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Defector


<p>charismatic megafauna (they/them)</p>


Sabrina Imbler

Creaturefector

Creature Drops: A Big Baby From Patagonia

David Roth

Closeup of painted Oakland Raiders fans in Black Hole during game vs New York Jets in Oakland in 2003. They've got like weird helmets and skull stuff going on.

A Taste Of That Football-Shaped Bread, With Ray Ratto

A black-and-white photo of a partial skeleton at the bottom of a rocky well

Science

This Week In Skeletons

<p>Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including <em>Point B</em>. Handsomest man in the world.</p>


Drew Magary

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 03: Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Colts 21-13.

Jamboroo

My Big Boy Sam Darnold Is Big Fun

Luis Paez-Pumar

Sporting Lisbon's players celebrate after Swedish forward #09 Viktor Gyokeres scored his team's fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League, league phase day 4 football match between Sporting Lisbon and Manchester City at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on November 5, 2024.

Soccer

The New Champions League Format Actually Rocks

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

It Has Come To This: A Derrick White Appreciation Blog

Ray Ratto

Stephen Curry (right) and Steve Kerr (left) high-five during an April 26, 2023 Warriors game against the Sacramento Kings.

The Warriors Are Still Doing It The Warriors Way

Israel Daramola

Quincy Jones on stage at The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz and The Recording Academy Los Angeles chapter honoring Herbie Hancock all star tribute concert at the Kodak Theatre

Arts And Culture

Quincy Jones Was Greater Than Any One Era

<p>Eva Holland is a freelance writer and editor based in Whitehorse, Yukon. She&#8217;s a correspondent for Outside magazine and the author of the books <i>Nerve </i>and <i><a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/no-sleep-til-fairbanks#/">No Sleep &#8216;Til Fairbanks</a>.</i></p>


Eva Holland

Lael Wilcox pedaling past a field of poppes in Spain

Cycling

Trying To Catch Up With Lael Wilcox As She Biked Around The World In 108 Days

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Tom Scocca is the editor of <a href="http://indignity.net">Indignity</a>, a subscription-supported newsletter of news, essays, and commentary.</div>
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Tom Scocca

Workers prepare US Capitol for 2025 inauguration.

Margin Of Error

Last Time Was Lucky

Goaltenders Connor Hellebuyck (left, in a helmet) and Eric Comrie (right, arms flung up as if to give a big hug) of the Winnipeg Jets celebrate following a 7-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Might As Well Believe In The Winnipeg Jets

Lauren Theisen

the remains of brownie batter in a pot and s'mores toppigs in a bowl

Chefector

Here Is How My Brownies Turned Out

<p>Jae Towle Vieira [they/them] works as a producer for Normal Gossip. Their fiction has been published in <i data-stringify-type="italic">The Normal School</i>, <i data-stringify-type="italic">New England Review, Carve Magazine, Passages North, Fairy Tale Review</i>, and elsewhere.</p>


Jae Towle Vieira

Normal Gossip logo with cartoon characters gossiping

Podcasts

Bromance Languages 101

<p>Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.</p>


Nicholas Russell

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 5: A sign points voters where to go for voting at a voting precinct at the Two Towers Condominiums, in Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 5, 2024.

Politics

After Tuesday

Kelsey McKinney

A finished Parkin, as presented on the show.

Food

The Not-So-Great Defector Bake Off Contemplates The Melting Method For Autumn Week

Barry Petchesky

FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 06: Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump makes a speech during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, United States, on November 06, 2024.

This Place Is All Fucked Up

Defector Staff

black and white photo of a woman reclining with book

Books You Can Read Tonight To Distract Yourself From Whatever Is To Come

Patrick Redford

Running

Influencer Guy Disqualified And Banned From NYC Marathon For Bringing Bikes Onto Course

Macklin Celebrini #71 of the San Jose Sharks takes the ice through the Shark Head

Today’s The Big Day

Giri Nathan

Baylor's VJ Edgecombe dunks over Gonzaga's Joe Few

College Basketball

Mark Few Sends His Son To Slaughter

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 15: San Diego Chicken (Ted Giannoulis) cooks up some chicken wings on his grill at his home nest, April 15, 1986 in San Diego, California.

Funbag

Don’t Sauce My Fried Chicken If You Suck At It

Head coach Nick Nurse of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after a foul call during the first half against the Phoenix Suns on November 4, 2024.

The Eastern Conference Is 87 Percent Butt

Animals

Everything You Might Want To Know About Peanut, The Squirrel Star Turned MAGA Martyr

Rachelle Hampton

A cooking arena is divided into two sides: one black and one white. On each side there are ten chefs facing the other side.

‘Culinary Class Wars’ Is A Tribute To Getting Your Reps In

Dave McKenna

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 24: Jude McAtamney #99 of the New York Giants kicks against the New York Jets during a preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 24, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.