Wisdom of Crowds

08/12/2023

"Proportionality refers to the “acceptable” ratio of civilians killed when weighed against whatever military goal the attacker hopes to achieve in any one strike," Damir writes in the latest Monday Note.

And why it all boils down to PR, one way or another.

07/12/2023

🔥 LATEST PODCAST: In a special live recording in collaboration with the Aspen Institute's Philosophy and Society Initiative, Damir moderates a debate between our own Christine Emba and Washington Post nonfiction book critic Becca Rothfeld on the state of masculinity and its purpose today.

Maybe it's just modernity that's making everyone miserable.

07/12/2023

In the latest Monday Note, Damir dissects matters of proportionality in war.

"In case you are wondering if Israel departs very far from U.S. best practices in selecting targets, the answer is no, it doesn’t."

And why it all boils down to PR, one way or another.

07/12/2023

"The apocalypse with which he tempts those disaffected by “liberal modernity” is no closer to real transcendence than po*******hy is to real s*x," Tara Isabella Burton writes.

The billionaire investor sees the apocalypse coming. Whether that's a good or bad thing depends on your tolerance for excitement.

06/12/2023

In Tom Barson's essay, he scrutinizes the "[Shadi] Hamid Plan".

"My second reaction was more complicated, and stems from the fact that in almost all calls for a ceasefire...the conversation turns quickly to the role of the United States."

The "Hamid Plan" for an Israel-Hamas ceasefire is well-intentioned but it misses something vital. The battle for Gaza is not an ordinary one.

06/12/2023

On the latest podcast, a 🔥 debate in collaboration with the Aspen Institute's Philosophy and Society Initiative.

Christine Emba argues young men are struggling. Becca Rothfeld thinks we may be misdiagnosing the problem, and in doing so entrenching harmful stereotypes and gender norms.

Maybe it's just modernity that's making everyone miserable.

06/12/2023

"Proportionality refers to the “acceptable” ratio of civilians killed when weighed against whatever military goal the attacker hopes to achieve in any one strike," Damir writes in the latest Monday Note.

05/12/2023

In a special live recording in collaboration with the Aspen Institute's Philosophy and Society Initiative, Damir moderates a debate between our own Christine Emba and Washington Post nonfiction book critic Becca Rothfeld on the state of masculinity and its purpose today.

Maybe it's just modernity that's making everyone miserable.

05/12/2023

In the latest Monday Note, Damir Marusic shares some very literal notes on the rules of war, civilian casualties, proportionality, and public opinion.

And why it all boils down to PR, one way or another.

01/12/2023

In the latest Monday Note, Christine Emba dives into whether politics is the cause or a symptom to Americans' single status.

Is polarization killing romance, or is it something else?

30/11/2023

On a recent podcast Khaled Elgindy traces the White House's empathy gap for Palestinians back to an affinity for Israel’s Western liberal values but also the various and entrenched mythologies that obscure the dispossession of Palestinians.

Listen now (99 mins) | Khaled Elgindy on why the U.S. can't seem to understand Palestinians.

30/11/2023

“Political polarization may well make dating more difficult. But is that a reason for falling marriage rates, or a symptom?” Christine Emba asks in the latest Monday Note.

Is polarization killing romance, or is it something else?

30/11/2023

In Tom Barson's essay, he scrutinizes Shadi's plan for a ceasefire in the Gaza War.

"My second reaction was more complicated, and stems from the fact that in almost all calls for a ceasefire...the conversation turns quickly to the role of the United States."

The "Hamid Plan" for an Israel-Hamas ceasefire is well-intentioned but it misses something vital. The battle for Gaza is not an ordinary one.

30/11/2023

In a post-9/11 world, wars are endless in part because they are less lethal. Is this “progress” or is it something more sinister? On the latest podcast, Damir, Shadi, and guest Sam Moyn take one another on in this heated conversation.

Samuel Moyn discusses the feasibility of "moral" warfare and lays out an alternative path for progress.

30/11/2023

"What makes Thiel’s vision either appealing or dangerous, depending on your perspective, is that he is in fact on to something," writes Tara Isabella Burton in her first essay.

The billionaire investor sees the apocalypse coming. Whether that's a good or bad thing depends on your tolerance for excitement.

29/11/2023

"First, let’s point out that there are issues far more important than stated political affiliation that couples ought to agree on before agreeing to marry," Christine Emba writes on the latest Monday Note.

Is polarization killing romance, or is it something else?

29/11/2023

Amid the ongoing war in Gaza, Samuel Moyn joins Shadi and Damir to dive into the potential for humane wars and whether progress, even in war, is possible. A contentious debate ensues.

Samuel Moyn discusses the feasibility of "moral" warfare and lays out an alternative path for progress.

29/11/2023

"The apocalypse with which he tempts those disaffected by “liberal modernity” is no closer to real transcendence than po*******hy is to real s*x," Tara Isabella Burton writes in a new essay.

The billionaire investor sees the apocalypse coming. Whether that's a good or bad thing depends on your tolerance for excitement.