Areo is a feisty little digital magazine with an international readership, providing commentary on politics, society, science, culture and the arts. Its name is drawn from John Milton’s 1644 pamphlet, Areopagitica, a pioneering call for the freedom of the press. Its contributors have included research scientists, award-winning writers, human rights campaigners and prominent academics, but it also accepts contributions from anyone who can write clearly and persuasively on a subject of interest to its readers. Amid the current atmosphere of partisanship and hysteria, Areo provides a haven for calm, reasonable voices from both left and right. Its writers are unafraid to tackle controversial issues, to go against status quo orthodoxy and to toss sacred cows onto the barbecue and turn them into brisket. But they also refrain from inflammatory clickbait, personal vendettas, hyperbole, and scaremongering. Their aim is not to posture, but to persuade. In that spirit, it also welcomes responses to and rebuttals of arguments published within its own pages. It is committed to an ethos of universal liberal humanism: each individual must be judged on his or her own merits and should be awarded the rights, respect and compassion that are due to every human beingregardless of sex, gender, sexuality, skin colour, ethnicity, nationality, religion or any other fundamental aspect of identity. Ideas, however, do not intrinsically deserve respect or protection, and no idea should be off limits to scrutiny. In addition, Areo believes that anyone can hold an equally valid opinion on any topic, regardless of his or her identity. Areo was founded by the writer Malhar Mali in 2016. In June 2018, Helen Pluckrose took over as commissioning editor and an assistant editor assisted as the magazine’s copyeditor. On 3 May 2021, the editor in chief, Iona Italia, took over. Helen is now running her advocacy organisation, Counterweight. She continues to be closely involved as a promoter of and writer for the magazine. It is a pleasure and a privilege to take on this role, but, above all, this is your magazine. Unlike many other publications of its kind, Areo has no independent endowment. It is entirely funded by its supporters. If you would like to help the magazine to continue to offer a place for reasoned, thoughtful analysis and commentary to deepen the understanding of key issues, please make a donation using the ‘Become a Patron’ button at the top of the page. Thank you so much!
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