Essays

In an era of rising disinformation, polarization, and institutional decay, it is no longer hyperbole to say that American liberal democracy is under serious threat. The freedoms and norms that once formed the backbone of this republic are being eroded from both within and without. But despite these dangers, or perhaps because of them, it is worth fighting to preserve what remains and rebuild what has been lost. At its core, liberal democracy rests on three foundational principles: free and fair elections, the rule of law, and the protection of individual rights. These aren’t abstract ideals. They are the reason civil rights movements succeeded, the reason journalists can hold the powerful to account, and the reason a citizen’s vote matters. When these principles are weakened, everyone suffers, not just the politically engaged, but ordinary people whose lives depend on fair governance. ...

Our Pale Blue Dot Still Turns. And It Still Needs Us. There’s a photo taken by Voyager 1 in 1990, as it was leaving the planetary region of our solar system. It shows Earth from 3.7 billion miles away: a tiny speck caught in a beam of scattered sunlight. That speck is us. Everyone you’ve ever loved. Every moment of history. Every act of courage and cruelty. Every hope and heartbreak. ...