1. Over at The New Yorker, Elizabeth Kolbert surveyed the latest swath of parenting books, asking the question “Why Are American Kids So Spoiled?” Much of the article reiterates what we’ve been hearing with alarming frequency the past couple years, namely that the current “helicopter/snowplow” culture of control is backfiring, royally. It’s an honest if also fairly depressing analysis: the “performancism” epidemic being perpetuated (somewhat out of necessity) by US colleges has filtered down to the preschool level, which, combined with the hangover from the self-esteem movement and incredible advances in technology has created this weird situation where kids grow…
America / Books / Children / Conferences / Education / Film / Grace in Practice / Law / Music / Social Science / Testimony / Theology / Week In Review
Another Week Ends: Spoiled Kids, Harvard Perfectionism, KKKlan Grace, Lonergan’s Lament, Negative Thinking, Mormonism, Golf Ethics, Sorkinisms, and Fall Conference Update
Exclusion, Inclusion and Identity in The Social Network
An insightful piece by A.O. Scott over at The NY Times that touches on identity, self-worth and the failure of “works” to assuage the accusing voice of the Law – in this case, the inner critic/persecutor - as seen through the lens of The Social Network and Wall Street 2. Enough to make one wonder whether the word “drive” is actually a synonym for “socially acceptable yet ultimately counterproductive pursuit of self-justification”:
Every Facebook user, friending and unfriending at will, can travel freely in intersecting circles of his or her own design. In the utopian version of this resulting horizonless…
Mockingbird at the Movies: I’ve Loved You So Long
Last week while choosing a movie to rent, I stumbled upon one that I have been wanting to watch since its release last year, the French film I’ve Loved You So Long. I had thought it was a romantic comedy, but I was completely blown away by what it actually was – a story of despair and redemption, of our own inner prisons and the freedom of unconditional love, of law and pure gospel, of the grace that breaks into our world as light into darkness. I abreacted twice with tears.
The story is a mystery that unravels subtly and intelligently,…
Ken: This reminds me of the story of Bill Graham explaining basic economics...
David Zahl: Matt- Not sure if you've had the chance to read My Bright Abyss yet, ...
Bryan J.: I too have a difficult time with Vampire Weekend, though I'm trying ha...
mark mcculley: 1 Corinthians 6:20 You are not your own for you were bought with a pri...
Bill Chapman: I really cannot see why anyone coulkd be opposed to Esperanto. I’ve us...