Field Notes
Figuring Out the Freelance Economy
Could new technology make the lives of freelancers less lonely and more secure?
Just How Much of Ourselves Does a Paycheck Buy?
It's one thing to feel tethered to your inbox. It's another for employers to monitor you and claim your body is their asset.
This Pen Is the Weapon of Choice for China's Elite Bodyguards
There's a functional pen inside, but on the other end (where the actual tip of the pen should be), there's a sharp point, almost unnoticeable, that can be used to stab an attacker.
When Productivity Doesn't Help Workers
Becoming more productive doesn't necessarily make life easier for everyone.
May's Best Music, Films, and Books
We reviewed Sebastian Junger's new book, Mischa Berlinski's new novel, a video game about a smallpox attack, and more.
Burner Phones Are Changing the Way People Illegally Cross the Mexican Border
A technological arms race between migrants, cartels, and authorities is heating up at the Mexico-United States border. At its center? Cheap, pay-as-you-go phones.
What Would a World with Legal Weed Look Like?
While many think of legal weed as an unmitigated good, legalization and regulation could present hardship for some.
The Story Behind the Cover of VICE's April Issue
Photographer Tim Schutsky hung out with some eerie cows and played around with googly eyes to get the perfect shot for our April 2016 cover.
Unpacking Our Documentary on Maritimes Abortion Access
Field Notes is a new series featuring hosts and producers of some of our documentaries discussing what went on behind the scenes, issues that came up during filming, and why certain decisions were made. In the first episode, "Abortion Access in the...