A new issue of Common Ground is out, including an article on Life on Google Earth. The scent of a man: To attract a woman by wearing scent, a man must first attract himself. As politicians weigh economic stimulus for cities, research suggests a surprising way to succeed: make it fun. A review of America Aged: How Pension Debts Ruined General Motors, Stopped the NYC Subways, Bankrupted San Diego, and Loom as the Next Financial Crisis by Roger Lowenstein (and more). Dawn of the robots: They're already here — driving cars, vacuuming carpets and feeding hospital patients; they may not be walking, talking, human-like sentient beings, but they sure are clever, and a little creepy. A review of History’s Greatest Heist: The Looting of Russia by the Bolsheviks by Sean McMeekin. A look at 5 homeless guys who accomplished amazing things. Ian McIntyre, author of a new biography about Hester Thrale, on why Dr. Johnson's leading lady was a thoroughly modern eighteenth century woman (and read an erotic love letter from Johnson to Thrale). A review of The Age of Aging: How Demographics are Changing the Global Economy and Our World by George Magnus. From Spiked, an article on the problem with Pinteresque politics. From Eurozine, forget Europe: An interview with Homi Bhabha; and forget journals: An interview with Mark C. Taylor.
