Culture & Religion — May 21, 2010

Self Respect

Research completed by The Journal for Advertising suggests Americans have become increasingly self-confident and individualistic in the last three decades.

bigthinkeditor

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Research completed by The Journal for Advertising suggests Americans have become increasingly self-confident and individualistic in the last three decades. “A sense of belonging (social connectedness) appears to have steadily eroded for all age groups, both genders, all education groups and most income groups in the United States.”

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The word "enough" stands boldly in black at the center, with incorrect spellings like "enugh," "enuph," "enuff," and "enuf" crossed out in red above and below, subtly highlighting the quirks of English spelling.

The Past

When enough is “enuf”: The strange and futile history of English spelling reform

In “Enough Is Enuf,” Gabe Henry traces the history of simplified spelling movements and the lessons they teach us about language.

A collage featuring hands holding a plant, additional hands in sepia tone, a grid background, orange accents, and the text "Reclaim Meaning" with the number 4.

Thinking

How to reclaim meaning in a changing world

What if the barrier to a fulfilled life isn’t technology but culture?

A blurred black-and-white image of an American flag, with the stars and stripes visibly distorted, subtly reflecting political polarization.

The Present

Divided we stand: The rise of political animosity

“We’re acting more like fans of a football team going to a game than a banker carefully choosing investments.”

A high-rise office building at night with one illuminated corner office visible amidst the darkened windows, a lone workaholic burning the midnight oil.

Neuropsych

Are you a workaholic? How to spot the signs

In a major shift, psychologists now view an out-of-control compulsion to work as an addiction with its own set of risk factors and consequences.

Person holding an open, empty brown wallet with both hands, outdoors.

The Past

The deep and enduring history of universal basic income

While the concept stretches back centuries, it has garnered significant attention in recent decades.

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Culture & Religion

The Primitive Ideology

Corey Robin at The Nation likens the late Ayn Rand’s continued success in America to the same misguided and lazy analysis that has made Glenn Beck a popular voice.