Graeme D. Orr (Queensland): A Fetishised Gift: The Legal Status of Flags. From The Economist, a debate: How does inequality matter? Tiny houses are seen as an antidote to rampant consumerism — what a crock! Nudge on Trial: Cass Sunstein defends the White House against a Republican attack. From Improbable Research, Marcel D. Waldinger, the go-to man for restless genital insights, also has insights about men who are allergic to their own semen; and Ig Nobel Prize winner Paul Bosland has bred yet another surprising jalapeno pepper. State of the World: Will 2011 be the next 1989? It was 350 years ago that Oliver Cromwell was convicted of treason and posthumously beheaded — but who was this reluctant republican and could he be the greatest politician in British history? A review of Lying and Deception: Theory and Practice by Thomas L. Carson. On public investment, Republicans again show they aren't serious. From Dissent, Peter Dreier on Glenn Beck’s attack on Frances Fox Piven. From Papyrus to iPad: Nicholas Carr on the evolution of reading. Obama's impossible dilemma in Egypt: Should America support the country’s president or its people? Bernard-Henri Levy has been indicted and faces trial January 28th, in Paris, for "Crimes Against the Intellect". Few are aware of the Coast Guard’s contributions to the success of the World Maritime University. From Esquire, is James Frey the most important writer in America?
