This is a variation on my earlier diaries If you want better media, support better media. I now concentrate exclusively on print media. If you'd like to do something similar for other media, feel free.
I've divided the list into two parts: One that has periodicals that have a strong emphasis on politics, current events and so on, and one about other areas, especially science.
Feel free also to add any publications you feel belong on the list, and (especially) any good new publications.
Note that I do not read all of these, or even most of them.
I read a lot. I'm liberal. I like literate writing, solid reporting, and in-depth analysis. The sort of stuff that a lot of people here on daily Kos write, and that most of the MSM doesn't. But it's not all darkness. If you want to read better writing, you have to support better writing. If the journals that publish what we want to read get more subscribers, then there will be more writing that we want to read.
Also, if you buy a product because you saw it in a progressive media spot, tell the company. That will help sell more ads. And, if, perchance, you like to read or look at right wing stuff..... well, you could write to advertisers in those media and say you won't buy their stuff because they advertise there.
On to the list:
POLITICAL
The American Prospect I've not read this.
Atlantic Monthly I've not read this.
der Spiegel I've not read this --- a brief look seems to show a good but not necessarily leftist, magazine focusing on Europe
Economist - A newsmagazine from England. Also more conservative than I am, but superb writing, in depth coverage, very good stuff. Time and Newsweek - phooey. This is a newsmagazine for knowledgeable, intelligent people. But remember that they're slanted
Foreign Affairs- All about diplomacy, international relations, and so on. More conservative than me, but then, most things are. Mostly lengthy, scholarly articles by renowned experts from various parts of political spectrum.
Harper's I sometimes read this.
Hightower Lowdown Jim Hightower. Nuff said. But one thing I like here is that each edition has action items. Also, he is a (very occasional) kossack.
Le Monde Diplomatique is French (you guessed, didn't you?) and mostly about world affairs
My vote for best magazine in America goes to Mother Jones. Month after month, they have hard-hitting, well-written and well-researched articles covering things you might not find other places, or giving depth to stories that get a paragraph, elsewhere.
the Nation I used to subscribe.... but, while it's good, it's a little too irritating. Last month, Geenius at work said that "it puts you into a state of outrage overload very fast" which I think is my problem with it, too
New Left Review is a British journal that offers (in its words): "Sharp, scholarly, analysis, interviews, and book reviews"
New Republic describes itself as "A journal of politics and the arts"
The Progressive looks really good. I've recently subscribed.
Tikkun A bimonthly magazine on politics and other things, with a Jewish perspective
UTNE reader describes itself thus: "Utne Reader and Utne.com are digests of independent ideas and alternative culture. Not right, not left, but forward thinking". I do read this one, the problem I have with it is just that it is a digest. It summarizes things well, but then you have to do more research.
Washington Monthly
Wilson Quarterly in depth, scholarly writing on a wide variety of topics
Yes! "supporting you in building a just and sustainable world] is yet another I haven't read. It seems more action-oriented than some of the others, and that's good.
MORE GENERAL PERIODICALS AND THOSE ON OTHER TOPICS
Funny Times is political comedy with a liberal slant. Not news, but funny.
National Geographic is another that I never got into reading. But it has good, in-depth articles with extensive reporting.
New Scientist A general science magazine. Less scholarly and more general interest than SciAm, more about science in the news.
The New Yorker I read this very occasionally, when I see it in a waiting room or something. It looks really good ... and, of course, there are the cartoons
New York Review of Books superb book reviews, and usually a couple of solidly liberal articles that are not exactly book reviews.
Science News- A weekly newsmagazine about science. Short articles, and always a few short book reviews.
Scientific American A really good science journal; I also like Scientific American Mind
Seed
DAILY NEWSPAPERS
Christian Science Monitor
The Guardian Available in various editions. I have not read this
I read the NY Times. It's not as good as it could be, but it's among the best we've got.
Many like the Wall Street Journal (but not the editorial page!)
And some mentioned the Washington Post