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Archive

Archives for December 2014

archives
Here’s the secret to getting a lower cable billHere’s the secret to getting a lower cable bill
archives

You’re probably paying your cable company too much. Two industry insiders explain how to change that.

By Timothy B. Lee
The Simpsons turns 25 this week. Here are the 25 best cartoons it inspired
Technology

Our list includes everything from weird Adult Swim shows to major broadcast hits.

By Emily St. James, Dylan Matthews and 3 more
Almanac
Some doctors still use leeches. This is what it’s like to be treated by one.Some doctors still use leeches. This is what it’s like to be treated by one.
Almanac

Believe it or not, you won’t feel a thing.

By Joseph Stromberg
Technology
How North Korea, one of the world’s poorest countries, got so good at hackingHow North Korea, one of the world’s poorest countries, got so good at hacking
Technology

It’s not just Sony: The Hermit Kingdom’s cyberwar program has been wreaking havoc for years.

By Max Fisher
Police Violence
Why police unions protect the worst copsWhy police unions protect the worst cops
Police Violence

After every shooting, officers can always rely on their unions to stand behind them.

By German Lopez
archives
Here’s the big thing we get wrong when we talk about STEMHere’s the big thing we get wrong when we talk about STEM
archives

Academics can debate for forever whether or not there’s a STEM shortage, but the problem might be what we call STEM in the first place.

By Danielle Kurtzleben
Science
The science of “hangry” — how low blood sugar makes you a monsterThe science of “hangry” — how low blood sugar makes you a monster
Science

It’s not your fault. It’s biology.

By Susannah Locke
Video
Why the Cuba embargo needs to end, explained in 3 minutesWhy the Cuba embargo needs to end, explained in 3 minutes
Play
Video

The US has started normalizing diplomacy with Cuba, but it will take an act of congress to end the embargo. Here are seven reasons why it should.

By Zack Beauchamp
Culture
Why Sony was wrong to pull The InterviewWhy Sony was wrong to pull The Interview
Culture

This is an act of incredible cowardice, no matter the excuse or caveat used to explain it.

By Emily St. James
1.2 million American teachers aren’t covered by Social Security
Money

Here are eight reasons why they should be

By Chad Aldeman
Life
How a linguist reads a menuHow a linguist reads a menu
Life

A Stanford linguist unearths the winding, surprising histories of the foods that feel most familiar to us.

By Ezra Klein
Technology
The Sony hack: how it happened, who is responsible, and what we’ve learnedThe Sony hack: how it happened, who is responsible, and what we’ve learned
Technology

Hackers have stolen millions of documents from Sony Pictures, a major Hollywood studio. Here’s what you need to know.

By Timothy B. Lee
Cuba
Everything you need to read about the huge US-Cuba dealEverything you need to read about the huge US-Cuba deal
Cuba

Plus, the Fed’s subtle but significant change to economic policy, and terrorist threats deny America the right to watch Seth Rogen’s new movie.

By Dylan Matthews
Climate
New York State decides to ban frackingNew York State decides to ban fracking
Climate

Officials worried about the potential for groundwater contamination — and weren’t convinced fracking would lead to an economic boom.

By Brad Plumer
archives
Why North Korea does crazy things like hack Sony and threaten to nuke ColoradoWhy North Korea does crazy things like hack Sony and threaten to nuke Colorado
Play
archives

This video explains it in two minutes.

By Max Fisher