Have you noticed that we’re experiencing an international curiosity deficit? In our digitally connected world, genuine human communication is lacking. By learning to listen carefully and ask good questions, we can bridge the gap, build better relationships, and learn a lot along the way. Deep Listening Listening is hard work. It’s not a passive activity, […]
Is email ruining your life?
Have you ever fantasized about a life without email? While modern communication tools may seem to increase efficiency, they can actually slow our mental processes as we switch between tasks. Our inboxes can also be a source of frustration and anxiety as messages pile up. The question is: what are we supposed to do about it? […]
How to be open-hearted
With popular, but isolating, activities like shopping online, ordering food delivery, and even watching Netflix, society is becoming more and more impersonal. Cultural commentator David Brooks sees social skills as the foundation of healthy living and strong communities. How can we connect with family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues on a deeper level? Sharpen Your Soft […]
Is credit ruining the world?
Debt is everywhere, but no one likes to talk about it. In modern society, the idea of paying one’s debt has become synonymous with morality—which makes it feel shameful not to pay. Anthropologist and activist David Graeber pointed out that debtors aren’t the ones who need to be redeemed. Let’s take a closer look. Capitalism […]
Can marketing be evil?
Have you watched Pain Hustlers on Netflix? It’s based on the story of Insys Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical company that played a big part in the U.S. opioid crisis. The company’s product was a fentanyl spray to treat severe pain that could have helped a small number of critically ill patients. Instead, it spread suffering among people who never […]
How to pay for college
Higher education is absurdly expensive in the United States. Financing a college education in America costs more than some family homes, a problem that has fed the student loan crisis. Our latest release takes a hard look at how to choose a college, as well as how to pay for it. Does Size Matter? Smaller […]
Dissecting the crisis
Can a small group of ultra wealthy people rewrite U.S. history? That’s the concern of Heather Cox Richardson, a history professor at Boston College. She takes a closer look at the ideological battles that have shaped American society, including the struggle for equal rights, in Democracy Awakening. History Repeats Itself A key takeaway from Richardson’s analysis […]
What causes inequality?
Do racism, sexism, and other forms of bias exist? Not really, says Thomas Sowell, who is one of the most famous Black conservatives in the U.S. Or at least discrimination isn’t a problem to the extent that social justice advocates would have you believe. Girl Math Social justice arguments can be misleading. Take the fact that […]
The secretive legal team behind Trumpism
In the U.S., big law firms are often closely linked to corporate interests and conservative politics. A good example is the prominent firm Jones Day, whose controversial clients include Donald Trump and Big Tobacco. Are they using the system to exploit the people it’s meant to protect? Wolves in Disguise While Jones Day isn’t uniquely […]
Trump 2.0
Donald Trump’s influence has led to an increase in far-right figures who have gained mainstream acceptance. Moderate politicians are being threatened or driven out of the Republican Party by pro-Trump forces, leaving few dissenters in office. Miles Taylor, who was chief of staff of the Department of Homeland Security under Trump, sees this as a […]