Suffering
Should Photographing Corpses Be Illegal?
In a world where photos of corpses can circulate around the internet and cause distress to grieving families, does it make sense to formally ban anyone taking pictures of dead bodies?
Ten Years After Hunter S. Thompson's Death, the Debate Over Suicide Rages On
The sticking point, of course, is what constitutes a justifiable reason to kill yourself—or have a doctor do so for you.
The Isolated Island Where New York's Unknown and Unclaimed Are Buried
Hundreds of thousands of bodies lie under the ground in Hart Island, but despite the efforts of activists, it remains difficult for families to find out if their relatives are buried there.
How Does a 28-Year-Old Californian Prepare Himself for Life (and Death) on Mars?
An interview with Andrew Tunks, one of the finalists for Mars One's ambitious interstellar mission.
People Stopped Killing Each Other in New York City for a Week, Probably Because It's Cold
The welcome streak comes after weeks of tension between the NYPD and Mayor Bill de Blasio.
The Future of Terrorism According to VICE
The critical front line in the next counterterror battle will almost certainly be cyberspace, and multinational corporations are likely to be among the chief victims.
Visiting the Place Where LA's Unclaimed Dead Are Buried
A trip to the LA County Crematorium Cemetery.
Dead Migrants Are Vanishing at the Texas Border
Bureaucratic obstacles are making it next to impossible for families to find their lost loved ones, or even learn where they died.
How Sydney and Australia Reacted to the Cafe Hostage Crisis Online
The gunman who seized a cafe in downtown Sydney has reportedly been killed by police, but not before two hostages were killed (and four wounded). Here's how it played out online.
This is How New York’s Record-Breaking Homeless Population Celebrates Thanksgiving
Gotham now lays claim to Great Depression levels of homelessness, with nearly 60,000 humans sleeping in shelters, on the street, or underground. Can a new mayor change the game?
Why Are We So Bad at Talking About Homelessness?
We have to realize that most of us are not that far from bankruptcy or foreclosure. Any of us could be laid off. And then what—where would we be?
Do Anthropologists Consider the Ice Bucket Challenge an 'Extreme Ritual'?
According to anthropologist Dimitris Xygalatas, pouring ice water on our heads isn't all that different from Kavadi, a Hindu ritual that involves skewering your cheeks.