Saturday Good Reads

For a long time, the phenomenon known as “confirmation bias” has been well known. What it means is that we – all of us – tend to agree with people who articulate views close to our own. Jonathan Haidt, a professor at New York University, discovered which of our preconceived biases is the most powerful – and his findings do not bode well for the future of democracy in the United States.

Jason Vana and Mick Silva write on New Year’s resolutions – and do it in interesting and interesting ways. Doug Spurling writes, and writes movingly, about a man who’s run out of second chances. David Murray explains why our leaders have a lot to be vague about. And Katherine Timpf at the National Review writes about the 13 most ridiculously PC moments on college campuses in 2013 (and – surprise – the University of Missouri isn’t on the list).

Poetry, and art, and photography – our impulse to creativity seems to continue no matter what is happening in national politics.

And faith, like the faith of Kyle Porter, a father who loses his unborn child.

Art and Photography

Sun, Moon, and Winter Trees – Tim Good at Arts by Tiwago.

Random Paintings: Randall David Tipton at A Painter’s Process.

Faith

We Lost a Child, and Gained Something Greater – Kyle Porter at The Gospel Coalition.

Speculative Fiction as a Gateway to Faith – Mike Duran at deCompose.

4 Reasons to Ditch Resolutions (and Try These Habits Instead) – Jason Vana.

No Selfish New Year’s Resolutions – Mick Silva.

What is the Meaning of Mission in Today’s World? – James Clark at the Institute for Faith, Work, & Economics.

Writing

All Stories Are the Same – John Yorke at The Atlantic.

What’s the Thing You Really Want to Write…That Scares You? – Ann Kroeker.

8 struggles every communicator understands – Kristin Piombino at Ragan Communications.

He’s run out of second chances – Doug Spurling at Spurling Silver.

Life and Culture

Justice Scalia in Louisiana – Rod Dreher at American Conservative.

Cities and Memory – Theordore Dalrymple at City Journal.

The 13 Most Ridiculously PC Moments on College Campuses in 2015 – Katherine Timpf at National Review.

Eliot and Liberalism – R.R. Reno at First Things.

The Strongest Prejudice was Identified – Jonathan Haidt, New York University, at Edge.

Our leaders have a lot to be vague about – David Murray at Writing Boots.

How Elite PhD Admissions Committees Review Candidates – Scott Jaschik at Inside Higher Ed.

Poetry

Kelly Cherry – D.S. Martin at Kingdom Poets.

In the Stillness of the Gaze – Robbie Pruitt.

California’s New Poet Laureate: Dana Gioia and Choosing Sides (poem) – Maureen Doallas at Writing Without Paper.

“Dare” from the Musical The Girls by Gary Barlow

Painting: Rembrandt’s Mother Reading, oil on canvas by Rembrandt van Rijn (c. 1629); Wilton House; Wiltshire, England.