The countless relationships, real and metaphorical, between humans and the sea reflect our dependency on, and anxiety over, its unfathomable power and vastness. The ocean is the primary medium for global trade, but the lair of lurking monsters; it is the site of swashbuckling adventure, but also of shuffleboard-and-bingo cruises; and, it is also the subject of Cabinet 16. The thematic section of this issue presents Yto Barrada's photographs of Moroccans' relationship with the Strait of Gibraltar; an artist project by Dan Torop; Gregory Whithead's account of his modest burial at sea of a single strand of Lord Nelson's hair purchased on Ebay; Jeffrey Kastner on monster waves; Keller Easterling on the fate of Nauru; Margaret Cohen on maritime modernity; and Mark Dery on California's oceanic past. Writers in the unthemed section include: Spencer Finch, Christopher Turner and Margaret Wertheim. Featured artist projects are by: Walid Raad, Joana Hadjithomas & Khalil Joreige and Lars Tunbj rk.