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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

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


Nicholas Russell

Arts And Culture

‘The Village’ Still Has Questions To Ask

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<div>Casey Taylor is a writer living and working in Pittsburgh. He is currently writing a book for St. Martin&#8217;s Press about cannabis religions, Haile Selassie I, and the Cold War in the Caribbean. He also writes a free newsletter called <a href="https://weedchurch.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://weedchurch.substack.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1709306863919000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1mVH2xiID6S0zvlyj6yHco">Weed Church</a> covering foolish spiritual things that occur to him. His work has appeared in The New Republic, WIRED, New York Magazine, and a sports blog he can’t currently recall the name of. You can <a href="mailto:caseyt7@gmail.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">email</a> him if you’d like.</div>
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Casey Taylor

The crowded work bench of New York tattooist Charlie Wagner in the 1940's. (Photo by FPG/Getty Images)

How Do You Preserve Tattoo History When Skin And Memory Fail?

Soraya Roberts

Crowd Work Isn’t A Substitute For Comedy

Dave McKenna

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


Sabrina Imbler

A still from a movie. a white woman in a red coat and a red beanie stands in front of a dilapidated house that needs fixing up.

Defector Watches A Christmas Movie: ‘’Tis The Season To Be Irish’

Felix Kent

Simple Hotel Room, Iceland. (Photo by: GHI/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Why Does Hotel Art Look Like That?


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

Trent Green, in a number 10 red Chiefs jersey, watches as a man in an overcoat with black short hair and a black beard holds a football, ready to throw it

They Put Trent Green In This Hallmark Christmas Movie

Israel Daramola

Kendrick Lamar performs onstage during The Pop Out – Ken &amp; Friends Presented by pgLang and Free Lunch at The Kia Forum on June 19, 2024 in Inglewood, California.

It’s Kendrick’s Party, You Can Cry If You Want To

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Kelsey McKinney

Drew 'Gonzo' Gonville is at the bottom of the steps of a private jet, dressed in a Santa suit. The beard is pulled down. Bowyn Sykes is dressed in a sleeveless sweater top and a kilt-like skirt. She is on the top step of the airstairs into the private jet. They are looking at each other.

Defector Watches A Christmas Movie: ‘Christmas In The Spotlight’

Rachelle Hampton

Wicked co-stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande stand on a red carpet. Grande holds Erivo's hand to her mouth.

When Will The ‘Wicked’ Press Campaign End?

Albert Burneko

Lightning strikes in the desert outside Tucson, Arizona.

Journalismism

Can Someone Please Write Normally About This Fascinating Woman?

Ray Ratto

Patrick Redford

a still for the netflix movie hot frosty: lacey chabert in a beanie stands in front of a sexy snowman, holding a scarf

Defector Watches A Christmas Movie: ‘Hot Frosty’

A de-aged Tom Hanks and Robin Wright in 'Here'

In ‘Here,’ Robert Zemeckis Is Back On His Computer-Generated Bullshit

Lauren Theisen

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Nicole Scherzinger attends the opening night of "Sunset BLVD" at St James Theater on October 20, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/WireImage)

Theater Is When You Never Get A Second Chance

Barry Petchesky

A 16 foot sculpture of a pigeon named dinosaur at the Highline in New York City on November 4, 2024. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/AFP)

The Big Pigeon Isn’t Scary Enough

Bridget Everett and Jeff Hiller in 'Somebody Somewhere'

‘Somebody Somewhere’ Is A Dream Without A Deadline

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

Quincy Jones Was Greater Than Any One Era

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

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

Giri Nathan

A statue of Dwyane Wade outside the Miami Heat's arena

That Isn’t Dwyane Wade, Sir

<p>Heather Chen is a former Defector intern and the managing editor at the <em>Columbia Daily Spectator</em>. She loves hockey, photography, and the good ol’ state of Michigan.</p>


Heather Wei-Xi Chen

<p>Kristin Merrilees is a writer based in New York covering technology and the internet.</p>


Kristin Merrilees

A Timothee Chalamet lookalike in a Wonka costume showcases an empty briefcase

Life's Rich Pageant

We Went To The Timothée Chalamet Lookalike Contest And Didn’t See Timothée Chalamet

A screenshot of two blonde women looking at each other, one playing the slots, in a 60s-era casino

Risk Week

If You Don’t Play, You Can’t Win

What Do You Risk In Revisiting A Piece Of Culture You Once Loved?

‘Anora’ Gets Lost In Its Own Excess

Models walk the finale of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

No One Needed The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show To Come Back

The Mark Jackson 1990-91 NBA Hoops card with the Menendez Brothers courtside in the background