Top 10 Standout Vox Features of 2025

As the year draws to a close, Vox reflects on the most compelling stories from 2025, offering a diverse array of topics through recommendations from staff. Whether you're navigating work or savoring a break, these selections aim to inform and entertain.

Breakthroughs in Renewable Energy

In April, Umair Irfan shed light on a remarkable development in clean technology — the emergence of large-scale batteries. These innovations serve as a crucial component in utilizing the full potential of solar and wind energies, and provide essential support to the outdated U.S. power grid, enhancing the benefits of sustainable power while mitigating its limitations.

Unique Wildlife Threatened in Madagascar

The past year has been particularly fascinating for Benji Jones at Vox, who delved into Madagascar's extraordinary biodiversity and the threats it faces. His reports came just before political upheaval struck the island nation, covering the endangered coral reefs, lemurs, and chameleons. Jones emphasized the potential of conservation strategies that intertwine with local economic needs.

The Impact of Constant Connectivity

Adam Clark Estes explored the profound effects of technology on our mental state, charting his personal experiences with digital immersion. His exploration concludes with a focus on the essential nature of silence and the lost experiences from perpetual podcast listening, a revelation likely to influence personal audio habits moving into the next year.

Suppressed Findings on Alcohol and Health

Dylan Scott managed a significant journalistic feat by uncovering a hidden study withheld by the government under Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s oversight, connecting alcohol consumption to increased cancer mortality rates. Additionally, Bryan Walsh notes a positive trend: Americans' alcohol consumption declined in 2025.

AI's Potential Downside

While 2025 intensified the focus on the threats posed by artificial intelligence, Eric Levitz presented a tale of a potential dystopia where AI entrenches power among a few elite, termed 'automated neofeudalism.' The narrative mirrors Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol,' underscoring the opportunity to alter this trajectory before it's too late.

Lessons from Hungary's Political Shift

Zack Beauchamp provided compelling coverage of governmental overreach in the current Trump era by drawing parallels to Viktor Orbán's Hungary. His piece serves as a crucial guide for recognizing and potentially counteracting similar undemocratic tendencies within the United States.

Oceanic Ecosystems Under Threat

A standout episode from Vox's 'Unexplainable' podcast features Byrd Pinkerton's emotional narrative on the impacts of climate change on tide pools along California's coast. The story encourages focusing on manageable actions and persistently finding beauty amidst environmental challenges as a hopeful message for 2026.

Revisiting Classic American Literature

In commemorating The Great Gatsby's centennial, Constance Grady reflects on the unintended path that led F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel to classic status, serving as a reminder of the timeless quality of stories we may not have revisited since our educational years.

Housing Market Challenges Ahead

With 'affordability' as a key theme, Marina Bolotnikova addresses the looming financial challenges in the U.S. housing market. As expansive suburbs face a surge in costs, she advocates for innovative solutions using the 'Abundance' playbook, suggesting fresh approaches for upcoming fiscal policies.

Internal Discord within the Republican Party

In a revelatory podcast episode from November, Vox's 'Today, Explained' dissected a significant rift within the Republican Party around emergent Nazi affiliations. Noel King and team elucidated the roots and ramifications of the conflict, highlighting its critical implications for national politics.

Reconsidering Social Hosting Norms

Allie Volpe encourages readers to overlook perceived imperfections in their homes in favor of fostering personal connections. Her commentary stresses prioritizing social engagements over maintaining appearances, a sentiment to embrace moving into the future.