From Education Next, Diane Ravitch and John E. Chubb on the future of No Child Left Behind. Is it harmful to dress up in overalls and run around the woods covering each other in goo? Southern Exposure: Republican strength in the South has both compensated for and masked the extent of the party's decline elsewhere. Compromised crime laboratories are a national scandal that can't be set straight until the labs are independent of law enforcement. A new study by three FBI officials suggests that cooperation —whether by witnesses or even other departments —is the key to closing more murder cases. People feel duped by Francis Bacon; such is our prejudice toward the scream (and more from Bookforum). From Seed, the recent sequencing of the bovine genome will dramatically transform more than just the cattle industry; and a global effort is underway to collect and cache the genetic resources contained in seeds (and more). In his revealing Merci Karl!, Arnaud Maillard describes his ex-boss Karl Lagerfeld as a diva of the international fashion scene. A review of When China Rules the World: The Rise of the Middle Kingdom and the End of the Western World by Martin Jacques (and more). From "Once upon a time" to "Happily ever after": Fairy-tale scholars explore the nuanced history of the genre.

From The Space Review, an article on space colonies, the god that failed; and an essay on NASA and the book of laws. Conspiracy theories can be hilarious, but reality is a better story, says David Aaronovitch. An excerpt from John Bellamy Foster's The Ecological Revolution: Making Peace with the Planet.  A review of Death, Gender and Sexuality in Contemporary Adolescent Literature by Kathryn James. A review of Paradoxes of Peace and God's Hazard by Nicholas Mosley. The place of women on the Supreme Court: Ruth Bader Ginsburg talks about women on the bench and their effect on the dynamics and decisions of the court. Is Ayelet Waldman a bad mother, or just honest? Barack Obama is taking on health care, financial regulation, torture and environmental policy — he’s also revamping the White House art collection. Research suggests SAT coaching barely boost scores. Cheers to beers: A look at the weird, the fascinating, the potent and the expensive, from around the world. A 9,000-year-old brew hitting the shelves this summer. Where everybody is disadvantaged: Postcards from the diversity follies.The Other Sons of Iraq: How the lessons al-Qaeda learned in Iraq are informing the next generation of fighters. Scandinavian Crime Wave: Why the most peaceful people on earth write the greatest homicide thrillers.

From Vanity Fair, what’s a culture snob to do? Pity the culture snob, as Kindles, iPods, and flash drives swallow up the visible markers of superior taste and intelligence; with the digitization of books, music, and movies, how will the highbrow distinguish him- or herself? Busted Transmission: Can the U.S. government transform GM into a true global car company? Cars & Stripes Forever: Some diehards recommend buying nothing but U.S. cars — it's the ultimate act of patriotism. What’s up with all the Ayn Rand love we’re seeing lately? An interview with Marvin Olasky, the architect of compassionate conservatism. Classical liberalism and the fight for equal rights: An article on remembering the forgotten libertarian legacy of American anti-racism. A review of Why Socrates Died: Dispelling the Myths by Robin Waterfield. Happinomics: What is the value of real-world social interactions? A look at how Facebook is affecting school reunions. My ten favorite fetishes: Lifelong sex researcher Kris Saknussem on his most unusual discoveries. The power of the three: Here are the secrets of the mighty triumvirate that rules the universe. A review of LOT 2: The Language of Thought Revisited by Jerry Fodor. Over 60 years, Tony Allison has made two major breakthroughs and is a scientist who should be better known.

From The Washington Monthly, a special report on tropical deforestation: "A Clear Cut Crisis". Here is the Encyclical Letter "Caritas in Veritate" by Pope Benedict, and interviews with Legionary of Christ Father Thomas D. Williams and with CUA's Andrew Abela and David O'Connell (and a fable by George Weigel: "The Good Pope and the Bad Advisers"). "You’re an idiot and I am a coward": Comedy is too often constrained by preconceptions of audience reaction and the comic’s own self-censoring streak. Good enough, smart enough: Norman Ornstein on why Al Franken will be a superlative senator. From The Simon, here is a list of potential Sarah Palin television projects. From Nerve, a look at the 20 Unsexiest Beautiful People. More sex please: What goes on in the bedroom is a vital part of being human, so why are writers so shy about confronting it honestly? Wank Thyself: William Saletan on the pro-life case for masturbation. Will the most ostentatious mansion in Greenwich history survive the bust? Does philosophy make you a better scientist? Sean Carroll investigates. Albert Mobilio reviews Woman Twirling by Jo Ann Callis. You say you want a reference book about revolution? We all want to change the world — Scott McLemee interviews Immanuel Ness, editor of the International Encyclopedia of Revolution and Protest, 1500 to the Present.