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Discusses irony in entertainment and literature. Historical background on the noun irony and incongruity; Juxtapositional ironies flourishing in the 20th century; Artistic mode for the 21st century. INSETS: Handheld Museums;Virtual Galleries.

Presents four photographs, taken by Luc Delahaye, depicting Russian life since the 1996 re-election of President Boris Yeltsin. The daily struggle; The evening ritual; A homeless child; Fatalism.

Offers the author's experience as owner of a 1952 Jaguar XK 120 roadster atuomobile. Reaction of people to the car at antique- and classic-car shows, and when they see it being driven; Description of the engine and the car, which was created by Sir William Lyons.

Focuses on predictions made in 1899 for the 20th century. Visionaries such as economist John Bates Clark; Karl Marx as a futurist; Effect of women's economic power on men; Optimism of futurists.

Forecasts trends and companion stocks that some experts think will be big after the year 2000. Michael Wood of Teenage Research Unlimited suggesting investment in teen-oriented clothing and entertainment companies such as Abercrombie & Fitch or the Gap; Anticipation of growth in different types of schools, according to `Futurist Magazine'; Author David Wanetick's conception that more companies will fingerprint their workers; Health care and drug companies; Tech stocks as the industrial revolution.

Presents a quiz on popular culture. Celebrity topics such as Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Robert Downey Jr., Richard Hatch, Venus Williams, Darva Conger, Angelina Jolie, Britney Spears, and others; Answers to the questions.

Focuses on events for November 20-24, 2000 on the 'Newsweek' periodical Web site. Shift in partisan affiliation by a generation of senior citizens; Questions and answers about the yettie, which is the young, entrepreneurial technocrat; Quiz offered on the Web site concerning world events.

Mentions the popularity of Swedish culture in the United States, including clothing from H&M store and entertainment.

Offers news briefs concerning social issues for February 14, 2000. `Unabomber' Theodore J. Kaczynski's objection to his lawyers portrayal of him as mentally ill; AIDS research topics at the annual Retrovirus Conference in San Francisco, California; Study showing developmental delays in the children of former welfare mothers.

Discusses the adaptability of Australians in the global employment market. Reason that businesses are hiring Australians for executive positions; Australians in advertising.

Predicts what will and will not survive the 21st century. Survival of 25 items, including psychics, Canada, whipped cream, and in-line skates; Extinction of ideas and items such as psychoanalysis, Elvis, Yugoslavia, and tofu.

Comments on the 21st century. Characteristics of the people; Generational differences; Optimism for the future of society.

Mentions notable events in 1999. War in Kosovo and Chechnya; Discovery of prehistoric skeletal remains in Ethiopia and an ancient coastline below the Black Sea; Books published such as the memoir of Ronald Reagan; Republican-controlled United States Congress; The $1,000 ticket issued to a man whose children were caught climbing a tree in Central Park in New York City; Retirement or death of celebrities; Mapping of an entire human chromosome.

Mentions relationships in the information age. Effect of technology on intimacy; Therapy from the Ackerman Institute for Family in New York.

Mentions a downward trend of the 1997 cigar smoking fad. Possible reasons for the lack of interest in cigars; Number of cigars imported from 1996 to 1999.

Opinion. Comments on the year of 1998 and the United States. United States President Bill Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky; Lawsuits against the tobacco industry; Peanut products and airline seating areas; Peace in Ireland; United States warnings to Pakistan and Serbia; The World War II generation; Death of celebrities; A miracle affecting the career of Chet Hoff, the oldest former major league baseball player as of December 1998; Wal-Mart being sued for sex discrimination by a former Santa Claus.