'This time around, it’s not about logic or persuasion—it’s about personality.'

Elaine Godfrey on Trump's VP shortlist:

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'Here is a difficult truth: A part of the American political spectrum is not merely a passive recipient of the combined authoritarian narratives that come from Russia, China, and their ilk, but an active participant in creating and spreading them.'

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A great list: theatlantic.com/books/archive/…

Out today: Anne Applebaum's excellent cover story about how propaganda is changing.

'Autocrats in China, Russia, and elsewhere are now making common cause with MAGA Republicans to discredit liberalism and freedom around the world.'
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. Albert Brooks was so funny in 'Broadcast News,' the movie that inspired me to be a journalist when I was a kid. Here's him singing to Francis Cabrel! youtu.be/2GMnvNxZTXg?si…

An unexpectedly charming story about <checks notes> squirrel leprosy theatlantic.com/science/archiv…

This is very much worth reading. George Packer on what happens when writers are seized by the authoritarian spirit: theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…

Absolutely riveting and disturbing piece by Amanda Knox, in which she develops second thoughts (for good reason) about a convicted murderer whose innocence she'd championed. Self-searingly honest and exceptionally crafted. Well worth your time.

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Hey, look at that, Alex Edelman just won a Special Tony. Here's my interview with him from last year theatlantic.com/culture/archiv…

This is a really compelling argument from Tyler Austin Harper about the hypocrisy of elite universities theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…

A deeply considered look into the world of rare-book collecting, and what (if anything) collectors owe the rest of us: theatlantic.com/books/archive/…

Just published: A fascinating, thoughtful feature by Amanda Knox.

'I argued that Jens Söring was wrongfully convicted of a double murder, and in 2019, he was released on parole after three decades in prison. Then I started having doubts about the case.'

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'America is where it is today because of all the people and organizations that have committed small acts of cowardice...They might think of themselves as patriots, but in fact they are allowing our country to be driven toward tyranny.'

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“After two days at Columbia … I was struck by how unusual that sentiment — I understand my opponent’s suffering — had become and how rarely I’d heard anyone talk of making an effort to understand the other. Maximal anger was all that lingered”
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'The government can’t silence speakers because of their beliefs, even—and perhaps especially—if those beliefs are unpopular or cause offense.' theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…

Here's Michael Powell's latest dispatch from Columbia:

'In this style of activism, the anger often comes with an air of presumption—an implication that one cannot challenge, much less debate, the protesters’ writ.'

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'Every now and then, you should listen to your heart and not the lawyers.'

An important essay from David Hume Kennerly: theatlantic.com/politics/archi…

It’s hard to tell if Albert Brooks is the most interesting man in the world, or if he merely appears so in Adrienne LaFrance’s hands. Either way, this is the most absorbing profile I’ve read in ages: theatlantic.com/magazine/archi…

Here's Jim VandeHei on hard work and humility: theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…

Is it possible to simultaneously over- and under-react? Yes, Katherine J. Wu, Ph.D. reports. On bird flu: theatlantic.com/health/archive…