Politics & Current Affairs — May 21, 2010

New Feminism

Meghan Daum at the L.A. Times says that despite Sarah Palin’s political stances, the former governor is entitled to be a feminist as long as she proclaims herself one.

bigthinkeditor

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Meghan Daum at the L.A. Times says that despite Sarah Palin’s political stances, the former governor is entitled to be a feminist as long as she proclaims herself one. “Is there a place in politics for ‘conservative feminists’? According to my definition of feminism, it would be hypocritical to say no.”

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

The Present

Toxic masculinity is a harmful myth. Society is in denial about the problems of boys and men.

We are tearing ourselves apart over gender issues, with the result that the problems of boys and men are left untreated.

Being Wrong about Abortion

Before reading please click ‘View Entire Story’. My apologies for the length. Over at the New Statesman, Mehdi Hasan wrote an article against abortion. It’s not entirely clear whether Hasan […]

Diagram of atomic orbitals showing various shapes and labels, including s, p, d, and f orbitals, organized in a triangular structure with coordinate axes x, y, z.

Starts With A Bang

Why the number “1/137” appears everywhere in nature

One of the fundamental constants of nature, the fine-structure constant, determines so much about our Universe. Here’s why it matters.

Golden wheat field under a bright blue sky with sunlight streaming in from the left.

The Present

Biofuels: feeding the earth or feeding the engine?

Around the world, biofuels, so-called green energy sources, are waving major red flags.

Three sculptures depict philosophers with beards, featuring detailed facial expressions and robes.

Thinking

Confucius vs. Aristotle: What the two philosophers teach us about ethics

Two great philosophies — but do they work better together?

Up Next

Culture & Religion

Yes We Cannes!

Hollywood’s depiction of events like the war in Iraq, the global financial crisis and religious extremism are taking center stage at the Cannes Film Festival; here is the NYT review.