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Defector

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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Charles P. Pierce

A tightly cropped image of a player releasing a jump shot

Elder Wisdom

I Miss My Jump Shot

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


Sabrina Imbler

jon allen holds a worm up in front of a class

Creaturefector

This Worm Is A Millennial

Rachelle Hampton

A young woman at home, feeling sick. She is, appropriately, holding her lower back.

Life Lessons

I Hurt My Back

<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

James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich of Metallica perform during the M72 World Tour at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 03, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Music

Metallica Is Forever

David Roth

Former Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski, his wife Mickie, and Actor Ken Jeong look on in the final seconds of the Terry's Chocolate Vegas Showdown college basketball game between Duke Blue Devils vs Kansas Jayhawks on November 26, 2024.

Podcasts

Staying Up Late And Being Stupid

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Screenprinted black and white image of a woman looking at an older version of herself in fear.

Under The Influence

My Favorite Influencer Is In Her 60s

Storm drain on street during Tropical Storm Hilary. August 19, 2023.

A User Guide To Feeling Bad

Steve Albini performs with his band Shellac at the FYF Fest in Los Angeles in 2016.

Everyone Has A Steve Albini Album

Austin Powers's XK8 Union Jack Jaguar convertible at the New York premiere of "Austin Powers in Goldmember" with The Distraction logo at upper right.

Junior Year Abroad: The Return


<p>Richard Staff is a <a href="https://twitter.com/RichardStaff" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weapons-grade Twitter goblin</a> and hostage of the Mets. That is his real name.</p>


Richard Staff

View from seats on the first-base side of Ebbets Field as the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers opened the 1939 baseball season, Brooklyn, New York, New York, 1939.

The Last Of The Brooklyn Dodgers

Soraya Roberts

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 13: Brad Pitt is seen on the set of "Wolves" in Old Howard Beach on February 13, 2023 in New York City.

What Does Dressing My Age Look Like?

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


Dan McQuade

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 5: Damone Clark #33 of the Dallas Cowboys gets into an altercation with Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 5, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

It’s Impossible To Be Mad About A Victory Over The Cowboys

guy with heartburn at night (Photo by Tom Kelley/Getty Images)

I Am Now “Is This A Heart Attack?” Years Old

Funbag

I Am Getting Old Man Skin And Don’t Care For It

Luis Paez-Pumar

My Chemical Romance plays Barclays Center on September 11, 2022.

My Chemical Romance Never Died

Dwight Howard grimacing Dwight Howardishly next to the Distraction logo.

The Art Of Aging Gracelessly, With Ray Ratto

Promo picture of the stars of the TV show Yellowjackets.

In ‘Yellowjackets,’ The Old Eat Their Young

Titus Andronicus Made Me Feel At Home In The Mosh Pit Again

I Hope I Get Old Before I Die

Author Chris Bosh, seen here during his playing days.

Call Of The Ice Bath, With Chris Bosh

Jeanne Calment, the world's oldest woman, poses for photographers 20 February in Arles, southern France, a day prior her birthday. Calment will celebrate on Friday her 122nd birthday. (Photo by Georges GOBET / AFP) (Photo credit should read GEORGES GOBET/AFP via Getty Images)