Academic freedom is most vital when contested work is controversial or liable to cause offence.

The Jewish state has secured its borders, recovered all living hostages, and put its enemies on notice as to what awaits them if they attempt a reprise of 7 October.

The list of violent criminals who imagine they were ‘born in the wrong body’ is growing.

When a Palestinian man and a Jewish man meet for a casual encounter in New York, a post-coital debate about “genocide” in Gaza turns into something unexpected—an honest, civil exchange between two people on opposite sides of one of the world’s most polarising conflicts. In The Art of Middle Eastern Pillow Talk, writer David Christopher Kaufman reflects on intimacy, identity, and how even in the most divided times, genuine conversation is still possible. Read it here: https://quillette.com/2025/10/01/the-art-of-middle-eastern-pillow-talk/ - [00:00] Introduction to the conversation about genocide. - [00:14] Description of how the speaker and Amir met. - [00:29] Misunderstanding about Amir's nationality. - [00:42] Discussion about genocide in Gaza. - [00:56] Perspective on the conflict and Donald Trump's comments. - [01:23] Amir's thoughts on genocide and forming families. - [01:37] Parallel drawn between Palestinians and Jews post-Holocaust. - [02:04] The speaker's reaction to Amir's remarks. - [02:19] Differences in political views. - [02:31] The speaker's personal background and experiences. - [03:00] Reflections on mistaken identity and Jewish identity. - [03:15] A personal anecdote involving the speaker's son. - [03:30] The rarity of meeting Palestinians in New York. - [03:44] Exchange of views between the speaker and Amir. - [03:58] The objective of their discussion. - [04:13] Amir's authority on various topics discussed. - [04:27] The speaker's experiences in Israel and activism. - [04:40] Reflections on civil and productive dialogue with Amir. - [05:09] The nature of their conversation. - [05:22] Unique and respectful exchange. - [05:36] The symbolic use of emojis on gay apps. - [05:49] Common issues with conversations about Gaza. - [06:03] Amir's balanced criticism of Hamas and Israel. - [06:18] Closing thoughts on their interaction. - [06:31] Reflecting on their connection and differences. - [06:46] Amir's hope for his people and their understanding. - [07:00] Conclusion of the interaction and reflections on civility. ---- Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

For 20 years, activists have used placards like “Zionism = racism” or “Zionism = white supremacy” to redefine a movement of Jewish self-determination as something evil.⁠ ⁠ - #EinatWilf⁠ ⁠ Watch or read more: https://quillette.com/2025/09/30/schrodingers-palestine-einat-wilf-on-statehood-refugees-and-jewish-sovereignty/

Trump’s peace plan brings the hostages home and halts fighting in Gaza, but Hamas’s refusal to disarm and Israeli concerns about Palestinian statehood threaten the deal’s long-term survival.

Dr Karleen Gribble joins Iona Italia to discuss how replacing the word woman with these phrases distorts healthcare and erases mothers. Read, listen or watch more: https://quillette.com/2025/10/10/podcast-306-desexing-the-language-of-motherhood/

A new book by two former peace processors makes clear that statehood was never the goal of the Palestinian cause.

“People forget that after World War II, the US and the UK controlled the education systems in Germany and Japan for thirty years. It took time, but it worked. It will take time here [in Gaza] too.” — Gil Hoffman, HonestReporting Read or watch more via the link in bio. #Israel #Gaza #MiddleEast #Education #PostWarReform #HonestReporting #GilHoffman #History #Politics #Quillette #InternationalRelations #MediaAnalysis https://quillette.com/2025/10/12/the-media-war-on-israel-gil-hoffman/

HonestReporting’s Executive Director, Gil Hoffman, joins Pamela Paresky to discuss how the global media has misrepresented Israel since the October 7 Hamas attacks—fueling a narrative war with real-world consequences.

In this discussion, Pamela Paresky speaks with Gil Hoffman, Executive Director of Honest Reporting, about the media war surrounding Israel and Hamas following the attacks of October 7, 2023. Hoffman explains how misinformation and bias shape global perceptions of Israel and why correcting false narratives is vital to maintaining journalistic integrity. The conversation also explores the realities of reporting from conflict zones, the history behind Israel’s media battles, and what’s at stake for Gaza’s future and Palestinian education. 00:00 The Role of Media in the Israel-Palestine Conflict 02:36 Narrative Wars and International Reactions 04:57 The Impact of Misinformation 07:33 Journalistic Integrity and Reporting Challenges 10:04 Historical Context and Recent Developments 13:06 The Future of Gaza and Palestinian Education 15:42 The Propaganda Mechanism and Its Effects ---- Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

“Cool girl” status today isn’t just about fashion—it’s about having the “right” beliefs. Black squares, pronouns in bios, political hashtags—they’ve become symbols of belonging and status. But at what cost, when these norms discourage #motherhood? 👉 Watch the full conversation here: https://quillette.com/2025/10/03/how-intrasexual-competition-suppresses-female-fertility-dani-sulikowski-quillette-cetera-ep-54/ #psychology #evolutionarypsychology

From “uterus-havers” to “menstruating personnel” to “vulva people”— Dr Karleen Gribble joins Iona Italia to discuss how replacing the word woman with these phrases distorts healthcare and erases mothers. Read, listen or watch more: https://quillette.com/2025/10/10/podcast-306-desexing-the-language-of-motherhood/ #sexnotgender #gendercritical #womensrights

"I do sometimes find it hard to explain to men what female social policing is actually like." - Dr Dani Sulikowski in conversation with Zoe Booth. Read, listen or watch more here: https://quillette.com/2025/10/03/how-intrasexual-competition-suppresses-female-fertility-dani-sulikowski-quillette-cetera-ep-54/ #evolutionarypsychology

A "live" album recorded in 1975 saved both KISS and their label from bankruptcy, transforming a struggling cult band into a merchandising juggernaut—even though most of it wasn't actually live.

Greta Thunberg's sailing trip to Gaza was a confused piece of activist theatre of a kind that is sadly very much in vogue.

Managing Editor Iona Italia talks to Dr Karleen Gribble, who works in the field of maternal and infant health, on the impacts of desexed language on women’s healthcare and wellbeing.

What happens when the language of motherhood is stripped from healthcare? In this Quillette podcast, Managing Editor Iona Italia talks with Dr Karleen Gribble, adjunct professor at Western Sydney University, about how “desexed” language—phrases like “birthing parent” or “lactating person”—affects women’s health, breastfeeding research, and the mother–infant bond. Dr Gribble argues that when gender identity takes priority over biological sex in research and policy, the result is scientific distortion, marginalisation of women, and poorer outcomes for mothers and children. 00:00 Introduction to Karleen Gribble 00:24 Exploring Women's Health Research 00:37 The Role of Language in Science 00:55 Discussion on Language in Reproductive Health 01:01 The Rise of Desex Language During the Pandemic 08:21 Critique of Desex Language Arguments 13:28 Effective Health Communication for Diverse Populations 14:52 The Impact of Language Changes on Health Messaging 18:35 Understanding the Confusion Around Gendered Language 22:30 The Dangers of Miscommunication in Medical Research 27:21 The Role of Research in Health Communication 31:36 The Need for Evidence-Based Approaches in Healthcare 36:07 The Intersection of Language, Ideology, and Medical Practice 41:23 Global Implications of Language in Health Communication #WomensHealth #Motherhood #LanguageMatters #KarleenGribble #GenderDebate #MaternalHealth #QuillettePodcast #FreeSpeech #MedicalResearch #Healthcare ----- Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

A Trump-brokered deal between Israel and Hamas promises the release of all remaining hostages in Gaza, in exchange for over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. Phase one includes a ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal—but thornier issues like disarmament are postponed. #hostages #gaza #trump #israel #palestine

A new report from the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies separates verifiable facts from politically motivated fiction in Gaza.

Quillette founder Claire Lehmann on our origins. #politics #auspol #media

Healthcare for menopause and perimenopause is the single most patient-betraying area of medicine—but it has plenty of company.

Medicine shouldn’t be: “Give me what I want or I’ll hurt myself.” – Mia Hughes, director of Genspect, an organisation advocating for ethical, evidence-based approaches to gender distress. It should be grounded in diagnosis, evidence, and long-term outcomes. 👉 Watch the full discussion here: https://quillette.com/2025/10/07/podcast-305-managing-the-growing-gender-critical-counterrevolution/ #MedicalEthics #Gender #Medicine #Genspect #wpath #Healthcare #pubertyblockers #InformedConsent #irreversibledamage

Millions of women suffer through menopause and perimenopause—yet most doctors are shockingly untrained in how to treat it. In this Quillette feature, award-winning science writer Amy Alkon exposes the medical ignorance, outdated guidelines, and systemic negligence that leave patients misdiagnosed, mistreated, or ignored altogether. Excerpted from her new book, Going Menopostal: What You (and Your Doctor) Need to Know About the Real Science of Menopause and Perimenopause, Alkon reveals: Why most ob-gyns receive little or no training in menopause. How outdated research and poor diagnostic skills harm patients. Why evidence-based care is so often missing from women’s health. What women can do to demand better treatment and protect themselves. 📖 Read the full essay on Quillette 📚 Buy book here: https://amzn.to/47Mkru0?ref=quillette.com 👉 Subscribe for more Quillette essays, podcasts, and interviews. #Menopause #Healthcare #Quillette #AmyAlkon [00:00 - 01:10] Introduction by Amy Alkon; mentions the lack of menopause training in OB/GYN education. [02:01 - 02:43] Explanation of medical ethics and the importance of doctors staying within their scope of practice. [03:24 - 06:07] Discussion on medical ignorance as a norm and personal anecdotes highlighting systemic issues. [06:47 - 07:01] Critique on the lack of evidence-based medical care. [07:55 - 08:51] Myths about medical decision-making, and the challenges doctors face in staying updated. [09:04 - 10:01] Mention of doctors not reading scientific research post-medical school. [11:46 - 13:51] Issues with doctors’ statistical literacy affecting patient care. [14:17 - 15:37] Lack of formal diagnostic training leading to diagnostic errors. [16:17 - 17:09] Outdated practice standards and the implications for menopause treatment. [19:11 - 20:06] Misinterpretations of the Women's Health Initiative study and its impact. [21:02 - 22:37] Importance of timely estrogen therapy for cardiovascular protection. [25:05 - 25:32] Benefits of hormone therapy beyond symptomatic relief in menopause. [26:01 - 26:42] Shift in perspective regarding estrogen use based on scientific evidence. [27:23 - 28:05] Empowerment through understanding and advocating for evidence-based care. ----- Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

How the 6 Gallery reading in San Francisco on 7 October 1955 changed the counterculture.