New Yorker: Out Loud

Ian Frazier on a writers’ workshop

In this issue of the magazine, Ian Frazier writes about ...

In this issue of the magazine, Ian Frazier writes about a Chelsea soup kitchen. Here Frazier talks about his experiences running a writers' workshop at the soup kitchen, and the differences between humor writing and reportage.

Sue Halpern on Virtual Iraq

This week in the magazine, Sue Halpern writes about Virtual ...

This week in the magazine, Sue Halpern writes about Virtual Iraq, a treatment for traumatized veterans. Here Halpern talks about how researchers adapted a video game into a simulation of combat experiences, and how soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder react to it.

Margaret Talbot on animal language and cognition

This week in the magazine, Margaret Talbot writes about the ...

This week in the magazine, Margaret Talbot writes about the scientist Irene Pepperberg and her work with Alex the parrot. Here Talbot talks about what Pepperberg's research reveals about animal language and cognition, with samples of Alex speaking.

William Finnegan on human trafficking

In this issue of the magazine, William Finnegan writes about ...

In this issue of the magazine, William Finnegan writes about young women from Moldova who were forced into prostitution in other countries. Here Finnegan talks about the transnational networks of human trafficking and the efforts to help their victims.

Burkhard Bilger on field recording

Burkhard Bilger talks about the history of field recording, and ...

Burkhard Bilger talks about the history of field recording, and introduces samples from the folklorist Art Rosenbaum's recordings.

Jonathan Franzen on China

Jonathan Franzen talks about his journey to China.

Joan Acocella on “Dancing with the Stars”

Joan Acocella dissects "Dancing with the Stars."

Ben McGrath on Lenny Dykstra

This week, Ben McGrath writes about the retired baseball player ...

This week, Ben McGrath writes about the retired baseball player Lenny Dykstra and his new magazine, The Players Club. Here, McGrath discusses Dykstra's efforts to broaden the horizons of retired athletes.

Adam Gopnik on modern magic

This week in the magazine, Adam Gopnik writes about modern ...

This week in the magazine, Adam Gopnik writes about modern magic. Here Gopnik talks about the future of magic and compares the magician's art to the writer's craft.

Michael Chabon on superhero costumes

This week in the magazine, Michael Chabon writes about what ...

This week in the magazine, Michael Chabon writes about what superheroes should wear. Here Chabon talks about the difficulties of dressing superheroes off the comic-book page, writing about clothes, and turning books into movies.