Culture
The Battle of Denny Blaine: Nudists vs prudists on Seattle’s lakefront
A nudist beach. A children’s playground. An embattled mayor. And a chain-link fence. The common thread is a sordid and silly episode that has roiled Seattle’s politics – and its summer by the lake.…
Opinion
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This human history expert says we’re wired to work, not relax – but here’s why it’s a good thing
Is it time to rethink work? Journalist Albert Steck asks economist Hans-Joachim Voth why meaningful labour may be key to our wellbeing, and why humans might be built more for purpose than pleasure.
The unmissable films, exhibitions, books and music for September 2025
September’s best cultural offerings include a blockbuster photography exhibition in New York, an animated Pakistani drama and a beloved UK pop band’s swan song.
Seduction, power, and murder: inside the 2,000-year reign of the gigolo
Handsome, charming, and often dangerous, gigolos have played surprising roles in history. From philosophers’ companions to jet-set playboys, these men knew how to turn beauty into power.
Denmark’s glaring design flaw is now on public display
The Danes are justly renowned for their design prowess but news of a controversial statue suggests that they do not excel in all of the visual arts. In fact, they have struggled in the…
Five beautiful travel books from Monocle to guarantee a well-spent summer
Whether you’re bound for breezy coastlines, vibrant cities or serene countryside, Monocle’s travel guides are your passport to a smarter season.
In a world full of distractions, it’s getting harder to think – but has it ever been easy?
Socrates
Liberté, Égalité, Manifestation: The art of the French protest
The joys and pains of the French revolutionary spirit.
Tate “Late” returns. An alarming reminder that London’s nightlife is fast asleep
Whoa, there! Steady on! London’s Tate Modern has only gone and extended its weekend opening hours and I already feel as though I’m in a deliciously weird fever dream of a night in which…
