New Republic, Oct. 26

The cover story welcomes the decline of rational-choice political science. Rational-choicers, who have dominated the field for two decades, sought to explain political behavior through mathematical modeling. The theoretical fad permanently handicapped political science by encouraging academics to disengage themselves from the practice of politics. Two professors have now proved that rational choice is based on dubious assumptions about political actors' motives. ... An article explores the workplace paranoia industry. Consultants profit from advising employers on how to prevent office rampages and training managers to spot unhinged workers, but office homicides are declining, and all the fretting may just exacerbate fear.

Economist, Oct. 17

The cover editorial argues that free trade benefits the environment by increasing economic growth and giving poorer countries the resources to clean up. The related cover story applauds the World Trade Organization's efforts to find common ground with environmentalists. The WTO should consider the environment but not use trade sanctions to enforce environmental agreements. ... An article questions the success of women's liberation. A worldwide poll found that while 93 percent of women feel they are in a better position than their grandmother was, a majority of respondents say that they are no happier than granny was.

Brill's Content, November 1999

The cover story identifies the 25 people who most influence what we read, watch, wear, and think. Predictable picks include the managing editor of Time, Rush Limbaugh, and Tim Russert. Surprising choices include the creator of Gap ads, the managing editor of Yahoo!, and Martha Stewart. ... An article details how the New York Times muffed its coverage of the Chinese spy "scandal." The paper got the facts wrong, played down dissenting views, and inferred the worst from the leaks it received. The Times acknowledged too late that it did not know how much information was stolen or whether it had any impact on China's nuclear program. ... An item reports that an unidentified major cable network is negotiating to air Bare Essentials News--a nightly national news program featuring anchors in bathing suits.

New York Times Magazine, Oct. 10

The cover story, adapted from Michael Lewis' forthcoming The New New Thing, depicts Jim Clark as the personification of Silicon Valley's spirit of relentless reinvention. In less than 20 years, Clark founded Silicon Graphics, Netscape, and Healtheon. His latest company aims to put medical records online and to allow Web-based insurance payments. ... An article hopes that the confrontational Cardinal John O'Connor will be replaced by a more conciliatory leader. The archbishop of New York, traditionally the most powerful American Catholic, is expected to step down soon. His successor should be a peacemaker who can bridge the ethnic differences that increasingly divide the American church.

Talk, November 1999

A profile of Arnold Schwarzenegger reveals that he contemplates running for California governor--and that he loves to paint pottery. The Terminator decorates his ceramics with butterflies, flowers, and hearts. ... An article explains that Al Gore enlisted for the Vietnam War out of fealty to his father and distaste for draft dodgers: Gore deplored "the inequity of the rich not having to serve." Gore is not asked what he thinks of President Clinton's draft ducking. ... Former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner David Kessler describes how an ex-R.J. Reynolds employee--"Deep Cough"--leaked the feds information about the tobacco company's manipulation of nicotine levels. FDA investigators also found a Philip Morris scientist who was silenced and fired after his research demonstrated nicotine's addictiveness.