USAIN BOLT WRECKED MY THEORY

Ed Smith had a theory that sprinters—like greyhounds and racehorses—were not getting any faster. But then came Bolt ... read more »

MEXICO'S HIDDEN BLACKS
The black descendants of slaves in Mexico struggle against entrenched racism. Alexis Okeowo explores the so-called first free slave town in the Americas ... read more »

JUST MARRY HIM?
Lori Gottlieb is raising a furore among women with her new book "Marry Him: The Case for Settling for Mr Good Enough". But her original article in the Atlantic provoked some sympathy from Adelle Waldman, whose response is republished here ... read more »

THE HISTORY OF NEWS
If news, as a commodity purveyed by reporters, is coming to an end, when and how did it start? Brian Cathcart finds out ... read more »

ARE WE TOO PROFESSIONAL?
It’s an unstoppable buzzword. But has professionalism gone too far? As a sportsman, Ed Smith saw it backfire at first hand; now he sees this in other fields, from “The Wire” to the banks ... read more »

ON THINKING AND DRINKING
Drinking wine is a serious business, according to Roger Scruton, an academic philosopher. Anthony Gottlieb reviews his book "I Drink Therefore I Am" ... read more »

OF GOD AND GARDENS
Believers have got into a tangle trying to fend off the likes of Richard Dawkins. And then there’s the problem of the horticultural parable. Anthony Gottlieb does some digging ... read more »



Comment of the moment
quote I'm a 40 something woman who has never married or had children, although I'm currently in a relationship with someone. I agree that most people want to partner up, but I think there is more than one acceptable lifestyle choice ...