The 8.8.21 Issue

Highlights

Is Taiwan Next?
In Taipei, young people like Nancy Tao Chen Ying watched as the Hong Kong protests were brutally extinguished. Now they wonder what’s in their future.
By Sarah A. Topol
CreditAn Rong Xu for The New York Times
‘A Poison in the System’: The Epidemic of Military Sexual Assault
Nearly one in four U.S. servicewomen reports being sexually assaulted in the military. Why has it been so difficult to change the culture?
By Melinda Wenner Moyer
CreditDanna Singer for The New York Times
The Mascot Whisperer
Dave Raymond practically invented the modern sports mascot. And over four decades, he has built a career on helping pro teams bring them to life.
By Max Rubin
CreditVictor Llorente for The New York Times
Talk
Jason Momoa Is Bummed About Hollywood’s Attitude Toward Action Movies
“People absolutely love it, and it’s not respected at the Oscars.”
By David Marchese
CreditPhoto illustration by Bráulio Amado

Should My Neighborhood Be Paying an Off-Duty Officer For Security?
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on private patrols and racial inequities in policing.
By Kwame Anthony Appiah
CreditIllustration by Tomi Um
The Ethicist
These Strawberry Mini-Cakes Are Perfect Party Food
A first birthday calls for these small tender confections, just right for chubby baby hands.
By Dorie Greenspan
CreditLinda Xiao for The New York Times. Food stylist: Sue Li. Prop stylist: Nicole Louie.
Eat
The Best Way to Respond to Text Messages
The “HA HA” Tapback stands alone. It’s no exaggeration to say that it has saved many of my friendships.
By Todd Levin
CreditIllustration by Jon Han
Letter of Recommendation
The Internet Demands Uplifting Videos. So He Stages Them.
Dhar Mann and other “wholesome” channels combine the high-definition slickness of today’s YouTube content with the feel of a corporate-training video.
By Robin Kaiser-Schatzlein
CreditPhoto illustration by Alicia Tatone
Screenland
How to Sell More Lemonade
Use bright colors to catch people’s eyes. A little music can keep things upbeat.
By Malia Wollan
CreditIllustration by Radio
Tip

Poem: A Cat Lover’s Guide to The Bell Curve
Brooks Haxton gives us poet as trickster.
By Brooks Haxton and Reginald Dwayne Betts
CreditIllustration by R. O. Blechman
Poem
Judge John Hodgman on Supergroups
A couple argues about the most popular Traveling Wilbury.
By John Hodgman
CreditIllustration by Louise Zergaeng Pomeroy
Judge John Hodgman