Back From Chaos The assumptions of the Enlightenment -- about the unity of all knowledge, about the potential for human progress -- were displaced by postmodern skepticism about the possibility of real knowledge and about the existence of objective truth. But now, the author argues, the promise of the Enlightenment is being renewed. The great branches of learning will draw closer -- revealing an order that underlies everything. by Edward O. Wilson Web Only: All for One, One for All An Atlantic Unbound interview with Edward O. Wilson.

The Lessons of ValuJet 592 The circumstances that led to the ValuJet crash in May of 1996 are no longer a mystery. Nevertheless, the accident continues to raise troubling questions -- not about what happened but about why. Our author argues that it represents what analysts call a "system accident" -- a kind of accident that may lie beyond the reach of conventional solutions. by William Langewiesche

Reports Notes & Comment: Today's Most Mischievous Misquotation Adam Smith's blind faith in the "invisible hand" of the market wasn't really Adam Smith's faith at all -- and today Smith is invoked in behalf of causes he did not support. by Jonathan Schlefer Politics: California, Here We Come California has led the way toward heavy -- and shortsighted -- reliance on voter referenda. As other states embrace the practice, the perils of this form of direct democracy are becoming more apparent. by Peter Schrag Fiction & Poetry The Lunatic, the Lover, and the Poet A short story by Francine Prose Web Only: As the World Thrums An Atlantic Unbound interview with Francine Prose. They Can't Take That Away From Me A poem by Gail Mazur Credo A poem by David Solway Browse and search The Atlantic's online archive. The seahorse symbol indicates that an article is supplemented with additional Atlantic material, such as related articles, audio, or special online sidebars.		Arts & Leisure Travel: Lewis and Clark and Us Might the Lewis and Clark saga be an appropriate focus for a trip with children? A five-member Corps of Discovery set off to find out. by Cullen Murphy Sport: Tree Surfing and Other Lofty Pleasures "I look for one that announces 'Climb me,'" says a practitioner of the fledgling sport known as technical tree climbing. by Michael Finkel Food: Belgian and Bubbly Some of the best beer in the world is made in the manner of champagne. by Corby Kummer Books War in the Mind Shook Over Hell: Post-Traumatic Stress, Vietnam, and the Civil War, by Eric T. Dean Jr. by James M. McPherson How to Pay for a Good College The Student Aid Game, by Michael S. McPherson and Morton O. Schapiro by Donald Kennedy Brief Reviews by Phoebe-Lou Adams Other Departments 77 North Washington Street Contributors Letters (Send a letter to the editor.) The March Almanac The Puzzler by Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon Word Court by Barbara Wallraff
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