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The Highlight

A digital magazine unpacking the big ideas changing our present and shaping our future.

Future Perfect
Think your AI chatbot has become conscious? Here’s what to do.Think your AI chatbot has become conscious? Here’s what to do.
Future Perfect

If you believe there’s a soul trapped inside ChatGPT, I have good news for you.

By Sigal Samuel
Welcome to the October issue of The Highlight
The Highlight
By Vox Staff
Technology
I study AI cheating. Here’s what the data actually says.I study AI cheating. Here’s what the data actually says.
Technology

What the panic about kids using AI to cheat gets wrong.

By Victor R. Lee
Politics
How Trump lost the podcast brosHow Trump lost the podcast bros
Politics

In Trump’s manosphere, the center is not holding.

By Christian Paz
Future Perfect
When does trying to have a healthier baby become eugenics-y?When does trying to have a healthier baby become eugenics-y?
Future Perfect

New genetic testing offers us the chance to create superbabies. It can come with unintended consequences.

By Sigal Samuel
Even Better
Why are single men so miserable?Why are single men so miserable?
Even Better

When men lack the skills to build intimacy, their relationships — and well-being — suffer.

By Allie Volpe
Future Perfect
Everyone agrees organ donation saves lives. So why don’t more people do it?Everyone agrees organ donation saves lives. So why don’t more people do it?
Future Perfect

The hidden reasons behind America’s organ donation crisis.

By Pratik Pawar
Politics
The 65-year-old theory that helps explain why the Democrats keep losingThe 65-year-old theory that helps explain why the Democrats keep losing
Politics

The Democrats don’t have a messaging problem. They have a much bigger problem.

By Lee Drutman
Welcome to the September issue of The Highlight
The Highlight
By Vox Staff
Future Perfect
How to make the hardest choices of your lifeHow to make the hardest choices of your life
Future Perfect

From picking a career to picking a spouse, one radical philosophical idea will guide you.

By Sigal Samuel
Explain It to Me
The one-sided intimacy of being a fanThe one-sided intimacy of being a fan
Explain It to Me

Parasocial relationships get a bad rap. How should you relate to your favorite celebrity?

By Aja Romano
Future Perfect
The terrifying reality behind one of America’s fastest-growing dairy brandsThe terrifying reality behind one of America’s fastest-growing dairy brands
Future Perfect

The dark side of Fairlife — and America’s protein craze.

By Kenny Torrella
Even Better
Most couples used to meet this way. What happened?Most couples used to meet this way. What happened?
Even Better

If you’re sick of dating apps, consider this tried-and-true method.

By Allie Volpe
The Highlight
The testosterone theory of politicsThe testosterone theory of politics
The Highlight

The hormone might be the key to understanding this moment in America.

By Leo Kim
The Highlight
The one, big unanswered question about OzempicThe one, big unanswered question about Ozempic
The Highlight

Millions more people will be taking a GLP-1 soon. What’s the catch?

By Dylan Scott
America’s fastest-growing suburbs are about to get very expensive
Future Perfect

Sprawl made suburbia affordable. Now it’s breaking it. Here’s what a new vision of the suburbs could look like.

By Marina Bolotnikova
Welcome to the August issue of The Highlight
The Highlight
By Vox Staff
Explain It to Me
Microwaves produce radiation. Is that bad for me?Microwaves produce radiation. Is that bad for me?
Explain It to Me

Despite what your social media feed might say, microwaves are safe.

By Dylan Scott
Even Better
For years, women complained that this medical procedure was painful. Doctors are finally listening.For years, women complained that this medical procedure was painful. Doctors are finally listening.
Even Better

How a common birth control method became the center of a reckoning.

By Allie Volpe
Politics
Liberalism’s enemies are having second thoughtsLiberalism’s enemies are having second thoughts
Politics

Why Trump 2.0 is giving some anti-liberals second thoughts.

By Zack Beauchamp
Future Perfect
Will we know if the next plague is human-made?Will we know if the next plague is human-made?
Future Perfect

AI could make bioweapons more dangerous. It could also be the key to stopping them.

By Joshua Keating
Welcome to the July issue of The Highlight
The Highlight
By Vox Staff
Future Perfect
The spiritual life calls out to me. But is it self-indulgent?The spiritual life calls out to me. But is it self-indulgent?
Future Perfect

When the world is on fire, meditation feels selfish. But it can help you do good better.

By Sigal Samuel
Economy
What today’s new college graduates are up againstWhat today’s new college graduates are up against
Economy

The class of 2025 is graduating into a weird job market.

By Rachel Cohen Booth
Future Perfect
AI systems could become conscious. What if they hate their lives?AI systems could become conscious. What if they hate their lives?
Future Perfect

How to not torture ChatGPT and Claude’s successors.

By Sigal Samuel
Even Better
I don’t like my in-laws. Is that a problem?I don’t like my in-laws. Is that a problem?
Even Better

What do you actually owe your partner’s family?

By Allie Volpe
Politics
Is the decline of reading poisoning our politics?Is the decline of reading poisoning our politics?
Politics

Your brain isn’t what it used to be.

By Eric Levitz
Technology
I covered my body in health trackers for 6 months. It ruined my life.I covered my body in health trackers for 6 months. It ruined my life.
Technology

Are gadgets like Apple Watches and Oura Rings making us any healthier?

By Adam Clark Estes
Advice
My students think it’s fine to cheat with AI. Maybe they’re onto something.My students think it’s fine to cheat with AI. Maybe they’re onto something.
Advice

To save the humanities, we need to rethink our assumptions about AI — and education.

By Sigal Samuel
Welcome to the June issue of The Highlight
The Highlight
By Vox Staff
Even Better
Losing my hair sucked. Trying to regrow it has been even worse.Losing my hair sucked. Trying to regrow it has been even worse.
Even Better

A barrage of products promise you can get your hair — and self-esteem — back.

By Maria Yagoda
Down to Earth
How does this bird know how to sew?How does this bird know how to sew?
Down to Earth

What most of us get wrong about animal instincts.

By Benji Jones
Housing
The deceptively simple reform that could unlock more housingThe deceptively simple reform that could unlock more housing
Housing

Do we need apartment buildings to have two staircases?

By Rachel Cohen Booth
Public Health
How a fix for smoking sparked a new crisisHow a fix for smoking sparked a new crisis
Public Health

Uh oh, the quest for a safer cigarette may have backfired.

By Dylan Scott
Future Perfect
You’re being lied to about proteinYou’re being lied to about protein
Future Perfect

Yes, protein builds muscle. No, you don’t need as much as lifting influencers say.

By Marina Bolotnikova
Even Better
The secret to actually trusting each otherThe secret to actually trusting each other
Even Better

Americans are losing faith in their friends and neighbors. Here’s how to reverse course.

By Allie Volpe
Future Perfect
My family has money but doesn’t give to charity. How do I challenge them without being weird?My family has money but doesn’t give to charity. How do I challenge them without being weird?
Future Perfect

How to get parents and friends to get serious about doing good.

By Sigal Samuel
Life
Is this the end of menopause?Is this the end of menopause?
Life

Aging could be about to change for women forever.

By Anna North
Politics
Why are men so much more right-wing than women now?Why are men so much more right-wing than women now?
Politics

Don’t blame Joe Rogan too much — one theory says that the roots of this gender gap go back decades.

By Maia Mindel
Future Perfect
The case against summerThe case against summer
Future Perfect

Your summer won’t be as good as you think it will be. It never is.

By Bryan Walsh