Many Americans firmly believe that individuals should be independent and self-reliant. But the author of this commentary argues that too much individualism can lead to tyranny rather than freedom.
Category Archives: The Individual and Society
For America to Succeed, We Must Find Common Ground
The author of this article points out that humans are more successful when they cooperate. He urges Americans to unite under our nation’s flag, in spite of political differences.
Healing the political divide
This article examines the reasons for the current level of political division in the United States and considers how we might go about trying to improve the situation.
Many Black and Asian Americans Say They Have Experienced Discrimination Amid the COVID-19 Outbreak
According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, Asian and Black Americans are experiencing racism and discrimination more frequently than they did prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Click this link to learn more about the results of the survey.
Dare to Disagree
Constructive conflict fuels progress far better than passive agreement does. Learn how great ideas and strong results can stem from disagreement.
The surprising downsides of empathy
Empathy—the ability to understand the feelings of others—is an important aspect of emotional intelligence. However, the author of this piece suggests that empathy can have negative effects. Click the link to learn more.
Civic Participation
Participating in society in ways like volunteering or voting provides some surprising health benefits.
Why a German Photographer Trained His Lens on 100-year-old Models
People say with age comes wisdom. With this in mind, photographer Karsten Thormaehlen photographed and interviewed centenarians. What can you learn about yourself and life?
Walt Whitman’s Brooklyn
Walt Whitman spent a great deal of his life in Brooklyn. Choose a part of Walt Whitman’s Brooklyn to explore, complete with commentary, photographs, and Whitman’s own words.
America’s First Me Generation
In this book review, Laura Miller draws connections between the Transcendentalists of the 19th century and individualist movements of the 1960s and 1970s.
Bitter Sweets
Bill Cheng writes about what it is like to be an A.B.C.: an American-Born Chinese. Read about his struggles to belong and feelings of being an outsider.
Virtual Dance Parties Are Popular. What’s Behind Their Rise?
During the coronavirus outbreak, people can’t get together to dance in person. But they can still maintain a connection online to avoid feeling isolated.
The Mexican American War
Learn about a controversial military engagement with far-reaching effects.
What are the effects of isolation in the mind?
University of Chicago researchers have found that lonely people have less activity in the ventral striatum part of the brain, which is part of its reward center and is associated with learning.
Extinction Rebellion’s Regenerative Culture as an alternative to self-care
Regenerative Culture looks at personal care under the lens of collective-care rather than self-care. Read more about the practice and its far-reaching effects.
A Poet Who Pushed (and Recycled) the Envelope
In this article, we learn about a new book, The Gorgeous Nothings, that showcases bits of poetry written on envelopes by Emily Dickinson. Be sure to enlarge the images to take a look at Dickinson’s manuscripts.
Edgar Allan Poe – Mini Biography
Edgar Allan Poe’s legacy continues to pervade American culture to this day. His work and ideas not only helped to create an entire genre of literature but also changed the way many Americans thought and spoke about the human psyche. Watch this short biography of one of America’s most influential Dark Romantics.
Emily Dickinson Collection
Experience the Emily Dickinson Collection at Amherst College. Explore photos of the poet’s handwritten poems and letters.
America Is a Dream
A recently unearthed comic by Stan Lee reveals the lens through which he viewed American society and politics in 2007. Many of the divisions remain, as does the hope that the United States may one day be united.
Why black people discriminate among ourselves: the toxic legacy of colorism
Colorism is a type of discrimination, often (but not always) perpetrated by members of the same race based on the darkness of a person’s skin. Read this personal essay for insight into the impact of this prejudice.