Blog Small Slider

Was Patrick Henry Illiterate?0
- History
- March 23, 2016
Patrick Henry is a name familiar to many Americans. But let’s be honest, few of us who know of him could offer more than a detail or two about the man. Like Paul Revere, Henry, an admirable patriot and statesman, is primarily remembered for a single act. While Revere is remembered for his famous Midnight
READ MORE
How Europe Climbed Out of the Dark Ages 0
- Education
- March 23, 2016
I and many others have wondered if the West is on the cusp of a new Dark Age. In spite of the impressive technological achievements of the past two centuries, some worrying, recent trends in education suggest that the intellectual capital which helped accomplish these achievements is gradually dissipating. If we are on the cusp
READ MORE
4 Logical Paradoxes That Will Blow Your Mind 0
- March 23, 2016
Nothing fascinates quite like the good old classical paradox. Am I right? A couple of my favorite writers—G.K. Chesteron and Oscar Wilde—distinguished themselves as arguably the top writers of their day in literary paradox. So when I stumbled on a YouTube video (see below) exploring mind-bending logical paradoxes—those puzzles that seemingly offer no solution—I had
READ MORE

Are Anti-Bullying Laws Preventing Critical Thinking?0
- Culture
- March 23, 2016
By now, we’ve all heard strange stories about zero-tolerance discipline policies singling out kids for, well, kid-like behavior. The Pop-Tart gun student is a prime example. In a recent edition of the Washington Post, Eugene Volokh highlights another unique discipline incident over – believe it or not – vegetarianism. As Volokh describes it, a sixth-grade
READ MORE
The SAT is Being Dumbed Down, Big Time 0
- Education
- March 23, 2016
Students around America are rejoicing. Earlier this month, it was quietly announced that major changes were in store for the SAT—changes that would make America’s most famous admittance exam easier. If this sounds familiar, you’re not having déjà vu. A quick Google search reveals that the test has undergone various cosmetic changes in recent years.
READ MORE
Ben Franklin’s 5 Tips for Making Americans Better Writers 0
- Education
- March 23, 2016
On average, American students demonstrate poor reading skills. Indeed, the most recent Nation’s Report Card shows that only 38% of high school seniors are proficient in this area. But high school writing skills are worse: only 27% of students – one in four – achieve proficiency in writing. In 1733 Benjamin Franklin noted, “It seems
READ MORE