To varying degrees, many of us now know the feeling of being trapped indoors, whether because of lockdown or fear of infection or transmission. As Lonely in Shanghai turns to Grindr and internet porn, the line between imagined and actual encounters starts to become blurry and dream life feels as real as anything else. By ALVIN LI

For this issue we gave our contributors carte blanche: an open invitation to tell us what’s in their heads, right now. Whether under lockdown inside, or outside under protest, it is clear that the mind has no off-switch. Whether deeply personal, or overtly political, our authors continue to surprise with their level of insight and the playfulness of their imagination.