Freer Speech
The terms “free speech” and “censorship” are a common fixture in today’s political discussions and typically a source of conflict; two factions disagree about the meaning of both the universally acknowledged good of free speech and the accompanying social phenomenon of censorship. One is composed of free speech absolutists, claiming that citizens should have the right to say anything they want–whenever they want. The other takes the approach that speech can and should be limited when a speaker endangers or offends his listeners by his or her speech.
Could Private Property Help Solve Mental Health Crises?
Private property ownership is a virtue that must be cultivated personally and publicly, and it is regrettable that its personal benefits are so often overlooked, even by those who defend it so rigorously in the public sphere.
Sustainable Hope
It has been a little over a year since Covid-19 struck the world. The pandemic induced a fear that rooted itself deep within society as two weeks turned into months. Although for many the quarantine life was highly isolating, people came together (digitally of course) in amazingly supportive ways. From sending letters, to displaying handmade hearts outside of houses to thank essential workers, to thousands of new zoom accounts, the world found creative outlets to stay connected. However, as time draws on, how do we maintain such support and further, cultivate a lasting hope?
Pursuing Equal Opportunity: Mobility is Key
Equal opportunity is not always a straightforward policy discussion and can be challenging to understand. Previously, I have covered what equal opportunity does and does not look like and why it is a significant fixture in any society. One additional aspect of equal opportunity that I would like to cover is the effect mobility can have on economic prosperity. One important way to increase an individual’s opportunities is through upward mobility in the workforce. When institutions promote agency in the labor market, they allow people to move freely to their preferred occupation. By finding a job or starting a business, citizens can open the door to a wide range of opportunities.
Overcoming the Political Language Barrier
Often when speaking with someone who does not share your political views, it can feel as though words get lost in translation. A phrase you did not think twice about can be latched onto and cause unforeseen reactions. You think you are debating a specific principle, with an agreed upon definition, only to find out that you have both been interpreting the ideas completely different all along. These occurrences are evidence of what I like to call “the political language barrier.”
The Price of Health
Pharmaceutical companies in the United States have contributed to the enduring crisis of overpriced prescription drugs. The absence of free market competition has granted almost exclusive market control to a handful of pharmaceutical monopolies. These monopolies continue to reap profits from unabated price gouging.
Insufficient Activism
The majority of activism in our modern society is attempted online. This attempt is easy, inexpensive, and gets the word out to a large group of people. On the other hand, online activism is superficial; it penetrates only the surface level of the consumer’s consciousness. This low-impact effect of online activism is an indication that the culture needs better quality and high-impact forms of political engagement, which primarily occurs through social relationship.
Pursuing Equal Opportunity: Disparities are Not the Enemy
Reducing economic inequality has been at the top of the political agenda as of late. It is nearly impossible to scroll through a newsreel without fear-inducing articles bombarding you with claims that we are nearing the end of times brought on by ever-expanding inequality. Concern about wealth inequality is warranted and evaluating the equality of opportunity extended to those trapped in generational poverty is important. However, eliminating unequal outcomes is not necessarily the best answer to fighting poverty.
The Untapped Potential of Storytelling
How can story-telling be a manifestation of the divine? While the manifestation of the divine may be easier to point to in classical literature and poetry that explicitly deal with religious themes, can it also be found in modern novels, television shows, and blockbuster films?
