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Reposted by Gal Beckerman

Liz Slade @lzsl.bsky.social · 19d

New books arrived and a) I am happy with the accurate picture they give of my nerdy interests, and b) thanks to whoever here I picked up the recommendations from

Photo of the covers of ‘The Quiet Before (the unexpected origins of radical ideas)’ by Gal Beckerman and ‘logistics and power: supply chains from slavery to space’ by Susan Zieger

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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 18d

In #BookSky news, delightful to see @susanorlean.bsky.social last night, discussing her new @avidreaderpress.bsky.social memoir JOYRIDE with insightful Qs from @galbeckerman.bsky.social, as part of @theatlantic.com's ongoing festival. Wildly entertaining as always, and debuting a fantastic skirt!

Susan Orlean 9/19/25 in a fantastic skirt depicting framed paintings

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Gal Beckerman @galbeckerman.bsky.social · 21d

I'll be chatting with the incomparable @susanorlean.bsky.social tomorrow evening as part of @theatlantic.com's festival. Join us!

www.mcnallyjackson.com/atlantic-rea...

www.mcnallyjackson.com

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New Vessel Press @newvesselpress.bsky.social · Sep 2

Join author Maya Arad, translator @jesscohen.bsky.social, and @galbeckerman.bsky.social, staff writer at The Atlantic, next Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. in discussing HAPPY NEW YEARS @barnesandnoble.com on Manhattan's Upper West Side, 2289 Broadway, NYC.

stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/978006...

How Scientific Empires End

Gal Beckerman @galbeckerman.bsky.social · Jul 31

Such a smart and important one from @rossandersen.bsky.social

The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · Jul 31

The rapid decline of American science has few precedents in history, argues @rossandersen.bsky.social. We are witnessing an unparalleled act of self-sabotage:

And what it means for America

Americans Are Tired of Choice

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Gal Beckerman @galbeckerman.bsky.social · Jul 17

!

Gal Beckerman @galbeckerman.bsky.social · Jun 23

I wrote about how overwhelmed Americans have become by choice, and what we can do about it (before Trump solves the problem on his terms).

How did freedom become synonymous with having lots of options?

Americans Are Tired of Choice

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Reposted by Gal Beckerman

The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · Jun 23

How did freedom become synonymous with having lots of options? Gal Beckerman on a recent book, "The Age of Choice," that helps explain Americans' exhaustion with "choice idolatry":

How did freedom become synonymous with having lots of options?

Is France Even France Without Cigarettes?

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The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · Jun 19

When a disgusting habit is part of your national identity, banning it might prove to be awkward. @galbeckerman.bsky.social, an ex-smoker and still a Francophile, asks if France is even France without cigarettes:

When a disgusting habit is part of your national identity, banning it might prove to be awkward.

The Master of the White-Knuckle Narrative

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Reposted by Gal Beckerman

Adrienne LaFrance @adriennelaf.bsky.social · Jun 19

Really worth reading Cullen Murphy’s lovely remembrance of William Langewiesche, who lived several lifetimes in just 70 years but still died too young.

Then, of course, you have to read Langewiesche himself… 🧵

www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...

Remembering William Langewiesche, who died this week at age 70

When a Nasty Habit Is Part of Your National Identity

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Reposted by Gal Beckerman

Damon Beres @damonberes.com · Jun 11

"These moments of idle nothingness—or acute presence—are a source of nostalgia for me in part because they belong to the aimlessness of youth, and because our phones have since become a constant portal to somewhere else."

Uh oh: @galbeckerman.bsky.social has me pining for an American Spirit

As France bans cigarettes in most public places, it stands to lose a strong cultural signifier.

A Computer Wrote My Mother’s Obituary

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Reposted by Gal Beckerman

Damon Beres @damonberes.com · Jun 10

An unexpected purpose for the technology—but the outcome here is not what I expected at all. Lovely and sober by @ibogost.bsky.social

The funeral industry turns to AI.

When a Nasty Habit Is Part of Your National Identity

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Gal Beckerman @galbeckerman.bsky.social · Jun 11

I wrote about France's smoking ban...and me.

As France bans cigarettes in most public places, it stands to lose a strong cultural signifier.

Is France Even France Without Cigarettes?

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Reposted by Gal Beckerman

The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · Jun 11

When a disgusting habit is part of your national identity, banning it might prove to be awkward. @galbeckerman.bsky.social, an ex-smoker and still a Francophile, asks if France is even France without cigarettes:

When a disgusting habit is part of your national identity, banning it might prove to be awkward.

Inside America’s Death Chambers

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Reposted by Gal Beckerman

Adrienne LaFrance @adriennelaf.bsky.social · Jun 9

The Atlantic’s newest cover story, by Elizabeth Bruenig, is unforgettable. Deeply reported and beautifully written: www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...

What years of witnessing executions taught me about sin, mercy, and the possibility of redemption

The Naughty Interpreter of Our Lives

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Reposted by Gal Beckerman

The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · Jun 5

Edmund White, who died on Tuesday at 85, infused his life with as much pleasure as he did his writing. Gary Shteyngart on the naughty interpreter of our lives:

Edmund White, who died on Tuesday at 85, infused his life with as much pleasure as he did his writing.

The Naughty Interpreter of Our Lives

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Gal Beckerman @galbeckerman.bsky.social · Jun 4

"He loved sex the way some of his younger contemporaries love recognition or a well-cooked egg at brunch."

@shteyngart.bsky.social on Edmund White.

Edmund White, who died yesterday at 85, infused his life with as much pleasure as he did his writing.

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Reposted by Gal Beckerman

Sherrill @sherrillann.bsky.social · Jun 2

Can religion still have purpose for those of us who don’t believe? The show answers with a qualified yes—as long as it is religion that is never too sure of itself.

There are lots of rabbis full of certainties..

“Perhaps all those who are looking for something else need you.”

Gal Beckerman @galbeckerman.bsky.social · Jun 1

I wrote about "Reformed," a show that makes dramedy out of the effort to fit religion into a secular world.

Reformed, the latest TV show featuring a charming rabbi, stands out for leavening existential depth with comedy.

Gal Beckerman @galbeckerman.bsky.social · Jun 1

I wrote about "Reformed," a show that makes dramedy out of the effort to fit religion into a secular world.

Reformed, the latest TV show featuring a charming rabbi, stands out for leavening existential depth with comedy.

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Gal Beckerman @galbeckerman.bsky.social · Jun 1

Thanks! I’ll pass along the compliment!

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Damon Beres @damonberes.com · Jun 1

“Maybe God didn’t intend for this to be a restriction on food at all, she wondered. Maybe he was just asking people to not show off by eating fancy dishes.” Love reading @galbeckerman.bsky.social on “Reformed” and his apparently brilliant daughter (it must run in the family)

Reformed, the latest TV show featuring a charming rabbi, stands out for leavening existential depth with comedy.

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Reposted by Gal Beckerman

The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · Jun 1

Among a growing number of charming TV rabbis, the female cleric of the French series "Reformed" stands out for leavening existential depth with comedy. Gal Beckerman on how she squares tradition and modernity:

The latest charming TV rabbi, a female religious leader in the French series Reformed, stands out for leavening existential depth with comedy.

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Reposted by Gal Beckerman

Sam Swift @swift.pw · May 25

Have you seen @galbeckerman.bsky.social's The Quiet Before? It makes this observation about social movements across a wide range of historical periods, contrasting with recent Internet-enabled flops

Shutting Down Salman Rushdie Is Not Going to Help

Gal Beckerman @galbeckerman.bsky.social · May 19

I wrote about the muddle that "free speech" has become, brought to a head in two incidents during commencement season.

Two recent flare-ups over commencement speeches show how difficult—and necessary—truly defending free expression is.