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Notes

Jul. 09, 2025 |

That’s your opinion, man. While the American media’s news cycle has become higher-paced than ever, millions among the

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Jul. 08, 2025 |

‘Sunbeam Path.’ The British synth ace James Holden has collaborated with the Polish clarinet star Waclaw Zimpel before, mostly on

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Jul. 07, 2025 |

A fistful of minerals. When U.S. President Donald Trump announced his Liberation Day tariffs on nearly every country in

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| Philippe Aghion & Gustav Jönsson

Going west

Why are so many companies moving to America from Europe? Philippe Aghion on the Continent’s failure to build a competitive innovation ecosystem.
9 minute read
| SGNL

The course of human events

What good is U.S. diplomacy with Russia? Can democracy live with huge laws passed by just a few votes? & Is it finally dead in Hong Kong? … + The weird end of the U.S.-China trade war. Why Americans are losing interest in news. Music from Michael Gordon. &c. … The member’s despatch, Week XXVII.
20 minute read
| Allison Braden & Liana Fix

Alternative history

What does Germany’s new military expansion mean for Europe? Liana Fix on Berlin’s mission to build the Continent’s most powerful army.
9 minute read
| Gustav Jönsson & Tena Prelec

Continental

How has Europe become the destination for so much dirty money—and what are European states doing about it? Tena Prelec on why it is so hard to root out grand corruption.
11 minute read
| SGNL

War and peace

Why didn’t China or Russia help Iran? What on Earth is “the West”? New music from Four Tet, Mary Halvorson, & Amon Tobin. + What’s a pandeiro? &c. … The member’s despatch, Week XXVI.
16 minute read
| Carlos Blanco & Gustav Jönsson

Help wanted

Why are millions more Americans turning to talk therapy—and sticking with it? Carlos Blanco on the decline of a stigma, a shift in health coverage, and the individualization of treatment.
8 minute read
| SGNL

Brave new world

Is political violence in America really getting worse? Why are the ultra-wealthy buying more and larger superyachts? + New music from Neggy Gemmy, Yumi Zouma, & Buscabulla. Who is Bad Bunny? &c. … The member’s despatch, Week XXV.
17 minute read
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Democracy Economy War Diplomacy Culture Health Technology Despatch Autocracy Science Law Media Letters Migration Crime

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Michael Bluhm Brendan Hasenstab Gustav Jönsson Graham Vyse SGNL Phoebe Maltz Bovy John Jamesen Gould Eve Valentine Allison Braden Matthias Matthijs Chris Miller Steven Cook Anatol Lieven Christopher W. Schmidt David A. Hopkins