Ercan Gundogan (GAU): Space: Social, Cultural or Natural? From e-flux, a special issue on animism. From Vice, Harry Cheadle on the wacky world of the Republican Party Platform (and more). Walter Isaacson on how Steve Jobs' love of simplicity fueled a design revolution. A review of Odd Couples: Friendships at the Intersection of Gender and Sexual Orientation by Anna Muraco. The GOP finds its demon: The urban vs. rural divide remains America’s biggest cultural schism — bigger than religion, race, or who built what with whose help. Lydia DePillis on Europe on 5 GB a Day: What does it mean when smartphones replace travel guides? Ron Fournier on why (and how) Romney is playing the race card. Pussy Riot writes to Slavoj Zizek. The attraction of solitude: Living alone is on the rise all over the world — is this bad news? Gadi Ben-Yehuda on how 20 is the new 30 in today's workforce.