archive

The value of a pale blue dot

From TNR, Michael Walzer on how governments have no business getting involved in Iran’s ideological struggle — but we do; and Abbas Milani on Ayatollah Khamenei's massive miscalculation about the extent of his power. From Slate, a look at how protesters are co-opting the symbols and slogans of the 1979 revolution; and it takes more than an Excel sheet to prove the Iranian election was fixed. Not long ago, Republicans were talking about attacking Iran — now they think Obama doesn't love Iran enough. A review of The Man Who Sold the World: Ronald Reagan and the Betrayal of Main Street America by William Kleinknecht (and more at Bookforum). Capitalizing on popular titles has a long pedigree in the publishing industry — a well-turned phrase can give birth to dozens of offspring. Why do students in different disciplines have different political attitudes? Seeking sexy Asian women: What is the deal with Western men's erotic obsession with the East? From Boston Review, a review of Unjust Deserts by Gar Alperovitz and Lew Daly and Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. Peter Singer on the value of a pale blue dot: In this, the International Year of Astronomy, we should embrace both the insignificance of Earth, and its vital importance. More and more on Dead Aid by Dambisa Moyo.