Tradition tells us that giants are born from fallen angels joining themselves to willing humans, and that even after these are slain, their specters may yet demand sacrifice. We are still facing giants today, as well as the ghosts they leave behind, and may learn something from those ancient tales.

Animated by faith and patriotism and buoyed by an unkillable sense of humor, Ukrainians are thus far shocking the world by their steadfastness in the face of Russian aggression.

As I am writing these words, I can hear a battle raging on the other side of the Kyiv Sea. The worst thing about living close to the front line is not knowing where the next missile will land, but we are determined to carry on with our lives for as long as possible.

The same experience with Soviet hegemony that has rendered Central European states immune, at some level, to the kind of decadence Western leadership favors, also led them to suspect Russia’s intentions.

Conservatives, of course, are aware of the urgent need to reduce the bureaucratic machine to a minimum. But in the quest to devolve governance to the local level, we must not forget the existential dignity of the penniless castaways generated by the oligarchic system.

Consider what Europe will look like if Russia wins, or loses, the war in Ukraine. Obtaining reliable information, in this case, is nearly impossible. To navigate these uncertain times, the best guidance may be found in the old-school academic discipline of political economy.

The highlight of the Common Sense Society event was the presentation to Jordan Peterson of its inaugural Sir Roger Scruton Award.

By understanding our emotions as a more primary part of ourselves, we can begin to respond to them as meaningful, and also as something we need not be dominated by. At the same time, we have a chance at last to put an end to the stupidity that has been unleashed by ideologies that function on an emotional level but masquerade as rational.

Kyiv has been hardly affected by major destruction yet, but there are checkpoints on every corner, and air raid sirens vail every thirty minutes, reminding everyone that a war is going on, right here, right now. A report from the war zone.

Tolkien maintained a great Marian piety throughout his lifetime. Indeed, he said that his entire vision of beauty was grounded in the simplicity and magnificence of the Mother of God.

The problem with complacent ruling elites is that, to justify their dominance, they are forced to resuscitate old terrors and to make up new ones. They rely on phantom enemies against which they can pose as our protectors.

Fictional rebellions invite us to side with the underdog. The story conveniently ends with their victory, but leaves no ruined lives and no unhealable scars—nothing to contradict the idea of a newly found paradise.