Senate bill 1177 is a bipartisan measure to federalize education, all in the name of preserving local control. It will be imposed on charter schools and all private schools that accept a nickel of aid. As I said 30 years ago, “If you take the government’s nickel, you also take its noose.” S-1177 is about […] … learn more→

Narcissism has always existed, but in the 21st century, the number of people with the trait have swollen immeasurably. Thanks to camera phones, reality TV and social media, it has never been more acceptable to be a narcissist – someone who is overly self-involved, vain and selfish. Kim Kardashian is so comfortable with the term […] … learn more→

I’ve recently completed the first draft of (what will appear to the outside world to be) my second book this year. In reality, it’s a book that has been three years in the writing. It’s about the use of a particular social theory in one field of scholarship. There is a lot of work already […] … learn more→

The dominant Western idea of equality opposes caste systems but not hierarchy. As American political philosopher Richard Arneson says: When equality of opportunity prevails, the assignment of places in the hierarchy is determined by some form of competitive process, and all members of society are eligible to compete on equal terms. This idea is supported […] … learn more→

For the most part, my blog has done pretty good service, and I’ve received much favorable commentary. Only one site has had anything truly negative to say. The site? www.degreeinfo.com. Yes, there’s a whole website dedicated to discussing buying various online college degrees. This is a great idea, and apparently a popular site…but I can’t […] … learn more→

Wisconsin state senators struck a bipartisan deal yesterday and approved $250 million in public subsidies for a new arena for the National Basketball Association’s Milwaukee Bucks. The bill will now go to the state Assembly, where approval is likely. Just a few days ago, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed a state budget that includes cuts […] … learn more→

Playboy once asked author Ray Bradbury why science fiction was the “purview of young men.” His response is worth recalling now that Ellen Pao has resigned as Reddit’s CEO amid a censoring scandal. There are two races of people—men and women—no matter what women’s libbers would have you pretend. The male is motivated by toys […] … learn more→

On July 8, the Gates Foundation released its proposal for reforming the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). With the average first-time FAFSA applicant currently answering over 60 questions, many college access advocates believe the form is too complicated and burdensome for students and their families. Gates’ proposal calls for streamlining completion of the […] … learn more→

I was recently emailed by an early career researcher. She wanted some advice on how to find a mentor. She was isolated in her own institution. She felt awkward about just bowling up to people at conferences, but realised she’d probably have to try this as nothing helpful or supportive was forthcoming at work. I […] … learn more→

New evidence has been provided confirming previous compelling geological findings that today’s continents were once linked in one giant land mass. The evidence has come through the discovery that two fossils, one from South Africa and the other from Brazil, were cousins. The discovery of a Brazilian plant-eating herbivore fossil in 2008 prompted a restudy […] … learn more→