The most unique thing about human beings is this: We are creatures who long to matter. That’s according to Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, the philosopher and author of a new book called The Mattering Instinct. If you’ve ever wondered why we humans are so singularly obsessed with discovering the meaning of life, this book — and […]

One of the most acclaimed restaurants in the world, Noma, opened a pop-up in Los Angeles on March 11. It was supposed to be a joyous occasion for Noma head chef and co-founder René Redzepi and the staff, who relocated from Copenhagen, Denmark, for the sold-out 16-week stint. But Noma LA’s opening has been mired […]

On February 9, 1970, Johnny Carson did something that would be unthinkable for a late night host today, or really anyone on TV: He gave a full hour of The Tonight Show to a Stanford professor. But Paul Ehrlich, the author along with his wife Anne of the blockbuster book The Population Bomb, was charismatic, […]

Nancy Pelosi’s record of impact is undeniable. Over more than three decades in Congress, the San Francisco juggernaut is frequently cited among the effective legislative operators of her generation — the person who held together the votes for the Affordable Care Act, who twice ascended to the House speaker’s chair, and who built a fundraising […]

Countless streets, parks, and schools across America are named for Cesar Chavez, the United Farm Workers union organizer and 1960s icon of Latino activism and the labor movement. There is even a holiday commemorating his life and legacy, on March 31, that is formally observed by four Western states (and less formally by many others): […]