The Upside of Personal Tragedy
After painful life experiences we're more likely to appreciate life's little delights.
Mar/Apr 2014
The Upside of Longing: Idealization and Long-Distance Relationships
There's at least one benefit to long-distance relationships.
The Myth of Supervision: Child Safety Isn't About You
Increased vigilance isn't necessarily the best way to prevent child-safety issues and injuries.
Swedish Pop Mafia
How a culturally conservative effort in the 1940s backfired to create the greatest engine of pop music in the world.
Playing Make-Believe While Black
Are preschool teachers influenced in their evaluations of young children by race?
Shelf Help: New Book Reviews in 100 Words or Less
What you need to know about Words Will Break Cement, The Tyranny of Experts, and You Are Here: From the Compass to GPS, the History and Future of How We Find Ourselves.
The Kids Will Be All Right, Even Without the Nuclear Family
Gay, straight, single, divorced: Five studies that prove that the who of family matters a lot less than the how when it comes to raising happy, healthy kids.
Friends With Benefits: Psychologists and Sociologists on Facebook
Psychologists, sociologists, and neuroscientists like Facebook—and Facebook likes them back.
The Secret World of Fast Fashion
From 1960s Korea, through Brazil, to today's Los Angeles: Inside the world that brought you Forever 21—and those skinny jeans in your closet.
Could Taxes on Alcohol Promote Economic Growth?
All of those hangovers could be costing the country a lot of workdays.
In the Picture: Basketball, Teen Dreams, and Health Benefits of Green
In every issue, we fix our gaze on an everyday photograph and chase down facts about details in the frame.
Among the Disbelievers: An African Skeptic Does Vegas
A fellow at the James Randi Educational Foundation, Leo Igwe is running a high-voltage campaign against witchcraft beliefs in Africa. Can he convince us to join his crusade against evils half a world away?
Who Funded That? The Names and Numbers Behind the Research
Because we believe in transparency.
What Dreams Still Come: An Old-Fashioned Explorer in Modern Times
How to be an old-fashioned explorer—intrepid, obsessive, khaki-clad—without conquering anything. The secret life of Keith Muscutt.
4 Conferences Happening in March and April That Are Worth Attending
From Literature and Physical Culture to Banknote 2014, academic gatherings you should be aware of.
There's a Name for That Dance You Do With Strangers in the Elevator
You might also recognize it in the subway, library, restroom, and other public spaces where people aren't typically very social.
Since We Last Spoke: Digital Justice and the New Normal
Updates to pastPacific Standard print stories.
Our Jedi Future: How to Fly a Helicopter With Your Mind
On wearable brain scanners and telepathic toys.
Contributors: Meet Some of the People Behind Our March/April Issue
Introducing Ethan Watters, Timothy Noah, Christina Moon, Robert Anasi, Maia Szalavaitz, and Lauren Lancaster.
Disenfranchised: Why Are We Still Buying Into the Franchise Dream?
In the tight-fisted world of fast food, it's not just the workers who get a lousy deal.
Social Networking: Letters and Responses to Our January/February Issue
Join the conversation.
The Germ Theory of Democracy, Dictatorship, and Your Cherished Beliefs
Is culture just a side effect of the struggle to avoid disease?
6 Events Happening in March and April That You Should Be Aware Of
From the first day of Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival to the presidential elections in Afghanistan, dates you might want to watch.