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Why did English departments abandon ideas for ideology?
T.S. Eliot and the weight of a world-ending whimper
When disaster becomes routine in L.A.
Sanmao and the priest
The trouble with a shrinking population
As the world turns into 2025, echoes of 1925 linger: T.S. Eliot's The Hollow Men introduced us to a 'whimper' of despair, while Hitler's Mein Kampf foreshadowed catastrophe. What do these works from a century ago say about the fragility of human progress?
In Los Angeles, wildfires blur the line between disaster and daily life. Evacuation alerts, smoke-filled horizons, and neighborhoods turned to ash coexist with packed restaurants and holiday plans. As the fires rage on, one question persists: is this the new normal?
Sacred spaces reflect their times, from Baroque splendor to Brutalist minimalism. A visit to Warsaw’s Temple of Divine Providence highlights how churches, beyond their doctrines, become vessels of national identity, architectural evolution, and historical memory.
In universities worldwide, English departments teach theory rather than literature, using art to serve ideological ends. But how did this happen, and what is lost when we sacrifice moral and cultural depth to the demands of ideological conformity?
High in Taiwan’s mountains, Jesuit priest Barry Martinson found a soulmate in celebrated author Sanmao, who inspired millions with her writing. Their relationship—neither romantic nor conventional—was a profound meeting of kindred spirits, rooted in shared curiosity, literary love, and the sacrificial essence of friendship.
In 2024, a fifth of Americans reported having no close friends, and the number is growing, especially among those without college degrees. So what are the societal structures behind this crisis in loneliness, and how we can rebuild meaningful connections?
In a year defined by uneven cultural offerings, books stood tall while cinema faltered and television treaded water. From Alexander Armstrong’s enchanting Evenfall to Patricia Briggs’ mystical Winter Lost, the literary landscape offered gems aplenty. Meanwhile, Netflix’s Mary proved a thunderous flop, and Barbie charmed in pink. Let the debates begin.
In A Man on the Inside, Ted Danson’s Charles brings wit and warmth to a retirement home whodunit with a poignant edge. Created by Mike Schur (The Good Place), this Netflix gem artfully blends comedy, mystery, and social commentary, exploring the ache of loss, the joy of purpose, and the profound value of connection.
Navalny’s memoir Patriot was released last month. Written in prison, it is a testament to Navalny’s deliberate practice of a forward-looking hope for the future, even though he was certain that he would not outlive his sentences. Surprisingly, the book is full of humour.
At COP29, the world’s wealthiest nations promised to confront climate change—but delivered only a fraction of the required funds, leaving developing countries with a trillion-dollar shortfall. As Pope Francis warns of a sick planet, the question remains: Who pays for the climate crisis, and who bears the consequences?
Peace is hard to define, harder to achieve, and almost impossible to sustain. In a world obsessed with profit, simplistic narratives, and selective outrage, peace feels like a lofty ideal rather than a realistic goal. But what would it take to make peace more than a buzzword—and a true global reality?
What does Donald Trump’s improbable return to the White House have to do with the mysteries of consciousness? Quite a lot, actually. From the psychology of a man shaped by relentless egotism to the social dynamics of his base, we scrabble for insights into what a Trump second term could mean for our fractured world.
Gift-giving should be a celebration of kindness, but modern rituals often entangle us in obligation and excess. From generous neighbours to Christmas present hauls, reciprocal gifts build and shape our relationships. But what does it mean to give without strings?
The firebombing of Melbourne's Adass Israel Synagogue is a profound tragedy, reflecting the weight of historical hatred and contemporary tensions. Amid global grief and anger, this act of antisemitism compels us to reflect on the shared humanity of all people and the urgent need for peace, understanding, and ethical leadership.
From playground shrugs to a growing male crisis, outdated ideas about masculinity fuel violence, isolation, and despair. Addressing these challenges starts with how we raise boys — teaching compassion, accountability, and the courage to truly connect.
Is the synod a parliament, a shareholder meeting, or something wholly unique? How we frame it shapes our understanding of its purpose and outcomes. Beyond analogies, could the true essence of synodality lie in embracing grace and discernment, re-centering the church on its divine mission?
The Synod of Bishops may mark a turning point for the Catholic Church, but the real work now begins — locally. From diocesan councils to parish communities, the challenge lies in translating synodality into action. In Australia, divergent episcopal views and a patchy history of reform raise critical questions about the Church’s future.
The Synod on Synodality has quietly rewritten the Church’s relationship with disability, shifting from a legacy of marginalisation to a vision of equality and dignity. This historic move acknowledges past failings while championing the rights of disabled people as full participants in faith and society. But does the rhetoric match reality?