Unleashing Pluralism Within American Higher Education
Since the October 7th attacks in 2023, universities and college campuses have become front facing symbols for intolerance, illiberalism, and ideological echo chambers. Many colleges have expressed genuine concern about their ability to foster open-minded conversations and rebuild a sense of safety to express ideas constructively. However, higher education is not as far away as we think it might be from establishing pluralism and constructive dialogue as the dominant norms on campus.
Sanders: Musk a ‘smart guy’; RFK Jr. ‘right’ about ‘unhealthy society’
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called tech billionaire Elon Musk a “smart guy” and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “right” about America’s “unhealthy society,” as they prepare to take leadership positions in President-elect Trump’s next administration.
In an interview with Business Insider on Tuesday, Sanders listed areas where he could find common ground with Musk, someone he’s previously criticized as a threat to democracy.
Musk has been chosen to co-lead Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency and has promised to cut back on spending.
Behind the Curtain: Trump's liberal cabinet
Trump supporters congregate Thursday near Mar-a-Lago, where he's living while he picks his administration. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images Why it matters: Lost in the noise of Trump's most controversial picks is the simple, undebatable fact that this might be the most ideologically diverse cabinet of modern times. • As Axios' Zachary Basu told you, Trump's Cabinet increasingly resembles a European-style coalition government, staffed with a dizzying array of ideological rivals united — for now — by a grand MAGA vision. Between the lines: It's Trump's team of (ideological) rivals. •...
Philosophy’s role in bridging societal divides
World Philosophy Day, officially recognised by UNESCO in 2002, celebrates philosophy's power to foster dialogue, critical inquiry, and intercultural understanding. Observed annually on the third Thursday of November, the 2024 theme, "Philosophy: Bridging Social Gaps," underscores philosophy's role in fostering empathy, challenging entrenched ideologies, and promoting dialogue across diverse perspectives. In a world marked by societal divides, philosophy stands as a crucial tool in confronting issues of justice, inequality, and community.
Election 2024: The illusion of division hits a tipping point
Yesterday, the world awakened to a reality that hundreds of millions of people neither expected nor wanted: an America boasting Donald J. Trump as its President-elect.
Political Violence Doesn’t Have To Be Inevitable After This Election
As all of my friends know, I’m a political junkie. Each day, I wake up excited—not because I’m naturally an upbeat person, but because I know there’s a new episode of The Daily from The New York Times waiting for me to listen to. I recently put on a new episode and was not happy to hear the hosts describing the inevitability of “outbreaks of political violence” if Donald Trump loses on November 5th. I understand how some people have arrived at this conclusion. But I also don’t accept that conclusion, and the rest of us shouldn’t either.
The Election Will Not Solve Our Problems
Elections have consequences — and unfortunately, this one will not solve all our problems.
Regardless of who wins, there will still be fundamental problems politicians can’t fix. Bias and misinformation will still flood social networks and news media, pitting us against each other. Toxic business models, blind partisanship, filter bubbles and bad actors (domestic and international) will continue to sow social division and threaten the fabric of our democratic republic.
As America’s Political “World Series” Wraps Up, Let’s Focus on the Long Game
How about that World Series? Following the recent epic clash of two storied franchises, Dodgers fans are still celebrating, while Yankees fans are misty-eyed about what might have been. As for me, I’m a diehard Giants fan, and I’m already excited about next season … looking at you, Buster Posey!
The beauty of baseball, America’s pastime, is that there’s always next season.
As America’s Political “World Series” Wraps Up, Let’s Focus on the Long Game
After demanding our attention, ingesting our donations, soliciting our votes, and triggering our passions for months on end, Team Democrat and Team Republican will face off in “the most consequential election of our lifetimes.”