Medium

Donald G. McNeil Jr.

Donald G. McNeil Jr.

·

Jan 8

A.I May Not Want to Kill Us Yet, But Let’s Not Wire It to Our Brains

Two months ago, an editor at an online news site asked me to write about brain organoids — miniature “dish brains” of neural stem cells…

A.I May Not Want to Kill Us Yet, But Let’s Not Wire It to Our Brains

Donald G. McNeil Jr.

·

Nov 11, 2025

I’ve Discovered a Cause of Autism

It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

I’ve Discovered a Cause of Autism

Donald G. McNeil Jr.

·

Aug 28, 2025

Waymo Is Coming to New York. Don’t Be Scared. You May Love It.

Self-driving cars have been tested in San Francisco since 2009 and offering taxi rides since last year. The experience is otherworldly, but…

Waymo Is Coming to New York. Don’t Be Scared. You May Love It.

Donald G. McNeil Jr.

·

Jun 20, 2025

There Are Smarter Ways to Disarm Iran than ‘Bunker-Busting’

Iran is uniquely vulnerable to economic throttling without either American boots in Tehran or massive civilian casualties

There Are Smarter Ways to Disarm Iran than ‘Bunker-Busting’

Donald G. McNeil Jr.

·

Jan 20, 2025

‘Boss Tweed’ Attacked the NYTimes Exactly the Way Trump Might

The Times’s publisher issues a warning about Trump. Eerily same tactics were used 150 years ago — against his own paper.

A.G. Sulzberger at a Silurians lunch on January 15, 2025

Donald G. McNeil Jr.

·

Jan 11, 2025

The L.A. Fires: Disasters Are an Opportunity

The fires that incinerated 80% of San Francisco in 1906 led to rebuilding that beautified the city

The L.A. Fires: Disasters Are an Opportunity

Donald G. McNeil Jr.

·

Jan 7, 2025

My Book Is Out in Paperback

It has a new chapter with a few things to say about H5N1 and mpox — and The New York Times

My Book Is Out in Paperback

Donald G. McNeil Jr.

·

Dec 31, 2024

Memories of Jimmy Carter

An unpretentious man with incredible drive and perception did good in the world’s toughest places

Memories of Jimmy Carter

Donald G. McNeil Jr.

·

Dec 2, 2024

Now Biden Should Pardon Tony Fauci

He should start with Jack Smith, but there many Americans in danger from a weaponized Justice Department. Even reporters.

Now Biden Should Pardon Tony Fauci

Donald G. McNeil Jr.

·

Nov 29, 2024

Vaccines Will Have to Prove Themselves Again. The Hard Way.

We’ve already quietly begun an all-American clinical trial

Vaccines Will Have to Prove Themselves Again. The Hard Way.

Donald G. McNeil Jr.

Donald G. McNeil Jr.

New York Times, 1976–2021. Last beat: lead Covid reporter. 2020 Chancellor Award; 2021 NYT team Pulitzer donaldgmcneiljr1954@gmail.com

Help

Status

About

Careers

Press

Blog

Store

Privacy

Rules

Terms

Text to speech