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

Vox Archives Archive

Archives for April 2014

archives
The French used to love names from US TV showsThe French used to love names from US TV shows
archives

France’s odd naming habits, in two GIFs.

By Dylan Matthews
archives
Polite little girls haven’t caught up to boys yetPolite little girls haven’t caught up to boys yet
archives

Can well-behaved little girls really inherit the earth?

By Danielle Kurtzleben
archives
Our vacant homes aren’t where people need housesOur vacant homes aren’t where people need houses
archives

Rents are rising despite a high overall number of vacant houses. The problem? The houses are all in the wrong places.

By Matthew Yglesias
archives
Swiss Groundhog Day has exploding snowmenSwiss Groundhog Day has exploding snowmen
archives

It’s pretty awesome.

By Zack Beauchamp
archives
Watermelon isn’t a natural ViagraWatermelon isn’t a natural Viagra
archives

Headlines are saying eating watermelon can help treat erectile dysfunction. Sadly, that isn’t true

By Joseph Stromberg
archives
Robots can grade essays, but they can’t read themRobots can grade essays, but they can’t read them
archives

A former director of writing at MIT built software to write a nonsense essay that impresses computers.

By Libby Nelson
archives
A map of where people approve of the drone programA map of where people approve of the drone program
archives

It’s not popular in many places.

By Zack Beauchamp
archives
Three weeks of VoxThree weeks of Vox
archives

Where are the comments? And other site conundrums.

By Melissa Bell
archives
Cuban says punishing Sterling risks slippery slopeCuban says punishing Sterling risks slippery slope
archives

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban says Donald Sterling’s remarks were “abhorrent” but punishing him would risk a “slippery slope” that should be avoided.

archives
Netflix signs pay-for-speed deal with VerizonNetflix signs pay-for-speed deal with Verizon
archives

In an echo of a February arrangement with Comcast, Netflix is now going to make side payments to Verizon to guarantee speedy broadband for its users.

archives
Martha Stewart’s lime privilege is magicalMartha Stewart’s lime privilege is magical
archives

Let’s take the time to appreciate Martha Stewart’s blatant disregard for the nation’s lime shortage.

By Alex Abad-Santos
archives
The US gets more tornadoes than any other countryThe US gets more tornadoes than any other country
archives

The science behind the swarm of tornadoes that’s hitting the Midwest and South

By Joseph Stromberg
archives
What happens when immigrants can’t drive legallyWhat happens when immigrants can’t drive legally
archives

A new report says that states that let unauthorized immigrants get drivers’ licenses might be improving public safety and promoting assimilation.

By Dara Lind
archives
Why many aren’t laughing at Palin’s baptism jokeWhy many aren’t laughing at Palin’s baptism joke
archives

The former politician has upset some of her fellow conservative Christians with her latest remarks.

By Danielle Kurtzleben
archives
Elizabeth Warren doesn’t want Piketty’s wealth taxElizabeth Warren doesn’t want Piketty’s wealth tax
archives

The policy book of the year can’t find anyone to champion its signature policy.

By Matthew Yglesias