Training a Chaotic Dog: Lessons in Power and Control
William Davies explores how his lovable yet unruly boxer, Dusty, forced him to question how to teach a dog with no morals to be 'good'. He reflects on the clichés of Britain as a 'nation of animal lovers' and the remarkable integration of autonomous non-human entities into a human system of rights and wrongs. The piece delves into the parallels between controlling a dog and controlling a small child, requiring a mix of training, routine, incentives, rewards, and physical constraints.
The Brexit Campaign: A Decade On
Guardian journalists interviewed MPs, officials, and key players to produce a multi-perspective account of the five months in 2016 that shaped the UK's future. The narrative covers Boris Johnson siding with Vote Leave, Jo Cox's murder, and David Cameron's resignation. It has been a decade since the UK voted to leave the EU, and this piece offers a front-row seat to the momentous months of the campaign.
US Fighter Pilot Avoids British Trial After Strangling a Woman
Capt Jacob Wulfson's case was tried at a court martial on a US airbase according to US military law. Harry Davies and Rob Evans report on one of several cases where UK police and prosecutors appear to cede responsibility to their American military counterparts. Fellow airmen decided Wulfson's fate, highlighting a 'degrading' pattern of justice.
Cory Doctorow on Elon Musk, AI Bubble, and Bosses' Cruel Fantasies
Cory Doctorow, who coined the term 'enshittification', spoke to Zoe Williams about why AI will never live up to its promises and why it still appeals to those in power. He argues that you cannot make billions without hurting many people, and that hurting people requires believing they are not really people.
France's Heatwave: Heat-Trap Homes and Climate Inequality
Angelique Chrisafis reports on how low-income housing estates in France bear the brunt of record-breaking heat. Many buildings and infrastructure were not designed for high temperatures. Residents describe their homes as ovens, with unbearable conditions, limited fan use due to electricity costs, and exhaustion from protecting children from the heat.
Athletes Competing in Their 40s: Good Food, Good Genes, Good Luck
Linda Geddes examines why athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo, Serena Williams, and Lewis Hamilton continue competing at the highest level into their 40s. Advances in sports science, equipment, and facilities have extended careers that once seemed impossibly long. The piece questions whether athletes are truly getting better with age or just better at managing the ageing process.
