As someone that dated an Atlantic contributor (as well as her being the senior editor over at The Walrus, Canada's answer to The New Yorker) I can very clearly

As someone that dated an Atlantic contributor (as well as her being the senior editor over at The Walrus, Canada's answer to The New Yorker) I can very clearly give you an answer here: The Atlantic is great, but it is in no league with The New Yorker. I wouldn't have called it "dumbed down" but it's still not as sharp and that is ok. The world appreciates both.