Min Jin Lee: A torch bearer for the great 19th-century tradition of social realism, she has become one of the most important novelists of her generation.

The Problem With Apocalyptic Thinking: From climate to Covid to A.I., we face a terrifying feeling of exponential growth spinning out of our control. Are we right?

‘Sardinemaxxing’: I no longer have to make life decisions thanks to my infinite tins of fish. Now I can’t even look at the word t*na.

The Interview: The comedian and filmmaker Chris Rock on what real friendship looks like, what keeps him up at night and his new movie, “Misty Green.”

On Language: The phrase “the X of it all” started as a joke to mock the vague lingo of studio bosses. But there’s something widely appealing about speaking casually, broadly and vaguely in order to reduce friction.

The Ethicist: One of my father’s caregivers asked for money. Should I give it to him?