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The article discusses the role of the notion of truth in U.S. politics and culture. Topics include the role of lying in U.S. political history, the propagation of conspiracy theories, and the market for information in contemporary society in relation to technology. The role of institution building in the regulation of public discourse is addressed.

In this article the author explores reasons why he believes the global economic recession of 2008-2010, called the Great Recession, has not fostered an era of groundbreaking economic thought. He argues that economic research focusing on microeconomic systems by the economists Ronald Coase and Charles Murray were influential in promoting a culture based on individual decision-making in both economics and the humanities as a whole. He discusses how these individualistic models of economics are in great contrast to the ideas of economic interdependence which were implemented with the social reforms and Keynesian economic models used during the Great Depression.

The article presents a list of books about histories of people and their towns including "Family and Kin in Urban Communities," edited by Tamara K. Hareven, "Immigration and Industrialization: Ethnicity in an American Mill Town," by Jhon Bodnar, "The Minuteman and Their World," by Robert A. Gross, "A New England Town: The First 100 Years: Dedham, Massachusetts 1636-1736," by Kenneth A. Lockridge, and "The People of Hamilton, Canada West: Family and Class in a Mid-Nineteenth Century City," by Michael B. Katz.