Culture & Religion — February 20, 2009

To Save Magazine, Playboy Turns to Seth Rogen

It’s not news that neither Playboy magazine, nor the Enterprise generally, is doing so hot. The entire New York editorial office was moved to Chicago recently, and longtime chief executive Christie Hefner stepped down suddenly a few months ago. Don’t worry though, Hugh is managing to have a fairly good time.

So what is Playboy magazine, that sexy relic, doing to save itself? They’re putting chubby stoner Seth Rogen on the cover!

The Daily News reports today that “The goofy ‘Knocked Up’ star will front the famed men’s mag’s April issue,” alongside “NBA star Jason Kidd’s stunning girlfriend and baby mama Hope Dworaczyk.”

Less than ten guys have graced the Playboy cover, it turns out, but it’s a club that includes Steve Martin and Jerry Seinfeld. Peter Sellers was the first—in April 1964.

I guess we can stop worrying about print magazines now. But what’s Playboy’s next online play? Here’s ex-CEO Christie Hefner.

Collage of classical art suggesting a theme related to somatic markers.

Business

How “somatic markers” can transform your decision-making

Ditch the old brain vs. heart assumptions, and instead think about a heart-led brain.

A black and white image of a bunch of spheres, symbolizing the multiverse concept discussed by scientists.

Starts With A Bang

How logic and reasoning can fail as scientific tools

In logic, 'reductio ad absurdum' shows how flawed arguments fall apart. Our absurd Universe, however, often defies our intuitive reasoning.

A wooden sign indicating "assisted migration rep 2" in a pine forest under a clear blue sky.

Life

Moving trees north to save the forests

As the world warms, trees in forests such as those in Minnesota will no longer be adapted to their local climates. That’s where assisted migration comes in.

Historical map illustration depicting a planned city layout with a circular central area and radiating streets.

Strange Maps

Ohio’s Circleville ditched the grid system. Then it got squared.

A small Ohio town tried to escape America’s addiction to rectangular grids. It didn’t last long.

Bullet Cluster separation mass gravity x-ray lensing

Starts With A Bang

Flagship NASA space telescope faces a penny-pinching death

NASA's only flagship X-ray telescope ever, Chandra, still works and has no planned successor. So why does the President want to kill it?

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