Opinion Today: Are today’s mean girls meaner?

The new “Mean Girls” musical movie may have lost its bite, but teenagers have not. [View in browser](~/AAAAAQA~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)|[nytimes.com](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0SxaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjQwMjA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNDQ0MCZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTc0MTcmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmW6yS3CZVTRie9SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~)[Continue reading the main story](#) [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0SYaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTYyMTM5JmxpPVRZJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1UWV8yMDI0MDIwNiZ0ZT0xJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyNDAyMDZXA255dEIKZbrJLcJlVNGJ71IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [Opinion Today](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0TAaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc2VjdGlvbi9vcGluaW9uP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjQwMjA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNDQ0MCZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTc0MTcmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmW6yS3CZVTRie9SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) February 6, 2024 [Author Headshot](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0TDaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvamVzc2ljYS1iZW5uZXR0P2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjQwMjA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNDQ0MCZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTc0MTcmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmW6yS3CZVTRie9SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) By [Jessica Bennett](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0TDaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvamVzc2ljYS1iZW5uZXR0P2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjQwMjA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNDQ0MCZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTc0MTcmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmW6yS3CZVTRie9SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) Contributing Editor, Opinion I never expected to feel nostalgic for the insult “fugly slut.” Yes, that is a Mean Girls reference. And yes, today this newsletter is about “Mean Girls” — the [new musical movie](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0TzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucm9sbGluZ3N0b25lLmNvbS9tdXNpYy9tdXNpYy1uZXdzL21lYW4tZ2lybHMtbXVzaWNhbC1maXJzdC10cmFpbGVyLTEyMzQ4NzI2MTkvP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjQwMjA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNDQ0MCZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTc0MTcmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmW6yS3CZVTRie9SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~), but also the concept of “relational aggression” that inspired it — so if either of those things offend you, now would be the time to archive this email. But if you have ever been a girl in middle school, or parented a girl in middle school, or know somebody who is or who parents a girl in middle school, perhaps read on — because there are a lot of things about Tina Fey’s new twist on her millennial cult classic that mimic real life. I recently wrote about the new movie — and the changes made to the original — [in an essay for Opinion.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8wMS9vcGluaW9uL21lYW4tZ2lybHMtbW92aWUtYnVsbHlpbmcuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDI0MDIwNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTQ0NDAmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU3NDE3JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplusktwmVU0YnvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) Like how, in the new “Mean Girls,” adults and teenagers alike are more aware of the importance of inclusivity and more attuned to the seriousness of subjects that used to be treated as fodder for jokes. Gone are the punchlines about the film’s inept P.E. teacher making out with his students. The jokes about whether one of the main characters, [Janis Ian](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP4QAAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmxhdGltZXMuY29tL2VudGVydGFpbm1lbnQtYXJ0cy9tb3ZpZXMvc3RvcnkvMjAyNC0wMS0xMy9tZWFuLWdpcmxzLW1vdmllLW11c2ljYWwtamFuaXMtbGdidHE_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyNDAyMDYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE0NDQwJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1NzQxNyZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZbrJLcJlVNGJ71IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD), is a lesbian have been retired; Janis is now out as queer (she also has a new last name: ‘Imi’ike). Notorious queen bee Regina George no longer uses the R-word nor calls her friend “dyslexic”; her followers are no longer derided as an “army of skanks.” Even the infamous Burn Book from that movie is now nicer — or, if not exactly nicer, at least avoidant of particular rhetorical land mines: “slut” is now “cow.” “Fat virgin” is now “horny shrimp.” These changes are meant to be reflective of the real world, of course, where ostensibly we no longer say these words, where we accept all body types and have learned to be attentive to people’s feelings, differences and “residual traumas.” But what the movie misses, by simply stripping out its most offensive language, is a chance to really update itself — to fully reflect on girl world in 2024. If the hallmarks of relational aggression are still things like cutting friends out, spreading rumors or excluding peers, [today’s technology](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMS8zMS90ZWNobm9sb2d5L3NlbmF0ZS1jaGlsZC1zYWZldHktc29jaWFsLW1lZGlhLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyNDAyMDYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE0NDQwJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1NzQxNyZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZbrJLcJlVNGJ71IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) has created innumerable new ways to inflict the same old adolescent torture. And what makes us think we’ve really grown that much more enlightened, anyway? As [Ms. Fey herself put it](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0TbaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMS8xMC9tb3ZpZXMvbWVhbi1naXJscy10aW5hLWZleS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjQwMjA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNDQ0MCZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTc0MTcmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmW6yS3CZVTRie9SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~), “people are just as divisive and horrible as they ever were, but now they couch it in virtue.” So what does stealth meanness 2.0 actually look like? I asked real teenagers to tell me. Read the essay: [[Four young women in pink take a selfie.] Jojo Whilden/Paramount Pictures, via Associated Press](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8wMS9vcGluaW9uL21lYW4tZ2lybHMtbW92aWUtYnVsbHlpbmcuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDI0MDIwNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTQ0NDAmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU3NDE3JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplusktwmVU0YnvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) [Jessica Bennett ‘Mean Girls’ Has Lost Its Bite. Girls Haven’t. Just because teenagers don’t call one another sluts anymore doesn’t mean they’re not just as good at being nasty to one another. By Jessica Bennett](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8wMS9vcGluaW9uL21lYW4tZ2lybHMtbW92aWUtYnVsbHlpbmcuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDI0MDIwNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTQ0NDAmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU3NDE3JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplusktwmVU0YnvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~)[Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-universal-0) ADVERTISEMENT [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0SXaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9NTk3ODUmbGk9VFkmbT1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZwPVRZXzIwMjQwMjA2JnRlPTEmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDI0MDIwNlcDbnl0QgplusktwmVU0YnvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) Here’s what we’re focusing on today: Editors’ Picks [[Article Image] There’s a Tax Season Villain, and It’s Not the I.R.S. For decades, American presidents have promised free and easy tax filling. 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In Pakistan, that’s our default setting. By Bina Shah](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8wNi9vcGluaW9uL3Bha2lzdGFuLWVsZWN0aW9uLWRlbW9jcmFjeS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjQwMjA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNDQ0MCZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTc0MTcmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmW6yS3CZVTRie9SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [Candy sellers walking past a row of election campaign posters on an elevated highway.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8wNi9vcGluaW9uL3Bha2lzdGFuLWVsZWN0aW9uLWRlbW9jcmFjeS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjQwMjA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNDQ0MCZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTc0MTcmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmW6yS3CZVTRie9SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [Camilla Takes Charge As King Charles battles an unnamed form of cancer, the Queen must carry the flag. By Maureen Dowd](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbGl2ZS8yMDI0LzAxLzMwL29waW5pb24vdGhlcG9pbnQvY2hhcmxlcy1jYW1pbGxhLWNhbmNlcj9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDI0MDIwNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTQ0NDAmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU3NDE3JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplusktwmVU0YnvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) [Article Image](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbGl2ZS8yMDI0LzAxLzMwL29waW5pb24vdGhlcG9pbnQvY2hhcmxlcy1jYW1pbGxhLWNhbmNlcj9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDI0MDIwNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTQ0NDAmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU3NDE3JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplusktwmVU0YnvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) [Thomas L. Friedman The G.O.P. Bumper Sticker: Trump First. Putin Second. America Third. How the country and the world are defined is in Congress’s hands. By Thomas L. Friedman](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8wNi9vcGluaW9uL2ltbWlncmF0aW9uLXNlbmF0ZS1ob3VzZS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjQwMjA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNDQ0MCZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTc0MTcmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmW6yS3CZVTRie9SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [A man (Mike Johnson) stands in front of a podium with many microphones.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8wNi9vcGluaW9uL2ltbWlncmF0aW9uLXNlbmF0ZS1ob3VzZS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjQwMjA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNDQ0MCZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTc0MTcmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmW6yS3CZVTRie9SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [Paul Krugman Immigrants Make America Stronger and Richer Secure the border — but don’t stop the inflow of workers we need. By Paul Krugman](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8wNS9vcGluaW9uL2ltbWlncmF0aW9uLXJlcHVibGljYW5zLWVjb25vbXkuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDI0MDIwNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTQ0NDAmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU3NDE3JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplusktwmVU0YnvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) [Migrants standing in line while being detained by the Border Patrol.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8wNS9vcGluaW9uL2ltbWlncmF0aW9uLXJlcHVibGljYW5zLWVjb25vbXkuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDI0MDIwNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTQ0NDAmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU3NDE3JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplusktwmVU0YnvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) [Joni Mitchell, Oracle Her radical vulnerability and refusal to hide has always been her greatest strength. By Peter Catapano](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbGl2ZS8yMDI0LzAxLzMwL29waW5pb24vdGhlcG9pbnQvam9uaS1taXRjaGVsbC1ncmFtbXlzP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjQwMjA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNDQ0MCZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTc0MTcmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmW6yS3CZVTRie9SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [Joni Mitchell performing at the Grammys, seated in a golden chair. She is wearing a black beret and a black-and-gold outfit.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbGl2ZS8yMDI0LzAxLzMwL29waW5pb24vdGhlcG9pbnQvam9uaS1taXRjaGVsbC1ncmFtbXlzP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjQwMjA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNDQ0MCZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTc0MTcmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmW6yS3CZVTRie9SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~)[Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-universal-0) ADVERTISEMENT [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0SYaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MjAxODEyJmxpPVRZJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1UWV8yMDI0MDIwNiZ0ZT0xJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyNDAyMDZXA255dEIKZbrJLcJlVNGJ71IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [A Second Trump Term Could Lead to a ‘Backdoor Federal Abortion Ban’ The future of reproductive rights in America may hinge on the next election. By Mary Ziegler and Jillian Weinberger](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0TjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8wNi9vcGluaW9uL2ZlZGVyYWwtYWJvcnRpb24tYmFuLXRydW1wLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyNDAyMDYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE0NDQwJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1NzQxNyZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZbrJLcJlVNGJ71IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [Article Image](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0TjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8wNi9vcGluaW9uL2ZlZGVyYWwtYWJvcnRpb24tYmFuLXRydW1wLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyNDAyMDYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE0NDQwJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1NzQxNyZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZbrJLcJlVNGJ71IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [What Relationships Would You Want, if You Believed They Were Possible? Rhaina Cohen makes a case for expanding the role of friendship in our lives. By ‘The Ezra Klein Show’](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8wNi9vcGluaW9uL2V6cmEta2xlaW4tcG9kY2FzdC1yaGFpbmEtY29oZW4uaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDI0MDIwNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTQ0NDAmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU3NDE3JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplusktwmVU0YnvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) [A portrait of Rhaina Cohen](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8wNi9vcGluaW9uL2V6cmEta2xlaW4tcG9kY2FzdC1yaGFpbmEtY29oZW4uaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDI0MDIwNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTQ0NDAmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU3NDE3JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplusktwmVU0YnvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) [Peter Coy The Economist Who Helped Patients Get New Kidneys The social math of kidney transplants is tricky. Game theory helped. By Peter Coy](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8wNS9vcGluaW9uL2FsdmluLXJvdGgta2lkbmV5LXRyYW5zcGxhbnRzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyNDAyMDYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE0NDQwJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1NzQxNyZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZbrJLcJlVNGJ71IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [An illustration depicting a blue, anatomically detailed kidney behind a tessellation of orange arrows and diamonds.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8wNS9vcGluaW9uL2FsdmluLXJvdGgta2lkbmV5LXRyYW5zcGxhbnRzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyNDAyMDYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE0NDQwJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1NzQxNyZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZbrJLcJlVNGJ71IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [Taylor Swift’s Bittersweet Victory There can be no omnipresence without reinvention. 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By Lydia Polgreen](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0TqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbGl2ZS8yMDI0LzAxLzMwL29waW5pb24vdGhlcG9pbnQvdHJhY3ktY2hhcG1hbi1sdWtlLWNvbWJzP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjQwMjA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNDQ0MCZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTc0MTcmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmW6yS3CZVTRie9SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs, performing at the Grammys.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0TqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbGl2ZS8yMDI0LzAxLzMwL29waW5pb24vdGhlcG9pbnQvdHJhY3ktY2hhcG1hbi1sdWtlLWNvbWJzP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjQwMjA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNDQ0MCZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTc0MTcmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmW6yS3CZVTRie9SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [letters Reflections on the E. Jean Carroll Verdict Readers react to Opinion pieces about her audacity and libel law. Also: The U.S. and Iran; Democratic alternatives; controversy at Penn; pets in cold weather.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8wNS9vcGluaW9uL2UtamVhbi1jYXJyb2xsLXRydW1wLXZlcmRpY3QuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDI0MDIwNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTQ0NDAmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU3NDE3JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplusktwmVU0YnvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) [E. Jean Carroll in dark sunglasses arriving at court in Manhattan.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnpLLJP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8wNS9vcGluaW9uL2UtamVhbi1jYXJyb2xsLXRydW1wLXZlcmRpY3QuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDI0MDIwNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTQ0NDAmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU3NDE3JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplusktwmVU0YnvUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) We hope you’ve enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. 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