Alain De Botton Helps Others Conquer Fear Of Modernism

“The author of books including the Consolations of Philosophy and The Architecture of Happiness, has commissioned five houses by some of Europe’s leading modern architects, which he plans to rent out on a not-for-profit basis. He said his purpose was ‘to help people get over the dichotomy that modernism equals awful and antiquated equals great’.”

On The Internet – Hip To Be Old?

“Suddenly, at least in parts of the blogosphere, it’s hip to be old — a paradoxical twist for a youth-obsessed nation that injects, pulls and carves away any semblance of age. The “olds” (as sites like Gawker.com dub those old enough to remember rotary phones) are the subject of Facebook fan pages, YouTube shows, Twitter feeds and even fashion blogs.”

A Successful Formula For Success

“Start with two urgent social concerns–that America is falling behind in the global talent race and that inequality is rising at home. Add some nifty research from cutting-edge labs (about neurons, genes, and the acquisition of expertise). Factor in the Gladwellian model of publicizing such findings in mega-best-sellers that blend upstart argument, cool data, and irresistible anecdotes–and you have a boomlet.”