In the bustling marketplace of ideas and debate, certain luminaries shine brighter, capturing our collective imagination. These figures, the most influential public intellectuals of our time, wield ideas like lanterns, cutting through the fog that shrouds complex issues. Their insights do more than challenge our perceptions; they drive conversations, shape policies, and mold our cultural and personal philosophies. They are the thinkers and doers whose voices echo far beyond academic halls, reaching into the very heart of public discourse.
This list represents more than a mere collection of accomplished individuals; it’s a personal selection of those voices that resonate most deeply with me, guided largely by their influence. It’s both a subjective exploration of intellectual affinity and an acknowledgment of those who, by dint of their ideas, lead our societal conversations. In alphabetical order:
David Brooks: Perhaps a cliche selection here, but certainly a deserving one. His work, characterized by a nuanced exploration of the human condition and the moral fabric of society, has positioned him as a pivotal voice in contemporary discourse. His journey is marked by an evolving perspective, shifting from more conservative roots to embrace a broader, more nuanced view of the political and social landscape.
Tyler Cowen: A polymath whose expertise spans economics, culture, and global trends, Cowen’s insights cut through the noise of daily news to highlight underappreciated forces shaping our world. His prolific output, including books, a widely read blog, and a popular podcast, not only makes complex economic concepts accessible but also demonstrates a rare curiosity about everything from technology to cuisine. What sets Cowen apart is his unique lens on the everyday and the extraordinary, urging us to think differently about the world around us.
Jonathan Haidt: He emerges as a crucial voice in our efforts to navigate the complex terrain of human morality, ethics, and social psychology. His work, which delves into the foundations of our moral instincts, has sparked vital conversations about the polarized state of contemporary society and the psychological underpinnings of our political and religious beliefs. Haidt’s ability to blend rigorous academic research with engaging storytelling makes him an indispensable figure in public intellectual discourse.
Tom Holland: A historian and author whose vivid storytelling breathes life into the ancient past. Holland has a unique talent for drawing connections between the distant past and contemporary issues, inviting readers and listeners to consider the long arcs of history and their impact on today’s world. He has also elevated an increasingly important thesis: that Christianity’s moral and ethical underpinnings have fundamentally shaped Western civilization’s values and institutions, often in ways that its secular societies no longer recognize.
Elon Musk: With a vision that stretches from the electric vehicles on our roads to the spacecraft orbiting our planet, Musk has positioned himself as a pivotal force in shaping the future of technology, transportation, and space exploration. Musk’s philosophy intertwines innovation, existential risk, and the future of humanity. Central to his worldview is a commitment to leveraging innovation and technology to secure a sustainable and expansive future for humanity.
Aaron Renn: A compelling voice in the discourse on urban development, policy, and culture. Renn’s work, which spans Substack newsletters, podcasts, and public speaking engagements, advocates for a holistic approach to urban development that considers economic vitality, cultural richness, and community well-being. A distinguishing feature of Renn’s work is his focus on the Midwest and other often-overlooked regions in the national conversation on urbanism.
Andrew Sullivan: He stands out as a beacon of intellectual curiosity and fearless exploration in an era often marked by ideological rigidity. His writing merges profound intellectual insights with deeply personal narratives, making the complex tapestry of politics, culture, and human identity accessible and compelling. Sullivan's courage to question his convictions, to evolve publicly, and to engage with ideas beyond the conventional boundaries makes him an essential voice for anyone seeking to understand the nuances of our time. His work is not just about reading; it's an invitation to challenge ourselves, to think deeper, and to engage with the world in a more nuanced and informed way.
Peter Thiel: He offers a perspective that is as challenging as it is enlightening. Peter Thiel emphasizes that mimetic desire—our tendency to imitate others’ wants—drives much of human behavior and competition, suggesting that true innovation and progress require breaking free from this cycle to pursue unique, undervalued paths. His unique blend of entrepreneurial success and philosophical inquiry breaks through conventional wisdom, compelling us to question the unseen assumptions underlying modern society and technology. Thiel’s insights are not merely theoretical musings but lessons forged in the crucible of Silicon Valley.
The Start of the Great War
One hundred years ago this week, the United States entered World War I. The entrance of America into the war is best described in the words of Vera Brittain, an English nurse serving in France:
“Only a day or two afterwards I was leaving quarters to go back to my ward, when I had to wait to let a large contingent of troops march past me along the main road that ran through our camp. They were swinging rapidly towards Camiers, and though the sight of soldiers marching was too familiar to arouse curiosity, an unusual quality of bold vigour in their swift stride caused me to stare at them with puzzled interest.
They looked larger than ordinary men; their tall, straight figures were in vivid contrast to the under-sized armies of pale recruits to which we had grown accustomed. At first I thought their spruce, clean uniforms were those of officers, yet obviously they could not be officers, for there were too many of them; they seemed, as it were, Tommies in heaven. Had yet another regiment been conjured from our depleted Dominions? I wondered, watching them move with such rhythm, such dignity, such serene consciousness of self-respect. But I knew the colonial troops so well, and these were different; they were assured where the Australians were aggressive, self-possessed where the New Zealanders were turbulent.
Then I heard an excited exclamation from a group of Sisters behind me.
‘Look! Look! Here are the Americans.!’
I pressed forward with the others to watch the United States physically entering the war, so God-like, so magnificent, so splendidly unimpaired in comparison with the tired, nerve-racked men of the British Army. So these were our deliverers at last, marching up the road to Camiers in the spring sunshine! There seemed to be hundreds of them, and in the fearless swagger of their proud strength they looked a formidable bulwark against the peril looming from Amiens.
…An uncontrollable emotion seized me – as such emotions often seized us in those days of insufficient sleep; my eyeballs pricked, my throat ached, and a mist swam over the confident Americans going to the front. The coming of relief made me realise all at once how long and how intolerable had been the tension, and with the knowledge that we were not, after all, defeated, I found myself beginning to cry.”
It is 2017 again? WWI was well and truly over by 1924.