@robrubsam.bsky.social makes the case for reading a difficult book in @theatlantic.com. I love this challenge and might replace some of my murder mysteries with some philosophical classics.

In my latest essay for Frieze Magazine, I discussed Widline Cadet's photograph, Manyen Distans, which evokes Haitian folklore of lougarou. It's a short reflection on the stories we are told and how they shape our aesthetics. www.frieze.com/article/widl...

RIP Tatiana Schlossberg, an environmental journalist who managed to write about anthropogenic impacts on the climate while also remaining hopeful about our capacity to prevent further damage on this planet. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/u...

It's absolutely appalling to ban humanitarian aid organizations such as Doctors Without Borders in Gaza. A cease-fire that denies the displaced and dispossessed, with basic care, is a slow death sentence. www.npr.org/2025/12/30/g...

Please read my latest article in @thebaffler.com, where I reviewed Ellen Huet's book, Empire of Orgasm. As the title suggests, the text details the sexual rituals of One Taste, an organization that was investigated for its cultish tendencies and abuse allegations. thebaffler.com/latest/diffe...

‘Trump wanted to overthrow Maduro during his first term but complained that the US military prevented him from invading so that he could take Venezuela’s oil. He can now claim “mission accomplished”.’

Forrest Hylton on Trump and Venezuela, new on the blog:

www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2026/ja...

At least 7 explosions heard in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, followed by a low-flying aircraft, say media reports.

For more than 2 years, police in Berlin - encouraged by city and national politicians - have systematically used excessive violence in an attempt to beat the Palestine solidarity movement into silence.

I wrote about this phenomenon for the @lrb.co.uk