Society & everyday decisions
Public life, ethics, work, money and the communities people share.
GRE Issue Essay on National Greatness and Public Welfare
An argument that national greatness is best measured by whether a country enables people to live secure, dignified lives, while recognizing that leadership, art, and science matter when they contribute to human flourishing.
Do Worthy Goals Justify Any Means?
An argument that important goals can justify difficult measures only when those measures respect basic rights, are necessary and proportionate, and remain subject to accountability.
Can Community Solar Help Address Renters' Energy Choices?
Community solar can give renters a practical route to participate in solar power and may reduce electricity costs, but access depends on local programs and clear consumer protections. It does not guarantee lower rent or solve housing affordability.
Why the Cost of Commuting Belongs in Discussions About Work
A developed explanation of why wages alone cannot measure the value or accessibility of a job, considering travel time, work location, transportation choices, and housing affordability.
Why Online Reviews Need the Same Skepticism as Other Sources
Online reviews can help consumers, but a star rating is not proof. Evaluating who wrote a review, how it was produced, and what it actually describes makes consumer decisions more informed.
Driving Tests in the United States: Why Knowledge and Judgment Both Matter
A knowledge test can check whether a learner recognizes road rules, but safe driving also depends on supervised practice, experience, and sound decisions in changing conditions.
Why U.S. Public Transit Needs Reliable Information, Not Just a Timetable
An explanatory essay arguing that transit access depends not only on scheduled service but also on trustworthy, current information that helps riders respond to uncertainty.
Questioning Authority and the Public Good
An argument that public scrutiny benefits society when it tests authority through evidence and accountable institutions, but becomes harmful when generalized distrust rejects legitimate processes.
Are All Human Actions Based on Self-Interest?
An argument that self-interest is one motive among several, and that the possibility of personal benefit does not prove every action is ultimately selfish.
Renting Versus Owning in Today's America: A Comparison Beyond Monthly Payments
An evidence-based comparison of renting and owning that looks beyond monthly payments to flexibility, household costs, financial exposure, and the limits of broad national statistics.
Economic Security and the Ability to Handle an Unexpected Expense
An explanation of what emergency-savings measures reveal about U.S. households’ financial resilience—and why those measures cannot describe every household’s security.
Should Companies Make the Limits of Their Claims Easier to See?
An argument for making the scope, evidence, and qualifications behind consumer-facing claims visible at the point of decision, while recognizing that transparency cannot replace careful judgment or regulation.