Editor’s Note: This article previously appeared in a different format as part of The Atlantic’s Notes section, retired in 2021. Last week, Ian wrote about the strange economy of gift giving. He ...

One of my favorite books of all time is “Oranges” by John McPhee. When I tell people this, they ask me what it’s about. “Oranges,” I say. “No, seriously; what’s it about?” “Oranges.” This is when they ...