Blog Small Slider

The “Newspeak” of Facebook Reactions 0
- Culture
- February 24, 2016
By now you’ve probably heard, seen, or used Facebook’s “reactions” icons released early this morning. As the Atlantic describes it: “Someone can now respond to any post on Facebook with a heart for ‘love,’ a laughing face for ‘haha,’ an astonished gape for ‘wow,’ a tearful frown for ‘sad,’ a reddening face for ‘angry,’ or
READ MORE
4 Ways Parents Can Encourage Their Children to Read Good Books 0
- Culture
- February 24, 2016
As a grade-school child, there was nothing I loved more than burying my nose in a book. Mysteries particularly. I pounded my way through various series, happily ignoring the fact that they all revolved around the same, mind-numbing plot and rarely broadened my knowledge or intellectual ability. Fortunately, my mother recognized this problem better than
READ MORE
One Reason a Border Wall makes some People Uncomfortable 0
- Culture
- February 24, 2016
Walls have been used successfully for thousands upon thousands of years. They’ve served many purposes, often multiple purposes at the same time. Some were meant to keep people out, others were meant to keep people in. The Great Wall of China is a great example of a successful wall that held the Mongols and other
READ MORE

10 Penetrating Quotes on Contemplation from an American Monk 0
- Culture
- February 24, 2016
Of Thomas Merton (1915-1968), the Dalai Lama once said, “Merton introduced me to the real meaning of the word ‘Christian.’” Of himself, Merton describes his early journey to becoming a Trappist monk below: “[I] spurned New York, spat on Chicago, and tromped on Louisville, heading for the woods with Thoreau in one pocket, John of
READ MORE
A Philosophical Examination of Porn 0
- Philosophy
- February 23, 2016
Some months ago, Intellectual Takeout blogged thus: “From a philosophical standpoint, the following seems to be the case: For those who believe pornography is intrinsically evil, the onus is on them to explain how its use does not accord with the proper telos, or goal, of human sexual activity. For those who believe pornography is a
READ MORE
Why It’s Bad for a Society to Do Away with Shame 0
- Culture
- February 23, 2016
In recent years, popular culture has encouraged us to be or do anything we want to in the name of freedom. In fact, it has become acceptable and courageous to defy traditionally-held views of ethics, family, marriage, religion, and political action. But has this rush to stretch our wings, embrace freedom, and ditch shame actually
READ MORE