Ideas | The Observer

BBC

Matt Brittin must learn to be a politician

The broadcaster’s new director general has inherited one of the nation’s most political jobs, whether he knows it or not

By Philip Collins

Opinion

Loss

Melanie Reid

I park my wheelchair next to David’s armchair, lean on it, say hello darling… I can’t believe he’s gone

After my husband developed dementia our caring roles reversed. I thought I would be prepared for his death, but nothing prepares you for this

Technology

John Naughton

How the blogosphere transformed public debate

Blogs promised to make social theorist Jürgen Habermas’s ‘public sphere’ theory a reality, but we no longer move in the same circles

Masculinity

Róisín Lanigan

The manosphere fakes can’t bear much reality

Louis Theroux’s documentary is proof that even the most infamous incels are hopelessly awkward when they’re offline

Green energy

Will Hutton

An energy revolution is in the wind

Labour’s plans for cheap renewable power will transform British lives as dramatically as the NHS once did

The Observer view

The Observer view: They knew

Trump is a man without a plan

Keir Starmer’s answer to Donald Trump shows principle, not pandering

After the Ayatollah

Letters

Why a shift to the centre won't help Labour

School-ready children? Ask a health visitor

Top dogs are biggest losers genetically

Assisted dying bill offers the gift of life

Puzzles

It’s no puzzle why the crossword is marking its 100th year in The Observer

Our crossword has survived wars, paper shortages, and a century of upheaval without missing a week. Our first dedicated puzzles editor reflects on the power – and magic – of a good brain-teaser

Kenan Malik

Kenan Malik is an Observer columnist

How do we transform society when we are more disconnected than ever?

Why so many missed the point of the Economist’s Khamenei obituary

A slur was shouted at the Baftas – but what followed was more dispiriting

The AI threat is far greater than job losses

Andrew Rawnsley

Andrew Rawnsley is The Observer’s chief political commentator

Gorton and Denton will force Labour to rethink – it is no longer the only anti-Reform option

Don’t underestimate the Windsors’ ruthless drive to survive

Keir Starmer’s leadership hangs between survival and collapse

Eva Wiseman

Eva Wiseman is an Observer columnist

The driven life and tragic death of British ‘Lip King’ Jordan James Parke

Chatbots can break your heart

Why slime is the start of the slippery slope for tween skincare

The naked dress trend is a bum steer on the red carpet

About

Work with us Careers Editorial policy

Join

Journalism school

Events Shop

Follow

The Observer

The Observer Magazine

The ObserverNew Review

The Observer Food Monthly