Jay Caspian Kang
Jay Caspian Kang is a staff writer for The New Yorker, an Emmy-nominated documentary-film director, and the author of “The Loneliest Americans.” Prior to joining The New Yorker, he was an opinion writer for the New York Times. His work has appeared in The New York Review of Books, “This American Life,” and the New York Times Magazine. He lives in Northern California with his family. He was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 2024 for his New Yorker work.
The Fantasy World of Political Polling
The question is not whether we should trust the polls. It’s whether the onslaught of analysis that invariably follows them actually holds any predictive or explanatory power.
The Unknowability of the Undecided Voter
We know that the fence-sitters in a few states will decide this election, but is there an obvious answer for how either candidate should try to appeal to them?
What Do Progressive Parents Owe Their Public Schools?
A lead-poisoning scandal in Oakland underscores a growing sense of hopelessness among families who are committed to school integration.
Does A.I. Really Encourage Cheating in Schools?
New technologies are raising suspicions about students’ work, but the controversy—like so many others swirling around American classrooms—misses the point of what we want our kids to learn.
What Kamala Harris May Have to Do Next
The D.N.C. was remarkably well orchestrated, but unscripted tests remain.
What Makes Nancy Pelosi So Appealing Now
Her ruthless pragmatism and reliance on subtext are refreshing after years of lefty infighting and Donald Trump’s endless blather.
How Generic Can Kamala Harris Be?
The Vice-President has answered few direct questions since becoming the presumptive nominee. This is probably good for her campaign, but not for voters.
The Politics of “Weird”
Kamala Harris’s campaign has smartly positioned her as the normal candidate. But disagreements and distractions lie ahead.
Kamala Harris Should Tell Her Family’s Story
The tale of two immigrants who found opportunity in America is an inspiring one. On the rare occasions that Harris shares it, her sometimes blurry identity comes into focus.
Are We Already Moving On from the Assassination Attempt on Trump?
When an act of violence doesn’t lend itself to a clear argument or a tidy story, we often choose not to think about it.
Joe Biden’s Cynical Turn Against the Press
After a wave of intense scrutiny, the President and his campaign have begun to target the media, and many of his supporters have followed suit.
The Case for Joe Biden Staying in the Race
The known bad candidate is better than the chaos of the unknown.
The Polite Therapy of the “Inside Out” Movies
The premise of the Pixar series demands a model for our emotional lives, and the films deliver the standard, secular consensus. It’s mildly depressing.
We’re All Tiger Moms Now
Amy Chua’s “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” prompted controversy thirteen years ago, but, among the upper middle class, variations on her parenting style have proliferated.
How Liberals Talk About Children
Many left-leaning, middle-class Americans speak of kids as though they are impositions, or means to an end.
Summer Camp and Parenting Panics
Camps once sold a story about social improvement. Now we just can’t conceive of an unscheduled moment.
The Radical Case for Free Speech
We need to build a broad moral consensus around the universal right to dissent, rooted in widely held beliefs about American liberty.
A Generation of Distrust
Among the protesters on college campuses—and among the students who oppose them, too—there is a deepening disillusionment with American institutions.
Could “Mind the Game” Change the Way Sports Are Covered?
The podcast, co-hosted by J. J. Redick and LeBron James, combines analytical commentary with an insider’s perspective—and bypasses traditional media.
The Fantasy World of Political Polling
The question is not whether we should trust the polls. It’s whether the onslaught of analysis that invariably follows them actually holds any predictive or explanatory power.
The Unknowability of the Undecided Voter
We know that the fence-sitters in a few states will decide this election, but is there an obvious answer for how either candidate should try to appeal to them?
What Do Progressive Parents Owe Their Public Schools?
A lead-poisoning scandal in Oakland underscores a growing sense of hopelessness among families who are committed to school integration.
Does A.I. Really Encourage Cheating in Schools?
New technologies are raising suspicions about students’ work, but the controversy—like so many others swirling around American classrooms—misses the point of what we want our kids to learn.
What Kamala Harris May Have to Do Next
The D.N.C. was remarkably well orchestrated, but unscripted tests remain.
What Makes Nancy Pelosi So Appealing Now
Her ruthless pragmatism and reliance on subtext are refreshing after years of lefty infighting and Donald Trump’s endless blather.
How Generic Can Kamala Harris Be?
The Vice-President has answered few direct questions since becoming the presumptive nominee. This is probably good for her campaign, but not for voters.
The Politics of “Weird”
Kamala Harris’s campaign has smartly positioned her as the normal candidate. But disagreements and distractions lie ahead.
Kamala Harris Should Tell Her Family’s Story
The tale of two immigrants who found opportunity in America is an inspiring one. On the rare occasions that Harris shares it, her sometimes blurry identity comes into focus.
Are We Already Moving On from the Assassination Attempt on Trump?
When an act of violence doesn’t lend itself to a clear argument or a tidy story, we often choose not to think about it.
Joe Biden’s Cynical Turn Against the Press
After a wave of intense scrutiny, the President and his campaign have begun to target the media, and many of his supporters have followed suit.
The Case for Joe Biden Staying in the Race
The known bad candidate is better than the chaos of the unknown.
The Polite Therapy of the “Inside Out” Movies
The premise of the Pixar series demands a model for our emotional lives, and the films deliver the standard, secular consensus. It’s mildly depressing.
We’re All Tiger Moms Now
Amy Chua’s “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” prompted controversy thirteen years ago, but, among the upper middle class, variations on her parenting style have proliferated.
How Liberals Talk About Children
Many left-leaning, middle-class Americans speak of kids as though they are impositions, or means to an end.
Summer Camp and Parenting Panics
Camps once sold a story about social improvement. Now we just can’t conceive of an unscheduled moment.
The Radical Case for Free Speech
We need to build a broad moral consensus around the universal right to dissent, rooted in widely held beliefs about American liberty.
A Generation of Distrust
Among the protesters on college campuses—and among the students who oppose them, too—there is a deepening disillusionment with American institutions.
Could “Mind the Game” Change the Way Sports Are Covered?
The podcast, co-hosted by J. J. Redick and LeBron James, combines analytical commentary with an insider’s perspective—and bypasses traditional media.