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A Philosopher’s One-Word Theory to Explain Why the World Feels So Weird
Once you learn what the "uni-context" is, you won't stop seeing it everywhere
Jul 14
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Derek Thompson
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Is This the End of Booze?
The turn against moderate drinking has been sudden and sharp. But it's not often based in science.
Jul 9
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Derek Thompson
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America, 1926: What a Forgotten 100-Year-Old Report Says About Who We Are
America in 1926 was obsessed with technology, immigration, women, work, and money. Sound familiar?
Jul 3
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Derek Thompson
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June 2026
It’s the Best Time Ever to Become a Millionaire by Working Alone
There are more—and richer—tiny companies. AI could be playing a big role.
Jun 30
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Derek Thompson
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The U.S. Went to War to Take Away Iran's Superweapon. It Gave Iran a New One.
Trump lost the country. The U.S. lost a half-hearted war. Israel lost an ally. The Middle East lost the illusion of security. Asia lost growth. Global…
Jun 25
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Derek Thompson
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The Derek Thompson Substack Turns 1! Here's How the Newsletter Is Doing
Thank you for being a paid subscriber! And please use this birthday to tell me what you want this newsletter to grow into
Jun 24
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Derek Thompson
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The Cult of the Enhanced Self
Americans have never been healthier, or more alone. These things might be related.
Jun 18
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Why Do the Best Leaders Fail at the Most Important Job?
What do Marcus Aurelius, Bob Iger, Bill Belichick, and William Shawn have in common? Succession failure.
Jun 11
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Derek Thompson
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Why Are Men So Bad at Making—and Keeping—Friends?
There are two problems with the famous “male loneliness crisis”—the loneliness part and the male thing.
Jun 3
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May 2026
The AI Boom Has Entered Its 'Wait, Is This Worth It?' Era
The great AI cost panic of 2026 is upon us
May 29
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Derek Thompson
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Can America Escape the Cycle of Vicemaxxing?
Donald Trump did not invent political corruption. But he may be accelerating something more dangerous: the collapse of universal moral standards into a…
May 21
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Derek Thompson
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The Global Fertility Crisis Is Worse Than You Probably Think
Everybody knows about the decline in birthrates. Fewer people understand why—or just how significantly it could transform society in the next few…
May 18
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Derek Thompson
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