Analysis

X is Elon’s world. Threads is a mess. Is Bluesky any better?

Is Bluesky any better than X? It certainly seems to be better than Threads.

By Maura JudkisNovember 28, 2024

Inside Sotheby’s $6 million sale of a banana

Turns out that crypto bros love “Comedian,” Maurizio Cattelan’s now-infamous work consisting of a banana with duct tape, a spoof of art-world capitalism.

By Ashley Fetters MaloyNovember 21, 2024

The MAGA hats of Manhattan

Post-election, some Trump fans are feeling emboldened to wear red MAGA hats in blue areas.

By Ashley Fetters MaloyNovember 16, 2024

Perimenopausal women are ‘enraged’ — and no longer keeping quiet

Perimenopause — the time leading up to menopause — has recently entered pop culture with the ferocity of a hot flash.

By Rachelle BergsteinNovember 12, 2024

They smoke pot, drink booze and consider themselves sober

Jelly Roll has said he uses marijuana to stay sober, and occasionally has a drink. What does a fluid definition of sobriety mean for addiction treatment?

By Shane O’NeillNovember 6, 2024

Inside NYC’s glorious, surreal Timothée Chalamet look-alike contest

There were Wonkas, Paul Atreides, a Bob Dylan and one corgi (Timothée Corglamet!). But would the real Timothée show?

By Ashley Fetters MaloyOctober 28, 2024

This town has no cell service, so the ‘electrosensitive’ have made it home

The tiny West Virginia town of Green Bank — a cell-phone dead zone by design — has become a refuge for people who feel their lives have been ruined by sensitivity to the electromagnetic waves of the modern world.

By Travis M. AndrewsOctober 18, 2024

Fried bear. Snake over rice. Everything’s fair game at the Roadkill Cook-Off.

The Roadkill Cook-Off put the town of Marlinton, W. Va., on the map, in a state that’s a hearty stew of homey mountain towns.

By Travis M. AndrewsOctober 7, 2024

Galaxy Gas whips up the short-attention-span moment

What to know about Galaxy Gas: new laws, new technology and new social media interest have brought a rush of nitrous oxide into a perpetually bored culture.

By Shane O’NeillOctober 5, 2024

Meet the 2024 MacArthur ‘genius grant’ winners

This year’s list of MacArthur “genius grant” fellows includes author Jason Reynolds and “Reservation Dogs” co-creator Sterlin Harjo.

By Roxanne RobertsOctober 1, 2024

Sports mascots were very dude-coded. Then came Ellie the Elephant.

You can’t ignore the elephant in the room — because she’s twerking, for the WNBA’s New York Liberty.

By Anne BraniginSeptember 22, 2024

Has everyone at work lost their minds?

Complaints of bad behavior and petty sabotage in the office include stolen lunches, spandex office gear and a lack of basic hygiene.

By Janay Kingsberry and Sofia AndradeSeptember 2, 2024

The mythical Mavis Beacon who taught typing to a generation

The new documentary “Seeking Mavis Beacon” chronicles a quest for the woman who lent her face to the computer game.

By Ashley Fetters MaloyAugust 31, 2024

Is celebrity fandom getting too ‘weird’? Chappell Roan thinks so.

Pop star Chappell Roan is concerned about “creepy behavior” and says she wants privacy from fans. It’s a big ask for any celebrity.

By Sofia Andrade and Janay KingsberryAugust 26, 2024

How Zyn became ‘in’ amid right-wing fervor for nicotine

How did Zyn become a Big Tobacco lifeline, a social media sensation and a culture war symbol? The answer involves Sweden, Chuck Schumer and the “Hawk Tuah Girl.”

By Shane O’NeillAugust 15, 2024

Do we really need deodorant ‘down there’?

Some have welcomed the rise of full-body deodorant, but many are wary given the history of unnecessary feminine hygiene products.

By Ashley Fetters MaloyAugust 8, 2024

Race walking endures at the Olympics, and it’s more hip than you think

Americans didn’t qualify for the race walk in the Paris Olympics — but that’s all the more reason to talk about it.

By Dan ZakAugust 7, 2024

How the Glucose Goddess sweet-talked her way into the American diet

As the “Glucose Goddess,” French influencer Jessie Inchauspé has found a niche in, of all things, promoting blood sugar awareness.

By Ilana KaplanAugust 7, 2024

Is anybody having a better time at the Olympics than these two?

Meet Tiffany and Kalyn from Canada. If there’s an event or a party in Paris to go to, they’re on it. Buckle up, we’re doing the Olympics at 1,000 percent.

By Dan ZakAugust 6, 2024

Color theory for male politicians: Am I a gold, copper or bronze?

From President Biden to JD Vance to Josh Shapiro, this election season has given us an eyeful of the glorious highs and perilous lows of men’s makeup.

By Anne BraniginAugust 5, 2024