Longreads

The Week’s Best Longreads for October 26, 2013

The Daily Beast picks the best journalism from around the web this week. By David Sessions.

Obama’s Uncertain Path on SyriaMark Mazzetti, Robert F. Worth, and Michael R. Gordon, The New York TimesA riveting play-by-play of the administration’s stumbling, halting move toward—and then away from—an intervention in Syria.

Dignity’s DueSamuel Moyn, The NationWhy are philosophers invoking the notion of human dignity to revitalize theories of political ethics?

The Cost of LivingStephen S. Hall, New YorkAs cancer drugs have become more expensive—in a few cases, staggeringly so—their effectiveness has often failed to rise in tandem. So some doctors are refusing to use them, asking the controversial question: Are a few extra weeks of life worth all that money? Inside an oncologists’ revolt.

Stop KonyElizabeth Rubin, The New Yorker OnlineHow a Texas philanthropist funded the hunt for Joseph Kony, the deadly leader of Uganda’s guerilla Lord’s Resistance Army.

Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?Robert Wright, The AtlanticSquaring new research that suggests we’re “naturally moral” with the violence and chaos around us.

Blue Spark, Part OneNelly Reifler, The WeeklingsOn the tenth anniversary of Elliot Smith’s tragic death, a friend remembers her deep friendship with him.

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