[alpine]

I don't think limiting your reading to The Atlantic and Economist is a good idea. I would advise reading fewer stories from a wider selection of sources then applying point 6. "Why" to the text. Why was the story written? Why was the story published? Why in this source and not others? You want to dig beneath the surface to uncover the agenda. There is always an agenda.

Understanding how others try to steer your thinking and actions is as important to a renaissance man as the ability to sketch the valves of the heart or conceive a flying machine inspired by nature.