Should recreational drugs like heroin and cocaine be legalized? Dr. Carl L. Hart, a professor at Columbia University, makes a compelling case for decriminalization in Drug Use for Grown-Ups. The US government has been embroiled in the War on Drugs since the 1970s. But even with these expensive efforts, the number of Americans who use drugs has […]
How the Nazis Terrorized Britain
Winston Churchill had a lot on his plate. It was September 7, 1940, and Hitler’s armies had invaded much of Europe. The Nazis climbed to one of the highest points on the French coast, where they set up tables with food and champagne to watch the start of the Luftwaffe’s aerial attack on London. The […]
Rethink Everything
When was the last time you questioned your own beliefs? If you’re like most people, the answer is likely never. Most of us naturally hesitate at the very idea of rethinking our religion, political positions, or favorite sports teams. It’s difficult to grapple with new views, and even harder to part with old ones. Often […]
The Rise of Fox News
It’s strange to think that, a little more than 25 years ago, the Fox News Channel didn’t yet exist. The network would go on to change televised news. But in October 1996, the new network had just been launched by Ailes, who ran it from the shadows. He quickly built the network’s credibility by hiring top […]
The Secret Force that Shapes Our Lives
Liars use math to trick people all the time. Knowing how to spot the potential for deception is half the battle. In The Math of Life and Death, mathematician Kit Yates demonstrates how math underpins everything from medical screening to newspaper articles. In articles and advertisements, for example, statistics might be used to inform or mislead readers. How […]
10 Predictions from Fareed Zakaria
Wondering what the world is going to be like post-COVID? Fareed Zakaria has two words for you: Buckle up. One thing that the pandemic has made clear is that as much as we are globally connected, each country is very much on its own. No one nation can shape the trajectory of the planet. Today, […]
The Two Sides of Kamala Harris
As the highest-ranking woman in the history of the United States, Kamala Harris set a number of impressive records when she became vice president. Harris has made a point of avoiding what’s known as identity politics, an approach that is frequently favored by the left wing of her party. While Harris is deeply proud of […]
Say What You Think
The quest for truth should always be regarded as more important than the natural desire to be right. But according to Gad Saad, a friend and colleague of Jordan Peterson, that’s not always the case for people these days—especially at Western universities. The West is in trouble because it has lost its commitment to reason. […]
Why Kamala Harris Turned to Politics
At first, Harris thought the way to rectify injustice was to work as a lawyer. But after years of service as an assistant prosecutor, she realized that she didn’t have to wait for someone else to take the lead to make positive change. She began thinking about running for an elected office. Harris has spent […]
Why Beliefs Are Resistant to Change
Most of us regard our beliefs as rational. More often, though, moral reasoning is more like a politician than a scientist: it seeks justification and support, not the truth. This bias means that we’re heavily inclined to assume that our beliefs are correct—even when presented with evidence that proves otherwise. Psychologists call this phenomenon confirmation […]
