The December Issue
2024

A digital magazine unpacking the big ideas changing our present and shaping our future.

Drew Shannon for Vox

Hello,

We’re ending 2024 with more questions than answers. There are the timely ones: Can men and women really be friends when the gender divide has become so stark and contentious? And does the term “Latino” make sense in politics anymore? There are some more existential ones, too, like who has the right to die? Can tourism actually save a planet in crisis?

This month, for the December issue of The Highlight, we’re also making the case against optimization, taking a look at how AI impacts vulnerable Americans, and uncovering the hidden antibiotic trade-off for kids. Plus, there’s interpersonal relationship advice, book recommendations just for members, and a Highlight podcast on inventing a future to fight for.

—Julia Rubin, senior editorial director of culture and features

Inside the issue

COVER STORY

The high-tech future of assisted suicide is here. The world isn’t ready.

by Marin Cogan

A “suicide pod” in Switzerland roils the right-to-die debate.

EVEN BETTER

Can men and women still be friends?

by Allie Volpe

We may be in the middle of a new gender war, but friendships with the opposite sex are still very much worth it.

FUTURE PERFECT

The perils of trying to optimize your morality

by Sigal Samuel

I tried to make the perfect choice every time. It eroded my humanity.

FUTURE PERFECT

Giving healthy kids antibiotics saves lives. There’s a catch.

by Jessica Craig

An intervention to reduce child mortality may accelerate drug resistance.

POLICY

LA thinks AI could help decide which homeless people get scarce housing — and which don’t

by Carly Stern

Without enough houses for its growing homeless population, the city is using machine learning to make its process fairer.

Read the full issue >>

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