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Archive

Archives for December 2014

Cybersecurity
German investigation says the NSA probably didn’t tap Merkel’s phone after allGerman investigation says the NSA probably didn’t tap Merkel’s phone after all
Cybersecurity

The document that the allegation was based on may not be authentic at all.

By Max Fisher
Culture
For his next trick, Stephen Colbert interviews a fire-breathing dragonFor his next trick, Stephen Colbert interviews a fire-breathing dragon
Culture

Here’s what happened when Smaug showed up on set.

By Brandon Ambrosino
Almanac
Here’s how students in the 1400s doodled during classHere’s how students in the 1400s doodled during class
Almanac

Modern students are hardly the first ones to zone out while reading a textbook.

By Brandon Ambrosino
The most underappreciated films of 2014, according to data
Technology

All of these were critically praised but made under $1 million.

By Dylan Matthews
Politics
The real reason Obama pushed House Democrats so hard to pass the CRomnibusThe real reason Obama pushed House Democrats so hard to pass the CRomnibus
Politics

If the CRomnibus collapsed, what came next would have been worse for Democrats.

By Ezra Klein
archives
Elizabeth Warren is not the Democrats’ Ted CruzElizabeth Warren is not the Democrats’ Ted Cruz
archives

The problems with a deeply flawed analogy.

By Matthew Yglesias
Social Policy
7 reasons Mike Pence will be the GOP nominee in 20167 reasons Mike Pence will be the GOP nominee in 2016
Social Policy

The Indiana governor isn’t the most famous name in the GOP field, but has all the right ingredients to win.

By Matthew Yglesias
Technology
7 internet policy ideas that everyone can agree on7 internet policy ideas that everyone can agree on
Technology

Policy wonks are locked in a bitter fight over net neutrality, but there are other areas where common-sense tech policy reforms have broad support.

By Eli Dourado and Danielle Kehl
World Politics
Almost half of Indians living on less than $1.50 per day consider themselves middle classAlmost half of Indians living on less than $1.50 per day consider themselves middle class
World Politics

A new study produced on Indians’ economic attitudes produced very surprising results

By Amanda Taub
20 maps that never happened
Technology

Maps of countries, infrastructure projects, and invasions that never were — but might have been.

By Matthew Yglesias
Politics
The CRomnibus shows Democrats, Republicans working together on ObamacareThe CRomnibus shows Democrats, Republicans working together on Obamacare
Politics

We might be entering an era where Democrats and Republicans make fixes and compromises around the Affordable Care Act.

By Sarah Kliff
Politics
House passes bill to fund the government after last-minute dramaHouse passes bill to fund the government after last-minute drama
Politics

The vote was bipartisan.

By Andrew Prokop
archives
Congress has four hours left to prevent a government shutdownCongress has four hours left to prevent a government shutdown
archives

Plus, John Brennan kinda sorta defends the CIA torture program, and climate talks lag in Peru.

By Dylan Matthews
Culture
9 things to know about the 2015 Golden Globes9 things to know about the 2015 Golden Globes
Culture

On Thursday, the nominations for the 72nd annual Golden Globe Awards were announced. Here’s a brief look at the nine biggest surprises.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Culture
True Detective, Fargo, and the problem with TV endingsTrue Detective, Fargo, and the problem with TV endings
Culture

Television is all about possibility. Why are so many shows now about closing that off?

By Emily St. James