The Editors

New Scientist explores  The Secrets of Laughter , and finds that “laughter is an unexpectedly serious business. ” Observing the human animal in its natural habitat — the shopping mall — they documented 1200 instances of laughter, and found that only 10 to 20 per cent of . . . . Continue Reading »

Argentina Senate to Vote on Gay Marriage [President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner] harshly criticized church leaders on Monday, saying that their discourse on the issue resembled “the times of the Crusades” and that they failed to acknowledge how socially liberal Argentina had . . . . Continue Reading »

We are delighted with the tremendous response to our recent post “Are These the Ten Worst Hymns of All Time?” All along, our plan was to follow the ten worst with the ten best. So now, after much consideration (and a bit of solitary suffering, here and there, among our staffers; it does hurt, . . . . Continue Reading »

A few months ago, First Things joined the social media revolution (already in progress) by launching a Facebook page. We already have nearly 1,000 friends, but we’d love to add all of you—those of you with your own Faceboook page, that is—as friends. That way, you’ll get regular . . . . Continue Reading »

Readers of First Things now have new ways to access online articles. As always, print subscribers get free access to the latest issue, as well as twenty years worth of articles, reviews, poetry, and more from our archive of previous issues… . Continue Reading »

Now available on newsstands and online”take a look at the latest issue of First Things ! You’ll find it’s brimming with innovative ideas you’ve come to expect. Take, for instance, the in-depth case economist Timothy Reichert makes about how the phenomenon of contraception has hurt women in work, relationships, and personal happiness. Or Michael Wyschogrod’s novel argument for a monarchy in Israel. Or Joseph Bottum’s concern about the “Bad Medicine” of Obamacare. You’ll also find the latest work of George Weigel, Robert Louis Wilken, and Mary Ann Glendon. Get it while it’s hot! Continue Reading »

The April Issue of First Things is now available on newstands and online! This issue is filled with thoughtful essays, critical reviews, and lovely poetry”all of which, for a limited time, you can access for free below! For starters, here’s film critic Armond White’s excellent piece in this issue, “Do Film Critics Matter?””the perfect piece to read following Hollywood’s recent Oscars season. Continue Reading »

March 2010 signifies First Things ’ 20th Anniversary. To celebrate, we’ve compiled a cross-section of the magazine’s highlights from the last two decades. We had an embarrassment of riches to choose from, a reminder to all of us of the lasting significance of the magazine’s . . . . Continue Reading »

March 2010 signifies First Things’ 20th Anniversary. To celebrate, we’ve compiled a cross-section of the magazine’s highlights from the last two decades. We had an embarrassment of riches to choose from, a reminder to all of us of the lasting significance of the magazine’s achievements. Please join us in celebrating, and enjoy the 20th Anniversary Issue, available on newsstands and online today… . Continue Reading »

In the editorial with which the premiere issue began, First Things announced its arrival on the American scene”a mix of high principles, editorial prejudices, and an ongoing conversation about God. “When in the course of human events . . . ” Thus Jefferson and his associates, evincing a . . . . Continue Reading »