Have you ever wondered how many students spend most of their school day in boredom and indifference to what they are learning? Gallup pondered a similar question in 2013. They discovered that 80 percent of grade school students were engaged in school. That percentage dropped to 60 percent in middle school and down to 40
READ MOREThis article is part of a series that draws on the latest research on back to school transitions. In it, experts explain how best to prepare children for school, and counter difficulties such as stress or bad behaviour. Starting school for the first time can be stressful. Children are suddenly thrown into a foreign environment,
READ MOREDespite reflecting on the good life for more than 2,500 years, philosophers have not had much to say about middle age. For me, approaching 40 was a time of stereotypical crisis. Having jumped the hurdles of the academic career track, I knew I was lucky to be a tenured professor of philosophy. Yet stepping back
READ MOREMarcus Aurelius (121-180 A.D.), the last of Rome’s Five Great Emperors, was in many ways the paradigm of Plato’s philosopher king. His Meditations (essentially a diary written for himself) reveal a man striving for peace through wisdom, self-control, and stoical acceptance. One theme that runs through Meditations is the power of human reason and its ability to harness
READ MORE“Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you.” In our society, it’s practically required to say this when a fellow human being tells you they’re going through a hard time. I’ve said it. You’ve probably said it. And what did it achieve? Not a whole lot, I’m guessing. I would know.
READ MORE“Acquire a peaceful spirit, and then thousands of others around you will be saved.” This statement was made by St. Seraphim of Sarov, a Russian Orthodox monk who lived in the 18th and 19th centuries. And though it was addressed to a Christian audience, I think the concept behind it is very relevant to everyone
READ MOREA mere one-third of Americans trust their government to “do what is right,” according to a new report by the communication firm Edelman. Trust in the media is not much higher (42%), and while trust in business and non-governmental organizations appear stronger, both are down considerably (10 and nine points, respectively). What’s strange is there is
READ MOREVegetarianism and veganism are becoming more popular. Alternative sources of protein, including lab-grown meat, are becoming available. This trend away from farmed meat-eating looks set to continue. From an environmental perspective and a welfare perspective, that’s a good thing. But how far should we go? Would it be good if the last cow died? Many
READ MORERed Robin, a popular burger chain, will cut jobs at all 570 of its locations because, chief financial officer Guy Constant said, “We need … to address the labor [cost] increases we’ve seen.” To put it differently, Red Robin is cutting these jobs because of bad government policy: namely, hikes in the minimum wage. On
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