's Articles
Announcements
From the Editor: Winter 2023
Jon Hersey November 23, 2023
Welcome to the Winter 2023 issue of The Objective Standard, which caps the journal’s eighteenth year in print, providing clarity on all manner of important issues.
Arts & Culture, History
Frank Lloyd Wright: Rebel Architect
Timothy Sandefur November 23, 2023
It would be hard to name an artist whose influence has been as ubiquitous as Frank Lloyd Wright’s. Yet he achieved his status not by lowering his standards but through a devoted pursuit of his ideals—ideals that gave voice to the principles of individuality and aspiration at the center of the American consciousness.
Politics & Rights
Defend Israel and Civilization or Keep the Faith—You Can’t Do Both
Craig Biddle November 23, 2023
The October 7 jihad against Israel woke the West from its evasive slumber. Or did it?
Arts & Culture
Ten Great Sci-fi TV Shows that Promote Reason and Individualism
Thomas Walker-Werth November 23, 2023
Here are ten quality science fiction television shows that advocate life-serving ideas, particularly respect for reason, individualism, and liberty—the values that will enable us “to boldly go” into a better future.
Education & Parenting
Hannah Frankman: Rebel Educator
Jon Hersey November 23, 2023
In one way or another, Hannah Frankman has spent most of her life in the alternative education sphere: She was homeschooled, then worked for the college-alternative bootstrapping program Praxis before starting her own alternative education company, Rebel Educator. Here’s how and why she’s helping parents take their children out of government schools.
Ayn Rand & Objectivism, Economics
Who Is John Galt Mortgage Company?
Jon Hersey November 23, 2023
When I heard that two friends and highly successful businessmen—Tim Chermak and Mitchell Broderick—had launched a new venture called John Galt Mortgage Company, I immediately thought, Brilliant! But I didn’t realize then how brilliant their idea really is.
Arts & Culture, Noteworthy
The Musical Time Machine of Julian Lage
Jon Hersey November 16, 2023
Much jazz revels in the obscure, eschewing the pleasing consonances of more popular music. But in Lage’s hands, the genre’s extended harmonic palette is instead used to milk maximum expressiveness from more familiar sonic territory.
Politics & Rights, Reviews
Against the New Politics of Identity by Ronald A. Lindsay
Timothy Sandefur November 10, 2023
If American culture is to survive the onslaught of identity politics, it will only be through the efforts of such reasonable and courageous thinkers as Ronald Lindsay.
Arts & Culture, Reviews
The Great Escaper, Directed by Oliver Parker
Angelica Walker-Werth November 8, 2023
The Great Escaper is a touching tribute to important aspects of a life well-lived: honoring your friends, cherishing your spouse, doing the things you want to do even when no one thinks you can, and celebrating the pleasure of being alive.
Arts & Culture, Noteworthy
A Parting Message from The Beatles, and More
Jon Hersey November 8, 2023
Hear the Beatles' last song, Tom Bukovac's Plexi Soul (now on vinyl), a new Van Morrison record that makes sitting still impossible, and more.
Arts & Culture, Noteworthy
New Music from Alice Sara Ott, Duran Duran, Carter Faith, and More
Jon Hersey October 31, 2023
Alice Sara Ott releases a deluxe edition of her Echoes of Life, Duran Duran unearths a Halloween-themed dance-party soundtrack perfect for zombies, werewolves, and witches—and more.
Arts & Culture, History, Reviews
Killers of the Flower Moon, Directed by Martin Scorsese
Thomas Walker-Werth October 28, 2023
Killers of the Flower Moon is a bloated film with a malevolent sense of life. Despite its enormous runtime, it misses the opportunity to depict both the rights abuses to which the Osage were subjected and the good entrepreneurship they and others engaged in.
Arts & Culture, Noteworthy
New Music From The Rolling Stones, Robbie Robertson, Glen Hansard, and More
Jon Hersey October 27, 2023
Robbie Robertson comes around full circle, The Rolling Stones show some new colors, Glen Hansard stares melancholy firmly in the face, and Dave Barnes wields old tricks for new delights.
Arts & Culture, Noteworthy
The Dueling Philosophies of Two New Guitar Albums
Jon Hersey October 19, 2023
Two widely celebrated guitarists recently released new records. They represent not merely different musical approaches appropriate to their different genres, but two divergent worldviews.
Arts & Culture, Noteworthy
Noteworthy: New Music from Joe Bonamassa, Vikingur Ólafsson, and More
Jon Hersey October 13, 2023
Welcome to “Noteworthy,” a periodic update on new music and related news. This week’s noteworthy picks span the musical universe.