RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Till Lauer's "Targeted" for The New Yorker

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cover-story/cover-story-2026-02-09 

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Barry Blitt's "War-a-Lago" for The New Yorker

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cover-story/cover-story-2026-03-16

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Adrian Tomine's "Post-Vacation" for The New Yorker

Source:

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cover-story/cover-story-2026-01-26

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Ronald Searle - The New Yorker February 18th, 1991

Cover by Ronald Searle

 

A Softer Touch, or Just Better Optics?

Pardon the Interruption

After two U.S. citizens — Renée Good and Alexi (Alex) Pretti — were fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, the Trump administration sent Tom Homan to the city to manage the political fallout. Both shootings sparked national outrage and raised serious questions about the conduct and oversight of federal immigration enforcement in an urban setting.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem initially defended the operations, echoing claims that Pretti had acted violently and was armed. That narrative was widely repeated by administration officials, including Border Patrol leadership, even as video footage and fact-checks cast doubt on those assertions and showed Pretti was legally carrying a firearm and was recording agents before being shot.

In the midst of mounting criticism, Homan replaced CBP commander Gregory Bovino and was tasked with easing tensions. Minnesota’s governor and Minneapolis’ mayor had publicly challenged the federal operation, and the deaths had eroded support even among some Republicans.

Since his arrival, Homan has negotiated limited cooperation with local officials and announced a partial withdrawal of about 700 federal agents, though roughly 2,000 officers remain deployed — a force far beyond the normal federal presence and one that continues arrests and detentions in the region.

Critics describe the partial drawdown as more of a political concession than a substantive shift in enforcement strategy. The operation still costs taxpayers significant sums, has led to broad detentions, and has been used to arrest not only undocumented immigrants but also protesters and bystanders. 

Public opinion has soured, and even the President acknowledged a need for a “softer touch,” likely because aggressive enforcement is unpopular in key conservative states that depend on immigrant labor.

Dave Granlund, February 4, 2026

 

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Christoph Niemann's "Market Shift" for The New Yorker

Source:

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cover-story/cover-story-2025-10-27

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Life Expectancy Ledger

 

 

@greg_clarke

Published in the print edition of the October 20, 2025, issue, with the headline “Life-Expectancy Ledger.”

Naughty Granny Crossing the Delaware

by Buck Brown, Playboy February 1984

"...Are You Infused, With the Spirit of Good Will Towards Men?"

Years ago, during a Las Vegas trip, I experienced one of those rare, memorable moments: being approached by a woman at a bar. While my buddy schmoozed at a business convention, I sat at the bar, minding my own business, reading a book on my phone like the party animal I am.

“Mind if I join you?” asked a woman who couldn’t have been older than 24 -- I was in my early 30s. She was a striking brunette with a warm smile, wearing a sleek dress and open-toed heels.

Looking around the bar, I noticed plenty of empty seats, which made her choice of company—me—a bit curious. Then it hit me: she was an escort. A call-girl. A lady-of-the-night. My inner journalist couldn’t help but lean in.

We ended up chatting for what felt like an hour. She was surprisingly open, sharing about her life as an escort. She had a daughter, was taking classes at a community college, and was doing what she could to provide for her family. She was candid about the risks of her job and how her family had no idea. Honestly, she was fascinating—just a regular person with an unconventional job.

Eventually, she asked if I was interested in her services. Out of curiosity (purely journalistic, of course), I asked about her rates. When she explained her "menu," I admitted I was married with and a kid, and therefore, a no-go. Still, she lingered a bit longer, indulging my nosy questions about her weirdest client requests, since I myself am kinky. One tidbit stood out: Steven Seagal had apparently been one of her clients. That threw me for a loop. Teenage-me, Blockbuster-renting-Seagal-movies-me, thought, No way.

As she got up to leave, I handed her a twenty—not for her services, but because I wanted her to have a little less pressure to find her next client. She gave me a quick kiss on the cheek, adjusted her dress, and disappeared into the casino, leaving me with one heck of a story.

When my buddy returned, I shared the whole thing. He didn’t believe a word of it. But hey, I know it happened, and that’s all that matters.

Marty Murphy (c.1950-60)

Where's the Chase?

Early in any relationship, there’s a natural rush — that moment when two people realize the chemistry is real and everything feels new and full of possibility. That was true for my wife and me when we started dating, and in many ways, that spark still remains.

Our beginning, though, unfolded differently from what most people imagine, yet probably familiar to couples who started dating right before the COVID lockdown. Instead of going out, our dates shifted to my place. 

There wasn’t much of a chase because we chose to ride out the uncertainty together. The usual “little black book” mindset disappeared for both of us. And honestly, without the lockdown forcing me to slow down, I might have sabotaged things — commitment wasn’t on my radar, and I’ve never been skilled at the chase.

Looking back now, I’m grateful I didn’t miss my chance. I found the person I want to build a life with. And yes, there’s still a bit of a chase between us — a playful one. She’s changed over time, and with her confidence growing after her breast enhancement, I admit a small sense of protectiveness kicks in, knowing others notice her too.

by Tom Toro for The New Yorker (Dec. 30, 2024)

Somewhere Between Baby Einstein and Baby Chaos

I think many of us, at some point in our new-parent lives, have shared a moment like the one beautifully captured by cartoonist and illustrator R. Kikuo Johnson on the cover of The New Yorker.

For me, it stirred memories of my ex-wife, our tiny Maltese, and me collapsed on our beaten-up couch, watching our toddler stretch out on a red-and-black checkered mat — the kind supposedly designed to boost focus and attention. Back then, we were convinced high-contrast toys would unlock hidden baby genius. For a while, our living room looked like a black-and-white art installation with splashes of red.

Of course, that didn’t last. Within months, the floor vanished beneath a sea of toys — stuffed animals, musical gadgets, and plastic contraptions that promised to make our kid smarter, stronger, and possibly bilingual by age two. Let me clarify something: I bought toys I would’ve enjoyed as a toddler. My wife, on the other hand, stuck to toys and books that actually nurtured brain development. Together, we struck a balance — somewhere between baby Einstein and baby chaos.

by R Kikuo Johnson (@r_kikuo_johnson)

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Barry Blitt's “Remote Control” for The New Yorker

Source:

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cover-story/cover-story-2025-09-29

Days of the Introvert

When I was a kid, I had a daily mission: wait for my dad to finish work so I could fire up Olympic Decathlon on his DOS-era Compaq computer. The game came on a floppy disk -- one of those satisfying slabs you had to shove into a slot until it clunked into place. I still remember seeing Bruce Jenner (now Caitlyn Jenner) as a stick-figure character. It was my version of after-school sports.

I had a routine. Saturday mornings meant cartoons first, then straight to my dad's computer -- no siblings, no interruptions, just me and the pixelated glory of solo gaming. Growing up during the golden age of consoles and new video games, I had a front-row seat to the evolution of digital fun. For me, video games weren't just play -- they were peace and quiet with a handheld controller.

Today, not much has changed... except now I sneak away from social obligations (my wife) and retreat to the man cave. I try to get into multiplayer games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, or Rocket League, but honestly, I'm more of a solo adventure guy. Give me Minecraft or Cities: Skylines, and I'm perfectly content building my own world -- one block, road, or zoning law at a time.

Hartley Lin (@hartley._.lin)

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: The New Yorker 1925

by Joost Swarte 

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: "On Parade" by David Plunkert for The New Yorker

https://www.instagram.com/p/DK2PQDVMv8e/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

 

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: "Nothing to See" by Haruka Aoki for The New Yorker

https://www.instagram.com/p/DKr0V5jIUcR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Brendan Loper - "Your Handy Road Map to Authoritarianism"

By Brendan Loper, April 7, 2025

Source:

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/04/14/your-handy-road-map-to-authoritarianism

Reading “They” from a Bird's Eye View

While lounging at the Delta Sky Club and waiting for my flight, I picked up a copy of The New Criterion—a conservative publication not typically on my nightstand, but hey, travel invites a bit of curiosity. An article by Joshua T. Katz caught my attention, especially as a parent of a transgender daughter. The piece? A critique of children’s books centered on gender pronouns.

Going in, I reminded myself to keep an open mind. Katz, a new father himself, shares concerns about books like The Pronoun Book, which introduce pronouns that don't align with traditional notions of biological sex. He worries these stories mix imaginative play with ideology and muddy the grammatical waters too early in a child’s development.

And from an education standpoint? I get it. Teaching sentence structure is tough enough before throwing neopronouns into the mix.

Katz’s broader point is about language itself. He argues that personal pronouns are critical building blocks of communication, and sudden shifts—especially those driven more by culture than linguistic evolution—can complicate things unnecessarily. One compelling example: changing “Do you live here?” to “Do they live here?” might sound inclusive but could confuse young learners trying to pin down grammar basics.

I don’t agree with everything Katz says, but I respect his call for balance. He urges parents to be mindful—not dismissive—of the materials they put in their kids’ hands. Respect and inclusivity matter, yes, but so do clarity and developmental readiness.

No matter your politics, it’s worth a read: https://www.aei.org/op-eds/pure-episcopalianism/

Andy Landorf and John Colquhoun, 2019

Trump's Center

In February, President Donald Trump executed a significant overhaul of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, by dismissing all 18 trustees appointed by former President Joe Biden and installed his own appointees, who subsequently elected Trump chairman of the board. 

Trump justifies changes by criticizing the Center's programming, especially those he considers "woke." The reorganization has also sparked controversy within the arts community. For instance, several cast members of "Les Misérables" have announced plans to boycott a June 11 performance at the Kennedy Center, protesting Trump's involvement. 

While conservatives might feel the Center is out of touch of American values and welcome changes as necessary in realigning its mission, critics argue that Trump's actions represent a politicization of the arts. This draws scary parallels to historical instances where authoritarian regimes exerted control over cultural institutions, e.g. Hitler's Nazi regime.  

Prepping with Patriot Mom

As I step into the next chapter of my life, I’ve been toying with the idea of a reinvention. I can only imagine what a marketing firm would come up with for a middle-aged man—compact in height but towering in presence, laser-focused yet bursting with big ideas. Now, if only they could fit all that on a business card!

Paul Noth, The New Yorker November 25, 2024