To Be of Use, Be a ‘Piercy Person’
It's easy to see the bad in the world. Over the next few weeks, spend some time "catching" people doing good.
Looking Down
Our bodies are remarkable, resilient and vulnerable. That means our health can change in a moment.
Restoring American Hope: Scorched Earth or Reseeding?
Americans say they are really ready for change. Democrats are taking an approach that sounds a lot of like the Republicans of 1968.
Make America Join Again
It’s time to start a new epidemic in America: joining. We’ve done it before.
The Original Blueprints for the City Upon a Hill
A line from a 1630 sermon has become a talking point for American politicians. They should read the original document a little more closely.
One Big Thing to Learn from… Denmark
Danes are twice as trusting as Americans. That pays off in some big and unexpected ways. What can the US learn from Denmark?
D-Day, Dad’s Day and a Message to a Complaining Nation
The lessons we learn from our parents stick with us. The children of World War II veterans got some special insights.
The Way the (Real) Music Dies
The arrival of new music AI’s is frightening. Look over a cliff and you might see the end of the human music business…
Everybody Needs a Good Editor (Right?)
Everybody needs a good editor. You know, someone who lets us know when an idea’s not quite ready or goes on too long or could be more succinct? Well, Taylor Swift is testing the idea.
Flashback: Responding to Injustice: What Would We Have Done?
The new film Zone of Interest raises wrenching questions about what we would have done to stop what was happening if we were living in Nazi Germany. In this piece (originally written in August 2023) I try to wrestle with how we answer questions like that.
Beyoncé and the Question: What is “Country” Music?
“Cowboy Carter” is raising tough questions about what country music is — and whether Black women can sing it.
The Three R’s of Recovery
Plants close. Relationships end. Jobs disappear. Change sucks. How do we get better at it?