Magazine Archives

Objects That Matter: ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ Cards

In 1567, wealthy citizens who could afford to purchase tickets for England's first National Lottery were guaranteed indemnity from arrest for crimes (excepting murder, treason, piracy, and other felonies).

Jack Denton

Field Notes: Waiting for Whales in Utqiagvik, Alaska

Utqiagvik, Alaska: High above the Arctic Circle, on a slab of sea ice a mile from shore, an Inupiaq whaling crew watches for a passing bowhead whale under the light of the midnight sun.

Pacific Standard Staff

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan looks on as President Donald Trump speaks about tax reform legislation in the Cabinet Room at the White House on November 2nd, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

Truth, Lies, and Tax Reform

Republicans (and President Donald Trump) say they want to fix the tax code. But their proposals won't do anything like that. Here are a few ways they can do better.

Mike Konczal

B is a 32-year-old gay man from Kenya: "At 14 I discovered who I was but I was still confused because I was still young. At the University, in 2007, I discovered that I was not alone, many of my friends were like me but they were in the closet. I shared my personal feelings only with a friend of mine whose name was James. But in general I kept everything in my heart because I was afraid of African culture."

Stories of Forbidden Love

Photographing LGBT citizens in countries where homosexuality is still criminalized.

Robin Hammond

There’s a Name for That: Gruen Transfer

A decades old idea argues that shopping is not about the items you sell—it's about the spectacle in which you sell them.

Elena Gooray

Behind the scenes with Robin Hammond, recipient of the W. Eugene Smith Grant for Humanistic Photography and a World Press Photo prize.

Letter From the Editor: One of Us

Introducing Pacific Standard's December 2017 issue.

Nicholas Jackson

The Abandoned Children of Morocco

In Morocco, illegitimate children have no papers, no last name, and are vulnerable to trafficking, but some devoted caregivers have found a way to give them a better life.

Ali Berrada