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Culture Archive

Archives for October 2015

Books
2015 Nobel Prize for literature winner Svetlana Alexievich’s life and writing, explained2015 Nobel Prize for literature winner Svetlana Alexievich’s life and writing, explained
Books

A brief primer on the Belarusian writer, her most famous work, and why it deserved to win.

By Max Fisher
The Confessions of @dick_nixon
Features

“@dick_nixon isn’t parody; it’s portrayal.”

By Justin Sherin
Culture
Nickelodeon’s Are You Afraid of the Dark returns to your TV tonightNickelodeon’s Are You Afraid of the Dark returns to your TV tonight
Culture

Here are seven cool facts about the show that terrorized your childhood.

By Tanya Pai
Culture
The Flash: 5 moments from the premiere that prove it’s TV’s most joyful comics seriesThe Flash: 5 moments from the premiere that prove it’s TV’s most joyful comics series
Culture

This show wants to make nerds giddy.

By Caroline Framke
Culture
5 of The Martian’s boldest scientific twists, explained5 of The Martian’s boldest scientific twists, explained
Culture

Can you grow potatoes on Mars? And how big are the windstorms, anyway?

By Caroline Framke
10 of the best science fiction and fantasy short stories ever
Culture

As chosen by the experts.

By Emily St. James
Culture
Paper Girls is the next great American comic bookPaper Girls is the next great American comic book
Culture

Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang have created something magical.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Culture
How a Swedish hair-metal singer took over American pop musicHow a Swedish hair-metal singer took over American pop music
Culture

New Yorker writer John Seabrook explains the rise of Max Martin and other mega-producers.

By Dylan Matthews
TV
3 lessons Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. could learn from Syfy’s Alphas3 lessons Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. could learn from Syfy’s Alphas
TV

Alphas was a great superhero show. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. could be even better.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Technology
The DraftKings and FanDuel Employee Betting Scandal, ExplainedThe DraftKings and FanDuel Employee Betting Scandal, Explained
Technology

Allegations of playing with inside information.

By Timothy B. Lee
Mischiefs of Faction
The Galactic Senate needed a minority partyThe Galactic Senate needed a minority party
Mischiefs of Faction

There were lots of problems with the portrayal of the Senate in the Star Wars prequels, but the worst was the lack of parties.

By Seth Masket
The Homestar Runner guys have a new show. So we talked to them about it.
Culture

On their senses of humor: “[It’s] family vacation inside joke humor.”

By Emily St. James
Almanac
All of America’s folk heroes, in one mapAll of America’s folk heroes, in one map
Almanac

Every place has a legend. Find your state’s hero on this epic folklore map.

By Phil Edwards
Media
Women reporters denied access to NFL locker room — despite winning the right in 1978Women reporters denied access to NFL locker room — despite winning the right in 1978
Media

Civil rights are enforceable everywhere, including in sweaty locker rooms.

By Margarita Noriega
Culture
Brooklyn Nine-Nine is the rare show that prizes consistency over shareable momentsBrooklyn Nine-Nine is the rare show that prizes consistency over shareable moments
Culture

Consistency is no longer the name of the TV game.

By Caroline Framke