Thomas Walker-Werth's Articles
History, Science & Technology
Richard Trevithick: The Forgotten Hero of Steam
Thomas Walker-Werth January 22, 2025
The two men most often credited with the advent of steam power are James Watt and George Stephenson. But an often-overlooked hero made a vital contribution to the development of the steam engine without which it could not have had the impact that it did: Richard Trevithick.
Arts & Culture, Reviews
New Who at Twenty: The Doctor Who Revival’s Best Episodes
Thomas Walker-Werth January 14, 2025
Between its third and seventh seasons, the Doctor Who revival delivered episode after episode of fascinating sci-fi concepts, heroic stories, captivating characters, and hard-hitting moral questions.
Announcements
From the Editor, Winter 2024
Thomas Walker-Werth November 25, 2024
Welcome to the Winter 2024 issue of The Objective Standard. This issue features articles on the architecture of John C. Portman, the vital importance of Ayn Rand's ideas for advocating freedom, the art of Hiroshi Nagai, and more.
Arts & Culture, Biographies, History
‘Make it Something that Enhances Life’: The Architectural Philosophy of John C. Portman
Thomas Walker-Werth November 25, 2024
John Portman designed buildings that amazed visitors and provided businesses with flexible, practical, and impactful spaces. As one memorial put it, his designs took “people away from the congestion of urban life to . . . spaces that are open and uplifting to the human spirit.”
Arts & Culture, Reviews
Star Trek: Prodigy, created by Kevin and Dan Hageman
Thomas Walker-Werth October 31, 2024
At a time when few children make it to adulthood “with their wonder and enthusiasm for science intact,” shows such as Star Trek: Prodigy are vital for teaching young people the values of science and curiosity.
Announcements
From the Editor, Fall 2024
Thomas Walker-Werth August 20, 2024
Welcome to the Fall 2024 issue of The Objective Standard, featuring articles on defending Western civilization, the music of Antonin Dvořák, the achievements of John Quincy Adams, and the injustice of cryptocurrency regulation.
Arts & Culture, Reviews
Star Trek: Discovery, Created by Bryan Fuller and Alex Kurtzman
Thomas Walker-Werth June 12, 2024
Star Trek: Discovery's great potential and interesting story concepts are hampered by poor character development and ham-fisted treatment of moral questions. Nonetheless, it provides some quality sci-fi stories and it deserves recognition for setting up the successful, more benevolent Strange New Worlds.
Biographies, History, Philosophy, Politics & Rights
Thomas Paine: Defender of the Rights of Man
Thomas Walker-Werth May 22, 2024
Today, Thomas Paine is widely celebrated for spearheading the cause of American independence with Common Sense, but that barely scratches the surface of his contribution.
Economics, Politics & Rights
Building a New Hong Kong: An Interview with Ivan Ko
Thomas Walker-Werth March 29, 2024
Ivan Ko fled Hong Kong following China’s imposition of the national security law. Now he's working to create a new city with the goal of preserving and developing Hong Kong’s freedom-loving culture away from the influence of the Chinese Communist Party.
Arts & Culture, Reviews
My Effin' Life by Geddy Lee
Thomas Walker-Werth January 15, 2024
My Effin’ Life’s positive sense of life, inspirational stories, and amusing anecdotes make it a rewarding read. Geddy Lee leaves readers with a strong sense that no matter how bad things get, it’s always worth staying positive and producing beautiful art.
Arts & Culture, Reviews
Godzilla Minus One, Written and Directed by Takashi Yamazaki
Thomas Walker-Werth January 2, 2024
Godzilla Minus One is no run-of-the-mill monster movie. It is an outstanding story about the value of human life and the immorality of sacrificing it.
History, Politics & Rights, Science & Technology
Centers of Progress: An Interview with Chelsea Follett
Thomas Walker-Werth December 24, 2023
I recently spoke with Chelsea Follett, managing editor of HumanProgress.org and policy analyst at Cato Institute’s Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity, about her new book, Centers of Progress: 40 Cities That Changed the World. Here is our discussion, edited for clarity and brevity.
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.
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, Reviews
Ahsoka, Created by Dave Filoni
Thomas Walker-Werth October 6, 2023
Ahsoka's compelling setup makes it far more interesting than many of the recent Star Wars shows. Virtually every character has clear motivation, and the main story is supported by interesting subplots. Although it is not without flaws, it is, on the whole, compelling and exciting.