“What moves the star of ‘Jackass’ to risk his life for our entertainment? A very serious investigation.”
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My Miserable Week in the “Happiest Country on Earth”
“For eight years running, Finland has topped the World Happiness Report — but what exactly does it measure?”
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
Showcasing stories from Jason Motlagh, Rhaina Cohen, Lydia C. Buchanan, Molly Young, and Forrest Wickman.
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
In this edition: in a pickle; gut feeling; king of pain; life (or something like it); for those about to rock.
My Lumbago Isn’t Acting Up: On Disney World
“It was November at Disney World, and ponchos were like noses or smartphones in that every visitor had one, of course they did, it wasn’t even a question.”
What Stories Offer, and What They Ask in Return
“Some thoughts demand to be pursued to their limits. We work with writers to help them go the distance, to satisfy their curiosity and yours.” The greatest appeal of Longreads is obvious; it’s right there in the name. But it’s worth considering, for a moment, what length enables in a story, and what those stories […]
Top 5 Longreads of the Week
Human ingenuity in the face of crumbling infrastructure. One man’s quest to save a bird that might already be extinct. The cultural schism dividing a major musical genre. A personal essay braiding space and family. And a jungle trek gone horribly, horribly awry. These are our editors’ favorite reads of the week. 1. The Balkans’ […]
Pass It On
“I want something that feels a little out-of-step, a little outside of the tumultuous present.”
Trusting Your Gut and This Week’s Top 5
“I study the pinch pot in my hands. It seems suddenly urgent not to see them seeing me. Heat crawls from my cheeks to my hairline. I hear the furious thrum of blood in my ears. With my fingers I smooth down the walls of my pot. To my utter relief, no more questions follow.” […]


