Slate Articles

The World’s Most Popular Online Newspaper

Will Oremus — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:44:20 GMT

The world’s most popular online newspaper is not the New York Times, USA Today, or the Wall Street Journal. You may not have ever visited it on purpose. If you’re American, you may not have even heard of it. It’s the Daily Mail.

NFL 2011

Chris Brown — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:12:15 GMT

Tom Brady is a fortunate guy. At this point in his career, a fourth Super Bowl win seems like cosmic overkill: He already has three championship rings, he’s a lock for the Hall of Fame, and he's married to a supermodel who’s nearly a billionaire on her own. At the same time, it’s impossible not to admire his on-field ability. Brady has crafted himself into the perfect NFL quarterback—accurate, smart, and in complete control at all times. In an era when NFL defenses are more complicated than ever, Brady instantly processes the information thrown at him on every play—Who’s rushing me? Who’s dropping back? What coverage are they in?—and translates it into action.

Freudian Slip

Brian Palmer — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:48:09 GMT

In his first Gawker column on Wednesday, an anonymous therapist discussed the challenges of dealing with physically deformed patients, described counseling a confessed rapist, and revealed some clients’ troubling confessions. (One patient tried to sodomize his dog.) Although the patients weren’t named, some commenters wondered whether such disclosures are ethical. Can your shrink spill your secrets?

Super Bowl XLVI’s Darth Vader Kid

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:27:01 GMT

What is this year’s worst Super Bowl commercial? Does Volkswagen’s latest Star Wars ad live up to the Darth Vader kid original? How disappointing was the return of Ferris Bueller? Join Slate columnist Seth Stevenson and Slate culture editor John Swansburg for a live Facebook discussion about the ads of Super Bowl XLVI. Check back here or on our Facebook page on Monday at 2 p.m. EST to participate in the chat!

Smash

Troy Patterson — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:18:06 GMT

You cannot have avoided hearing about Smash (NBC, Mondays at 10 p.m. ET). NBC has been running ads during NFL games, reminders in its chyron, teasers in taxis, spots in Playbill; at this point, even people who do not own televisions may feel that the network bought airtime in their REM sleep. Just as the series, with its cameos by Broadway machers and its fond peeks inside theater haunts, is pitched at both residents of the entertainment world and the good people of Peoria, these promotions serve two constituencies. One is composed of the civilians who may yet be pummeled into watching this soapy musical about a Broadway musical—soap as dispensed by the bathroom attendant at Sardi’s. The other is “the creative community.” The second group, lingeringly cheesed off by the network’s 2009 move to crowd drama out of primetime in favor of Jay Leno, need convincing that NBC is committed to attempting classy, smart work for adults. Even if the show fails commercially, the peacock will have smoothed some feathers.

Nevadans Know How To Fix America

David Weigel — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:31:46 GMT

ELKO, Nev.—“I know how to fix it,” says Bill Crabb.

All Hail, Emperor Zuckerberg

Matthew Yglesias — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:29:36 GMT

When it goes public, Facebook will be conducting an experiment in corporate dictatorship nearly without precedent for such a large and high-profile company.

Planned Obsolescence

William Saletan — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:25:10 GMT

Poor Susan G. Komen.

Slate Seeking Photo Intern

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:17:43 GMT

Slate is offering a paid internship with the photo/art department. We are looking for a highly energetic, organized individual who has a keen visual sense. The intern will assist with photo research, building slide shows and editing photos. This is not a shooting internship; however, there will be opportunities for photo assignments. We are looking for someone who has a sense of how to identify a great photo and is a talented researcher, capable of tracking down obscure images and navigating online photo databases. Strong writing and social media skills are a huge plus. A sense of humor is critical. The intern will be working closely with Slate's photo editor and the design team as well as various writers and editors. Self-starters will leave the five-month position with an expanded portfolio and serious hands on experience. This is a 25-to-40-hour-a-week position. We are looking to fill the post ASAP. Please send a résumé, link to any relevant online work and brief statement of interest to vivian.selbo@slate.com.

Forgotten Fugitives, FDA Spies, and Who’s Paying for the Super Bowl

Blair Hickman — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:02:54 GMT

Here are this week's top must-read stories from #MuckReads, ProPublica's ongoing collection of the best watchdog journalism. Anyone can contribute by tweeting a link to a story and just including the hashtag #MuckReads or by sending an email to MuckReads@ProPublica.org. The best submissions are selected by ProPublica's editors and reporters and then featured at @ProPublica.