Contents
November-December 2011
25 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World
Every year, Utne Reader puts forward its selection of world visionaries, people who have that extra twist of imagination and determination and energy, people who don’t just concoct great ideas but also act on them and lay their souls on the line for change. We’re proud to present you with 2011’s lineup of dreamers and doers.
Fanatics Attack
The best defense against extremism includes empathy, imagination, and a healthy sense of humor
by Amos Oz, from How to Cure a Fanatic
Therapy
A Freudian’s Dream
Put down those pills and find a couch. Psychotherapy is back.
by Molly Knight Raskin, from Psychology Today
Fearless
Neuroscientists work to eradicate phobias and anxiety, one bad memory at a time
by Siri Carpenter, from Mental Floss
Mother’s Care
Empirical evidence shows that convening with nature can heal the mind
by Richard Louv, from The Nature Principle
Mental Notes
Rethinking and rewriting the psychiatric rulebook
by Rebecca A. Clay, from Monitor on Psychology
The Soul Singer
Krishna Das combines Eastern moods and Western grooves to lift listeners.
Interview by Alexis Adams, from The Sun
Hurts So Good
Considering love and science at the Museum of Broken Relationships
by Shannon Service, from Brink
EMERGING IDEAS
Criminal Minds
Can scientists tell good from bad at birth? by Josh Fischman, from The Chronicle Review
It’s Time to Take Up Arms
Rural voters, progressives, and guns by L.H. O’Connor, from Counterpunch
GLEANINGS
Eyes Like Lithium
A girl struggles to understand her autistic brother’s demons, real and imagined
by Danielle Cadena Deulen, from The Iowa Review
Lights. Camera. Wait.
An aspiring actor endures the indignity of auditioning by Tess Lynch, from n+1
Letter from Fredericksburg
Civil War ghosts and modern warfare by Colin Rafferty, from Bellingham Review
MINDFUL LIVING
Fizzy Business
The great American soda fountain still inspires by Sarah Karnasiewicz, from Imbibe
The Measured Life
Self-tracking devices promise to make us healthier by Emily Singer, from Technology Review
In Praise of Fallow Fields
An architect embraces the economic slowdown by Kurt Lavenson, from ARCADE
MIXED MEDIA
Maestro of Memories
A conductor’s unexpected path to Carnegie Hall by Kristine Jannuzzi, from Listen
Midnight Rambling
One person’s sleeptalk is another’s collectible recording by Alex Behr, from Tin House
The Power of Poetry
Poets protest anti-immigration laws by Sarah Browning, from Sojourners
Reviews:
Music
Pop International: A review of Beautiful Imperfection by Asa
Musical Cousins: A review of An Evening in the Village: The Music of Béla Bartók
Sacred Psychedelia: A review of Trust Now by Prince Rama
Book
Our Queer Nation: A review of A Queer History of the United States by Michael Bronski
A Place Called Petén: A review of Maya Roads by Mary Jo McConahay
The History of Ho Hum: A review of Boredom: a lively history by Peter Toohey
Film
Three Days in Nanking: A review of City of Life and Death
Couterculture Cowboy: A review of Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune
From Trash to Table: A review of Dive!
Editor’s Note
by David Schimke
Forward
by Eric Utne
Dispatches from:
Miller-McCune (Computer Blue)
The New Republic (Nukes Are for Kids)
The Daily Climate (Red States, Green Votes)
The United Church Observer (The Other Side of Smuggling)
Science News, The Tyee (Sister Morphine)
Dirt Rag (Freedom Wheelin’)
The Baby Name Wizard (When Names Mattered)
The Smart Set (Fight Class)
OnEarth (Clean Chemistry)
Guardian.co.uk, British Medical Journal (Disease Diaries)
Landscape Architecture Magazine (Golf Wars)
Scientific American, Montreal Gazette, McGill Daily (Mourning in America)
Miller-McCune (The Brits and PTSD)
Shambhala Sun (Public Displays of Meditation)
