Spring 2024 • Vol 19, No. 1

Whatever supports and furthers human life is morally good. Capitalism is the system that, from every standpoint and perspective, preeminently supports human life.

I recently discovered that the review of the Barbie movie published in TOS in September 2023 was largely plagiarized from a video by YouTuber Will Jordan (aka "The Critical Drinker").

Many literary works depict individualist heroes struggling against collectivist societies, but three brilliant examples are Charlotte Brönte’s classic Jane Eyre, Lois Lowry’s award-winning young-adult novel The Giver, and Ayn Rand’s dystopian novella Anthem.

“Israeli occupation” is on the lips of everyone from Hamas militants to Harvard students, European protestors to American politicians. But what does it actually mean?

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.

Taylor Swift's story is an example to all that—even when one’s back is against the wall—resourceful, creative thinkers can often find a way out.

When I heard Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, address the World Economic Forum (WEF) in January, I shed tears of joy. I was blown away by his powerful defense of capitalism, his celebration of entrepreneurs as heroes, his incisive criticisms of collectivism and altruism, and his novel ideas on redefining socialism.

The task of justifying a life aimed at self-improvement, flourishing, or ataraxia is a substantial one for writers on ethics. Unfortunately, Tosi and Warmke barely try.

It’s been almost a century since Edith Hamilton published her classic The Greek Way, and during those years, countless thousands of readers have encountered Greek culture for the first time through her works. Yet despite her achievements, Hamilton has never been the subject of a full biography until now.

America’s Rise and Fall among Nations provides a broad perspective of the course of American statecraft over the centuries, showing its arc from humble, inward-looking beginnings to grandiose ambitions after the 19th century.

Timothy Sandefur’s Freedom’s Furies: How Isabel Paterson, Rose Wilder Lane, and Ayn Rand Found Liberty in an Age of Darkness describes how the three "Furies" radically opposed prevailing trends, became friends, and gave birth to the modern American liberty movement.

 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.

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.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes fails its source material in two major ways: It barely touches on the control-versus-freedom conflict central to the book, and it fails to establish Coriolanus as the Hobbesian power luster he appears as in the later films.

Despite Wonka’s unfortunate confusion about greed, Wonka is a joyful film that celebrates innovation, entrepreneurship, and win-win relationships. If you’re looking for a fun movie to enjoy with the whole family this holiday season, this is a great pick.

Dolly Parton has always been a rockstar. Nonetheless, we can count our lucky stars that she decided to record a rock album. The genre is better for it.

Dream Louder drips with talent, but it is not mere “musician’s music”—technical pyrotechnics without soul. In fact, it is one of those rare jazz albums that even non-jazz fans can deeply enjoy.