COVER

COMMENTARY

The 20% Solution (In the Arena)

A Republican is trying to inject some budget sanity into Congress. Will it take?

Back on Tracks (New Energy)

Freight rail's renaissance is powering the U.S. economy even without Uncle Sam's help

BRIEFING

Eat This? (Health&Science)

How edible packaging could shake up the food industry

Star-Powered (Tech)

How celebs are building viable start-ups

Risk Factor (Business)

How biology can explain what drives banks to the brink of disaster

LETTERS

FEATURES

Nightmare Scenario (Science)

Bad dreams can do more than ruin a good night's sleep. Scientists are finding new ways to control them--and improve the health of mind and body

Reboot the School (Education)

Salman Khan's YouTube Lessons Have Already Made Him A Geek Celebrity. Now He Wants To Reinvent Homework, Banish Classroom Lectures--And Maybe Save Education

THE CULTURE

Mucho Macho Metro (The Awesome Column)

Test scores show that guys are becoming less masculine. That's why I'm a he-man

Relax. Read. Repeat. (Summer Books)

In Summer, Our Closest Allies Can Include Sunscreen, GPS, A Porch Swing And, Above All, A Good Book Or Two. Here, A Panel Of Authorities--Including Famous Authors, Frequent Flyers And Erotica Scholars--Sets The Reading Agenda