Don Williams 
**In early June, a state board in Oklahoma did something that seemed obviously unconstitutional:** It approved a new, openly Catholic charter school. Students at the proposed St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School would receive religious instruction, and the online school would participate in “the evangelizing mission of the Church,” according to St. Isidore’s application …
More than a decade ago, Holly Whitaker struggled with insecurities and fears of not being enough while working a director-level job at a Silicon Valley start-up. In her own words, she shares how these feelings manifested as fear and led her to seek comfort in alcohol. The relief she found in drinking made her feel …
Do you want to stay up-to-date with Arthur’s writings? Sign up for our email subscription to receive notifications every time a new column is published. Throughout my career as a happiness researcher and teacher, I have encountered thousands of people who have uttered the statement, “I just want to be happy.” I have said it …
When I was a child, my father took me to the river—the mighty Ohio—so I could experience the extraordinary feat of walking on frozen water. It was an unforgettable experience that took place in January 1977, during one of the coldest winters in Cincinnati’s history. The temperature dropped below zero for twenty-eight days straight, resulting …
One evening in September 2022, a group of Ukrainian sea drones embarked on a mission in the Black Sea to target ships stationed in Russian-occupied Crimea. However, their plan faced a setback when Starlink, the satellite-communications system used by Ukraine, suddenly stopped working. Concerned about the potential consequences, people reached out to Elon Musk, the …
Predicting War: A Perplexing Task Foretelling the course of war is always a risky endeavor. Even the most confident pundits and politicians often include a caveat of uncertainty in their predictions. However, it is notable how Western governments, commentators, and leaders have consistently failed to accurately gauge the trajectory and outcomes of wars in recent …
The Intrigue and Paradox of Team Competition My fondest memories of my early years at sleepaway camp, when I was 10 and 11, revolve around the peculiar tradition of color war. Teams were formed randomly, with no connection to identity, experience, or prior allegiance. It was pure partisan competition. For an entire day, my bunkmates …
In his renowned compendium “Lend Me Your Ears,” William Safire emphasizes the significance of delivering a speech to truly bring it to life. However, there are many fascinating speeches that were never spoken, either due to unforeseen events or a change of heart by the speaker. After leaving my position as a special assistant and …
My father and mother crossed paths during the winter of 1976. Remarkable images illustrate their youthful and carefree spirits, reminiscent of any typical high school couple on a Friday night rendezvous. At that time, they were not yet laden with the responsibilities and demands of parenthood, and the smiles on their faces radiated sheer happiness. …
Earlier this year, the Department of Justice prevented Penguin Random House, a company owned by German media giant Bertelsmann, from acquiring Simon & Schuster. HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, Hachette, Macmillan, and Simon & Schuster already dominate 80 percent of the book market. The literary community sighed with relief. Less than a year later, private-equity firm …