Most read articles of 2012

Here, in order, are the top 10 most read articles from 2012 on the Prospect website.

10. If I ruled the world: Michael Sandel had a great year. The philosopher’s new book, What Money Can’t Buy, was a much-discussed contribution to the debate on markets. In this article, he described how he’d like to rewrite economics textbooks.

9. Playing with infinity on Rikers Island: As a child, David McConnell had little time for maths. But when he taught the subject in a tough New York jail, he came to see its beauty.

8. Playboy goes west: Playboy used to be a Midwestern icon. This year, the magazine moved to Los Angeles. Rachel Shteir considered its storied history and uncertain future.

7. Last hope for the left: Liberals could learn a lot from conservatives, who are much better at appealing to morality, said David Goodhart. Is the future post-liberal?

6. The great bad writer: Edgar Allan Poe was not a very good stylist—but he was still the most influential American author of the 19^th century, said Kevin Jackson

5. Riddled with irregularity: What gives languages their order? Genes aren’t the whole story, explained Philip Ball—culture matters too.

4. Nature, nurture and liberal values: Biology can tell us a great deal about our behaviour. Yet the mystery of the human condition remains, argued Roger Scruton

3. The curious case of the Sherlock pilgrims: In September, a motley assortment of Sherlock Holmes fanatics gathered in Switzerland to recreate the detective’s final hours. Edward Docx went along for the ride

2. The descent of Edward Wilson: Richard Dawkins’s damning review of another great biologist, EO Wilson, provoked controversy—and a response from Wilson himself

1. You’ll never be Chinese: Mark Kitto’s article about why he’s leaving China after living there for 16 years was a blockbuster sensation. It sparked off a debate about foreigners in China and even inspired a parody

More 2012 lists

The top 10 Prospect articles of 2012

The best books of 2012

Get Prospect delivered to your door every month, plus full access to our website and archive. Click here to subscribe or to give someone a Prospect subscription for Christmas.