Western governments seem ill-prepared to grapple with rapidly advancing technology. Watch any congressional hearing where a crusty congressman tries to keep pace with Silicon Valley’s top “autists” if you need further evidence — and read Spencer A. Klavan’s analysis of the high-skill but low-status rejects uniting into a formidable social class. The Silent Generation and boomers simply cannot keep up.
The Space Race is back on — and tycoons are eager to cash in on the final frontier. Shane Cashman dives into the new wild west of explorers and entrepreneurs commercializing the great unknown.
Lionel Shriver brings us back to earth with a look at the electrical grid and our government’s push for green energy and electric vehicles. Who could have anticipated that electric cars would need to be plugged into a power source?
The rise and fall of certain social networks is one issue in particular that we’re watching. TikTok, of course, is at the top of everyone’s mind this spring. Ben Domenech talks with outgoing Representative Mike Gallagher and others about the importance of addressing the TikTok issue before things get worse. And Stephen L. Miller looks at what X has become and how its power is changing.
Also in the magazine
Mauritania is one of America’s staunchest allies in the war on terror. It’s also one of the world’s most enslaved nations. Geoff Hill looks at the country that can’t seem to rid itself of modern-day slavery.
Why do neoliberals get let off the Iraq War hook? That’s what John R. MacArthur wants to know and he asks some tough questions about the talking heads that keep popping up on our TVs, in the op-ed pages and even in government.
What’s the mood on the streets of Tel Aviv today? Josh Kaplan takes us to Israel where he finds a country that has no time for the culture wars.
In Culture…
- The Blues Brothers was arguably John Belushi’s most famous film and now a new book detailing the make of the film has arrived on the scene. D.J. Taylor reviews it for us and finds it an entertaining and engaging tale
- Christopher Sandford reviews the new book from Alexander Larman, which peels back the veil on the post-war exploits of the House of Windsor
- He might be the greatest writer you’ve never heard of. Oliver Soden takes us through the underrated works of Evan S. Connell
Plus…
In the wake of the Oppenheimer Oscar win, Alexander Larman looks at the oeuvre of Christopher Nolan and finds very few misses.
The posthumously published last book of Gabriel García Márquez wasn’t supposed to be published. Amelia Butler-Gallie weighs if defying his wishes was worth it.
And from Spectator Life…
Chadwick Moore wonders why everyone keeps telling him to be safe.
Cosmo Landesman mourns the death of good conversation.
Ben Domenech takes us to his favorite gin joint.
Lara Prendergast goes skiing in Japan.
Kathleen Willcox takes us into the rarefied world of wine collecting.
Plus…
Orson Fry travels to Pakistan, where there’s a movement underway to bring the rhino back to its ancient heartland.
New York is great in the summer, but the art scene can be underwhelming. Calla Di Pietro helps you get your cultural fill.
The blessing of a good wine shop
There is a world of wine out there
By Roger Kimball
The VR and AR arms race
Virtual worlds contain very real gold mines
By Ross Anderson
