America has changed dramatically since 1976. Diseases that once claimed thousands of lives are now preventable, technology has transformed nearly every aspect of daily life and many Americans enjoy opportunities that would have been difficult to imagine 50 years ago. Yet despite these advantages, public confidence in the country’s future has steadily declined. As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, an important question emerges: If America is better off in so many measurable ways, why do so many people feel like it isn’t? To answer that question, it is important to separate perception from measurable change. While many Americans…

For years, A24 built its reputation by taking risks that Hollywood would not: giving chances to emerging filmmakers and supporting original, experimental stories. For this reason, the news of A24’sAI partnership with Google feels so disappointing. While A24 insists the collaboration is meant to develop tools that support filmmakers, the announcement still feels at odds with the studio’s identity. Independent cinema has always been about celebrating human creativity, not finding new ways to automate parts of the artistic process. Even if AI is limited to pre-production tools like storyboarding, the partnership raises an important question. How much technology can become…

A year ago, Keir Starmer looked unstoppable. After leading Britain’s Labour Party to a decisive election victory, Starmer was hailed as the leader who finally returned his party to power after more than a decade of opposition. However, he is now stepping down as prime minister, marking one of the most dramatic political reversals in recent British history. The speed of Starmer’s rise and fall raises an intriguing question for Americans: Could the same forces reshaping British Labour politics also be reshaping the Democratic Party in the United States? The answer is complicated. Britain and America have different political systems.…

In a world dominated by laptops, tablets and AI, handwriting can feel like a relic of the past. Why spend time teaching cursive or handwritten note-taking when typing is faster and more convenient? But despite this disadvantage, there is more to handwriting than merely putting words on paper. Research has consistently shown that writing by hand can improve memory comprehension and critical thinking. It forces us to slow down, process information and engage with ideas in a way that typing often does not. Not every old skill deserves to disappear just because technology makes it less convenient. Sometimes, the slower…

Just days after reopening, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool became the center of national debate. President Donald Trump’s $14.2 million renovation project was designed to transform the historic landmark into a cleaner, brighter “American Flag Blue” centerpiece ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. Instead, visitors were greeted by a familiar sight: green algae spreading across the water. Government officials insist the issue is temporary and part of the normal startup process, but the controversy has already raised larger questions about public spending, government accountability and what Americans expect from high-profile infrastructure projects. The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation was…

Every time Pixar announces a new Toy Story movie, the internet reacts the same way: “Who asked for this?” But Toy Story 5 isn’t the problem. Hollywood keeps making sequels because audiences continue watching them. It is easy to complain about another Buzz and Woody adventure, but much harder to go out and support original films when they hit theatres. If moviegoers want more creativity from Hollywood, they have to reward it. Until then, they should not be surprised when they announce Toy Story 6.

NASA recently announced the four astronauts selected for Artemis III, the latest mission in the agency’s ambitious Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and lay the groundwork for future deep-space exploration. The mission represents another major step in NASA’s long-term goal of establishing a sustained Human presence beyond Earth and eventually sending astronauts to Mars. Artemis III, currently scheduled for 2027, will test critical technologies and systems that could shape the future of space travel. But when NASA revealed the crew, many people noticed something almost immediately: all four astronauts were men. The announcement quickly sparked…

Elon Musk is now the world’s first trillionaire, a milestone made possible by the success of his companies and the immense influence that comes with them. But the problem isn’t simply that one person has accumulated so much wealth. It’s that no democratic society is equipped to hold someone with that much power accountable. When a single individual can shape public discourse, amplify misinformation, influence governments, and affect the lives of millions across the globe, traditional checks and balances begin to break down. Whether it’s promoting conspiracy theories, inverting political debates, or using vast resources to advance personal priorities, Musk…

Americans can name cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, and political influencers, but many are unable to name a single local elected official. We spend hours following the latest drama in Washington while paying little attention to the decisions being made in our own communities. The challenge facing local journalism isn’t merely declining trust or political polarization. Part of the challenge is that local journalism has to compete for our attention against national headlines, viral posts, and endless notifications. If local journalism disappears, it may not be because people hated it. It may be because they forgot to look.

The countdown is on: the FIFA World Cup is about to begin in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, promising a spectacle watched by billions worldwide. Yet even with kickoff imminent and millions set to travel across North America, the excitement feels strangely distant for many Americans. This is surprising, considering that the United States will host the majority of matches, including the tournament’s biggest moments. Cities have spent years preparing. Ticket sales are underway. Organizers expect massive crowds. Yet outside of dedicated soccer circles, the buildup has been remarkably subdued. So why does it feel like the World Cup…