totally legal, totally shady way that Republicans could ensure Hillary Clinton’s defeat
Politics

They wouldn’t really — or would they?

By Matthew Yglesias
Technology
Do you have six minutes? Watch Bee and Puppycat and laugh and laughDo you have six minutes? Watch Bee and Puppycat and laugh and laugh
Technology

Finally, a show about a normal girl and her space-age puppycat.

By Emily St. James
Video
The huge new threat to Obamacare, explained in 2 minutesThe huge new threat to Obamacare, explained in 2 minutes
Play
Video

A Supreme Court case could dismantle Obamacare in 36 states.

By Ezra Klein
Culture
The Lena Dunham child abuse controversy, explainedThe Lena Dunham child abuse controversy, explained
Culture

This story is bigger than just this episode. It touches on two simultaneous debates that have swirled around Dunham and her work since her HBO show premiered in 2012.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Marijuana Legalization
No, women aren’t overwhelmingly more likely to oppose marijuana legalizationNo, women aren’t overwhelmingly more likely to oppose marijuana legalization
Marijuana Legalization

There’s a gender gap, but it’s probably not 15 points.

By German Lopez
archives
Ballot selfies are illegal, for no very good reasonBallot selfies are illegal, for no very good reason
archives

This prevents corruption, supposedly.

By Matthew Yglesias
archives
Vox Sentences: At least four Supreme Court justices might want to gut ObamacareVox Sentences: At least four Supreme Court justices might want to gut Obamacare
archives

The Supreme Court gets a second chance to gut Obamacare. And at least four justices sound like they want to take it.

By Dylan Matthews
Prison Sentences
Obama nominates Loretta Lynch for Attorney GeneralObama nominates Loretta Lynch for Attorney General
Prison Sentences

She’d become the second woman and the second African-American to hold the post.

By Jenée Desmond-Harris and Dara Lind
Health Care
The two things you need to know about the Supreme Court’s new Obamacare caseThe two things you need to know about the Supreme Court’s new Obamacare case
Health Care

The Supreme Court only takes 1.1 percent of the cases presented to it. The fact that they took this one is solid evidence that at least four justices — and maybe more — are considering gutting Obamacare in 36 states.

By Sarah Kliff