The Haunting Possibility of Alternative Lives
The author Elizabeth Kolbert on why she went into journalism and the myriad futures she imagined for herself
Economy
Paul Volcker’s Guide to the Almighty Dollar
The former chairman of the Federal Reserve has three fundamental rules: stable prices, sound finance, and good government.
Insecure’s Natasha Rothwell on Finding Her Path to Hollywood
The actress talks about first jobs, switching schools, and finally telling her parents about her dream of acting
The Amazon Selling Machine
The e-commerce company has so much information about us that it’s become expert at shilling us things we didn’t even know we needed. No wonder its advertising business is booming.
When Being the Boss’s Son Isn’t Enough
Ken Ma, a 32-year-old M.B.A., on expanding his parents’ optical-shop empire.
How a Struggling Business United a Family
Kevin Huang, a 22-year-old college student, on getting reacquainted with his family’s bakery
Finding a Place in the Family Business
Cynthia Koo, a 30-year-old designer, on managing the online presence of her parents’ restaurant
Her Parents Wanted Her to Land a Cushy Job. She Wanted to Build Their Legacy
Olympia Moy, a 35-year-old activist, on trying to turn her parents’ music school into more of a community gathering place
The Burden of Being the Oldest Son of Immigrants
Jason Luo, a 24-year-old entrepreneur, on a son’s responsibility and embracing his family’s laundromat business
Using Technology to Preserve the Culture of a Chinatown Shop
Alice Liu, a 24-year-old community advocate, on how she’s helped modernize her parents’ small shop