Spiked
Sixty years after sociologist WEB Du Bois’ death, Brendan O’Neill reflects in Spiked on Du Bois’ writing about the emancipation of slaves. Du Bois identified the “veil of color” as the greatest problem, one he believed could be surmounted – but which O’Neill argues activists today are seeking to make permanent by focusing on the cult of group identity and dissolving individual agency.
Spiked
Sixty years after sociologist WEB Du Bois’ death, Brendan O’Neill reflects in Spiked on Du Bois’ writing about the emancipation of slaves. Du Bois identified the “veil of color” as the greatest problem, one he believed could be surmounted – but which O’Neill argues activists today are seeking to make permanent by focusing on the cult of group identity and dissolving individual agency.
European Conservative
In the European Conservative, Rod Dreher shares his experience in the Hungarian capital of Budapest on the Feast of St. Stephen when something miraculous occurred. As part of the celebration, drones formed a large floating cross in the sky. Dreher explores Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s role in promoting “Christian democracy” in Hungary.
First Things
As students and teachers prepared to return to class, University of Minnesota professor Bruno Chaouat digs into the philosophical issues raised by AI. Writing in First Things, Chaouat argues that students using ChatGPT may initially get good grades, but will end up impoverishing themselves intellectually by delegating their thinking process to an algorithm.
Law & Liberty
David R. Osborne, in Law & Liberty, offers up a reason why a staggering 55 percent of American teachers are thinking about leaving their profession earlier than initially planned. He points an accusing finger at teachers’ unions determined to turn fraught pronoun policies into a tool to control their members’ personal opinions.
Spiked
In Spiked, James Heartfield explores the history of reparations – particularly those connected with the Transatlantic black slave trade. In Heartfield’s take on righting the wrongs of the past, he argues that current demands for reparations are a sign of defeatism and that such payments never represent the interests of the compensated. 
European Conservative
Frank Haviland contributes to the intensifying debate surrounding gender in sports. Writing in the European Conservative, Haviland surveys world standings in chess – an internationally recognized sport that is accessible, impartial to gender and objective in its proceedings. He uncovers why some egalitarians have stopped advocating for “gender equity” in the Game of Kings.
Law & Liberty
James Dominic Rooney in Law & Liberty reflects on what the State cannot provide – namely, our moral capacity. Drawing on Confucian and Christian thinking, Rooney illustrates the limitations of the state and shows how a contorted view of it can, for example, warp our perspective of the war in Ukraine.
Law & Liberty
Elizabeth Grace Matthew in Law & Liberty critiques the latest fad in child-rearing: “gentle parenting.” She argues against excessively elevating a child’s feelings while incessantly but ineffectually “helicopter” parenting. Matthew suggests that stewarding our children’s intellectual and spiritual formation demands real parental authority based on objective standards, with the goal of building our children’s relationships with the wider world.
Spiked
Fraser Myers delves into the origins of Britain’s ideological climate policy in Spiked. Myers argues that the recent Green Alliance report shows that the ostensible “consensus” on climate policy is only among political elites. Polls – and a recent byelection – reveal that so-called deep public support vanishes when austere sacrifices are cited. So then how democratic is environmental policy?
First Things
In First Things, Matthew B. Crawford explores four interrelated modes for the rise of what he terms “antihumanism,” simplified as: people are stupid, we are obsolete, we are fragile and we are hateful. The resulting lack of popular self-respect and elite contempt facilitates totalitarianism. Crawford suggests society – people – must reclaim their self-respect as humans with inherent worth.
National Review
In National Review, Jim Geraghty explores the depressing state of politics wherein only a handful of supporters even attempt to argue that Donald Trump or Joe Biden are honest. Geraghty points out the inconsistencies of both politicians and pleads with society to deal with the facts of the world and expect the same from our politicians.
Law & Liberty
Leonidas Zelmanovitz reflects in Law & Liberty on the origins of the political doctrine of liberalism – that being a reaction against absolutist regimes. Based on this understanding, Zelmanovitz argues that giving equal opportunities to students should be done long before the admission process – and that applicants should be judged on merit alone.
First Things
Matthew Dal Santo in First Things compares secularization in the West, Ukraine and Russia. While Russia’s claims about the cultural and spiritual dimensions of its war on Ukraine can be questioned, Dal Santo argues we have something to learn from the adversary’s opposition to secularization.
Compact Magazine
In Compact Magazine, Michael Anton presents a devastating take on the present that bodes very ill for our future. Anton describes 29 current indications including crime, drugs, the weaponization of the state, “diversity” and much more. Although he fervently wishes to be wrong, Anton wonders how we can even hope for something better.
First Things
Esmé Partridge in First Things digs into the AI revolution. Proponents argue it fosters wisdom by liberating us from distracting, menial tasks. Partridge counters by drawing on Plato’s warning that any technology that remembers or thinks on our behalf stifles our ascent to truth.
Spiked
Ralph Schoellhammer examines in Spiked the dominant belief of Western green elites that there are quick and easy routes to decarbonizing the economy. Schoellhammer calls this a dangerous, infantile outlook (one that’s also exposed to limitless grift). He suggests Western governments’ hypocrisy will do far more harm than climate change itself.
Law & Liberty
Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible—Dead Reckoning Part I offers an arguably beautiful vision in an otherwise uninspiring social landscape, suggests Titus Techera in Law & Liberty. The film kicks against the moral suicide of conformism and portrays technology and behaviourism as the dual antagonists. Techera urges us to go and see it and enjoy achievement of the impossible.
Spiked
In Spiked, Brendan O’Neill peruses panicked headlines about a global heatwave. High temperatures have come along before, O’Neill notes, and humans can cope well – maybe even having more fun in the sun. Statistically speaking, extreme cold kills far greater numbers. O’Neill urges everyone to calm down, enjoy the sun and fortify for the future.
Newsweek
Carrie Lukas in Newsweek reflects on the definitions of sex, gender and woman. Lukas argues that pretending sex differences aren’t real leads to the elimination of single-sex spaces for women, the only sex subjugated in human history. Inclusivity, Lukas believes, must not come at the expense of women’s safety, security and equal opportunity.
Law & Liberty
In Law & Liberty, Richard W. Garnett writes about a recent United States Supreme Court case, Groff v. DeJoy, concerning freedom of religion. Garnett argues that accommodating religious beliefs is at the heart of the American experiment and that it’s a positive sign to see the court unanimously upholding the freedom to exercise religion in the workplace.
The Spectator
Joanna Williams in The Spectator reflects on institutions that seem to be losing sight of their actual reason for being. A British bank recently froze the account of a pastor who complained about the bank’s messaging during Pride month. Williams argues that countries need to depoliticize businesses and institutions or encourage the emergence of viable alternatives. 
The American Mind
Joel Kotkin investigates the United States’ place on the world stage in The American Mind. Despite significant reasons for regression – the least of which he feels is the current political “doom loop” – Kotkin argues that the U.S. Constitution’s self-correcting nature, the nation’s enormous physical endowment and its people’s innovative spirit will enable the indispensable country to maintain its global role.
City Journal
In City Journal, Christopher F. Rufo interviews an eyewitness to transgender ideology’s subversion of medicine’s ancient first commandment: do no harm. The physician at a large U.S. children’s hospital describes parents and kids being manipulated into crippling, often irreversible medical procedures based on what amounts to fraudulent, politicized quackery.
Bloomberg
Niall Ferguson reflects pensively in Bloomberg on wavering American global leadership. Surveying key factors like the U.S. contribution to the war in Ukraine, economic policy and relations with China and Europe, Ferguson observes worldwide faith in America’s role diminishing. That plus fair-weather allies provide worrisome signs of a cracking U.S position.
Spiked
Tim Black in Spiked shakes his head at leftish snark over media coverage of the Titan submersible calamity. Commentators are upset that five super-rich and (supposedly) white people have pushed aside tales of migrants’ woes in the Mediterranean. Black argues that this tendentious non sequitur is itself exploitative.
Law & Liberty
Rachel Lu in Law & Liberty reflects on progressives’ reaction to J.K. Rowling’s opposition to the transgender movement’s campaign to erase womanhood. Millennial fans felt tricked but, Lu argues, Rowling’s storytelling is grounded in a universal human nature that runs throughout the Harry Potter series. If Lu is right, Rowling’s collision with an ideology requiring a belief that literally everything is a fluid construct was almost inevitable.
National Review
In National Review, Robert H. Bork Jr. shows what goes on behind the scenes with corporate ESG policies. Bork, who graciously describes the ESG movement’s initial goals as commendable, argues that inside the green velvet glove is an iron fist that rams through ideological demands in cartel-like fashion. But therein, writes Bork, also lies a potential vulnerability to federal antitrust action.
Law & Liberty
Dave Barfield in Law & Liberty explains why the passing of reform-evangelical pastor and academic Timothy Keller caused such fervour, and not merely among adherents. Keller’s influence extended far beyond his church which, despite the odds, survived in Manhattan. Barfield asserts that Keller’s unique ability to bridge the gap between academia and believers shaped culture both within his camp and outside.
The Spectator
In The Spectator, Jeff Fynn-Paul reviews the increasingly politicized study of “genocide” against natives – studies riddled with wild demographic exaggerations. Politically motivated genocide scholars imagine they are helping modern-day victims but, Fynn-Paul suggests, likely do more harm by convincing indigenous populations that democracy is a sham.
The American Conservative
Gillian Richards in The American Conservative critiques the popular talking point of returning education “back to the basics” while leaving questions of value and morality to parents. Richards counters by asserting that education should never be simply about “teaching the facts.” Education’s core function is to form character – cultivating virtues and habits.
The Free Press
James Fishback reflects on his recent times as a high school debater in The Free Press. Fishback pointedly charts growing ideological biases that mark down or even disqualify a debater for propounding certain views. The saddest consequence, Fishback argues, is that youth do not learn how to think differently, bridge differences and discover what unites them.