What You Said About …

THE FUTURE OF FUSION

Readers praised the accessibility of Lev Grossman’s Nov. 2 cover story on new efforts by private startups to develop fusion, a long-sought clean-energy source. It was, wrote Leslie Fyans Jr. of Springfield, Ill., a “paradigm-shifting article” about the technology. Still, the cost involved led David James of Pocahontas, Ark., to ask why fusion is worth pursuing when we have solar power, an “already perfect solution to our energy problems.” And Stephen Weiss of Lewisville, Texas, cautioned that fusion’s boosters should be mindful of the past. The environmental problems with nuclear energy took years to be seen, so this new technology may also have “future implications,” as he put it.

BRAIN STRAIN

Joel Stein’s Oct. 26 column, which recounted his discovery of his own biases when he underwent a brain scan to determine his empathy toward those of different faiths, left some readers disappointed. The scientist scanning his brain, Stein wrote, “refused to rank the religions in the order of my hatred, though we both knew Christians would be at the top.” Dalena Jeffries of Indianapolis, a self-described Joel Stein fan, found his word choice disturbing. “It just struck me that if you replaced the word Christians with any other group in these sentences, there would be a public outrage,” she wrote. “I realize that Stein was trying to be funny,” said Peg Wentz of Rochester, Minn., but in this case his efforts “failed miserably and in fact were quite offensive.”

HEALTHY OPTIONS

This week’s cover story is all about foods to avoid eating–so for better options (such as those below), see our list of the 50 healthiest foods of all time, at time.com/50foods. And stay tuned for the next installment of 50 more, coming later this month.

1. Sardines are high in omega-3s.

2. Almonds help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

3. Kale is rich in vitamins.

4. Eggs are a good source of protein.

5. Avocados are full of healthy fat.

6. Bananas are a natural source of fiber and potassium.

LIGHTBOX

Amid societal pressures to get married or take jobs as domestic workers, a group of girls in Bangladesh–including Johanara, above–has banded together to join a surf club, where they learn English skills (from their instructor’s wife) and develop their confidence. See more at lightbox.time.com.

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