Redefining “Normal” During and After the Coronavirus

(Graphic Courtesy of The New York Times) When thinking of American politics and society over the past couple years I think we can all agree there has been a trend of wanting to return to “normal”. From Donald Trump promising an idyllic vision of the past or Biden promising a return to Obama years it … Continue reading Redefining “Normal” During and After the Coronavirus

Identity vs. Ideology in Modern American Politics

http://pmd.cdn.turner.com/cnn/big/politics/2019/01/21/kamala-harris-presidential-2020-announcement-lah-pkg-vpx.cnn_1280x720.mp4 You don't have to watch the full video above but the first half highlights the identity-focused dynamic of modern political news Last year CNN was running on my living room tv and while I wasn’t paying particular attention to their usually breathtaking and earth-shattering reporting one thing caught my focus: 2020 Democratic Power Rankings. … Continue reading Identity vs. Ideology in Modern American Politics

The Language of Nature

What's the difference between a butterfly and a cage? What would happen if we referred to a tree as ki? Can you imagine calling squirrels (Vanderbilt’s largest population) kin? It might sound weird, but changing the way we speak—and think—about nature is what Robin Wall Kimmerer challenges us to do in her article “Speaking of … Continue reading The Language of Nature