The President Is Winning His War on American Institutions
How Trump is destroying the civil service and bending the government to his will
April 2020
In This Issue
How to destroy a government, tackling giraffes, and does Reiki work? Plus a Colorado murder, capitalism’s addiction problem, Michael Pollan on coffee, “premiocrity,” fallibility, weirdos, Hilary Mantel, and more.
Cover Story
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Is There Still a Good Case for Water Fluoridation?
It’s a 75-year-old technology. Maybe we should rethink it.
The Last Giraffes on Earth
The planet’s tallest animal is in far greater danger than people might think.
The Killing of a Colorado Rancher
When Jake Millison went missing, his family said he’d skipped town. But his friends knew him better than that, and they refused to let him simply disappear.
Reiki Can’t Possibly Work. So Why Does It?
The energy therapy is now available in many hospitals. What its ascendance says about shifts in how American patients and doctors think about health care.
Dispatches
Illustration: Mikel Jaso; rendering: Borja Alegre Capitalism’s Addiction Problem
The biggest, best-known companies in the digital economy are getting their users hooked on their products—and undermining the pillars of America’s market economy.
Arinze Stanley The College President Who Simply Won’t Raise Tuition
Mitch Daniels has frozen Purdue’s tuition—at less than $10,000—for seven straight years.
Asia Pietrzyk It’s All So … Premiocre
What do fake Eames chairs, extra legroom, and $40 scented candles have in common?
Alex Merto The Perks of Being a Weirdo
How not fitting in can lead to creative thinking
Christopher Payne Fine Motor Skills
Photos from a factory where automation has yet to take hold
Culture & Critics
Manshen Lo The Irresistible Drama of Becoming Who You Want to Be
Hirokazu Kore-eda’s latest film, his first set outside of Japan, showcases the great director’s signature theme.
Aaron Marin Hilary Mantel Takes Thomas Cromwell Down
As the author’s remarkable trilogy ends, her epic hero’s self-mastery is newly in doubt.
Rodrigo Corral The World’s Favorite Drug
The dark history of how coffee took over the world
Departments
The Commons
Readers respond to our January/February 2020 cover story and more.
Miguel Porlan An Ode to Fallibility
Instant replay is ruining sports.
Poetry
Paul Spella
