The essays in “The Rub of Time” defend careful thought and use of language.

We would do well to remember the costs of keeping quiet.

The U.S. government has enlisted powerful informants in the past without difficulty. Here's why.

It takes a whole society to create an atmosphere of fear: elites and collaborators, bystanders and victims alike.

The study of human emotions cautions us to parse our feelings carefully.

A guide for trolls, pundits, and political adversaries