Trump Even Screws Up Conspiracy Theories
Reading Time: 15 minutes Questioning accepted narratives is a healthy feature of an open society. But today’s conspiracists come without any evidence or sources — only a motive.
America’s Long History of Hating Immigrants
Reading Time: 15 minutes A look at how things like the Chinese Exclusion Act, eugenics, and white America’s desire for racial purity have historically been far worse than what we are seeing today — at least so far.
Everything You Know About Charles Manson Is Wrong!
Reading Time: 26 minutes The stunning results of a 20-year investigation into Charles Manson, the CIA, corrupt prosecutors, and the secret history of the Sixties.
Cyber Armies Are on the March
Reading Time: 15 minutes The current reality may be far more dangerous than past nuclear threats: Richard Clarke, the first White House official placed in charge of US cybersecurity policy, looks at the dangers of cyber warfare today.
Paul Krassner: The Life of an Investigative Satirist
Reading Time: 18 minutes Upon the death of Paul Krassner this week, we are sharing part of a conversation WhoWhatWhy podcaster Jeff Schechtman had with him back in 2009.
The Supreme Court’s Recent Decisions Cement Minority Rule
Reading Time: 16 minutes Gerrymandering expert David Daley explains the connection between partisan redistricting and Trump administration efforts to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census.
The Sexual Exploitation of Children: A Big Business
Reading Time: 14 minutes The leader of an LA-based nonprofit talks about the trafficking of children — a growing scourge.
Truth Decay Part 2: News in a Digital Age
Reading Time: 14 minutes A conversation with the author of RAND’s new follow-up report on the diminishing role of facts and data in the news.
We’ve Just Doubled Down On Revolutionary War Mythology
Reading Time: 13 minutes A look at what we don’t understand about the Revolutionary War, and why that’s so important today.
Why Election Integrity Is the Whole Ballgame
Reading Time: 13 minutes A look at why a dysfunctional world needs American democracy to work.
The Frightening Rise of Algorithms
Reading Time: 13 minutes Why and how algorithms are taking over our lives, why we should care, and what we can do about it.
Who Should Censor Online Speech?
Reading Time: 18 minutes David Kaye, UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression, distils the global challenges of our most consequential free-speech issue.
Facing Human Extinction, Activist Wants to ‘Go Down Swinging’
Reading Time: 18 minutes Randy Hayes had hoped for an “elegant transition” away from fossil fuels, but now there isn’t time for even a “semi-elegant transition.”
Why Trade Matters
Reading Time: 24 minutes RAND senior economist Dr. Howard Shatz gives us a primer on trade and globalization.
Powerful Democrat Lives Large on Corporate Cash
Reading Time: 16 minutes Since becoming chairman of the influential Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA) has raised and spent tons of campaign cash. Journalist David Daley shares the facts.
The End of Guns
Reading Time: 20 minutes Can tasers and electric pulse technology replace the need for traditional guns?
The Solution to Democracy Is Less Democracy, Author Says
Reading Time: 16 minutes Yale Professor Ian Shapiro argues that strong political parties, not grassroots citizen efforts, are what’s needed to restore our democracy.
Trying to Understand Trump’s Finances Is Taxing
Reading Time: 19 minutes Martin Sheil, a former IRS investigator, walks us through what we know about Trump’s taxes.
It’s All About the Benjamins: The Trouble With Philanthropy Today
Reading Time: 15 minutes A look at why the personal agendas of wealthy philanthropists do not always serve the public good.
Green Shoots in the Future of Voting
Reading Time: 18 minutes Some stories and blueprints for success in the voting-rights battle.