[International Herald Tribune]
Is the U.S. beginning to lose its cultural influence? The continuing and indeed growing relevance of local economic connections suggests that "cultural imperialism" will not prove to be the dominant trend.

[The Denver Post]
Research examining 6,100-year-old bowl residue shows fiery pepper pod was oldest spice in use in Americas.

[New York Magazine]
Fifteen minutes is no longer enough—young people today are creating their own personal fanbase for a new kind of fame, a new kind of friendship, at the expense of privacy.

[The New York Review of Books]
Europe vs. America.

[The New York Times]
Teacher caught preaching to students in class. So the school, of course, does the right thing...and bans tape recorders.

[Locus]
Locus Magazine's 2006 recommended reading list for sf and fantasy.