"You may notice something striking about this week’s American edition of Time magazine. While readers in Asia, Europe, and the South Pacific—really, the rest of the Time-reading world—confront a serious profile about Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti and his role in the euro crisis, Americans are in for a special treat: a cover story called “The Surprising Science of Animal Friendships*.” (The asterisk leads to a footnote at the bottom of the cover that says, “BFFs are not just for humans anymore.”) With not one but two adorable dogs against a hot-pink background, this week’s Time really signifies the editors’ staunch commitment to serious, hard-hitting journalism, even if it means risking unpopularity. Sarcasm aside: This is not the first time this has happened. In fact, Time faced ridicule for giving the rest of the world a cover story on the Arab protests while feeding Americans a cartoon cover about “Why Anxiety Is Good For You” only two months ago." - AJ Batac from Bookmarklet

Is there any way to subscribe to a non-US version? Because that's about the only reason I would. - c.a.j.

Well, yes. We certainly don't like bad news, or things that challenge us too much. There, Time is competing with other news magazines. Here, they're trying to compete with Cosmo. - Jennifer Dittrich

They did this when all of the other Times were showing the Occupy movement, and our cover was something inane - ωαřмaiden ❤Marrit Woman❤

I think it's for Akiva's sake :) - Eivind

"Does Time Magazine think Americans are stupid?" Yea, pretty much. Then again, given the politicians they seem to elect, their short attentions spans, their overall inability to focus on anything too complicated, let alone understand it, I think Time is providing what Americans can handle (barely). And no, I am not being too sarcastic. - Angel R. Rivera

I don't think it is a matter of Americans being stupid or not, I think it's a cultural obsession with the trivial. - Andy

as exemplified by youtube? ps:the UK is even worse. must be something about english :p - Iphigenie

The Daily Show did a nice bit on this. - Spidra Webster

It's ridiculous but America invites it on itself. For a country that likes to get involved in everyone else's business, most American citizens are entirely isolationist when it comes to the rest of the world. - Akiva

But what about those puppies, and how come they are friends? - Ken Morley

Spidra, I thought the Daily Show bit was fantastic. - Heather

That other story is about Europe. We Americans don't care about Europe. It's far away and the people there talk funny. Also, PUPPIES! - Kevin (aka ThreadKilla)

Nah, it is pretty much about Americans being a stupid (or at least a big segment of them). Exhibit A: the politicians they elect. See George Carlin on the subject. - Angel R. Rivera

helping to keep americans away from the other side of the world ;) american dream - ems

Yes. Next question? - Steven Perez

file under prophesy self fulfilling - WarLord

Is that supposed to be a self-parody? - Tyson Key