When one compiles history there is a natural tendency to abridge its content; reasonably so, this is because in the grand scheme of things it is just not important knowing that T. Roosevelt drank a gallon of coffee a day or that Thomas Jefferson had women problems in his youth. Yet even so these little trivialities allow … Continue reading The Humanity of Heroes: Abe Lincoln Edition
Burke, Price, Franklin and Farting
To the layman (and by “layman” I of course mean the “laymen of political theory”) Richard Price is known only for the fact that his cries for revolution in England during the late-18th century were the subject of criticism in Edmund Burke’s infamous Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790). Where Price was making the … Continue reading Burke, Price, Franklin and Farting
The New Renaissance Humanism: Studying Not the Great Men but the Laymen
While evolutionary psychology may be one of the best ways we have for understanding human nature (whatever that may be) history allows us to take a less-quantitative approach by observing the actions, motives and thoughts of man through time. Presumably because any change to our “nature” would require mass selection over the course of hundreds … Continue reading The New Renaissance Humanism: Studying Not the Great Men but the Laymen
The MYDFL’s Letter to the Workers’ Youth League
In light of the terrible news coming out of Norway, the Minnesota Young DFL (MYDFL; an organization of which I am the “College Caucus Chair”) has decided to show solidarity with the Workers’ Youth League. After all, the shootings only served as a reminder that there are those in this world who would much rather … Continue reading The MYDFL’s Letter to the Workers’ Youth League
Some Finds and Thoughts on Letter-Writing
To follow up on my last article about the benefits of journaling, I thought it may be interesting to write about another one of my literary loves: letters. To think that there was once a time when, after a long day, one could sit down with a cup of tea, collect one's thoughts and present … Continue reading Some Finds and Thoughts on Letter-Writing
If You Don’t Journal, You Should.
Trying my best not to procrastinate while writing a paper for my Renaissance and Reformation class, I am ashamed to admit that I am ... procrastinating. But don't get me wrong - I'm actually really excited to be writing about science's wrangling of scientific authority from the Catholic Church and why it matters, even if … Continue reading If You Don’t Journal, You Should.
So Maybe I’m a Romantic – I Appreciate the Imagination
[Introduction: I did not intend for this to be particularly good. In fact, I know that it is flawed and lacking. I just figured that in my morning boredom it would be a good idea to follow my own advice.] Matt Feeney has a new article on Slate titled "Infinite Attention: David Foster Wallace and … Continue reading So Maybe I’m a Romantic – I Appreciate the Imagination
A Message to the DFL State Central Committee:
According to an article in The Nation (John Nichols 11/16/10) voter turnout plummeted 60% last year from the 2008 high, and if this trend continues there is no chance for our party in 2012. There just isn’t. And while it may be tempting to wallow and mourn about “how things used to be” doing so … Continue reading A Message to the DFL State Central Committee:
The Six Most-Interesting Excerpts from Vladimir Putin’s Autobiography
Even though my reading list is long and includes several titles that will, when I don’t get to them over break, slide onto the list of “Books I Should Ready but Somehow Never Find the Time for”, I decided to kick off my Winter 2010/11 with a more obscure title. Now, for as much of … Continue reading The Six Most-Interesting Excerpts from Vladimir Putin’s Autobiography
DFL Victory Rally – October 11, 2010!
Morris Student DFL Column On Monday, October 11, from 4:00pm to 7:30pm on the Mall, your life is going to change. As you nestle yourself in the cool grass, look to the soft sky outlined by the auburn shades of autumn, counting its days until the first frost, sight will fade to black as you … Continue reading DFL Victory Rally – October 11, 2010!
Joshua Panduro Preston 