Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Life Archive

Archives for December 2014

Almanac
The X in Xmas literally means Christ. Here’s the history behind it.The X in Xmas literally means Christ. Here’s the history behind it.
Almanac

Is this really a war against the name of Jesus?

By Brandon Ambrosino
Culture
Did Pope Francis really say all animals go to Heaven?Did Pope Francis really say all animals go to Heaven?
Culture

Here’s what actually happened.

By Brandon Ambrosino
#MeToo
Fashion icon Beverly Johnson: “Motherfucker” Bill Cosby drugged meFashion icon Beverly Johnson: “Motherfucker” Bill Cosby drugged me
#MeToo

The supermodel wrote a piece about her allegations for Vanity Fair.

By Jenée Desmond-Harris
Politics
‘1 in 5’: how a study of 2 colleges became the most cited campus sexual assault statistic‘1 in 5’: how a study of 2 colleges became the most cited campus sexual assault statistic
Politics

It’s a huge problem that we don’t really know how common sexual assault on campus is.

By Libby Nelson
Culture
Exodus: Gods and Kings is one of the year’s worst moviesExodus: Gods and Kings is one of the year’s worst movies
Culture

Imagine a movie written by an atheism subreddit, the congregation of a small evangelical Christian church, and a particularly excitable high school model UN team.

By Emily St. James
Life
Manhattan would need 48 new bridges if everyone drove. Here’s what it would look likeManhattan would need 48 new bridges if everyone drove. Here’s what it would look like
Life

Why the city as we know it couldn’t exist if all its commuters drove.

By Joseph Stromberg
Criminal Justice
Two-thirds of sexual assault victims don’t go to the policeTwo-thirds of sexual assault victims don’t go to the police
Criminal Justice

Rape and sexual assault are way less likely to be reported to police than other violent crimes.

By Dara Lind
Why your family drives you crazy
Family

Being comfortable around your relatives can actually lead to more conflict.

By Emily Esfahani Smith
Life
We asked a legal evidence expert if Serial’s Adnan Syed has a chance to get out of prisonWe asked a legal evidence expert if Serial’s Adnan Syed has a chance to get out of prison
Life

Proving that a lawyer is effective wins less than 10 percent of the time.

By Libby Nelson
Life
5 new magazines with small circulations and big ideas5 new magazines with small circulations and big ideas
Life

The New Republic is in crisis, but journals on culture and public affairs are thriving.

By Matthew Yglesias
Life
When men remarry, they go way younger. Women pick someone older.When men remarry, they go way younger. Women pick someone older.
Life

Confirming all of your stereotypes about how different-sex couples remarry.

By Danielle Kurtzleben
Culture
Catholic leaders call for “serious examination” of racial disparities in policingCatholic leaders call for “serious examination” of racial disparities in policing
Culture

“We support new efforts to promote accountability and transparency, such as body cameras for police officers.”

By Brandon Ambrosino
Criminal Justice
9 stories that show how badly colleges handle sexual assault on campus9 stories that show how badly colleges handle sexual assault on campus
Criminal Justice

No matter what happened at UVA, a wealth of anecdotes show colleges haven’t been able to protect their students from sexual assault.

By Libby Nelson
Life
Study: Left-handed people earn 10 percent less than rightiesStudy: Left-handed people earn 10 percent less than righties
Life

A new study says lefties tend to earn less than right-handers and have worse cognitive abilities. But why would that be?

By Danielle Kurtzleben