Letter from Washington: Donald Trump’s Pardon Economy
The article examines Donald Trump’s use of presidential pardons as a political instrument within his broader approach to power and influence. It highlights the case of Rod Blagojevich, whose trajectory spans public scandal, imprisonment, and eventual clemency. The discussion frames these developments within the concept of a “pardon economy,” linking legal decisions to political loyalty and personal networks.
"Process of Elimination"
A seemingly minor incident involving a missing tip jar in an academic setting sets off initial suspicions within the community. Attention turns to students and faculty members, reflecting uncertainty about responsibility and trust. The situation unfolds as a process of speculation and gradual narrowing of possible explanations.
The Car-Crash Conspiracy
High-speed accidents, crooked lawyers, and poor people desperate for cash—it was the kind of scheme that could have been cooked up only in the Big Easy.
Onward and Upward with the Arts: The Bard of Bucharest
Radu Jude’s native city drives him crazy—and drives him to make wild films.
A Reporter at Large: Moment of Truth
Today, Altman is perhaps the most powerful person in a field that is transforming the world and its future. In this week’s issue, two New Yorker writers, Ronan Farrow and Andrew Marantz, profile Altman, who helped found OpenAI in 2015 as a nonprofit. Altman once promised to be a safe steward for A.I. and to lead the company solely for the benefit of humankind. But OpenAI has since become a for-profit business, and Altman has backtracked on some of its safety commitments. Many people now believe, as Sutskever told a board member before Altman’s firing, that Altman shouldn’t “have his finger on the button.”
How the Internet Fringe Infiltrated Republican Politics
Inside the battle for the post-MAGA G.O.P.
Letter from Washington: Donald Trump’s Pardon Economy
The article examines Donald Trump’s use of presidential pardons as a political instrument within his broader approach to power and influence. It highlights the case of Rod Blagojevich, whose trajectory spans public scandal, imprisonment, and eventual clemency. The discussion frames these developments within the concept of a “pardon economy,” linking legal decisions to political loyalty and personal networks.
"Process of Elimination"
A seemingly minor incident involving a missing tip jar in an academic setting sets off initial suspicions within the community. Attention turns to students and faculty members, reflecting uncertainty about responsibility and trust. The situation unfolds as a process of speculation and gradual narrowing of possible explanations.
The Car-Crash Conspiracy
High-speed accidents, crooked lawyers, and poor people desperate for cash—it was the kind of scheme that could have been cooked up only in the Big Easy.
Onward and Upward with the Arts: The Bard of Bucharest
Radu Jude’s native city drives him crazy—and drives him to make wild films.
A Reporter at Large: Moment of Truth
Today, Altman is perhaps the most powerful person in a field that is transforming the world and its future. In this week’s issue, two New Yorker writers, Ronan Farrow and Andrew Marantz, profile Altman, who helped found OpenAI in 2015 as a nonprofit. Altman once promised to be a safe steward for A.I. and to lead the company solely for the benefit of humankind. But OpenAI has since become a for-profit business, and Altman has backtracked on some of its safety commitments. Many people now believe, as Sutskever told a board member before Altman’s firing, that Altman shouldn’t “have his finger on the button.”
How the Internet Fringe Infiltrated Republican Politics
Inside the battle for the post-MAGA G.O.P.