The Editors

“We must observe what parts of the land must be manured, how the manure is to be applied, and the best kind to use; for there are several varieties. Cassius…

In this story, the author describes a week of using calligraphy to send text messages. Meanwhile, this piece emphasizes the importance of "other cities." This article bemoans the disparity between…

Each day that my son and I take a teaspoon of honey we remember Myrna Sweet. For as long as I've been going to the Waupun Farmer's Market, Clifford and…

[This post is adapted with permission from “GPS and the End of the Road,” an essay in the anthology Why Place Matters: Geography, Identity, and Civic Life in Modern America,…

This article make some interesting points while critiquing the entire left-right political spectrum. Meanwhile, this piece explains how a major British think tank has advocated a localist approach to politics. Lastly, this…

“But when children play the right games from the beginning and absorb lawfulness from music and poetry, it follows them in everything and fosters their growth…” Socrates, in Plato’s Republic,…

In this peculiar piece, the author describes her "internet hometown." Meanwhile, this piece describes how hospitals are starting to show interest in local and organic foods. Lastly, this article advocates a…

In political news, the Republican Party has chosen a new house majority leader. Meanwhile, this piece reports on the problematic archival systems in the federal government. This piece argues that future…

“Whoever it was who said that agriculture is the mother and nurse of all other arts was right, because when agriculture is faring well, all the other arts are strengthened…

This piece tells how one restaurant has found a less human dining experience is a more profitable one. Meanwhile, this article discusses the impact that the local food movement is…

In his new book, Ralph Nader argues that the Left and the Right should unite against the economic and political establishment in the Center.

I reflected what a Mortification it must prove to me to appear as inconsiderable in this Nation as one single Lilliputian would be among us." --Gulliver's Travels, Jonathan Swift Boy…

Recently, the USDA announced a new federal initiative encouraging local food. This article takes a somewhat critical view of New Urbanism based on the recent Congress in Buffalo. Meanwhile, this…

The world is so full of a number of things, I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings. Robert Louis Stevenson, A Child’s Garden of Verses In my…

This article examines how local farms are expanding their business to serve local institutions, mainly schools. Meanwhile, this piece describes obstacles to implementing the USDA standards that encourage local sourcing…

On John Milius, writer-director-surfer-anarchist, from The American Conservative.

Historically, the locals have called Pompaples, Switzerland the “milieu du monde.” Not to be confused as a claim about its importance as a cultural or political influence, the title refers…

[Cross-posted to In Medias Res] Via Rod Dreher, I see that the occasionally interesting blog Postmodern Conservative has departed its longtime home at the (often, if not always) theoconservative journal…

This article outlines some efforts in Britain to involve local communities in the upkeep of unused land. Meanwhile, this article warms that attempts to digitize interaction with physical objects may…

Holy Family Radio in Grand Rapids, Michigan, recently aired John Pinheiro's interview with me on his weekly program, Faith and Reason.  Pinheiro asked me to discuss my new book, The…

This article on the Amazon-Hachette contract dispute illustrates some problems with having nearly all book sales in the hands of one major corporation. Meanwhile, this piece reflects on social media's tendency…

“It is for you to try to be like them.” Pericles’ Funeral Oration I have to admit a problem that I’ve had with Memorial Day. I’ve often let my thoughts…

This piece describes the alienating aspects of technology. Meanwhile, the author of this ambitious article would have the seven-day week abolished. This article speculates as to the impact of food…

[Cross-posted to In Medias Res] Yesterday was the final day of the school year at Peterson Elementary School, the public school which three of our four daughters have attended. It…