1 In the latest issue, Melissa Dahl explored a scientific theory that argues we possess an infinite number of emotions, so long as we can name them (“Introducing: 78 More Feelings,” February 3–16). Dozens of writers identified new feelings for the magazine — from jealoushy to libido snap to Freundeschaden. Many readers responded to the article on Instagram and Twitter by coining their own new feelings, including:
Malmiss: When you want to be missed by someone whom you also wish would leave you alone. —@courtneycollecting
Shrediness: The thrill you get listening to a song and imagining you’re nailing the guitar solo. —@sampalmy
Cuddlish: When you wanna cuddle for 2 mins but then stop to actually sleep. —@emilynhan
FOBI: Fear of Being Included. I’m good. Leave me out. The energy it takes to socialize isn’t worth it. You all do what you want to do and leave me be in my quiet home with a book or TV and a snack and a drink. —@edehoratius
Pregret: The feeling of wanting to go back in time before you did something dumb. —@superalexisss
Exunuberance: When you have to force yourself through dinner for the sake of your children and have to curb your desire to poke the annoying ex with your fork. —@suraiyaishaque
Ethnystery: When you feel someone guessing your ethnicity in their head. —@demisacristina
Reguilt: Suddenly remembering old reasons to feel guilty and letting them influence the current course of your actions — the feeling that actually runs my life. —@missanabeem
Blooby: When you feel like you have no bones but you still have to go to work. —@houseof1000fabrics
Laughxiety: A burning, tingling sensation in your cheeks when you missed your chance to laugh really hard at something and you feel cheated. —@thejewelleryinsider
Professional Dissonance: The feeling of being able to accomplish responsibilities at one’s job, but realizing you are unable to complete the same responsibilities for yourself outside of the workplace (e.g., I’m amazing at creating and maintaining budgets at work and yet I’m horrible with keeping track of my own expenses). —@actually_anntaylor
Zealentropy: Having unhealthy amounts of zeal for a likely doomed project.—@nuzhatssiddiqi
Frenvy: Feeling envious of a close friend while also being happy for them. —@anabeo
Fungover: The silly mood/feeling you get when you’re hungover and everything is funny. —@sampalmy
2 In April, Ezra Marcus and James D. Walsh wrote a cover story for New York about Larry Ray, the father of a Sarah Lawrence student who moved into his daughter’s dorm and established a cultlike atmosphere of psychological manipulation, sex, and money (“The Stolen Kids of Sarah Lawrence,” April 29–May 12, 2019). That story led to an FBI investigation, and this month, Ray was arrested on suspicion of sex trafficking, extortion, and forced labor, among other charges. He faces a possible life sentence. The arrest was widely covered by the national media. CNN’s Jake Tapper commended the reporting, writing, “Thank you for all the time you spent bringing this horror to public light.” And on Morning Joe, former senator Claire McCaskill said, “Hat tip to those journalists. We forget sometimes that there are journalists out there that uncover the ugliest side of humanity.” And for the families of Ray’s alleged victims, the arrest brought some measure of relief. The aunt of one of the students told the reporters, “We are ecstatic … We still have work to do, but we’re so happy that the biggest obstacle is in jail.” Speaking at the indictment, William F. Sweeney Jr., the FBI assistant director in charge of New York, said, “There is no excuse for the kind of behavior alleged here, and society as a whole should loudly reject it … If you’re not angry, you don’t have a soul.”
*This article appears in the February 17, 2020, issue of New York Magazine. Subscribe Now!