From The New Yorker, an interactive portfolio of portraits by Platon of world leaders, with commentary by the photographer. The first chapter from A Very Brief History of Eternity by Carlos Eire (and more and more). From Lacan.com, Slavoj Zizek on denial, the liberal utopia. Thirsty after that run?: Why not down a DMZ? Tariq Ramadan on how his compatriots' vote to ban minarets is fuelled by fear. Archbishop Mauro Piacenza says priests need Rambo-esque spiritual muscle. The Lehman Brothers of the Persian Gulf: Dubai assumes it's too big to fail — we'll see about that (and more and more). My night among the naked women: Nipple derbies aren’t tough to find in America, but novelist Daniel Wallace had never been to one before, even when he lived in a stripper house. From Commentary, David Phillips on the illegal-settlements myth: Jewish neighborhoods, towns, and cities in the West Bank may be controversial, but they do not transgress international law. Loneliness is contagious: People who feel isolated may spread mistrust of social connections. How black is he? Whether or not you agree with Obama's politics may influence how dark- or light-skinned you think he is. The remote Christmas Island seeks a boom without a bust. Does Jesus have cooties? Simcha Fisher investigates. James Surowiecki on why the Chinese don’t spend. Parents don't have a right to get on a jet with unruly children — in fact, they're stealing from the rest of us. Part-time paparazzi: "The veteran was right — this job has nothing to do with art". The irresistible itch: A review of Personal Responsibility: Why It Matters by Alexander Brown.
