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Policy Archive

Archives for January 2016

The Birth of a Nation just smashed records at Sundance. We talked to director Nate Parker.
Culture

The biggest film at the festival almost didn’t get made. It sold for $17.5 million and could be a turning point for diversity in Hollywood.

By Gregory Ellwood
Technology
MIT Wins Hyperloop Competition, and Elon Musk Makes a CameoMIT Wins Hyperloop Competition, and Elon Musk Makes a Cameo
Technology

Next up: The test track.

By Andrew J. Hawkins
Culture
Marc Maron stands up for Amy Schumer: “This isn’t about justice, it’s about hate.”Marc Maron stands up for Amy Schumer: “This isn’t about justice, it’s about hate.”
Culture

Maron believes Amy Schumer’s joke-stealing controversy is more about misogyny than the integrity of comedy.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Technology
Transportation Secretary Says Elon Musk’s Hyperloop Could Be Next ‘Moonshot’Transportation Secretary Says Elon Musk’s Hyperloop Could Be Next ‘Moonshot’
Technology

Foxx calls it a “very solid idea” that warrants government support.

By Andrew J. Hawkins
Technology
President Obama Wants $4 Billion to Bring Computer Science to All SchoolsPresident Obama Wants $4 Billion to Bring Computer Science to All Schools
Technology

But the administration needs congressional approval for most of those billions.

By Ina Fried
Winter TV show premieres: 11 new series worth watching
Culture

Featuring O.J. Simpson, Samantha Bee, and more.

By Emily St. James and Caroline Framke
Technology
Ten Things You Need to Know About SF’s Super Bowl CityTen Things You Need to Know About SF’s Super Bowl City
Technology

Behind-the-scenes details and insider intel that will help you navigate the sports-themed city within a city.

By Mary Jo Bowling
I was 35 when I discovered I’m on the autism spectrum. Here’s how it changed my life.
Features

I knew, on some level, that I was autistic by the time I was in fifth grade.

By Zack Smith
Technology
Things Are Getting Ugly in Uber’s and Lyft’s Fight Against Fingerprint Checks in AustinThings Are Getting Ugly in Uber’s and Lyft’s Fight Against Fingerprint Checks in Austin
Technology

2016’s first sharing economy showdown.

By Noah Kulwin
Politics
3 winners and 3 losers from Thursday night’s Republican debate3 winners and 3 losers from Thursday night’s Republican debate
Politics

Including one who wasn’t even there.

By Dylan Matthews
Politics
The Fox News debate showed how Republicans created the Trump problem now destroying themThe Fox News debate showed how Republicans created the Trump problem now destroying them
Politics

The GOP and Fox News might hate Trump, but they are maintaining the ecosystem of paranoid rage that drives him.

By Max Fisher
Criminal Justice
At last, some really good news: Colombia’s war with the FARC could finally endAt last, some really good news: Colombia’s war with the FARC could finally end
Criminal Justice

The war has lasted more than 50 years. Now it looks like it’s finally over.

By Amanda Taub
Science
Zika virus is “spreading explosively” in the Americas. Here’s what you need to know.Zika virus is “spreading explosively” in the Americas. Here’s what you need to know.
Science

Until recently, health officials thought Zika was pretty harmless. Now they think it causes birth defects in newborns.

By Julia Belluz, Javier Zarracina and 1 more
Culture
Why everybody missed the point of Making a MurdererWhy everybody missed the point of Making a Murderer
Culture

The short answer: because it was on Netflix.

By Emily St. James
Swooning, screaming, crying: how teenage girls have driven 60 years of pop music
Features

It starts somewhere low in your gut, and it reaches up to clutch your heart. Your toes curl, your hands shake; you can feel the energy of everyone around you, even when you’re alone in your room. The song starts, and it’s your song.

By Alexis Chaney