Vol. 165 No. 2
COVER
The world suffers an epic tragedy as a tsunami spreads death across Asia. An on-the-scene look at how it happened--and whether the carnage could have been avoided
(Tsunami)
With disease looming, the world launches a massive relief effort. Will the aid reach the victims in time?
(Tsunami)
The horror of Banda Aceh, Indonesia
(Tsunami)
How can you ensure that your contributions are put to best possible use?
(Tsunami)
A tsunami striking the U.S. is not a question of if, but when
SCIENCE
Think fast! Malcolm Gladwell argues that snap decisions can be better than slow, thoughtful ones
What Risks Lurk In Your Medicine Cabinet? (Health)
The latest headlines about Aleve are a reminder that over-the-counter drugs have side effects too
SOCIETY
If parents don't monitor kids' access to violent and sexual games, should the states do it?
SPORT
An astonishing rookie quarterback has Steelers fans dreaming once again about the Super Bowl
NOTEBOOK
There doesn't seem to be much hope for a cooperative Congress
Numbers
Social Security: The Battle Is Joined
The AARP lines up against President Bush's proposals
Verbatim
The Next Pope: Rome Eyes A Hard-Liner
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger emerges as a top papal candidate
The New Hanging Chads
Forget Ohio, Washington State is the new Florida
Discovery Of The Week
Milestones (Milestones)
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
The Palestinians' likely next President hopes to take on the militants--and Arafat's legacy
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Long the king of deadpan wit, Murray proves to be the undisputed master of comedic strife with his role in The Life Aquatic
A Dive into Divine Comedy (Movies)
Review: The Life Aquatic
Cutting It Very Fine (Movies)
In The Woodsman, Kevin Bacon is a parent's worst nightmare. But he dreams of a better kind of life
The Roles of Their Lives (Television)
HBO's Unscripted is clever and fun, but how many inside-show-biz sitcoms do we need?
The Sensuous Intellectual (Appreciation)
SUSAN SONTAG 1933--2004
YOUR TIME
An Asian style that preaches beauty in imperfection
Cutting-Edge Ceramics (Home)
Pet Peeve: Invisible Fences Move Indoors (Tech)
Digital Hide-and-Seek (Tech)
Desktop search can help you sort through your computer's contents
Crossing the Virtual Street (Tech)
A Ray of Light (Home)
Flying Gets a Lift (Travel)
Holiday air travel was plagued with problems. Will Delta's new moves help?
(Travel)
PEOPLE
The Weather Wizards (Forging the Future: Climate & Weather)
Looking for Clues, Above and Below (Innovators / Forging the Future: Climate & Weather)
THE SKY DETECTIVE
Tweaking Mother Nature (Innovators / Forging the Future: Climate & Weather)
THE STORM KING
Forecasting on a New Level (Innovators / Forging the Future: Climate & Weather)
THE ARCTIC EXPLORER
Q&A Jeremy Irons
Elvis Scores Another Hit
Breaking Up, Again
Not So Funny
LETTERS
ESSAY
Disasters often hit the poor the hardest. It doesn't have to be that way