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 Firstly, Reza Aslan's “A world without borders” refutes economist Thomas Friedman's thesis that The World is Flat. Friedman's book asserts technologically-enabled globalization equalizes the power among nations. The thesis appears obviously correct, explaining such phenomena as the McDonalds Doctrine. While the power of developing nations may be increasing relative to the West, Aslan notes the error in assuming it increases absolutely. The power of a nation is primarily a functional of the power entrusted in it by its people. Aslan more precisely notes that national power also equalizes approaching epsilon! He then channels Nietzsche, arguing religious resurgence threatens to fill this chasm and that we currently stand at “the precipice of unending cosmic war.” If we will war, I doubt it will be along religious but instead deeply philosophical lines. Cosmic war will rage over Cosmism. 

Secondly, Seth MacFarlane gives food for thought with his vision that “The future will be cooked medium rare.” Like any gracious guest, he lavishes his host with complements, crediting Playboy for exposing him to the words of Vidal, Vonnegut, Hawking, and Sagan. MacFarlane, however, isn't claiming he reads Playboy for the articles. With Playboy he illustrates a basic point: The printing press enables widespread access to both prose and porn. Atavistic applications coexist with and often co-opt our more noble ends. Curiously, the creator of Family Guy insists we “resist those destructive impulses embedded in all of us.” If we suppress these impulses for any humanitarian end, are we not abandoning our humanity? If we lose ourselves along the way, what's the point? I suspect, given MacFarlane's fleshly fixations, that may be his real point.

I've found Playboy's Special Feature notable. If you do too, notate away below.