Shame is a universal emotion, but no one likes to talk about it. This reluctance keeps us from telling our own stories and prevents us from listening to others share their experiences. One reason shame is so powerful is its ability to make us feel alone. Bad feelings thrive in silence and secrecy. But when […]
What People Misunderstand about Racism
There is no such thing as someone who is simply “not racist.” But American liberals and progressives often view themselves that way. While these well-meaning people might reject ethnic and cultural racism, they often still hold racist views. If they claim not to see race, for example, or if they believe that government policies should […]
Can Drugs Make You More Religious?
Twenty-seven percent of Americans consider themselves to be spiritual. But they shy away from organized religion and places of worship. The younger generation, it seems, is looking for something different. And experiments with psilocybin at schools like Johns Hopkins and New York University may be pointing the way toward a new mysticism based on ancient […]
Next Steps for the United States
The presidential election in the United States has made one thing very clear: the country’s political divide is even deeper than it was in 2016. What is the best way forward for Americans who want to work together? Veteran journalist Dan Rather argues that it requires honestly confronting what is wrong with the nation and […]
How to Renew Your Focus
Are you finding that it’s more difficult than ever to clear your mind? You might want to try thinking like a monk. Monks try to live free of ego and strong emotions like envy, lust, anxiety, anger, and bitterness. An important step in reaching that goal is to let go of external influences and fears […]
Why Wokeness Doesn’t Work
Wokeness doesn’t work. At least that’s the opinion of political commentator Douglas Murray. Murray’s belief is that society’s growing awareness of people’s differences has led to more problems than solutions. This relentless emphasis on difference has led to a worthless consideration of injustice without any action to help people overcome it. Groups that people have tried to form […]
Are Colleges Just Social Justice Camps?
US college campuses are in a disastrous state, according to outspoken conservative commentator Candace Owens. In Blackout, Owens’s diatribe against the Democratic Party, Black Lives Matter, feminism, and other political movements, she also finds time to criticize the state of higher education. We live in a hyper-racialized culture that undermines meaningful racial harmony, Owens says. Those who […]
What Did the President Know?
It’s difficult for reporters to get clear information on President Trump’s thoughts because he avoids hard questions. But Bob Woodward had something that most journalists don’t get: access. Over 17 surprisingly frank interviews with the president, Woodward gained deep insight into the way Trump’s mind works. When Woodward’s book Rage came out last month, the world was […]
Are You Afraid to Talk About This?
A lot of people don’t want to talk about it. They’re afraid they’ll say something wrong, or get in trouble. But across the United States, more people are coming to the realization that conversations about race are long overdue. In her bestselling book So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo explains that too often, […]
Can You Spot a Psychopath?
A mysterious manuscript led journalist Jon Ronson into the heart of the “madness industry,” where he talked to some of the top psychologists and neurologists who study psychopaths. Ronson’s investigation introduced him to a researcher with an interesting idea: that murderous criminals and corporate executives share many of the same psychological traits. The main difference is […]
