Society and Culture

People, culture, places, and public life

Essays and personal observations on people, language, culture, technology, travel, local life, politics, and the social changes that shape everyday experience.

Explore Society & Culture

Browse writing on memory and personal experience, language and culture, places and journeys, and wider questions of politics and public life.

01

People & Memory

Personal reflections, encounters, memories, and stories about people and experiences worth remembering.

• People & Memories →
• Personal Notes →

02

Language, Culture & Ideas

Language, media, heritage, intellectual traditions, and the transformations of cultural life in an increasingly digital world.

• Language →
• Culture & Media →
• Heritage →
• Digital Life →
• Intellectual History →

03

Places & Travel

Journeys, cities, landscapes, road trips, and observations about places—from Yogyakarta and rural life to Jerusalem and travels farther afield.

• Travel →
• Jerusalem →
• Road Trips →
• Yogyakarta →
• Rural Life →

04

Public Life

Commentary on politics, public policy, social change, gender, global affairs, and other issues that enter public debate and collective life.

• Social Commentary →
• Gender & Sexuality →
• Indonesian Politics →
• Global Politics →
• Public Policy →
• Covid-19 →
• Religion & Politics →

About this section. Society & Culture brings together observations on everyday life and wider social change—from personal memories, language, and cultural practices to travel, technology, politics, and public debate.