American Democracy Was Never Designed to Be Democratic

Plus: a TV face of the Trump Resistance exits; the writer Neil Gaiman on “The Sandman”; and new fiction by Alejandro Zambra. View in browser | Update your preferences Saturday, August 20, 2022 A Critic at Large American Democracy Was Never Designed to Be Democratic The partisan redistricting tactics of cracking and packing aren’t merely flaws in the system—they are the system. By Louis Menand From the News Desk Annals of Communications A TV Face of the Trump Resistance Exits Brian Stelter, the host of the CNN show “Reliable Sources,” which was cancelled this week, went from media chronicler to media-chronicled. By Clare Malone Culture Dept. Fiction “Skyscrapers” “Although I might prefer to somehow avoid acknowledging it, this is, above all and in every sense, a love story.” By Alejandro Zambra This Week in Fiction Alejandro Zambra on Omitted Characters The author discusses “Skyscrapers,” his story from the latest issue of the magazine. By Deborah Treisman Tables for Two The Food of Taiwan, and Home, at Wenwen At this Greenpoint restaurant, the chef serves dishes inspired by what he grew up eating in Taipei, and by what he cooks at home, such as Huadiao Shrimp and BDSM Chicken. By Hannah Goldfield The New Yorker Radio Hour Neil Gaiman on “The Sandman” and the Power of Dreaming An adaptation of Gaiman’s series is now a major, chart-topping hit on Netflix. Plus, why so many Black candidates are running in the G.O.P. With David Remnick Fun & Games Dept. Name Drop Play the Quiz Can you guess the notable person in six clues or fewer? By Matt Jackson Daily Shouts How to Give Compliments: The Sandals-Season Edition Don’t let summer pass you by without saying something nice about a friend’s exposed feet. By Rumi Hara Shouts & Murmurs Elon Musk’s New Frontier: Your Body Why ambulate with your legs when your self-walking Tesla Body gets you where you need to go, with “Rick and Morty” playing on your retinas? By Megan Amram \ Thanks for reading. Let us know your thoughts about today’s edition. Plus, browse more newsletters and invite a friend to sign up for The Daily. You’re receiving this e-mail because you signed up for The Daily from The New Yorker. Manage your preferences | View our Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe Copyright © Condé Nast 2022. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.