Category: Essays

December 2013, Reviews, Sarah Albers, Tragically Hip

Tragically Hip—Five Simple Rules for Gaining Indie Cred by Sarah Albers

If you’re reading this column, I am going to assume that you are, on some level, desperate. Fear not, would-be hipsters! This is a good thing. All true hipsters are closeted gluttons for peer validation. Just try defending a mainstream artist while your indie kid test subject of choice is surrounded by sneering, denim-clad henchmen and you’ll see what I mean. The first rule: avoid … Continue reading Tragically Hip—Five Simple Rules for Gaining Indie Cred by Sarah Albers

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Brett Wierenga, Conservative Features, December 2013, Reviews

Lambasting Straussians by Brett Wierenga

Paul Gottfried is not impressed by the Straussian project. His latest book, Leo Strauss and the Conservative Movement in America, is part history, part polemic, and part intellectual version of Mythbusters. For anyone confused by the Straussian debate that occasionally rears its head on our campus, this book is a great place to start, but a terrible place to end. Gottfried presents an adequate overview … Continue reading Lambasting Straussians by Brett Wierenga

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October 2013, Reviews, Sarah Albers, Tragically Hip

Tragically Hip—Album Review: Reflektor

 This is a new regular feature for The Hillsdale Forum, taking the place of our “Professor’s iPod” feature of years past. Sarah Albers ran a music blog for several years before giving it all up to…study, or whatever it is Hillsdale students do that takes all their free time. We hope to receive many tidbits of smarmy hipsterness from our new contributor, and we hope … Continue reading Tragically Hip—Album Review: Reflektor

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Conservative Features, culture, Mike Pope, October 2013

Conservative Pragmatism—Grounding Meaning in Pragmatics: A Conservative Take by Mike Pope

To many conservative idealists, few venoms paralyze the rational soul’s pursuit of truth more than pragmatism. Such a response is not without warrant, for the terms ‘pragmatism’ and ‘conservatism’ are frequently misused. Nevertheless, a more charitable reading of the pragmatist project and a thoroughgoing understanding of its trajectory enables a deepened grasp of conservative principle. Certainly, someone emphasizing pragmatics in politics will neither be labeled … Continue reading Conservative Pragmatism—Grounding Meaning in Pragmatics: A Conservative Take by Mike Pope

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May 2013, Miscellaneous

Short Story Contest

Ladies and gentlemen, It is the pleasure of the Hillsdale Forum to announce our newest feature: a short story writing competition. We will be taking submissions of works under 1500 words and will stop taking submissions on September 24th. We will use the subsequent time to read, edit, and select a winning short story, which will then be published in the magazine. Moreover, we hope … Continue reading Short Story Contest

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Miscellaneous

RINOs: The Endangered Brutes of America by Andy Reuss

In America there are animals of all shapes and sizes, from the tough, individualistic armadillos of Texas to the banal, dependent tuna off the Bay Area coast. Today, we will study the declining state of the rhino, that mighty beast once identified with strength and vigor that now bumbles its way into the obscurity of old age and, ultimately, extinction. We’ll see how its feeding … Continue reading RINOs: The Endangered Brutes of America by Andy Reuss

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Conservative Features, culture

Conservatism and Unreasonable Optimism by Sam Ryskamp

“We must revive the fine tradition of conservative pessimism. In this age, optimism is for children and fools. And liberals.” – John Derbyshire In light of last fall’s elections, how optimistic should we be about America’s future? The melancholy state of the Republican Party has led many to associate optimism with liberalism, but the GOP is floundering precisely because we let go of the unreasonable … Continue reading Conservatism and Unreasonable Optimism by Sam Ryskamp

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Andy Reuss, culture, March 2013

RINOs: The Endangered Brutes of America by Andy Reuss

In America there are animals of all shapes and sizes, from the tough, individualistic armadillos of Texas to the banal, dependent tuna off the Bay Area coast. Today, we will study the declining state of the rhino, that mighty beast once identified with strength and vigor that now bumbles its way into the obscurity of old age and, ultimately, extinction. We’ll see how its feeding … Continue reading RINOs: The Endangered Brutes of America by Andy Reuss

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March 2013, Micah Meadowcroft, Reviews

Ray’s Tavern: Americana in my Mouth

The other day I decided that I wanted a break from SAGA.  I make this decision fairly often; usually I just walk upstairs and get a burger or something at AJ’s. After all, AJ’s has great burgers, quite satisfactory for a hungry, semi-desperate student. Once in a while, however, AJ’s won’t cut it, and I need to get out of Hillsdale.If you’re feeling the same … Continue reading Ray’s Tavern: Americana in my Mouth

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December 2012, Forester McClatchey, Reviews

Glory at Sea: A Review of a Short Film by Forester McClatchey

“I try and think about how the storm and all of these people dyin’ was part of God’s plan. But mostly I just stare up to the water hopin’ I can have one last look at them.”  Writer-director Benh Zeitlin’s 2008 short film “Glory at Sea” opens with an underwater view of a rain-dimpled ocean surface, an eerily beautiful image that sets the tone for … Continue reading Glory at Sea: A Review of a Short Film by Forester McClatchey

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