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Culture Archive

Archives for August 2015

Politics
The real Amazon scandal has nothing to do with its white-collar workersThe real Amazon scandal has nothing to do with its white-collar workers
Politics

Its warehouses are where conditions are truly brutal.

By Dylan Matthews
Explainers
Tinder’s war with Vanity Fair, explainedTinder’s war with Vanity Fair, explained
Explainers

Tinder should stop being so ashamed of casual sex.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Flat abs fast! Why you should (almost) never believe health advice in women’s magazines
Features

The advice in their pages is too often insane, aimed at fearmongering, and totally science-free.

By Julia Belluz
TV
Amazon’s relentless work culture is because it’s the startup that never grew upAmazon’s relentless work culture is because it’s the startup that never grew up
TV

To maintain Wall Street’s confidence in its zero-profit vision, the company can’t show any sign of soft-heartedness.

By Matthew Yglesias
Culture
HBO’s Show Me a Hero turns the long, grinding work of government into gripping televisionHBO’s Show Me a Hero turns the long, grinding work of government into gripping television
Culture

This miniseries is one of the best TV shows of the year. Here are five reasons it’s so very good.

By Emily St. James
Technology
A Radical Plan to Save the Big Music Labels: Shrink the Big Music LabelsA Radical Plan to Save the Big Music Labels: Shrink the Big Music Labels
Technology

Dave Goldberg’s prescription for Sony Music called for a complete overhaul.

By Peter Kafka
Culture
Masters of Sex has the most moving ode to love and sex you’ll ever seeMasters of Sex has the most moving ode to love and sex you’ll ever see
Culture

Can love really be reduced to the study of sexual response?

By Jonathan Allen
The Wire’s David Simon is feeling (slightly) optimistic for once. Here’s why.
Culture

His new miniseries, Show Me a Hero, is an absolutely terrific true story, ripped from the historical record as much as possible.

By Emily St. James
Culture
Hannibal Lecter is both perfect devil and perfect psychotherapistHannibal Lecter is both perfect devil and perfect psychotherapist
Culture

He’s in control of the situation, even when he would seemingly have no power at all.

By Emily St. James
Culture
Paul Haggis discusses his Oscar-winning movie Crash: “I don’t know how good a film it is”Paul Haggis discusses his Oscar-winning movie Crash: “I don’t know how good a film it is”
Culture

The writer and director returns to television with the riveting new HBO miniseries, Show Me a Hero.

By Emily St. James
Technology
TV’s Next Headache: Football Is FlatTV’s Next Headache: Football Is Flat
Technology

NFL games are more popular than anything else on TV -- but that doesn’t mean they’re getting more popular. Last year, ratings dipped.

By Peter Kafka
Culture
How Pretty Little Liars managed to outrage its most devoted progressive fansHow Pretty Little Liars managed to outrage its most devoted progressive fans
Culture

The show was known as unusually progressive on gender and sexuality. Then this happened.

By Dylan Matthews
Climate
Lab-grown meat could be the future — if we can figure out how to make it not grossLab-grown meat could be the future — if we can figure out how to make it not gross
Climate

Growing meat in metal bioreactors could be much more sustainable than doing it in cows.

By Suzanne Jacobs
Celebrity Culture
President Obama’s Spotify summer playlist, rankedPresident Obama’s Spotify summer playlist, ranked
Celebrity Culture

It’s not the coolest playlist; it is also not the worst. Grade? B-.

By Margarita Noriega
Explainers
Don’t say “papaya” in Miami, and other lessons for wooing Latino votersDon’t say “papaya” in Miami, and other lessons for wooing Latino voters
Explainers

Latino strategists showed DC how to get Latino outreach right. Will they become teachers — or tokens?

By Dara Lind