China’s largest e-commerce company is not only changing the way people in China shop, but how they think about commerce and each other in a Communist country.
economics
Posted inStory
Telling Stories In Order to Live: On Writing and Money
Sarah Menkedick examines the perils inherent in trying to earn a living as a full-time writer.
Posted inNonfiction
Can We Ever Make It Suntory Time Again?
Excellent Japanese whiskies were easy to come by, until suddenly they weren’t. What happened? And why can’t one whisky aficionado let go?
Posted inStory
Downsizing the American Black Middle Class
Government jobs helped thousands of Black families move into the middle class. Now, increasing calls for government privatization are pushing them back out.
Posted inBusiness, Business & Tech, Commentary, Essays & Criticism, Feature, Story
Pot Luck
Searching for justice in the newly legal weed economy
Posted inCurrent Events, Highlight, Nonfiction, Quote Posts, Quotes
Big Problems and Big Paychecks in West Texas Oil Country
As the current oil boom attests. West Texas’ oil deposits come with high social and environmental costs.
Posted inStory
The American Worth Ethic
Like so many of our lofty ideals, the “American Work Ethic” is actually two different standards — one for the wealthy and one for the poor — with two different interpretations of what work looks like.
Posted inFood, Highlight, Quotes
“The Glitter-scurfed Frappuccinos” Is Totally the Name of My New Band
Don’t disrespect the fish. Or do! It’s your dinner.
Posted inBooks, Business, Current Events, Essays & Criticism, Nonfiction, Story
Maybe What We Need Is … More Politics?
Recent books by economists who hope to “save capitalism” dismiss popular ideas as “just politics.” But why assume the popular is the enemy of the good?
Posted inNonfiction
Longreads Best of 2018: Business Writing
We asked writers and editors to choose some of their favorite stories of the year in various categories. Here is the best in business writing.