October 31, 2011 Issue

Cover Story
The Romney Economy
As CEO of Bain Capital, Mitt Romney was one of the principal architects of the modern corporation, honing its core philosophies of shareholder value, incentive-based compensation, and ruthless efficiency. How you feel about the economic world that created depends on which side of Zuccotti Park you’re standing on. By Benjamin Wallace-Wells
Features
The Class War Has Begun
In America’s “classless society,” the battle lines are constantly shifting, making allies of right and left against the elites. Plus: Eliot Spitzer and an Occupy Wall Street protester argue the virtues of capitalism. By Frank Rich
Mister Wrong
After he’s done dangling his oeuvre from the Guggenheim’s atrium, Maurizio Cattelan plans to retire from the art world. It’ll be like being dead—or resurrected. By Carl Swanson
Kidnapped at Birth
One day Nejdra Nance realized the woman she had called Mom for 23 years may have been at the center of one of the most harrowing kidnappings in decades—hers. By Robert Kolker
Intelligencer
Smokeless Smokes
How a subculture has grown up around “e-cigarette” nicotine-delivery devices.
They Struck a Chord
Sonic Youth’s impossible domestic ideal.
Madoffs on Madoff
Dueling tell-alls’ backstory.
The Neighborhood News
Our roundup of news from around the city.
When the Claws Come Out
Exotic-animal underwriting.
45 Minutes With Rem Koolhaas
Before an afternoon dip in the pool, the architect talks about the New York buildings he’s never put up.
Strategist
Best Bets
Design Ideas’s soap bones, an eight-hour skull candle, and more.
The Look Book
“I would spearhead childhood missions on my own. I would steal candy from stores.”
The Underground Gourmet Review
On a bustling Brooklyn thoroughfare, a Transcaucasian taste of home.
In Season
Local cauliflower is at its best this time of year.
Forcella to Bring Half-Baked-Half-Fried Pies to Bowery
See a slideshow of pizzas.
Tommy Lasagna Reveals Opening Lineup
Eight variations on the Italian-casserole theme.
The Rentables
The intrepid traveler’s guide to spending a fantasy vacation in someone else’s home.
The Dealbreakers
If you discover a real bargain, the co-op board may not let you get away with it.
Culture
Do I Look Like a Ghoul to You?
Anton Yelchin likes acting. He’s less fond of being a commodity.
The Movie Review
The most infectious love story in decades. Plus: Anonymous deserves to be lost to history.
Where Are the New Leos, Tobeys, and Jakes?
Hollywood’s 25-and-under conundrum.
The Book Review
Michael Ondaatje has made a career out of stiff-arming readers. So why is he finally inviting them in?
King of the Hill Again: Mike Judge
The Austin, Texas resident discusses the reboot of his beacon of controversy.
Indie Grown-Ups
Are Wilco and Feist our adult contemporary music?
The Theater Review
The Ethan Coen–Woody Allen–Elaine May triptych Relatively Speaking nearly drowns in its own shtick.
Why Mike Daisey’s Critique of Apple Is Too Glib to Really Sting
It's all about him.
God Help Them
Godspell is back on Broadway, with Hunter Parrish as a fresh-faced Jesus.
Agenda
Big Nights at Left Bank
Chef Laurence Edelman is cooking up the Italian baked-pasta showstopper known as a timballo.
Departments
Comments: Week of October 31, 2011
Readers sound off on Zachary Quinto, Joan Didion, and more.
The Approval Matrix: Week of October 31, 2011
Our deliberately oversimplified guide to who falls where on our taste hierarchies.
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