Noam Cohen
Ideas Contributor
Noam Cohen (@noamcohen) is a journalist and author of The Know-It-Alls: The Rise of Silicon Valley as a Political Powerhouse and Social Wrecking Ball, which uses the history of computer science and Stanford University to understand the libertarian ideas promoted by tech leaders. While working for The New York Times, Cohen wrote some of the earliest articles about Wikipedia, bitcoin, Wikileaks, and Twitter. He lives with his family in Brooklyn.
The Elizabeth Holmes Verdict and the Legal Loophole for 'Disruption'
The case against the Theranos founder is a troubling reminder: It's easier for the law to protect investors and much harder to protect the public.
More Software Isn't Better Software
The battle between Mastodon and Trump’s Truth Social is a reminder that while the internet has changed, the ideals of free software haven't. That's a problem.
One Woman’s Mission to Rewrite Nazi History on Wikipedia
Ksenia Coffman’s fellow editors have called her a vandal and a McCarthyist. She just wants them to stop glorifying fascists—and start citing better sources.
The Science and Spirituality of Looking for Life on Mars
Pamela Conrad is a NASA scientist working on the Perseverance mission—and a priest. She spoke to WIRED about how her two worlds help her make sense of the universe.
Wikipedia Is Finally Asking Big Tech to Pay Up
The Big Four all lean on the encyclopedia at no cost. With the launch of Wikimedia Enterprise, the volunteer project will change that—and possibly itself too.
What the Arab Spring Can Teach Us About GameStop
Ten years ago, democracy protesters used social media to organize against an oppressor. But ultimately, the powerful came out ahead.
Wikipedia's Biggest Challenge Awaits in 2021
Changes proposed by the Wikimedia Foundation to diversify its community of editors raise existential questions for the online encyclopedia.
Wikipedia's Plan to Resist Election Day Misinformation
The encyclopedia is determined to emerge from the insanity of a pandemic and a polarizing election with its information and reputation intact.
Platforms' Election 'Fixes' Are Rooted in Flawed Philosophy
Just 50 days out, Facebook, Google, and Twitter have done little more than roll out small patches—recalling the old coding ethos of "worse is better."
Why Wikipedia Decided to Stop Calling Fox a ‘Reliable’ Source
The move offered a new model for moderation. Maybe other platforms will take note.
For Big Tech, There’s No Winning This Round
Accountability is coming—not just because Congress had an impressive hearing this week, but because the confluence of crises now demand action.
There Can Be No Compromise In the Trump vs. Twitter Beef
Having failed to curb the president's falsehoods, social platforms have reached a dispiriting impasse.
For Jeffrey Epstein, MIT Was Just a Safety School
An internal investigation from Harvard University shows where the corrupt philanthropist really wanted to get in.
The National Emergency Library and Its Discontents
How did a plan to "aid those that are forced to learn at home” with e-books manage to lose the moral high ground?
Silicon Valley Is Saving Our Asses—for Now
But let's not get too attached to nifty tools that help us cope with isolation.
How Wikipedia Prevents the Spread of Coronavirus Misinformation
A group of hawk-eyed experts operate on a special track to monitor medical information on the site.
Michael Bloomberg, the Original Tech Bro
He may have founded his startup way back in the early 1980s, but he likes to “move fast and break things” too.
Does Facebook Need an ‘Understand’ Button?
Mark Zuckerberg has decided it's not important to be liked, only to be understood. What the hell does that even mean?
Dirty Money and Bad Science at MIT's Media Lab
The school's investigation shows that two separate scandals—over Jeffrey Epstein and OpenAg—were closely linked.
The TV Show ‘Survivor’ Can Help Us Understand Impeachment
It has to do with Kurt Gödel, sort of.