The Atlantic
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On Big-Idea Books
At the Atlantic, Marshall Poe discusses his attempt to write a “big-idea book” about Wikipedia, and how he ended up with a “book of ideas” instead. “Years of academic research taught me two things. First, reality is as complicated as…
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“The Great Schism”
This Ta-Nehesi Coates Atlantic piece takes a closer look at what caused the rift between abolitionists and suffragists, despite their many shared values. “I think one way of looking at this — among many others — is to not look at the…
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Images of Occupy Wall Street Worldwide
The Atlantic has collected photographs of Occupy Wall Street protests across the world. The 50 photos—taken over the last several days—depict the growing nature of the movement.
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Rude Hand Gestures
“Depending on where you are, a thumbs up could just be a sign of approval. But in some countries, this refers to an action in the nether regions, and is meant as an offense. Visitors should note that to add…
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Crosswords, Broken Down By a Professional
Will Shortz, the puzzle mastermind behind the NY Times Crossword Puzzle, is revealing his strategies to the Atlantic. He goes through the whole process—fishing the right crossword from the submission slush pile, and then the major clue editing and revising…
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The Freelance Revolution
“Today, careers consist of piecing together various types of work, juggling multiple clients, learning to be marketing and accounting experts, and creating offices in bedrooms/coffee shops/coworking spaces. Independent workers abound. We call them freelancers, contractors, sole proprietors, consultants, temps, and…
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Philosophy in Shapes
The project Philographics creates a series of posters “explaining complex philosophical theories through basic shapes.” This piece enlarges some of the posters, so that you can read the brief description while eyeing the graphic of concepts such as relativism, hedonism,…
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Invention-Cartooning
This Atlantic article explores the “alternate realities” imagined by one Steven M. Johnson. The “inventor-cartoonist” has had many transformations since his design-beginnings back in the 1970s. Over the years his focus has moved from the purely “funny, funky or silly,”…
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Talking, Lying Heads
Certain technological mediums seem to encourage lying, and—according to this article— “may make it easier for talking heads to lie.” Researchers have found that—compared to in-person interactions—people lie more by phone, but less by email and IM. Factors that encourage…
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Spoiled Stories
Do you want someone to come along and spoil that short-story you’re about to begin? Yes you do, says this study. The “Hedonic Ratings of Spoiled & Unspoiled Stories” chart, compiled by U.C. San Diego researchers, addresses three distinct genres—ironic…
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Name That Accent
You know that accent you hear in old films from the 30s and 40s that’s “not faux-British, but it’s a particular kind of lah-dee-dah American diction?” This piece ponders the prevalence and subsequent demise of that particular sound—apparently known as…
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Tupper’s Other Ware
Earl Tupper, inventor of Tupperware, would have been 104 yesterday. This piece offers a glimpse of Tupper’s other inventions, complete with his own sketches. While it was those plastic containers that brought him success, his journals show a plethora of…