French Theory And Tuna

How French Theory Lost Its Cool

Geoff Shullenberger | Compact | 21st July 2026

Review of a semi-autobiographical book which argues that reports of the demise of French theory — as embodied by Lacan, Derrida, Foucault, et al — has been greatly exaggerated. Theory is no longer oppositional or countercultural but part of the status quo, the mainstream. Barthes posited the creation of texts without authors, and now huge corporations sell AI models on the basis that they can do just that (2,100 words)

Puzzle: Play Nomido, the Browser’s daily word game.

Tuna Melt

Talia Lavin | The Sword And The Sandwich | 24th July 2026

Why the humble tuna melt is the sandwich most suited to this moment in time. "A bad time is here; a melting world. Now is the time to melt a little. Retrench. And harden for the long struggle, because a better world, despite all indicia to the contrary, still is possible. And when it comes, because we make it... it will be filling, and bedecked with cheese, and needs must feed us all" (2,100 words)