Topic: Voltaire

Leonhard Euler, his famous formula, and why he's so revered (+video)

Google celebrates the birthday of Leonhard Euler, a Swiss mathematician recognized for popularizing much of modern math terminology and notation, as well as famous contributions to calculus and astronomy. 

John Locke: 10 quotes on his birthday

Read these 10 quotes by John Locke, the man sometimes called "the Father of Classical Liberalism."

Decoder Wire Is Congress broken? Startup Act shows what can work.

The Startup Act is a modest piece of pro-business legislation unveiled Tuesday. It won't change the world, but that's why it may pass. In a partisan Congress, 'good' may be better than 'perfect.' 

Keep Calm Good Reads: on the politics of language, Genghis Khan, and the Beastie Boys

This week's reading list includes a book review on how we use and abuse language, leadership tips from Genghis Khan, and a tribute to the late hip hop master and peace activist, Adam Yauch. 

Tech stocks: Some reach 'cult' status

Tech stocks like Apple and Google have cult status, says tech stocks analyst, despite their weaknesses.

Atheist and pro-Israel, Maikel Nabil tests free speech in Egypt

A year ago this week, Maikel Nabil became the first Egyptian blogger to be arrested solely for his opinion. Now released, he talks about his fight for one of the key principles of democracy.

Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman

Biographer Robert K. Massie gives us a Catherine the Great who is ever interesting and intelligent – but not necessarily admirable.

Staging the wondrous but elusive 'Candide'

Full of glorious music, 'Candide' represents some of Leonard Bernstein's best work as a composer for theater. But putting the story on stage has bedeviled writers and directors. A new version may be the best effort yet.

Glenn Beck leaving Fox: his 10 most controversial statements (so far)

With the news of Glenn Beck leaving Fox officially announced, it's time to reflect. The host has packed a lot of wallop in just two-plus years at Fox News. Conspiracy theories, apocalyptic predictions, and just plain eyebrow-raising statements have kept the folks at Media Matters for America, a liberal watchdog group, busy. They track his show (along with many others) and take notes. Now that the show “Glenn Beck” is ending later this year, Media Matters has opened its files and shared some of the most noteworthy moments. We’ve whittled the list down to the 10 most controversial things Mr. Beck has said on Fox – so far, at least. It bears noting that Beck has a lot of followers, who admire his populist conservative critique of the Obama era. His Facebook page has more than 1.8 million fans -- coincidentally, the same number of viewers he had as of January (down from 2.9 million in January 2010). Whether those fans believe his every word is hard to tell. But, like any good showman, he knows how to draw a crowd.

Voltaire: A Life

Another look at the life of Voltaire, the 18th-century philosophe whom many would call the greatest, most interesting man of his epoch.

Stand up to the enemies of Internet freedom

If human rights and democracy advocates refused to compromise their principles and used the Internet to defend freedom of expression, repression would be much more difficult.

Make way, world. India is on the move.

Despite its poverty, India is growing at 7 percent a year. Hourly wages double every decade.

Pat Robertson Haiti comments: French view theory with disbelief

Pat Robertson said the Haiti earthquake was God's punishment for Haitian slaves' 'pact with the devil' to win freedom from France. But many French noted that Haiti's revolution was inspired by France's and considered an early exercise in self-determination.

Skepticism over 'breakthrough' Middle East peace plan

London report of Israeli-Palestinian plan linked to Iran sanctions disputed by European experts.

Bill Clinton's latest tough sell: Haiti

The former president, who was recently named UN Special Envoy to Haiti, plans to go there in October on a 'major trade mission.'

Zadig

What about the ugly animals?

I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that you won't see a "Save the lampreys" bumper sticker any time soon.

A love that shocked Russia's aristocracy

How an 18th-century playboy fell in love with the serf he made into a star.

Can you replicate London's Speakers' Corner?

England moves to create more of the free-speech 'corners' – with a little less spectacle and a little more substance.

Can you replicate London's Speakers' Corner?

England moves to create more of the free-speech 'corners' – with a little less spectacle and a little more substance.

China's eccentric champion

Joseph Needham put Chinese science on the world map.

China's eccentric champion

Joseph Needham put Chinese science on the world map.