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Welcome to the January issue of The Highlight

For many, January is a month full of hard-to-keep resolutions and hopeful plans for self-improvement. New year, new … you? We’re kicking off this often uneasy season with an investigation into confidence: How important is it, really? A look at the myth of frictionless relationships is another timely piece, as is a how-to on journaling.

Looking ahead to the imminent inauguration of the next president, we’ve also got stories about how young voter groups became disconnected from actual young voters, the many efforts to prosecute Donald Trump, and the collapse of nuclear guardrails worldwide. Work on the promise of nasal vaccines, the ins and outs of egg donation, and policing in the age of the gun help round out our issue. Plus, we’ve got book recommendations for Vox Members and an exclusive Highlight podcast on pronatalism.


Did the Trump prosecutions backfire?

The Trump prosecutions were supposed to save democracy. They may have imperiled it further.

By Andrew Prokop


I wanted to be confident. Then I started having doubts.

One woman’s nail-biting quest to a better self.

By Rachel Sugar


Lyman Stone on America’s falling birth rate

The demographer is worried that we aren’t having as many babies as we used to — and says he knows how that could change.

By Miles Bryan


How Democratic Gen Z activists lost the Gen Z vote

The organizations dedicated to mobilizing Gen Z got the turnout they wanted, but not the votes. What did they miss?

By Christian Paz


Swashbuckling adventure novels to start your year

Plus trippy detective novels for when you just miss Twin Peaks.

By Constance Grady


The world has entered the third nuclear age

Nuclear guardrails are falling apart — and Donald Trump is about to retake the launch codes.

By Joshua Keating


“Protecting your peace” can kill your friendships

Frictionless relationships are just a fantasy.

By Allie Volpe


The future of vaccines is needle-free

Nasal vaccines are more effective and easier to get to the people who need them most.

By Sam Delgado


The transformative power of journaling

Writing down your thoughts can be good for your mental health. Here’s how to start — and keep at it.

By Jillian Anthony


How safe is donating your eggs?

Egg donation is common. How well do we understand the risks?

By Anna North


How a major Supreme Court case is changing how police do their jobs

The Bruen decision upended America’s gun laws. Years later, cops and courts are still trying to sort out the mess.

By Marin Cogan

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By Vox Staff