Culture

The Magical Narrative: The Power of Stories 0
- Culture
- July 1, 2019
Necessity is the mother of invention. So is desperation. It was nine o’clock in the morning, and I had volunteered to entertain five grandchildren, ages eight and under, for two hours so that a daughter-in-law might complete some paperwork. As I trudged up the stairs, coffee mug in hand, I wondered what I could do
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Here’s What’s Wrong With Bernie’s Plan to Eliminate Student Loan Debt 0
- Culture
- June 28, 2019
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) recently announced a proposal to eliminate student loan debt. He intends to pay off a total of $1.6 trillion, while financing the expenditure with a new tax on “Wall Street speculation.” Student debt can be a serious burden for recent grads, especially those who fail to acquire high-paying jobs. And the intention to
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Why ‘Young Hearts’ Tend Toward Socialism 0
- Culture
- June 28, 2019
The common clichés about “kid socialists” are now well-embedded in the American imagination. The path is well-worn: young person attends college, reads Karl Marx in Sociology 101, buys Che Guevara t-shirt, attends progressive protests, supports socialistic candidates, and, eventually, grows up. That’s a bit of an oversimplification, of course. But it’s also a bit of
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Christianity and the Big Bang 0
- Culture
- June 28, 2019
I once saw a bumper sticker that said, “The Big Bang Theory: God spoke, and ‘Bang!’ it happened.” The implication was clear: in addition to being the least funny sitcom ever made, the Big Bang Theory is an attack on religion, an attempt by scientists to step outside their proper sphere and disprove once and
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Down With Yoga, Up With Baseball 0
- Culture
- June 27, 2019
Not long ago, a former boss suggested I take up yoga to reduce stress. Soon thereafter, an old friend noted the positive effects that yoga had had on him. Then someone at church praised yogic meditation and breathing exercises. I don’t doubt the usefulness of Eastern meditation. Yet my gut reaction to this craze might
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Two Thumbs up for the Trades 0
- Culture
- June 27, 2019
Last week I was strolling through a park beside the French Broad River when I met a former student, a young woman whose fiery personality and humor had always enlivened classroom discussions. With her was a handsome young man whom I assume she is dating. When I asked him what sort of work he did,
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