April 2023

The Economics of Trust

A cynic might ask, “So what? Is trust really more than a nice-to-have social virtue, a so-called hygiene factor? Can you measurably illustrate that trust is a hard-edged economic driver?” I intent to answer these questions emphatically in this book by clearly demonstrating the strong business case for trust. Here’s a simple formula that will …

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The key is reconnecting

One of Rifkin’s maxims is “I believe in the strength of weak ties.” It’s in homage to a classic study by the Stanford sociologist Mark Granovetter. Strong ties are our close friends and colleagues, the people we really trust. Weak ties are our acquaintances, the people we know casually. Testing the common assumption that we …

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Reparative Intercession

Reparative intercession is not a call to racial reconciliation. James Cone, the progenitor of Black liberation theology, pierced the bubble of optimism by asking, “Reconciled to what?” We must repair before we can reconcile. Without repairing the harm – psychological and physical – racial reconciliation rings hollow. The desire for universal brotherhood and sisterhood that …

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Complementarian Christians

The most recent attempt at relaying foundations for the scapegoating process in America can be found in a Christian movement called complementarianism. Formerly known as “hierarchicalism” (some form of which has been practiced since the Constantinian era), this system relegates women to traditional roles in society and maintains a power imbalance within the family and …

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More Than Money: The Logic of Slavery Reparations

It’s not just about payment. It is about engaging in good faith with the descendants of enslaved people and addressing inequalities – to make a better future possible. https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2023/mar/31/more-than-money-the-logic-of-slavery-reparations?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Responding to Indigenous, Vatican rejects Discovery Doctrine

The Vatican on Thursday (March 30) responded to Indigenous demands and formally repudiated the “Doctrine of Discovery,” the theories backed by 15th-century “papal bulls” that legitimized the colonial-era seizure of Native lands and form the basis of some property laws today. https://religionnews.com/2023/03/30/responding-to-indigenous-vatican-rejects-discovery-doctrine/

ALA Reports Shocking Increase in Attempted Book Bans in 2022

The American Library Association announced today that it tracked a stunning 1,269 “demands to censor library books and resources” in 2022, the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling data about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago, and nearly double the record-shattering 729 challenges recorded in 2021. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/91823-ala-reports-shocking-increase-in-book-challenges-in-2022.html

“Democratic acting” virtues

If honesty, humility, and consistency are virtues that improve our democratic thinking, helping us make the right decisions, we can think of moral virtues as helping us improve our actions. Call them “democratic acting” virtues. These action virtues come after the thinking virtues just as action should follow thoughtful consideration. Democratic acting virtues make us …

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