And on the 18th day, explanatory journalism provided us all with "Everything you need to know about Israel-Palestine." Whew! Thank goodness that's settled. Wait, there's no explainer card for "Why isn't that 'Palestine-Israel?'"
How do you really screw up a chart? This is how you really screw up a chart.
What Was How I Met Your Mother and Why Is Everyone Mad at It?
How I Met Your Mother, the long-running CBS sitcom, ended last night. There was a, sort of, twist. Fans were disappointed:
Did the "Craigslist Murderers" Kill 22 People for a Satanic Cult?
By now, you've probably heard of Miranda Barbour, self-professed teen murderess: The 19-year-old claims to have killed more than 20 people across the country, all for her two loves: Satan and her hubby. Is it a chilling super-killer's confession, or is it bullshit? Here's what we know:
A Field Guide to Straightsplaining
If you want to know about gay people—their lives, their desires, their ideas, their cultures—listen to gay people. If you want to know about straight people, listen to straight people talking about gay people.
What Is a Sochi? Everything You Should Know About the 2014 Olympic Site
How screwed-up is this place, really? And how did Sochi get the Olympics in the first place? And where is it, and why should you care? Let our Gawker Explainer® hash it all out.
Scarlett Johansson, Oxfam, SodaStream, and Israel/Palestine Explained
Bombshell actress and Obama campaigner Scarlett Johansson surprised plenty of people today by parting with the social justice charity Oxfam over her decision to star in a series of ads promoting Sodastream, an Israel-based company. What the hell happened? Here's everything you need to know.
What Is Duck Dynasty and What Does It Have to Do With a Man's Anus?
You, my fellow godless, sarcastic, coastal elites, may recently have heard something about a reality TV show called Duck Dynasty. Specifically, one of its main cast members said some homophobic and racist shit that earned him an indefinite suspension from the show. The controversy, of course, has generated stupid…
Serious Stuff Is About to Go Down in Ukraine
As protests against Ukraine's president intensified over the weekend, the Russian-backed head of state suggested he'd meet with opposition leaders. But that didn't stop him from sending riot police into the heart of Kiev Monday to storm his opponents' offices, shut down demonstrators' camps, and run them off.
What the Hell's Going On in Ukraine, Explained
Stuff's rapidly getting real in Russia's largest neighbor to the West. Here's what you need to know.
A Non Sports Fan's Guide to the Racist Abuse Scandal Consuming the NFL
You, person deeply uninterested this whole "sports" thing, have probably heard at least something about the growing racist bullying scandal involving two professional football players, one of whom has the unbelievable and yet real name of "Richie Incognito." But you'd like to know more, and you're much too embarrassed…
The Clusterfuck of NSA's Spying on World Leaders: An Explainer
For the past half-year, classified documents leaked by ex-NSA contractor Edward Snowden have revealed dozens of details about the U.S. government's spying operations. But the past ten days have been especially hectic, and especially complicated: First, we heard that the NSA has been spying on... well, basically of our…
What the Fuck Is Ted Cruz Doing? An Explainer
Ted Cruz, right now, is speaking "in opposition to Obamacare" until he is "no longer able to stand." Who the fuck is this guy, and what the fuck is he doing?
Is Rebel Wilson Fat?
Is Australian comedian Rebel Wilson fat? Does anyone know? Lynn Hirschberg, maybe?
How Should You Feel About Bombing Syria? A Guide
President Obama says he hasn't yet made a decision about intervening in the Syrian civil war as a response to last week's devastating chemical-weapons attack. And if he hasn't, why would you have, especially since it's Labor Day weekend and you're trying to figure out how to grill scallops, exactly, like, just throw…
"Can I Say Twerk?" A Miley Cyrus Glossary for Whites
On Sunday, the Lord’s day, Miley Cyrus crawled out of a big teddy bear (that had eaten her, I guess?) and pitched around the stage of a multi-purpose indoor Brooklyn arena in what another century might have labeled “the latter stages of female hysteria.” She licked her mouth a lot. She knocked her butt, clad in rubber…
What the Hell Is Going On With Russia and Gays?: An Explainer
The following video, widely circulated on social media, shows a Russian teen being tortured by a Neo-Nazi gang that suspects him of being gay. It seems likely that the clip—like the photo above, taken at a St. Petersburg gay-rights rally in June—will become iconic for the same reasons the famous photographs of Emmett…
What's the Deal with the Immigration Reform Bill? A Guide
A comprehensive immigration reform bill just passed through the Senate, and you need to know what's in it (so you can most effectively fight with your old neighbor on Facebook). Here's your easy-to-understand guide to the Senate's bill and the current status of immigration reform.
Your Guide to the TWA 800 Conspiracy and Its New Truther Documentary
Remember the '90s? Snap bracelets? 'N Sync? Friends? Accusing the Navy of taking down a U.S. passenger plane with a missile? That's right—our favorite '90s conspiracy theory is back, thanks to a new documentary purporting to show "new evidence" that TWA Flight 800 crashed because it was hit by a missile. Here's…
What Is Going on in Turkey and Do I Really Need to Care?
Thousands of people have gathered in Istanbul and elsewhere in Turkey, organizing under the hashtag "Occupy Gezi" and broadcasting scenes of brutal police violence to the world. But why are they there? What are they protesting? And do I need to care? Let's figure it out.
