Sharpening Arrows

Judging people based on merit produces racial disparities. Is that a cause for concern? To discuss this, Victor dives into a case study involving NYC high schools. He first makes the case that racial disparities prove there is racial discrimination. He then exposes the many flaws in that argument. He ends with compelling evidenced debunking this notion from Thomas Sowell's wonderful book "Discrimi...

Is gerrymandering the end of democracy? Many Democrats claim so -- at least when Texas does it. Victor explains what gerrymandering is and why there's such a big fight about who draws congressional districts. He lays out three common arguments against what Texas Republicans are doing and then explains why they don't hold up to scrutiny. Parental pause point questions: 1. Why is there a big...

200 years ago, Americans defined education very differently and it's worth looking at the difference. Pause point questions: 1. How would the world be different, if our society still held to the 1828 definition of education? (3:45) 2. Are there any changes you want to incorporate as you think about this year of education? (3:54) 3. Do you agree that a religious education is indispensable? Why...

President Donald Trump is bringing back the Presidential Fitness Test. The White House says that out-of-shape youth weaken our country's academic performance. That's the question Victor looks at -- are there academic benefits to exercising. He begins by making the case against that position, rebuts those arguments and lays out the reasons and research in support of it. Parental pause point...

Teenagers can learn a lot by thinking about their life as a business. Victor takes a break from political topics to help teens think about setting goals. Imagine a business. There are three main roles: 1) president, 2) manager and 3) employee. Every successful business needs people in each of those roles. This also applies to our own lives — except that each individual has to switch between the th...

If education doesn’t connect you to greatness, you’re doing it wrong. Pause point questions: 1. How do you experience greatness in education? (1:53) 2. Is it preferable for people to have equal opportunity or for the government to enforce equal outcomes? Is it possible to have both? (3:36) Life can be crazy. Some weeks it’s hard for parents and teens to find 20 (or 30 minutes) to dig into a weight...

The climate is always changing, but there's a significant disagreement about what to do about it. Victor lays out the case for dramatically reducing carbon emissions, looking at both heat waves and hurricanes. He then points out the many problems with that line of thinking. Finally, he shares why adaptation is the key to dealing with natural disasters and changing weather. Parental pause point...

Almost two-thirds of Americans are worried about global warming, but you don't have to be. Victor looks at the claim that climate change is an existential threat and then reveals the broad difference between the spin and the science. Finally, he shares a surprising statistic about climate deaths. Parental pause point questions: 1. What have you heard about global warming or climate change? (0:...

What C.S. Lewis said about friendship may surprise you.   Pause point questions: 1. Should you feel jealous of time your friends spend withother friends? (2:01) 2. Do you agree with Lewis? And what makes someone a truefriend? (4:34)   Life can be crazy. Some weeks it’s hard for parents andteens to find 20 (or 30 minutes) to dig into a weighty political topic. But we need to have meaningful discuss...

Socialists claim that the financial inequities of capitalism threaten democracy. The argument may sound appealing, but it doesn't hold up under scrutiny Victor then explains why it's socialism that leads to autocracy. Parental pause point questions: 1. What would say to someone who says America is run by billionaires? (3:56) 2. Does what Sen. Sanders describe sound like real democracy to y...

Continuing his deep dive into socialism, Victor looks Sen. Bernie Sanders' argument that America is now an oligarch run by billionaires. He examines why this argument is appealing and even acknowledges the one bit of truth in it. Then, he explains why it's wrong and why you shouldn't think of billionaires as a unified group. Parental pause point questions: 1. Is it wrong for billionair...

Victor continues his series on socialism by digging into the arguments powerful politicians make against billionaires. He lays out two arguments against billionaires and examines the appeal of those arguments. Victor then makes the case that in a free market people become wealthy by creating value for other people and that you don't lose your property rights by acquiring more property. Parenta...

A socialist is the leading candidate to be the next mayor of New York City, and younger Americans increasingly support socialism. But what is socialism and is it a good thing or a bad thing ? Victor starts this new series on socialism by looking at profits. First, he makes the case against profits, before laying out why profits are so important. That includes understanding what profits are in a fr...

In the final episode of this immigration series, Victor looks at the economics of unchecked legal immigration. He digs into the claim that immigration boosts GDP. Then, he lays out the rest of the story. Parental pause point questions: 1. Is unchecked legal immigration good for the economy? (3:34) 2. What do you think of the economic argument in favor of unlimited legal immigration? (8:40) 3. Whic...

Continuing his deep dive into immigration issues, Victor lays out the most important reason to limit legal immigration. He starts by looking at what makes America -- America. He then goes through how America's values, especially its Judeo-Christian heritage, make the country unique. Parental pause point questions: 1. What have you learned so far about immigration? Is there anything you're...

It's Independence Day, but not everyone is ready to party. Victor discusses why some Americans don't celebrate the their country. He then lays out why you should. Parental pause point questions: 1. Why do countries celebrate days like Independence Day? (1:17) 2. What's appealing about the arguments against celebrating Independence Day? (7:44) 3. Have you every celebrated an imperfect p...

Victor takes a brief break from immigration to dig into a timely foreign policy debate. He helps teens and parents think through the pros and cons of President Donald Trump's decision to bomb Iran. Parental pause point questions: 1. What do you think some of the differences are between discussing domestic and foreign policy? (1:50) 2. Regardless of your position, what is the best argument agai...

Victor dives into two more arguments against limiting legal immigration. First, he looks at the accusations that racism motivates those seeking immigration restrictions. Second, he discusses if unlimited legal immigration is needed to avoid demographic collapse. Finally, he responses to both of those arguments. Parental pause point questions: 1. What stands out in those arguments? (9:21) 2. Which...

Victor discusses if it's appropriate to limit legal immigration. He looks at one of the most popular arguments against restricting doing so: It's not right for a nation of immigrants to limit immigration. Parental pause point questions: 1. Should the U.S. limit legal immigration? (4:36) 2. Whether you agree or not, what's appealing about this argument? (10:15) 3. Which of The Great 8 questions app...

Victor dives into land acknowledgements. They are quite popular is some circles, but is there more than meets the eye? He begins by explaining what a land acknowledgement is. Then, he gives three arguments for land acknowledgements. He rebuts those arguments, including explaining the principle involved. He then provides three arguments against doing them. Parental pause point questions: 1. What do...

Victor begins a discussion of immigration with this question, "Should countries have borders?" He lays out three arguments against having borders and four arguments for having borders, including what the Bible says about the issue. Parental pause point questions: 1. What's an issue you feel passionate about? Can you make an argument for the other side? (6:34) 2. Should countries have...

Victor finishes laying out "The Great 8," questions everyone should have in their toolbox when considering a policy issue or idea. On today's show, he shares the final four questions: 5. What do you mean by that? 6. Is this an appeal to emotion or logic? 7. Am I focused on the speaker or the argument? 8. What does the Bible say? Pause point questions: 1. What were the first four ques...

Victor discusses "The Great 8," questions every teenager should have in their toolbox when considering a policy issue or idea. On today's show, he shares the first four questions: 1. What happens next? 2. Has this been tried before? 3. Is there a principle involved? 4. What are the trade-offs? Pause point questions for parents: 1. What questions do you ask when encountering a new idea? (4:24) 2. W...

Victor walks parents and teens through one of the hardest questions Christians have to face. How can a loving, all-powerful God allow evil? He discusses the argument that Christians can't have all three: God is loving. God is all-powerful. Evil exists. Finally, he lays out the problem — the inaccurate assumption — snuck into this argument, which successful counters it. This is an important discuss...

The phrase "my truth" and "your truth" are everywhere in today's culture. But have you thought about if truth can be a personal position. In today's show, Victor helps parents and teenagers think about the implications of if truth is relative or reflects actuality. He then walks through the arguments that truth is relative. Finally, he presents the case that the truth i...