Earlier this month the Maxim Institute hosted American public intellectual, George Weigel, for a series of evening lectures.  An expert on ethics and public policy, he suggested three things that are essential to a society if it is going to flourish: 1. A democratic system of governing;  2. An economy that is free enough to operate . . . → Read More: Squandering democracy…

A couple of months ago I wrote a piece that, among other things, suggested our news headlines were selected as much for their entertainment and titillation value as they were for their societal importance.  Now an essay has accused some within the social psychology academy of going one step further – actually setting out to conduct . . . → Read More: (Re)searching for headlines

Michael Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter this week for his role in the singer’s death.  As with all US trials of this magnitude (O.J. Simpson’s was the first I was old enough to remember) it has been a tabloid circus.  The fact that most New Zealanders can tell you more about . . . → Read More: Conrad Murray, Propofol, and Humility