In the quest for truth, curiosity is a valuable trait to have. A spirit of interest and inquiry, a willingness to delve into something new, can open the way to progress and fresh ideas—especially when it pertains to the nature of what is true.

The more closely economists look at the rise in income inequality, the more they find that one cause may be the rise of another inequality: The least productive firms are falling further behind the most productive firms. The Kmarts of the business world aren’t keeping up with the Googles.

For nations to move forward and find peace and stability after war, an awakening to the need to unify rather than divide is important. Often that comes through a realism born of necessity, but lasting peace is spawned by a realism based on something more than human willpower and desire, no matter how well intentioned our efforts.

The collapse of Islamic State (ISIS) strongholds in Iraq is proving to be more than a military victory over terrorists. The two-year battle against the militant sectarian group has also awakened Iraqi leaders to the need to mend relations between Sunnis and Shiites—and not only in Iraq.

Earth’s largest landfill can be found in the ocean. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, as it’s known, is a swirling mass of mostly plastic debris.

Like his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, J. C.

Marriages are under a lot of pressure. So many are short-lived or never happen in the first place.

At the Maclellan Shelter for Families, Gena Roberts Ellis stands in front of about two dozen residents, blending humor with what she views as an urgent mission: helping these families stay intact. For twenty years the organization Ellis works for, First Things First, has been trying to help lower divorce rates and raise marriage rates in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which has higher-than-average poverty.

After initial news reports about hurricane Harvey, I checked in with a friend from Houston to see if she was OK and to let her know that she and her family were in my thoughts and prayers. She responded that they were fine, but added: “Keep praying.

As College Avenue in Houston flooded one night in August, the yellow Waffle House sign at the top of the hill stayed on. Stranded drivers trudged toward the glow through muck and rain and sat down for a sip of coffee and some eggs-and-grits, glad to be shielded, at least for a moment, from a storm named Harvey.