Not everything has to be one size fits all; some forks are better for specific projects than others.

Python’s new JIT compiler might be the biggest speed boost we’ve seen in a while, but it’s not without bumps. Get that news and more, in this week’s report.

Two new books trace an arc from the notorious Bernie Goetz case to the spread of vigilantism today. By Jennifer Szalai Our columnist read “The Everlasting” too late to put it on her Best of 2025 list.