August 2010
Smithsonian magazine delivers trusted and incisive reporting on history, science, nature, culture and travel.
Features
Anticipation
We salute the basic human urge to remember the future
The New King of the Sea
As the world's oceans are degraded, will they be dominated by jellyfish?
Marine Advisory
Scientists say the outlook for the world’s oceans is bleak—unless we stop overfishing and reduce air and water pollution. Here’s an update on the marine environment and its possible future
Charging Ahead
An entrepreneur hits the road with a new approach to the electric car that overcomes its greatest shortcoming
Q and A: Richard Branson
Industry in Orbit
Buying Time
For scientists in a remote corner of coastal North Carolina, ignoring global warming is not an option
Meet the Species
Scientists have discovered thousands of new species in recent years. And there are many more to come
Five Species Likely to Become Extinct in the Next 40 Years
Experts estimate that one-eighth of all bird species, one-fifth of mammal species and one-third of amphibian species are at risk
Farms Go to Town
Grow fruits and vegetables in urban towers? Advocates give a green thumbs up
Why I'm Optimistic
Americans' restless searching for solutions bodes well for the future
Ready, Set, Grow
The U.S. population will expand by 100 million over the next 40 years. That's a good thing, the author argues
Q and A: George Friedman
The U.S. Stays On Top
What Will America Look Like in 2050?
A Smithsonian/Pew poll finds optimism about science and social progress despite worries about the environment and population growth
Q and A: Rosamond Naylor
Feeding Everyone
New Fields
Food security experts say these crops, if grown more widely, could help feed the hungry
The Age of Peace
Maturing populations may mean a less violent future for many societies torn by internal conflict
Listening to Bacteria
By studying microbial communications, Bonnie Bassler has come up with new ways to treat disease
Q and A: Melinda French Gates
Saving Lives
Organs Made to Order
It won't be long before surgeons routinely install replacement body parts created in the laboratory
Next in Space
Probes and landers sent into the final frontier will bring us closer to answering cosmic mysteries
Masters of Disaster
Asteroid hunters are determined to protect human beings from outer space invaders
Q and A: Melvin Konner
Catching Up With Kids
Interaction and Adventure
Artists + digital technology = bold new ways of engaging viewers
Q and A: Rita Dove
Speed Reading
Q and A: Tod Machover
Make Your Own Music
The Future of History
Archives opening in coming decades will shed new light on pivotal 20th-century figures and events
Q and A: James Cameron
Movies Get Deeper
Q and A: George Lopez
Comedy Wises Up
Powwows and Karaoke
The movie director, descended from Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho peoples, says Native pride will embolden the next generation of the first Americans
Q and A: Sabiha Al Khemir
Islam and the West
Q and A: Carl Hiaasen
Slipping Backward
The Genius of Small Things
If George Whitesides thinks nanotechnology can save lives, you better believe it
Invisible Engineers
A researcher recruits microscopic workers to manufacture high technology
Q and A: Laurie Anderson
Higher Fidelity
Power From the People
Energy harvested from our bodies will make possible mind-boggling gadgetry
Shining Example
Solar technologies being pioneered in Spain show even greater promise for the United States
Vinton Cerf
Google's View
From Print to Pixel
As digital screens proliferate, people are reading in a whole new way
Departments
Curveballs at the Un-Magazine
From the first issue 40 years ago, Smithsonian has blazed its own path through the media landscape
Wild Things: Life as We Know It
Cobras, sharks, lemurs, hermit crabs and more...
Unmasked
The 1970 photograph became an instant Earth Day classic, but its subject has remained nameless—until now
Vaulting Into the Future
How poor countries can build sturdy structures from inexpensive, local materials
Married, With Glitches
Survey finds human-robot unions undone by technical difficulties