“Rhetoric may be defined as the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion. This is not a function of any other art.” – Aristotle Plato excelled in it, as did Socrates and Aristotle. And as lofty as it may seem, you too can count yourself as a “rhetor”—one who has…
The clock strikes midnight, and the doors burst open. A crowd of people rush in, many of whom camped outside to hold their place in line, some of whom have looked forward to this day all year. Pushing through the throng, shoppers spread out and hunt for the lowest prices. The fervor is highly contagious,…
Most Americans celebrate July 4th as the day the U.S. won its independence from Britain. But millions also recognize a second Independence Day, Juneteenth, which marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved Americans in Texas finally learned they were free. In this article, we explore the powerful history behind Juneteenth and how it…
The Boston Tea Party is one of those historical events that most Americans know about, though for many the details are somewhat sketchy. (Spoiler alert: It wasn’t a party, and no tea was consumed, though it was the focus of the event.) The Boston Tea Party was actually a revolutionary statement to Parliament and the…
Addiction can take many forms, and not all are harmful. Consider reading, crafting, or exercising: popular hobbies that people spend countless hours on, all of which release dopamine, the “feel good” hormone—not unlike some drugs we could mention. There is, however, one pastime that’s often criticized for its addictive qualities and negative impact on mental…
Cults are a thorny topic, because exactly what constitutes a cult is highly contentious and subjective. The commonalities they share can sometimes put a fine line between cult and religion. Some cult members may insist they’re involved of their own free will and are living happy lives, further complicating a consensus. Bear these facts in…
Diseases and healthcare needs don’t recognize state borders. Take COVID-19, for instance, when hospitals across the country faced staffing shortages and urgently needed licensed medical professionals. Fortunately, the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allowed nurses to practice across state lines with a single license, making it easier for them to respond to areas in need. So,…
America’s system of “winner takes all” elections, big‑party mergers, and regional breakups has made it almost impossible for a third party to stick around. First, our single‑winner voting rules push people into the two biggest camps. Second, whenever a smaller party got popular—like the Whigs or Dixiecrats—their ideas and voters ended up inside one of…
Every time you pull up to the pump, it feels like a game of chance. One day, it’s a bargain; the next, you’re paying way more than expected. While it’s easy to blame oil companies, politicians, or even your local gas station, the truth is that no single person or entity sets the price of…
Every teacher has their own tried-and-true methods for managing a classroom. Common strategies include commending a student’s good behavior in front of their classmates or speaking to a disruptive student in private. Spoken praise or a stern warning can go a long way towards communicating with students of any age, but how do you connect…