Cognoscenti

Banning books is never the answer. Talking about them is The first week in October is Banned Books Week, and it prompted Hannah Harlow to reflect on her younger son’s love of dragons, how following his interest helped him gain a foothold in reading, and the unexpected realm it took them both to this past summer.

The first week in October is Banned Books Week, and it prompted Hannah Harlow to reflect on her younger son’s love of dragons, how following his interest helped him gain a foothold in reading, and the unexpected realm it took them both to this past summer. spr.ly/63322Aod6m

Pete Hegseth's one-dimensional view of combat readiness I served on the Navy’s first combatant ship to have women permanently assigned, and all of us on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower were completely qualified for our jobs, writes Laura McTaggart. No combat standards were lowered for women, and it’s misleading and ignorant of Hegseth to say so.

"In Hegseth’s fantasy military, every war is a ground war, and every ground war is won by the team that does the most pull-ups. His one-dimensional view of the military gives him a one-dimensional view of combat readiness." spr.ly/63323AodJh

Government shutdowns are terrible. This one had to happen Unlike in March, when Democrats caved to keep the government open, this time around they are holding the line, betting that voters will reward them for showing some backbone, writes Steve Almond. Good on them.

"Trump and his congressional enablers are weak — far more vulnerable than they want you to believe. Voters handed them to the power to act, and they have abused that power," writes Steve Almond. spr.ly/63326AlEdy

What the Gen Z protests in Nepal can teach the US about democracy The distance between Kathmandu and Washington is vast, but the warning is shared: without credible rules and accountability, even old democracies wobble, writes Monik Bhatta.

The distance between Kathmandu and Washington is vast, but the warning is shared: without credible rules and accountability, even old democracies wobble, writes Monik Bhatta. spr.ly/63323AlEdt

Jane Goodall gave me the gift of wonder Fred D. Ledley first encountered Jane Goodall in 1964, at a lecture hosted by the National Geographic Society when he was 9 years old. Goodall believed nature was attainable to all. She looked wonder in the eye, and it held her gaze; when she reached out to touch it, it held her hand.

Jane Goodall believed nature was attainable to all. She looked wonder in the eye, and it held her gaze; when she reached out to touch it, it held her hand. spr.ly/63329AlEYb

Government shutdowns are terrible. This one had to happen Unlike in March, when Democrats caved to keep the government open, this time around they are holding the line, betting that voters will reward them for showing some backbone, writes Steve Almond. Good on them.

"Unlike in March, when Democrats caved to keep the government open, this time around they are holding the line, betting that voters will reward them for showing some backbone," writes Steve Almond. "Good on them." spr.ly/63326AlEjK

Looking out for laughs Mel Brooks wrote, ‘If you can laugh you can get by,’ and I quote it all the time – to friends, my kids, myself, writes Sara Shukla. It’s not an easy time to work in the media, or even be a reader of the news. Here’s what I’m turning to lately for the relief of a good laugh.

Mel Brooks writes in his memoir, “If you can laugh you can get by,” and I quote this all the time — to friends, my kids, my husband, myself. spr.ly/63326AgBfi

My relationship with the Red Sox? It’s complicated I’ve always had a weakness for Fenway in September, writes Roberto Scalese, whose relationship with the Red Sox went south after they traded Mookie Betts. When I heard you may even make the playoffs this year, I couldn’t help but wonder: was I wrong to call things off?

I’ve always had a weakness for Fenway in September, writes Roberto Scalese, whose relationship with the Red Sox went south after they traded Mookie Betts. When I heard you may even make the playoffs this year, I couldn’t help but wonder: was I wrong to call things off? spr.ly/63321Adp4x

Why 'history is more thrilling than any romance' Doug Brown collects rare books on early America. But he recently acquired a desk that once belonged to Constance Miekevicz (nee Gore-Booth), an Irish revolutionary and suffragist. He was inspired by the story of her extraordinary life.

Constance Miekevicz became the first woman in Ireland to serve as a cabinet minister. At the time of her death in 1927, she was so beloved that 300,000 lined the streets to witness her funeral procession. spr.ly/63329AjRK7

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Why 'history is more thrilling than any romance' Doug Brown collects rare books on early America. But he recently acquired a desk that once belonged to Constance Miekevicz (nee Gore-Booth), an Irish revolutionary and suffragist. He was inspired by t...

Doug Brown collects rare books on early America. But he recently acquired a desk that once belonged to Constance Miekevicz (nee Gore-Booth), an Irish revolutionary and suffragist. He was inspired by the story of her extraordinary life.

I’ve been asked to speak many times about gun violence over the last decade….and here are some thoughts on my experience @wbur.org @cogwbur.bsky.social www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/...

What ChatGPT can't give you As of July 2025, ChatGPT had amassed some 700 million users worldwide. According to new research, about 2% of users query the chatbot about personal relationships and to "discuss personal feelings." What does that mean for the rest of us?

As of July 2025, ChatGPT had amassed some 700 million users worldwide. According to new research, about 2% of users query the chatbot about personal relationships and to "discuss personal feelings." What does that mean for the rest of us? spr.ly/63325AkcFW

What the race back to the moon says about Trump's priorities on Earth Changes to space policies and projects indicate an administration’s bigger goals, writes Joelle Renstrom. Which is why the public should pay attention to NASA’s decisions to shut down climate-related satellites and missions, and to prioritize building a nuclear reactor on the moon.

Space exploration is no longer about improving the lives of people on Earth or about improving Earth itself, writes Joelle Renstrom. It’s about political posturing and prestige and about encouraging (and profiting from) commercial spaceflight. spr.ly/63320AMluw

How Medicaid cuts will hurt every hospital — including yours Regardless of your political views, we can all agree that hospitals have to be solvent to stay open, write Anesu Karen Murambadoro and John Wixted. The Medicaid cuts included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act disrupt the economics of our health system making care harder to access and more expensive for everyone.

"...Hospitals need to be solvent to stay open. The impending Medicaid cuts will make this problematic." spr.ly/63325AR1gR

Libraries are public health hubs The roots of community health and wellness extend out into the 9,000 or so public libraries across the U.S., writes Katherine O'Malley. But the Trump administration has moved to end federal funding for public libraries, delivering a blow to vulnerable populations, especially in rural communities and small towns.

Libraries can’t live up to their reputation as trusted, community-centered resource hubs without the federal funding they’ve depended on for almost 70 years, writes Katherine O'Malley. spr.ly/63329AMlHX

What the race back to the moon says about Trump's priorities on Earth Changes to space policies and projects indicate an administration’s bigger goals, writes Joelle Renstrom. Which is why the public should pay attention to NASA’s decisions to shut down climate-related satellites and missions, and to prioritize building a nuclear reactor on the moon.

Space exploration is no longer about improving the lives of people on Earth or about improving Earth itself, writes Joelle Renstrom. It’s about political posturing and prestige and about encouraging (and profiting from) commercial spaceflight. spr.ly/63324AMYSo

What does the great horned owl say? Even better than identifying the birds was identifying with the birds, writes Laura McTaggart. I wasn’t sure what they were talking about, but I was sure it wasn’t the price of groceries or the impending demise of our democracy.

ESSAY: Birding is a growing hobby in the United States, writes Laura McTaggart. More than one-third of Americans report “closely observing birds, with intention.” I think I have found my tribe, and that tribe is a flock. spr.ly/63329AMY5d

Libraries are public health hubs The roots of community health and wellness extend out into the 9,000 or so public libraries across the U.S., writes Katherine O'Malley. But the Trump administration has moved to end federal funding for public libraries, delivering a blow to vulnerable populations, especially in rural communities and small towns.

Libraries can’t live up to their reputation as trusted, community-centered resource hubs without the federal funding they’ve depended on for almost 70 years, writes Katherine O'Malley. spr.ly/63323AH7d1

When September feels like a pair of too-tight pants Every September we bumble back into the routines of school, homework, soccer practice, piano lessons and eating dinner at a reasonable hour, writes Cloe Axelson. We’re not there yet, on any of it, but I know we’ll sort it.

"At first, of course, September can feel like a pair of too-tight pants: uncomfortable, restrictive, mildly annoying. I re-learn this every year, as we bumble back into the routines..." spr.ly/63323AHD9z

As climate change wreaks havoc on the weather, Trump pursues policies that will make things worse As someone who regards the integrity of the climate as the single most consequential matter of long-term public policy, I have found the barrage of news from Washington jarringly disconnected from reality, writes Frederick Hewett.

"... rather than attempting to limit the damage with proven renewable energy technology, Trump is blindly pursuing policies that will assuredly make matters worse." spr.ly/63322A8wSa

Maladies of the eye don't discriminate between Republicans and Democrats Crandall Peeler, an ophthalmologist at a teaching hospital in New England, was part of a team that saw nearly 50,000 patients last year. The Trump administration's decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants will result in staff reductions at his hospital, decreasing his department's capacity to provide quality eye care.

"Where will my colleagues go once they’re no longer welcome in the U.S.? Most likely, they will go into the open arms of another country facing similar workforce shortages." spr.ly/63324A8wNw

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey is first in U.S. to require insurers to pay for COVID vaccine Healey's measures include requiring insurance carriers to cover vaccines that the state's public health department recommends and allowing pharmacies to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.

Healey's measures include requiring insurance carriers to cover vaccines that the state's public health department recommends and allowing pharmacies to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.

As climate change wreaks havoc on the weather, Trump pursues policies that will make things worse As someone who regards the integrity of the climate as the single most consequential matter of long-term public policy, I have found the barrage of news from Washington jarringly disconnected from reality, writes Frederick Hewett.

As someone who regards the integrity of the climate as the single most consequential matter of long-term public policy, I have found the barrage of news from Washington jarringly disconnected from reality, writes Frederick Hewett.

Political humor has never been more essential I depend on laughter for a catharsis that allows me to break through the daily dose of fear, dread and shame, that accompanies every day Donald Trump inhabits the White House, writes Anita Diamant.

I depend on laughter for a catharsis that allows me to break through the daily dose of fear, dread and shame that accompanies every day Donald Trump inhabits the White House, writes Anita Diamant. spr.ly/63321fAGx9

I started playing tennis again. It's great, mostly Kathy Gunst resisted tennis as a kid. Her parents were fanatics, and on principle, she decided the sport — and the country club — wasn't for her. Then she found the game again, on a public court, at 68.

Kathy Gunst resisted tennis as a kid. Her parents were fanatics, and on principle, she decided the sport — and the country club — wasn't for her. Then she found the game again, on a public court, at 68. spr.ly/63321ffEAV

The gerrymander wars are only just beginning Donald Trump likes to blame blue states, including Massachusetts, for starting the gerrymandering wars, writes political scientist Austin Sarat. Unsurprisingly, he’s wrong on the facts.

Donald Trump likes to blame blue states, including Massachusetts, for starting the gerrymandering wars, writes political scientist Austin Sarat. Unsurprisingly, he’s wrong on the facts. spr.ly/63329ffEoZ

34,000 Mass. residents will lose health coverage Jan. 1 following federal cuts Roughly 34,000 legal immigrants in Massachusetts will be the first group of residents to lose government-subsidized health insurance under changes signed into federal law last month. Most are working-age adults, although the cuts will also hit some children and seniors.

Important reporting from our WBUR colleague Martha Bebinger. The headline says it all. spr.ly/63321f4aTL

Unpacking my emotions about college dropoff I’ve always been perplexed by — and rather judgmental of — the parents who wring their hands as dropoff day approaches, writes Kate Neale Cooper. But as I’ve watched my youngest child pack for college, I’ve stopped looking at this transition from my own perspective and started seeing it through his eyes.

"I’ve always been perplexed by — and, if we’re being honest, rather judgmental of — the parents who wring their hands as drop-off day approaches." spr.ly/63329f2mJc

Is the slide into autocracy supposed to feel so humdrum? Trump is consolidating power over government entities with the authority to unleash violence. Such a brazen power grab would be one thing if the administration were more popular, writes Andrew Carleen, but this government is not comporting itself as though it fears the consequences of future elections.

We should be clear-eyed about what is happening in our nation’s capital, writes Andrew Carleen. The Trump administration is exerting its will via the power ministries of the federal government. It is a dress rehearsal for things to come. spr.ly/63320f2l7C