In ye olden days when I was not gainfully employed I subscribed to the New Statesman (to the left as spectator is to the right) as well as the Spectator. By reading these very clever, well written articles by diametrically opposing viewpoints I felt that I gained a lot in my understanding of the world as it is, and more about where I felt it should be.

Unrelated, but on magazines - special mention to Private Eye, who consistently disclose stories that ought to surprise but at this stage leave me resigned.