Protesting in Class, Confronting Over-Zealous Ridesharing Regulators, and Branding Rockets

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Can Mark Zuckerberg Fix Facebook Before It Breaks Democracy?

Evan Osnos | The New Yorker | Tweeted by Brent Skorup

A profile of Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg in The New Yorker highlights the man behind the forum of 2.2 billion people and the company’s latest struggle over content controls.

Teens Are Protesting In-Class Presentations

Taylor Lorenz | The Atlantic | Retweeted by Bryan Caplan

In the last few years, high school students have begun speaking out against mandatory in-class presentations, citing anxiety and mental health concerns. What are the arguments of students? Why do teachers think in-class public speaking is important? Learn more in The Atlantic.

Diversity Is an American Strength, Not Weakness

Noah Smith | Bloomberg | Retweeted by David Beckworth

Noah Smith argues that proponents of diversity in the United States are missing one of the biggest benefits of an abundance of cultures, religions, beliefs, etc.—the resistance to conformity. Read his opinion piece in Bloomberg to learn more about why he believes this core American value is essential to society.

Uber Was Right

Henry Grabar | Slate | Tweeted by Jennifer Huddleston Skees

In the rise of ridesharing, some companies like Uber and Lyft decided to ask for forgiveness rather than permission when distributing their new products across cities. Now, new scooter and bike sharing companies are attempting the same approach, yet regulators are crushing their trial runs.

How Protectionism Erodes the Rule of Law

James Devereaux | Foundation for Economic Education | Shared by Donald Boudreaux

According to James Devereaux, policies like tariffs are a form of protectionism that favor the few at the expense of the many. What are some other forms of protectionism, and why does Devereaux cite them as harmful? How is a system of inequality established in his view?

‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Has Soared, but It May Not Fly in China

Amy Qin | The New York Times | Shared by Tyler Cowen

Despite its success in the United States, Crazy Rich Asians is still waiting on approval for official release in China. According to experts, the popular film could conflict with the country’s growing push for “socialist values.”

C.I.A. Drone Mission, Curtailed by Obama, Is Expanded in Africa under Trump

Joe Penney, Eric Schmitt, Rukmini Callimachi, and Christoph Koettl | The New York Times | Tweeted by Christopher Coyne

The CIA is broadening its covert drone operations over Northern Africa and the Middle East, expanding its scope of military power. What does this mean for US involvement in those regions, and why does it matter?

Why NASA’s Next Rockets Might Say Budweiser on the Side

Christian Davenport | The Washington Post | Shared by Tyler Cowen

NASA leadership is looking into new and innovative ways to offset costs of new spacecraft by selling name rights and advertisements for its rockets. Jim Bridenstine, one of the agency’s administrators, sees it as an opportunity to ease regulations and promote growth in private business.

What Serena Got Wrong

Martina Navratilova | The New York Times | Shared by Tyler Cowen

In an op-ed for The New York Times, Martina Navratilova answers a question about civility: How should individuals honor their sport while simultaneously respecting their opponents?

Is Facebook Now Over-Moderating Content?

Will Rinehart | The Technology Liberation Front | Retweeted by Anne Hobson

What is considered inappropriate content? Can, and should, such content be objectively policed, and if so, is there a correct algorithm for doing so? Will Rinehart examines Facebook’s latest moderation conundrum and how they are tackling these questions in The Technology Liberation Front.

Here’s What the CFPB’s Sandbox Should Look Like

Dan Quan | American Banker | Retweeted by Brian Knight

How can regulators reduce regulatory uncertainty and fear for investors and creators in the long run? Former Senior Adviser to the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Dan Quan explains his view on how the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau can update old rules that stifle innovation.