The Navigator, Saturday, June 28, 2025
Buildings that heal, the end of publishing, young people and sex, immigrants driving growth, the triumph of tacky—and more
In March 1965, just over 60 years ago, Martin Luther King delivered a speech on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery, stating, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” This exact quote had been used before, first in the 19th century, and has been used by other leaders since, including famously by former President Obama; however, it has always been a rallying cry, a promise for tomorrow. But what if that long arc that King and Obama spoke about was more like a zig-zag — a series of two steps (or more) forward and one step (or more) back?
History constantly reminds us that progress is never guaranteed, and these days, it feels like we’re going full throttle in reverse, which can be demoralizing and defeating, especially when we’ve come so far. Yet, hope remains, not because of some blind faith that our leaders will eventually do the “right thing,” but because so many are moving to action to preserve and protect this great Union.
When people unite, they can create a better tomorrow, and we’re seeing that across the nation today. Individuals of all ages, races, and genders are standing up for the future, organizing in their communities, online, and in the streets. Native born citizens are protecting their immigrant neighbors. And voters are delivering seismic electoral wins for outsiders running against the establishment.
As we enter this holiday week, when the United States celebrates its 249th birthday, let us remember the Founding Fathers for breaking free from the tyrannical ties of monarchy, but also remember the enslaved, the suffragists, the union organizers, and the civil rights leaders who moved our great experiment forward. They believed in the promise of America and a better tomorrow, but they also understood the reality: freedom isn’t free, and progress always requires effort.
How are you helping to build the future that you want to see? Let us know in the comments below.
The economic theory behind Trumpism (Vox)
A leading conservative thinker on populism's rise on the right.
The Secret Reason So Many College Students Are Relying on AI Is Incredibly Sad (Futurism)
And honestly, can you blame them?
Opinion: The Bezos-Sánchez Wedding and the Triumph of Tacky (The New York Times)
Some of the world’s richest people are gathering for the wedding of Jeff Bezos, the world’s third-richest man, in one of the world’s most touristy cities, Venice, and it’s easy to ask: What happened to understatement and restraint?
Is Food Really Better in Europe? (New York Magazine)
Americans are convinced the ingredients in our food are poisoning us.
Are Young People Having Enough Sex? (The New Yorker)
Confronted with a Vegas buffet of carnality, Generation Z appears to be losing its appetite.
The End of Publishing as We Know It (The Atlantic)
Inside Silicon Valley’s assault on the media
Is the decline of reading poisoning our politics? (Vox)
Your brain isn’t what it used to be.
Immigrants drive population growth in a graying America, census shows (The Washington Post)
Children still outnumber older adults, but births are declining and baby boomers are aging.
How Can We Design Buildings to Heal, Not Harm? (Metropolis Magazine)
Jason McLennan—regenerative design pioneer and chief sustainability officer at Perkins&Will—on creating buildings that restore, replenish, and revive the natural world.
Visit Italy’s Message to Tourists: You’ve Only Seen 1% (Skift)
The new campaign comes at a critical moment, as protests against overtourism are on the rise, particularly in Southern Europe
How Mamdani stunned New York—and what Democrats can learn from his win (BBC)
It takes only a quick scroll through 33-year-old Zohran Mamdani’s social media accounts to understand just how different his style is from that of a traditional politician.
Louisiana’s coast is eroding. One engineer found a fix in her wine bottle. (NPR/TED Radio Hour)
A young chemical engineer and her team, with funds from the National Science Foundation, have come up with a new form of disaster relief.