Skeptic Society Magazine

What Havel Teaches Us About Freedom

I’m very happy to announce that Mike McFaul and Larry Diamond have agreed to become regular columnists for American Purpose. Mike is currently Ken Olivier and Angela Nomellini Professor of International Studies in the Department of Political Science at Stanford University, and a senior fellow at Stanford’s Freeman Spogli Institute (FSI) and Hoover Institution. He was also a former U.S. ambassador to Russia and...

Jensen Huang’s Potentially Seismic Art Retreat

What I’m Seeing The major arts institution named for Jensen Huang and his wife, Lori, appears to be—shocker!—very much in jeopardy. Just months ago, Huang was getting a phone call from President Trump while onstage at the All-In Summit in Los Angeles. “I’m here with the besties, Mr. President,” a laughing Huang said, putting his phone up to the mic. “Tell him I say...

When Envy is a Virtue

Our oldest stories teach us that envy is an emotion to be feared. It can lead to moral bankruptcy, violence, the collapse of friendships, families, and kingdoms. It is the cause of the first murder on Earth described in the Bible and the Quran: Cain kills his brother Abel because he is favored by God, and is then filled with grief and guilt, cursed...

Fake UK Artist Visas Are Being Offered for $132,000

Several companies have been helping migrants apply for UK visas under the government’s Global Talent program by creating fake art portfolios, complete with fake published art criticism and art news, according to a new investigation published by the BBC Friday. Nigerian art critic Molara Wood told the publication that she had found her name attached to fake online reviews praising the works of two...

The Best Winter Shoes Are Making a Mockery of Boot Season

Boots, boots, and more boots. That’s what’s about to overpopulate your feed in the next few weeks. But for the first time in a long time, there’s an ample supply of like-minded but less-hefty alternatives to feast your eyes on. And I’m not just talking about another pair of sensible walking shoes. With GORE-TEX’s invasion into just about every shoe on the planet, winter...