Issue of July 28, 2008

Stump Speech
by Paul Simms

Q. At what point in the text is this not structurally a campaign speech? How many stereotypes are used? Which candidate is being mocked?

The Eureka Hunt
Where in our brains do insights come from?
by Jonah Lehrer

Q. Procrastinaters unite! Have you experienced the "Aha!" phenomenon? What if DARPA creates a drug for it? Wait, see below...

Dr. Kush
The medical-marijuana economy.
by David Samuels

Audio: Samuels describes how marijuana is grown and sold, and how he went about reporting the story.

Q. What did you learn from this article besides the fact that stoners shouldn't be allowed to choose the name of their products? There's money and science and law and drugs... no sex or rock and roll? religion?

All the Answers
A quiz show and its aftermath.
by Charles Van Doren

Q. What is this story really about? Regret? Defense? Absolution? Fleas?

“Mamma Mia!,” “Journey to the Center of the Earth.”
by Anthony Lane

Q. Compare AL's reviews of the two movies. Are they different? Does he like/dislike each? Why one or the other?