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Opinion
Ride a Pale Horse
It infected a third of the world's population and killed tens of millions. Scott McLemee reads a new book recalling the influenza pandemic of 1918.
Opinion
The Trouble With Black Studies
Fierce debate breaks out yet again about an ever-controversial field of scholarship. Scott McLemee keeps his eyes on the prize.
Opinion
Old-School Publishing
Greedy publishers, overworked scholars, unnecessary books and too much hype...Scott McLemee reports on academic publishing, circa 1600.
Opinion
For Books, Against Boilerplate
Officials at the second largest research library in the United States have their talking points about its redesign. Scott McLemee wants them to change the script.
Opinion
Food Fright
A new book on food panics puts the "pink slime" scare into perspective. Scott McLemee is what he eats.
Opinion
Painter of Blight?
Love him or loathe him, Thomas Kinkade was the most widely known American artist of the last 20 years. Scott McLemee surveys his landscape.
Opinion
Why Have Children?
Procreation is a choice -- but is it a good one? Scott McLemee considers a philosopher's take on the question.
Opinion
Stop Cultural Vandalism
One of the great public research libraries is relocating part of its collection to give the public more Internet access. Scott McLemee wants to make some noise.