The rebel uprising of Libya has left behind a treasure-trove of “surreal ruins”, The New York Times‘ Robert Worth reports in Sunday’s magazine cover story.

Worth details touring the war-torn remains of central Tripoli, astonished to get to go inside the belly of the beast, Muammar Gaddafi‘s Bab al Aziziya compound. He observed Libyan families were “strolling through and gazing wonderingly at the ruins.”

Here at Mediaite, we like to give credit where it’s do and point out when those working within this strange little media bubble are producing good work. Such is the case with The New York Times Magazine, which, we’ve happily noticed, has experienced a revitalization under the watch of editor Hugo Lindgren.

Lindgren, for those unfamiliar, has been in the business for quite some time, having previously worked in editorial positions at New York Magazine and George in addition to acting as executive editor of Bloomberg Businessweek. Lindgren was named editor of The New York Times Magazine in September 2010, replacing Gerry Marzorati, who had been at the magazine’s helm for seven years.

Though the New York Times Magazine‘s cover story on ‘ladies’ man’ Glenn Beck has yet to reach newsstands, it has already inspired a frenzy of discussion amongst the media. Of course, regular citizens have their own questions as well, and the article’s author Mark Leibovich was happy to answer them in today’s TimesCast. The first query he fielded: “Why give this crackpot a forum?”

Unsurprisingly, Keith Olbermann dedicated one Countdown segment last night to the New York Times Magazine‘s profile of Glenn Beck. Bringing particular joy to Olbermann: Fox News’ own – and advertisers’ – occasionally conflicting feelings about Beck.

Has the NYT Magazine figured out a way to save newspapers? The Times Magazine has seen cuts on three dimensions this summer — the cover is both shorter and skinnier (and the whole thing seems thinner). Times invesitgative pieces are notoriously expensive and this weekend’s is no exception.

However, this time around the Times did not foot the bill. Pro Publica — the non-profit journalistic outfit supplied the $400,000 story. Is this the future of investigative journalism?