The WSJ editorial board examines the most recent report from HUD (and so does the Merc) that says homelessness is way up nationally, and especially in CA cities (incl. SJ). The editors say dogmatic insistence on Housing First and rigid zoning orthodoxies, the failure to confront the realities of addiction and mental health factors, and perverse incentives that attract drug tourists to our cities—all these policy mistakes lead to rising suffering and wasted billions.
Read MoreWe gave 14 creative leaders one question: what makes the Valley so distinctive? Turns out, it’s not just the tech, or the cultural diversity—but a shared spirit of optimism, creative innovation, and gettin’ it done. Here’s Part 4. An Opp Now exclusive. Welcome, New Year ‘25.
Read MoreThere’s a whole lot to love about the Valley of Heart’s Delight: bustling energy, bright discoveries, and the vibrant “buzz” of thinkers working (and failing) and learning together. Hear from more Silicon Valley artists, below. An Opp Now exclusive roundup. Part 3.
Read MoreIn 1875, San Jose single mother Clara S. Foltz challenged CA State Bar's “male citizens” restriction, by helping to pass the “Woman Lawyer’s Bill.” Foltz went on to a successful legal career, later filing what became a SCOTUS suit against discrimination in law school admissions. Below, CCC Bar Association tells Clara Foltz's compelling story: one of hardship, opposition, and—progress.
Read MoreWe chose to ring in the New Year by asking local artists what makes Silicon Valley distinctive. Spunky. Worth preserving. Today, Noema mag chimes in—below—on why cultivating “awe” (in today's fast-paced, self-centered culture) is actually really good for us.
Read MoreMediated technology offers us many opportunities (like reading our site!), says author Christine Rosen; but what's it taking away? Namely, the ability to observe and interact with our surroundings by ourselves and individually, without third parties telling us how to think—a crucial skill for free marketeers. Below, Law & Liberty reviews Rosen's fascinating new book on the subject.
Read MoreGrit. Determination. Passion. Fourteen creative changemakers discuss what’s in that Silicon Valley special sauce—and how it’s elevated (and distinguished) local art, culture, and innovation. Here’s Part 2 of Opp Now’s exclusive roundup.
Read MoreNew Year ‘25. The world’s tech capital. Here’s part 1, below, of a special roundup with 14 creative leaders—celebrating the Valley’s unique beauty, cultural diversity, and artistic spark. An Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreAt their best, free marketeers aren’t Scrooges or Gradgrinds who prioritize profit over the “good life.” In fact, we’ve always thought the free market philosophy goes hand-in-hand with higher discussions about education, technology, art, and free thought in 21st century Silicon Valley. In this Opp Now exclusive, we wrap up our 2024 takeaways—reflecting on how free market principles can inspire the pursuit of better, fuller lives.
Read MoreLocal democracy can be a messy business: many instruments, sometimes cacophony, sometimes off key—and a lot of special interest money trying to take over the band. Yet through it all—just like a free market—we tend to find the melody together. An Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreThe viewpoint diversity platform (even lauded—however hollowly—by SJSU) is well-intentioned, says Law & Liberty's R. J. Snell, but fails to get at the heart of true liberal education: shared inquiry. Like Socrates, Snell thinks colleges shouldn't view their plane of differing ideas as a battleground—but an opportunity to question, learn, and pursue truth together.
Read MoreThen-County Poet Laureate Mighty Mike McGee wrote the following poem in 2017 to commemorate a mural at the SJ Museum of Art. We excerpt his musings, below, on his multi-layered experiences in this valley—the streets, jobs, the 4am's, the sunrises, the "thousands of seconds we've spent together here."
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