CURRENT ISSUE
December 2015
Features
:focal(546x219:547x220)/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/23/d8/23d80688-47d6-4069-a51a-11c878bf390c/dec2015_n01_docnowperformaingarts-web-resize.jpg)
Peforming Arts: Bill Hader and Fred Armisen
The “SNL” veterans behind the sly new series “Documentary Now!” add a layer of authenticity to the art of sending up nonfiction films
:focal(530x265:531x266)/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/3e/01/3e0174dc-33f5-46d6-87da-4be12384dc48/dec2015_j06_physicalsciencesalanstern-web-resize-v4.jpg)
Physical Sciences: Alan Stern
The scientist behind NASA’s New Horizons mission gave cheering earthlings their first close-up view of Pluto
:focal(415x76:416x77)/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/02/b3/02b3de31-2058-495f-8241-5b266ed5a5a4/davissmithsonianmouly200dpi.jpeg)
Education: Françoise Mouly
The amazing tale of a determined art director who harnessed the powers of the greatest illustrators around the world to blow kids' minds
:focal(1896x638:1897x639)/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/64/6f/646fef71-482b-4142-a1e1-39abebe07053/dec2015_h08_technologyranaelkaliouby.jpg)
Technology: Rana el Kaliouby
An engineer's passion for decoding facial expressions is set to change the way we interact with our devices–and each other
/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/8e/c0/8ec08eaf-9388-4e47-9a8d-e825c9296275/dec2015_i06_historylinmanuelmiranda-web-resize-v2.jpg)
History: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Composer, lyricist and performer, he wows Broadway audiences and upends U.S. history with his dazzlingly fresh hip-hop Hamilton
/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/87/3c/873cca0b-2801-4c6e-965f-894ff64895ab/dec2015_e02_youth-web-resize-v3.jpg)
Youth: Lilianna Zyszkowski
At age 11, she designed a new life-saving device to help people track their medication. That was just the beginning
/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/c2/45/c24544aa-48c8-4386-bdaf-56cc734d4a8c/dec2015_m07_gatessocialprogress.jpg)
Social Progress: Theaster Gates
An artist's creative approach to revitalizing a crumbling Chicago neighborhood offers new hope for America's beleaguered cities
/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/0a/b5/0ab50a5b-61ca-4cd5-bf99-e84b737ac8c7/dec2015_a03_nationaltreasure.jpg)
Snap Judgment
A better mousetrap has long been the holy grail of American ingenuity
/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/bd/1a/bd1a4327-ed74-479d-9b9a-8248cd2353d3/dec2015_f15_visualartswinner.jpg)
Visual Arts: Zoe Crosher and Shamim Momin
A wildly creative art project transforms a classic American eyesore into an inspiring, 2,400-mile-long national narrative
:focal(530x280:531x281)/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/74/7c/747c1478-e8ab-4ec6-85ae-dc5121ba8f0f/dec2015_k01_naturalsciences-web-resize-v3.jpg)
Natural Sciences: Rudolph Tanzi and Doo Yeon Kim
Boston researchers have invented a revolutionary new tool to study the mysteries of Alzheimer's disease and counter the coming epidemic of dementia
Departments
Discussion
Reader responses to our November issue
Quakers with a Vengeance
Ron Howard's new film of "In the Heart of the Sea" captures the greed and blood lust of 1800s Nantucket
Ask Smithsonian
Your questions answered by our experts