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Archive

Archives for December 2014

archives
5 reasons everyone should love surge pricing5 reasons everyone should love surge pricing
archives

Surge prices are good for passengers, good for drivers, and no one is forced to pay them.

By Timothy B. Lee
Culture
Actor Edward Herrmann has died at 71. Here’s why he was the definitive FDR.Actor Edward Herrmann has died at 71. Here’s why he was the definitive FDR.
Culture

He played the 32nd president not once, not twice, but five times.

By Emily St. James
Almanac
Google knows what your New Year’s resolutions are going to beGoogle knows what your New Year’s resolutions are going to be
Almanac

Let us start the storied annual tradition of dieting and then giving up

By Danielle Kurtzleben
Technology
Software patents are a disaster. The courts finally did something about it in 2014.Software patents are a disaster. The courts finally did something about it in 2014.
Technology

A landmark Supreme Court ruling could mark the beginning of the end for patenting software.

By Timothy B. Lee
Culture
The 10 best movies of 2014The 10 best movies of 2014
Culture

From giant blockbusters to tiny documentaries, these were 10 films that we loved in 2014.

By Emily St. James
Climate
Which environmental stories in 2014 were actually important?Which environmental stories in 2014 were actually important?
Climate

The stories that dominated the headlines — like Keystone XL — may be less important than some little-noticed trends.

By Brad Plumer
archives
Gov. Martin O’Malley gave Maryland’s last 4 death row inmates life sentencesGov. Martin O’Malley gave Maryland’s last 4 death row inmates life sentences
archives

The state abolished the death penalty in 2013, but it had four inmates still waiting sentence.

By German Lopez
archives
#RealLifeTransAdult: The inspiring response to a transgender teen’s tragic suicide#RealLifeTransAdult: The inspiring response to a transgender teen’s tragic suicide
archives

Leelah Alcorn said her parents wanted her to be a “perfect little straight Christian boy.”

By German Lopez
Politics
Most immigrants caught at the Mexican border aren’t MexicanMost immigrants caught at the Mexican border aren’t Mexican
Politics

The border hit a turning point in 2014. Here’s why it’s happening.

By Dara Lind
Video
Happy New Year! Here are 7 ways the world is getting better.Happy New Year! Here are 7 ways the world is getting better.
Play
Video

We’re not doing so bad after all, people.

By Joe Posner
Police Violence
New York City police officers are protesting by refusing to work. It’s not the first time.New York City police officers are protesting by refusing to work. It’s not the first time.
Police Violence

There’s a long history to cops rebelling against elected leaders.

By German Lopez
Features
2014: The Year in Emoji2014: The Year in Emoji
Features

We took some of 2014’s biggest news stories and translated them into 2014’s universal language.

Culture
Netflix is posting a fake New Year’s Eve broadcast to trick kids into going to bed earlyNetflix is posting a fake New Year’s Eve broadcast to trick kids into going to bed early
Culture

Parents can fake the countdown to the New Year the same way they watched a fire crackle on Christmas morning — in the alternate reality of online streaming!

By Kelsey McKinney
Police Violence
Grand juries usually don’t indict police officers. Should they be changed?Grand juries usually don’t indict police officers. Should they be changed?
Police Violence

Experts and the public agree the process doesn’t work for cases involving police.

By German Lopez
Culture
Serial revisited: Jay’s interview shreds the case against Adnan SyedSerial revisited: Jay’s interview shreds the case against Adnan Syed
Culture

How can anyone still say Adnan’s guilt is beyond a reasonable doubt?

By Ezra Klein