There's a popular saying that the Internet interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. Desire and innovation will trump policy, the argument goes, as clever programmers circumvent controls. Virginia Postrel argumentcensorshipcircumvent Change image and share on social
Like John Kennedy in 1960, Obama combines youth, vigor, and good looks with the promise of political change. Like Kennedy, he grew up in unusual circumstances that distance him from ordinary American life. Virginia Postrel americanchangecircumstance share on social
When credit is cheaper to use and easier to arrange, people do use more of it. Virginia Postrel arrangecheapcredit Change image and share on social
'Frankenstein' did not invent the fear of science; the novel found its audience because it dramatized anxieties that already existed. Although popular entertainment can, over the long run, shape public perceptions, it becomes popular in the first place only if it addresses preexisting hopes, fears, and fascinations. Virginia Postrel addressanxietyaudience share on social
Some of the higher price of L.A. real estate does reflect the intrinsic pleasure of living there, as I'm reminded every time I walk out my door into the perfect weather. Virginia Postrel doorestatehigh Change image and share on social
Clothes are unique sculptures, dependent on a supporting human form and created to move. Virginia Postrel clothecreatedependent Change image and share on social
Abundant choice doesn't force us to look for the absolute best of everything. It allows us to find the extremes in those things we really care about, whether that means great coffee, jeans cut wide across the hips, or a spouse who shares your zeal for mountaineering, Zen meditation, and science fiction. Virginia Postrel absoluteabundantcare share on social
The Elgin Marbles were supposed to be on the Parthenon. For many works of art, a museum is an artificial setting - a zoo, not a natural habitat. Virginia Postrel artartificialelgin Change image and share on social
Apple doesn't need to maximize book sales. It simply needs to keep publishers happy enough to maintain an impressive-sounding inventory of titles while waiting for entirely new forms of publishing to develop. Virginia Postrel applebookdevelop share on social
By reshaping or decorating our outer selves, we express our inner sense of self: 'I like that' becomes 'I'm like that.' Virginia Postrel decorateexpressouter Change image and share on social