Tragedy
Viewfinder: FBI Agents Respond to a Mass Shooting
Federal Bureau of Investigation agents monitor the scene near the Borderline Bar & Grill, where a mass shooting occurred, on November 8th, 2018, in Thousand Oaks, California.
A Conversation With Author Nicola Griffith
Griffith's new novel is a thriller that also helps dismantle the idea that disability is necessarily tragic.
Contrary to Cliché, Misery May Inhibit Creativity
New research finds visual artists do not do their best work during periods of bereavement.
Rebuilding After Tragedy
A complicated blend of economics, culture, and infrastructure make it hard to find any right way to restore a city after disaster.
Facebook in the Face of Tragedy
Social media networks break news stories and spark revolutions. In the wake of tragedy, they may also help us cope.
Masochism at the Movies: Historical Horrors With Hitchcock and McQueen
Brutalism on screen—and its moral repercussions.
Study: The Secret of Comedy Really Is Timing
New research suggests we do find humor in tragedy, but only during a specific, limited window of time.
The Upside of Trauma
Worries about post-traumatic stress have become a stock part of the media narrative surrounding tragedies like Boston and Newtown. And resilience is supposedly the best we can hope for in the face of adversity. But what if there's a third option? The story of one mass shooting, and the surprising tug of post-traumatic growth.
Sadness Breeds Gratitude: The Value of Tragedy
New research suggests watching a tragic movie or play leads us to reflect on our close relationships, which brings us pleasure.