The Teachers’ Union Boomerang
Today's teacher's strikes in places like Oklahoma and West Virginia are the result of labor battles back in 2010, and the declining presence of unions across the economy generally.
The Dream of a Plain Bible
Beginning in the late eighteenth century, many Americans experienced a crisis of religious authority. During this time, the idea of an unambiguous “plain Bible” began to gain traction.
How American Buddhism is Like an Elephant
Researchers see a distinct difference between Buddhist immigrants and Americans of European ancestry who have embraced Buddhism's tenets.
What Should Schools Teach?
American schools produce graduates that have learned to memorize facts, but lack direction in ethics, social skills, adaptability, or knowing how to be happy.
Frog and Toad Attend a Philosophy Class
The richness of the Frog and Toad books derives not only from their mood but from their willingness to challenge readers with philosophical dilemmas.
The Psychology Behind False Confessions
In criminal interrogation, interrogators often ask questions and interpret the responses in such a way as to confirm guilt.
The Unbearable Sadness of Toast
One scholar sees the toaster as a symbol of a modernized, industrialized society—the culprit of bread’s mechanization and a perpetrator of assimilation.
In Children’s Books, How Much Reality is Too Much?
While children will undoubtedly counter myriad difficulties as they navigate life--and it does them a disservice to pretend otherwise--exposure is a double edged sword.
Teaching Happiness
According to one scholar, we're inundated with ways to pursue pleasure, which we conflate with happiness, to our own detriment.
Overlooked: How the New York Times Covers Librarians’ Obituaries
In 2004, two researchers analyzed the New York Times obit section between 1977 and 2002 in an attempt to understand how the obituary section portrayed American librarians.