Four Magazines for Smart People

The general assumption is that intelligent people mostly stuck to erudite novels and heavy non-fiction. But some of us like our information in smaller chunks, and a few of us will even admit that we appreciate the entertainment value of magazines. So other than the New Yorker, what kinds of magazines do smart people read? Here's a list of four of the best and brightest magazines aimed at thinking folks.

Discover

For people who are interested in science, Discover Magazine provides in-depth coverage on everything from genetic research to industrial biomimicry. Most of the reporting is jargon-free, and even the non-geeks among us can get into the fascinating photographs. Favorite topics include evolution, practical applications of new technology, medical research, and profiles of contemporary scientists.

Utne Reader

The Utne Reader is a magazine that publishes a collection of articles from the best independent publications from around the world. Think of it as a one-stop shopping trip to pick up the best of all the obscure indie mom-and-pop magazines you don't have time to track down and sort through on your own.

As one of the best magazines for smart people, Utne Reader publishes articles from across the political spectrum. The common theme is that they all have to do with increasing tolerance, better living through sustainability, and cross-cultural exchange.

Bust

Intelligent ladies tend to view women's magazines like Cosmo with disgust. The last thing we want is a magazine telling us how to snag men, do our makeup, or drop 73 pounds by Christmas. Enter Bust, a woman-centric magazine for ladies who would rather celebrate womanhood than be told what we lack.

Bust includes everything from how to make stuff, profiles of important female artists, positive sexuality pieces, and fun fashion spreads with women of all sizes, races, and ages. Bust also reviews books, movies, and music either made by women or dealing with women's themes. While Bust is essentially a fun read, it caters to ladies who want more than fluff from their bathroom reading.

Mental Floss

Mental Floss is a magazine for trivia geeks and history buffs. Packaged in bite-sized chunks and written with a tongue-in-cheek tone, Mental Floss bills itself as "Where Knowledge Junkies Get Their Fix." The magazine's multiple quizzes and regular columns make for a highly interactive reading experience.

Features generally include little-known facts about famous people, profiles of geographically remote places, and the real stories behind famous works of art. Mental Floss also put out an excellent line of T-shirts with math, science, and literature puns.