The March edition of Meanjin looks at charisma: of religion, of science, of teachers. Paul Mitchell surveys religion in Australian literature, Helen Barnes-Bulley asks if atheists can enjoy religious art, Jeff Sparrow writes on New Atheism and John Potts looks at the religious impulse in a secular world. Terin Miller describes meeting the Dalai Lama, Stella Glorie describes growing up in a strict Christian family, Carol Major looks at the way religion has informed our adoption practices, and Maurilla Meehan tells us what it's like to be a flying school dropout. Jane Grant considers teachers, mentors and the cult of Sam Goldberg while Phil Brown writes on being taught by Bruce Dawe. Helen Walpole looks at the science behind sleep, and Richard King celebrates the 50th anniversary of CP Snow's Two Cultures.

We also launch Meanland, a joint project with Overland magazine, with an article by McKenzie Wark on copygift and an essay by Kate Crawford on digital noise. Loren Clarke surveys Australian Theatre essay and David Astle helps us celebrate Meanjin's 70th birthday with a cryptic crossword, constructed specifically for the occasion. In fiction, Sophie Cunningham talks to Steven Amsterdam and we publish stories by Sue Booker, Phil Canon, Jennifer Mills, Fiona McGregor and Bronwyn Mehan as well as a recent graphic story by Bruce Mutard.