Beyond Our Control

Matt Ridley argues that the emergence of big ideas has little to do with top-down direction: “The Evolution of Everything,” by Matt Ridley.

November 29, 2015

More Essays

Can the James Baldwin Typebot Tell Us the Meaning of Life?

In the financial district of Manhattan, an AI-equipped typewriter, fueled by James Baldwin’s works, types back at you with answers to your questions.

October 29, 2025

Against the Stream

Spotify’s perfect playlists come at a hidden cost—for the fans, for the music scenes that form around bands and, especially, for the musicians. Frank Rose reviews "Mood Machine," by Liz Pelly.

January 26, 2025

Gladwell Reconsiders

More than two decades ago, Malcolm Gladwell celebrated the organic spread of new ideas in his first book, "The Tipping Point." Viral phenomena look different today. Frank Rose reviews "Revenge of the Tipping Point."

October 11, 2024

Ecstacy in Paint

Who was Martha Diamond? In the artist's first major monograph, published to coincide with her exhibition at Colby College and The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Frank Rose offers a remembrance.

August 13, 2024