Becca Rothfeld

1 week ago | washingtonpost.com | Becca Rothfeld

This philosopher believed that beauty could save democracy (washingtonpost.com) This philosopher believed that beauty could save democracy By Becca Rothfeld 2025052913003800 In the poem "Socrates and Alcibiades," the German Romantic writer Friedrich Hölderlin asks why the famed Athenian philosopher fell in love not with a fellow genius, but with a handsome youth. Although he was renowned for his looks, Alcibiades was notoriously rash and silly.

2 weeks ago | washingtonpost.com | Becca Rothfeld

Rivers deserve to be protected. But are they ‘alive’? (washingtonpost.com) Rivers deserve to be protected. But are they ‘alive’? By Becca Rothfeld 2025052313150000 If a river could speak, what would it say? Would it beg for respite from climate change and pollution, or demand reparations for centuries of damming and other devastating human interventions? Would it scold us for restricting its cycles of flooding and thereby endangering the habitats it sustains?

3 weeks ago | washingtonpost.com | Becca Rothfeld

Many women ‘just don’t want to’ have kids. These books don’t blame them. (washingtonpost.com) Many women ‘just don’t want to’ have kids. These books don’t blame them. By Becca Rothfeld 2025051612000000 When the writer Shirley Jackson went to the hospital to give birth to her youngest son in 1951, a clerk at the front desk asked for her personal information. "Age?" the clerk chirped. "Sex? Occupation?" "Writer," Jackson replied. "Housewife," the clerk countered.

1 month ago | pfascentral.org | Becca Rothfeld

By Becca Rothfeld | The Washington Post | May 2, 2025 Read the full article by Becca Rothfeld (The Washington Post) "In the cult-classic film “The Stuff” (1985), workers manning a quarry happen upon a mysterious, gooey substance burbling out of the ground. When they find themselves oddly compelled to taste it, they discover that it is improbably delicious.

1 month ago | washingtonpost.com | Becca Rothfeld

Chemical makers knew the harms. It didn’t matter. (washingtonpost.com) Chemical makers knew the harms. It didn’t matter. By Becca Rothfeld 2025050212300000 In the cult-classic film "The Stuff" (1985), workers manning a quarry happen upon a mysterious, gooey substance burbling out of the ground. When they find themselves oddly compelled to taste it, they discover that it is improbably delicious. Soon, the miraculous goop is ubiquitous.