It’s the fiftieth anniversary of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbirdand everyone is celebrating by writing about how it wasn’t so great after all. This novel, which won a Pulitzer Prize, sold over 30 million copies and by the 80’s was required reading in three fourths of all American high schools. Writing for the Wall… Continue reading it’s still a sin to kill a mocking bird
Category: culture
why I believe in unicorns
It’s possible that we can derive more pleasure from what we imagine than from what we experience. This novel idea, or this idea about novels, is explored by Yale professor Paul Bloom in his new book, How Pleasure Works: The New Science of Why We Like What We Like. In a chapter reprinted last month… Continue reading why I believe in unicorns
showing respect in an age of rebellion
“The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the… Continue reading showing respect in an age of rebellion
what’s wrong with rewards? parenting in an age of incentives
In An Age of Incentives Eric Felton says incentives for students are spreading like kudzu. Not only are parents paying off their kids for making good grades, schools in New York, DC, Chicago and Dallas have paid out $6 million in incentives for getting better grades, reading books, and behaving in class. North Carolina is… Continue reading what’s wrong with rewards? parenting in an age of incentives
a spirit of responsibility in an age of opportunity
Today’s college graduates are often called the boomerang generation, a reference to their tendency to return home after graduation. I often joke with students about this, suggesting that they get their resume and job search in gear early so they won’t end up living in their parent’s basement. It’s no joke, unfortunately, as I indicated… Continue reading a spirit of responsibility in an age of opportunity
the daysman 