Social Issues

Via OurWorldInData.org

There’s a fascinating graph for you. It tells you the radical shift from “materialist” values to “postmaterialist” values in the West, over a 30-year period. From OurWorldInData.org:

Submitted by Jim Quinn via The Burning Platform blog,

The chart below would appear to be in conflict with the results of a recent Gallup poll regarding stock ownership by Americans. The ratio of household equities to money market fund assets is near a record high, 60% above the 2007 high and 30% above the 1999 internet bubble high. The chart would appear to prove irrational exuberance among the general populace.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are finally banning the outdated and controversial electroshock therapy, for use on children with autism.  On Friday the FDA proposed the ban on the use of electrical-shock therapy to treat children at the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center in Boston. The facility treats school children diagnosed with autism, developmental delays and various psychiatric problems. Sputniknews.com reports: The shock therapy is commonly used on children who are prone to hurting themselves or others. It involves shocks sent through electrodes placed on the skin.

Submitted by Jeff Deist via The Mises Institute,

This article from the Free Beacon about Bernie Sanders being kicked out of a “hippie commune” in 1971 reads like something from The Onion. Bernie, age 30(!) at that point, was like a bad college roommate who preferred late night political discussions to housework and cleaning. And based on uncontested reports of his nonexistent career path, we can safely assume he contributed nothing to the communal finances.

The fallout of popular anger emanating from Europe's refugee crisis, which may have moderated in recent weeks following Europe's desperate attempts to bribe Turkey to keep as many refugees in its borders as possible (unleashing the era of unprecedented Turkish leverage over European sovereigns, including Germany and the Netherlands) continued today with a dramatic result from the first round of Austria's presidential election, where initial results showed that the candidate of the Freedom Party, Austria's right-wing, anti-immigrant party has swept his competition, gathering over 35% of the