Summer is here! Therefore, rich New Yorkers are going out to the Hamptons to compete for status. One of the many ways they do so is of course to build big and expensive houses. In the past, competition among the super-rich has inspired America’s most distinctive architectural styles—for example, the famous “Shingle Style”  that became popular in the late 19th century. … [Read More]

The Supreme Court of California provoked the usual howls of indignation and triumph with its decision mandating government recognition of same-sex marriage. As often happens, however, both sides of the controversy share assumptions that make their disagreement possible in the first place. That is, both opponents and advocates of same-sex marriage agree that marriage is the best possible loving relationship. As … [Read More]

On the question of conservatism, one can count on two things: First, that at any moment, some opinion-monger or other is holding forth on the nature of conservatism, and, second, that nearly everything he is saying is unedifying. Conservatism as conventionally understood is either vacuous (“conservatives respect tradition—except when they don’t”), asinine (“conservatives resist change”), or imperceptible (“conservatism is no more … [Read More]

It would be no exaggeration to say that Thorstein Veblen’s Theory of the Leisure Class made possible for the first time the scientific study of culture. The ideologies that arise from time to time to justify the peculiar, useless or destructive tastes of a particular class—from barbarian warriors (Song of Roland) and effete gentlemen (Newman’s Idea of the University) to moralistic … [Read More]

Progress in Iraq! Every opinion seems to turn on whether one believes that it exists. (See here, here and here.) “Progress” (or “lack of progress”) may seem like a neutral way to describe what is or isn’t happening in Iraq.  In reality it is no more than an elusive figure of speech.  By grossly simplifying what we are trying to achieve, … [Read More]

Next time you reflect on the universality of human heartache, reflect also on the life of William F. Buckley Jr. Here was a man who had everything one could desire: money, friendship, fame, wit, talent, distinction, a beautiful and devoted wife, an extraordinary son. Everything he touched turned to gold. Was he happy? Yes, absolutely, he was. As far as I … [Read More]

Many others commit the offense, but Ryan Sager, the industrious libertarian pundit, commits it more often than most. That is, he assumes without warrant that freedom and equality are not only consistent with but in fact demand government recognition of same-sex marriage.  Sager writes, in his recent review of Grover Norquist’s book Leave Me Alone: [T]oday’s Religious Right is hell-bent, above … [Read More]

Among the first tributes paid upon the death of William F. Buckley Jr. was that he “waged the war of ideas”—indeed, that he may have died doing so. I leave aside to what extent “he waged the war of ideas” aptly describes any part of Bill’s career. Let us consider only to what extent it may be regarded as praise. To … [Read More]

Iraq, says scientist and curmudgeon Gregory Cochran, “is a Seinfeld war—a war about nothing.” That is, I take it, neither the defenders nor the architects of the invasion and occupation or Iraq have ever actually spelled out—not even in their own minds— the causal logic whereby the occupation of Iraq will actually make Americans safer. They may know how the story … [Read More]

Few words raise hackles these days faster than “neoconservative.” Some see it as an anti-Semitic euphemism for “jewish conservative.” Others defend the term and call the efforts to squelch it self-serving. For better or worse, the very controversy over “neoconservative” may soon drive it out of polite society. Readers of the great linguist Steven Pinker will remember the “euphemism treadmill,” whereby … [Read More]