January 13, 2014 | Vol. 183, No. 1

COVER

2014: User’s Guide

The World’s Most Powerful Person: Janet Yellen (2014: User’s Guide / Power)
The incoming Federal Reserve chair will battle unemployment, the most important economic and social problem of our day

Political Races to Watch in 2014 (2014: User’s Guide / Power)
This year’s midterms will bring peril and primaries for incumbents of both parties

Pot’s Next Frontier Stretches from Oregon to Rhode Island (2014: User’s Guide / Power)
Expect more cracks in the grass ceiling

In 2014, U.S. Leaves Afghanistan on Brink (2014: User’s Guide / Power)
All U.S. combat troops are set to leave Afghanistan by year’s end

Hotspots to Watch in 2014 (2014: User’s Guide / Power)
Stories that will dominate headlines around the world this year

Jack Dorsey Is Changing Your Wallet (2014: User’s Guide / Commerce)
Fresh from his Twitter payday, the entrepreneur looks to expand the reach of his payment system, Square

Tech’s Big Promises for 2014 (2014: User’s Guide / Commerce)
Companies are betting on blockbuster gadgets

The Private Space Race Is On (2014: User’s Guide / Commerce)
Here’s a look at the ventures that are changing how we explore the galaxy

Foroohar: The Flat Paycheck Recovery (2014: User’s Guide / Commerce)
The U.S. economy is finally growing. So far, low-wage jobs lead the way

Scientist Searches for Second Earth (2014: User’s Guide / Innovation)
Somewhere out there are worlds that can support life. Lisa Kaltenegger has a way to find them

El Niño Is on Its Way (2014: User’s Guide / Innovation)
When the Pacific Ocean warms in 2014, the weather will get weird

Who Your Baby Will Be in 2014 (2014: User’s Guide / Innovation + Tech)
What lies ahead for children born this year

New Cures for Old Ailments (2014: User’s Guide / Innovation + Tech)
Some of our most common chronic illnesses will get fresh therapies

Seth Meyers Does It Late (2014: User’s Guide / Culture)
The Saturday Night Live veteran is a different kind of frontman for late night television

Culture Calendar (2014: User’s Guide / Culture)
Pencil them in: the movies, books and shows you won’t want to miss

Out With the Kale: The Newest Favorites Among U.S. Chefs (2014: User’s Guide / Culture)
In with the kohlrabi, which is finally becoming popular with men and women in the kitchen

The Places You’ll Go in 2014 (2014: User’s Guide / Culture)
This year’s sights, from Picasso’s Paris comeback to the aurora borealis in full bloom

Fear Index (2014: User’s Guide / Culture)
Asteroids, no. Sharks, yes?

Sarah Hendrickson Is Born to Fly (2014: User’s Guide / Sports)
Meet the 19-year-old who’s about to shatter the Winter Olympics’ coldest glass ceiling

Fresh Sports at Sochi (2014: User’s Guide / Sports)
New Olympic events to lure a younger audience

Major League Stars for 2014 (2014: User’s Guide / Sports)
This year’s breakouts will shake up stodgy franchises

Neymar Rising (2014: User’s Guide / Sports)
The Brazilian hasn’t let comparisons with soccer’s legends drag him down

The Future Is Now ... Ish (The Awesome Column)
I predict major social shifts in 2014. And a lot more vegans

COMMENTARY
Boomers Can’t Let Go of the 1960s
That awful decade is embedded in our national attitudes, manners and mores

Zakaria: 2014 Is a Make or Break Year for China (Worldview)
Corruption. Pollution. Debt. Will Beijing’s leaders tackle the challenges before the bubble bursts?

LETTERS