- news
- selected writings
Education | Politics and International Relations | Fiction | Religion | Interviews
National education standards will stifle innovation
Rigid, uniform and centrally designed curriculum standards make schools less able to respond to the needs of students.
Michigan Education Report, April 26, 2011
In schools, don't place form above function
This fall, a gifted 10-year-old who has finished the Ontario, Canada curriculum through the eighth grade was refused admission to his local public high school because of his age.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution and ajc.com, November 8, 2010
The myth of the "highly qualified" teacher
Rather than take meaningful steps to improve teacher quality, the authors of No Child Left Behind simply mandated that all public school teachers be labeled "highly qualified" before stepping into a classroom.
Michigan Education Report, October 30, 2010
Michigan's meaningless teacher certification reform
Michigan's recent alternative certification law - House Bill 5596 - is inadequate and does not represent serious reform.
Michigan Education Report, July 27, 2010
Teacher certification tests don't tell us enough about quality
Teacher licensing tests create a significant cost for prospective teachers and for states without providing any meaningful return.
Michigan Education Report and The Mackinac Center for Public Policy Blog, March 2, 2010
Wide Awake Mind (interview with The University of Chicago Magazine)
Self-educators are curious about the world and willing to do something about their curiosity.
University of Chicago Magazine (online), August 19, 2009
The Case for Reading Good Books
No matter what your interest, becoming a serious and disciplined reader is the surest path to educational growth
Wide Awake Minds, July 22, 2009
Self-Education: A Manifesto
Self-educators embrace learning opportunities wherever they occur.
Wide Awake Minds and Parental Intelligence Newsletter, July 20, 2009
On Language Learning Textbooks
Wide Awake Minds, July 9, 2009
Popular Coach, Athletic Director Fighting Illness (profile)
A Michigan coach's career is a testament to the power and importance of high school athletics.
Muskegon Chronicle and MLive.com, April 11, 2009
Lying about Libya
Mises Daily, July 6, 2011
Use of predators sets dangerous precedent
Every U.S. drone strike further normalizes and legitimizes the use of drones, making it almost inevitable that other countries will adopt the practice to pursue their own foreign policy goals.
Antiwar.com, June 30, 2011
Rolling the dice in Libya
Antiwar.com, April 26, 2011
Two Cents About COIN
Policymakers' belief in the power of COIN may encourage them to see military solutions where none exist.
Antiwar.com, November 7, 2009
Empathy Across Neighborhood Lines
The only way to break down barriers is through the continued exchange of people, conversations, and capital.
Chicago Weekly, October 28, 2009
Resist the Urge to Confront Kim Jong-Il
It is time for direct talks aimed at a comprehensive peace with North Korea.
Antiwar.com, July 1, 2009
How to Think About Politics
Politics touches everything and everything touches politics.
Fogged Clarity, July 2009
For Us, Mr. Daley, Driving to Work is a Necessity, Not a Vice
For many Chicagoans, driving to work - and finding affordable parking after work - is a necessity, not a luxury.
Crain's Chicago Business and ChicagoBusiness.com, June 15, 2009
Out of Range
The increasingly widespread practice of drone warfare raises serious ethical questions.
Antiwar.com, May 15, 2009
The Next Forgotten War
Political education must aim to combat apathy, prejudice, and our tendency to forget what is unpleasant.
Antiwar.com, April 20, 2009
The Nuclear Peace and Its Consequences for China's Rise
M.A. Thesis, University of Chicago Committee on International Relations.
Faculty advisor: John J. Mearsheimer, Ph.D. Preceptor: Nuno Monteiro, Ph.D.
(Not online).
May 2008
Japanese Security Policy and the Future of the East Asian Peace
Presented at the Denison University Undergraduate East Asian Studies Conference.
(Not online).
February 18, 2006
Back from Boston (short story)
Fogged Clarity, January 2010
The Day-Trader (short story)
Fogged Clarity, June 2009
Missing the Train (short story)
Fogged Clarity, February 2009
A Limited Ecumenism
Reconciliation with a significant twist.
Sightings, Nov. 5, 2009
Belief Isn't For the Unimaginative: Let Kids See The Golden Compass
Philadelphia Inquirer, December 10, 2007
(Original no longer available online).
Is The Da Vinci Code Dangerous?
Sojourners (online), May 19, 2006
Alexander Arguelles, Ph.D.
Polyglot and self-educator.
December 21, 2010
Hoossam Malek
Global investment analyst, polyglot, and self-educator.
March 4, 2010
Charles Lipson, Ph.D.
Peter B. Ritzma Professor in Political Science and the College at the University of Chicago.
August 28, 2009
William Klemm, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Professor of Neuroscience, Texas A&M University Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences
December 15, 2009
Wesley Gray, Ph.D.
Finance expert, Iraq War veteran (U.S. Marine Corps), author
August 30, 2009
Peter Behr
Self-educator, computer programmer, polyglot, artist
October 15, 2009
Deven Black
Special education teacher, self-educator
September 21, 2009
Margaret Viola
Self-educator
August 13, 2009
Race Bannon
Self-education advocate, computer programmer
July 29, 2009