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Is Diversity an Enemy of Excellence?0
- Culture
- February 13, 2019
The National Science Foundation (NSF) was created by Congress in 1950 “to promote the progress of science….” Following a 2012 recommendation, NSF now has an Office of Diversity and Inclusion (D&I). NSF was just following the crowd, for almost every academic and research institution now has a D&I program. No one wants to exclude people
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Feminism and the Burden of Freedom 0
- Culture
- February 13, 2019
In her book on home organization, Marie Kondo helps people divest themselves of the “things that do not spark joy.” She seems to be somewhat suggesting that the ongoing burden of possessing things is more than we really want to pay. If rights = responsibilities, freedom has a cost. Given this, is it possible that
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A Rational Checklist is No Match for Emotions in Matters of the Heart 0
- Culture
- February 13, 2019
For many people, there are few things more rewarding than crossing an item off a checklist. But what if the checklist is about your dream partner? And what if the checklist is wrong? “Relationshopping” is when you hunt for the perfect partner as if people were products. Online dating, now used by almost 40 percent
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‘Pay What You Can Afford’ Runs Panera Out of Bread 0
- Culture
- February 13, 2019
Panera has announced that it will close the last of its charitable stores, which allowed people to pay whatever they wished for a meal, because it was costing too much dough. The Boston store will shut its doors permanently this Friday, February 15. “Panera Cares” were indistinguishable from other Panera eateries in their branding, menu, or furnishings,
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Booker T. Washington’s Racial Compromise?1
- Education
- February 13, 2019
I first read Up from Slavery ten years ago and was quickly surprised that it wasn’t required reading for every educator, that is, until I read the critics. In his autobiography, Booker Taliaferro Washington (1856-1915) leaves us an equal bounty of moral wisdom and caution that all began with his dream to learn. Education and merit are
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What Elizabeth Bennett Can Teach Us about Laughter 0
- Culture
- February 12, 2019
Last summer a friend and I made an interesting discovery: we both have “unsocialized laughs.” At least, that’s what another friend bluntly told us. This friend went on to assure us that his observation was not intended as an insult… but we both remain unsure if it really qualifies as a compliment. Regardless, it is
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