Starting Today on TheAtlantic.com, Readers Can Nominate Individuals Showing Moral or Intellectual Courage; Winner to Be Featured in the November Issue, Alongside Editors' Picks for 2012

Washington, D.C.--Every November, The Atlantic's "Brave Thinkers" issue highlights people risking their fortunes, reputations, and, in some cases, lives in pursuit of big ideas that upend the established order. Starting today on TheAtlantic.com, readers can nominate their own Brave Thinkers, individuals on the local, national, or international stage who show true moral or intellectual courage--and who may have so far escaped Atlantic editors' notice.

"Over the years, this special annual issue of The Atlantic has celebrated scientists, activists, artists, entrepreneurs, politicians, and others who embody a mixture of intelligence, creativity, and courage--qualities this publication has long chronicled and encouraged," said Scott Stossel, editor of magazine. "We're excited to expand this popular franchise, reaching a broader pool of potential candidates thanks to our readers around the country and the world."

Readers' submissions can be made today through August 3 via TheAtlantic.com. A panel partly comprised of past Brave Thinkers, and including AOL co-founder Steve Case, consumer advocate Ralph Nader, climate scientist Camille Parmesan, and banking analyst Meredith Whitney, will help Atlantic editors narrow the nominees to five candidates.

Readers will then have the chance to vote online from August 20-24 to select the Readers' Choice Brave Thinker, who will be featured in the November issue of the magazine, alongside editors' picks.

This special issue of The Atlantic will be available in print and online on October 25, 2012.

About The Atlantic
Since its founding in 1857 as a magazine about "the American Idea" that would be of "no party or clique," The Atlantic has been at the forefront of brave thinking in journalism. One of the first magazines to launch on the Web in the early 1990s, The Atlantic has continued to help shape the national debate across print, digital, and event platforms. With the addition of its news- and opinion-tracking site, TheAtlanticWire.com, and TheAtlanticCities.com on global cities, The Atlantic is a multimedia forum on the most critical issues of our times--from politics, business, urban affairs, and the economy, to technology, arts, and culture. The Atlantic is the flagship property of Washington, D.C.-based publisher Atlantic Media Company.