The problem of plenty, the genius of Henry James, and the sad truth that we’re all Isabel Archer now

Silhouette of a person using a smartphone reflected in an ornate antique mirror with books and desk behind

If young people today face a problem totally unique to their generation, it’s one of plenty itself.  Simply put, they have too many choices about everything and anything in life, but not enough money or time to possibly have or do it all.  The 19th century novelist Henry James once claimed his works were centered… Continue reading The problem of plenty, the genius of Henry James, and the sad truth that we’re all Isabel Archer now

America at 250, why does progressive politics define the lives of so many of our fellow citizens, making them almost completely miserable?

Mountain landscape with sunrise on left and thunderstorm with lightning on right

As even Vox.com was honest enough to note, America in 1976 was in a far worse place than today, and yet Americans felt better about the country and the future. Before the results of the 2024 election were known on the evening of November 5, I encouraged everyone to remember their Billy Joel.  At the… Continue reading America at 250, why does progressive politics define the lives of so many of our fellow citizens, making them almost completely miserable?