Frequently Asked Questions
This page answers the questions readers most often send us about art, authorship, and AI tools. Each answer reflects our current editorial research and is updated as definitions and policies change.
how do i know which essay to read first
Start with the most recent piece in the Essays section, since each one is self-contained and defines its own terms as it goes. If you want background first, the About page explains how the team chooses and checks topics.
what is each essay based on
Every essay draws on at least one primary source: an interview, an archive record or a public statement, listed by name within the piece. We do not base claims on unsourced aggregation from other sites.
how do i suggest a topic to cover
Use the topic suggestion field on the contact page to send a short description of what you'd like covered. An editor reads every submission, though not every topic gets commissioned.
how do i get new essays by email
Enter your email in the newsletter box at the bottom of any page to receive the week's new essay on the day it publishes. There is no charge and no account required to sign up.
how can i read essays i missed
The full archive is listed by date and category on the Essays page, with no part of it hidden behind a paywall. Older pieces stay online and are corrected in place if an error is confirmed.
what happens if an essay has an error
Once an error is confirmed, we fix the piece and add a dated note explaining the change, within 30 days of the report. We do not remove or silently rewrite a published piece.
Still have questions?
Questions not covered here are answered by the editorial team within a few business days through the contact form.
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