Austin Allen
Associate Editor, Big Think
Recent Activity
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What’s the Big Idea? In a 2010 Big Think interview, technology writer Nicholas Carr (The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains) argued that the Web has made its users proficient at searching and browsing, but lousy at reading and remembering. The distraction-filled online world, he ... Read More
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When the government violates the Constitution, courts should assign blame clearly—not bury it under euphemisms. What’s the Big Idea? Judicial review is the process by which the judiciary weighs the constitutionality of actions by the other two branches of government. It’s one of the primary ... Read More
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Plato’s vision of a harmonious state would scandalize liberals and conservatives alike. But some of his advice might be worth taking. What’s the Big Idea? Although it’s a staple of philosophy classes everywhere, Plato’s Republic has attracted considerable criticism over the centuries. As a ... Read More
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What’s the Big Idea? Whether or not they consider themselves politically “progressive,” many Americans reflexively expect their country to make robust progress along economic lines. Buoyed by decades of material growth, we expect GDP to rise and standards of living to improve indefinitely. If ... Read More
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What’s the Big Idea? Millions are expected to flock—or stumble—to theaters this weekend to see The Hangover: Part II, the sequel to the highest-grossing R-rated comedy of all time. Unlike the characters in the original, few of us will ever have to deal with roaring tigers, wailing babies, or ... Read More
