Christian Science Monitor | Editor's Blog

PJs or pinstripes? The tradeoffs of tele-work

Yahoo's Marissa Mayer and other CEOs have called a time-out on telecommuting. It's clear that just as some workers thrive on their own and some need to be in an office, some types work are better done in isolation and others in collaboration. It's also clear that telecommuting is only going to increase in the years to come.

To invest or not to invest? The eternal question

Investing is an individual decision. How you view the stock market depends on where you are in your earnings cycle and what your past experience has been. The only thing the market may be telling everyone right now is that the bad old days of the last decade appear to be over.

Progress report: How the Monitor is doing

The start of a new fiscal year finds The Christian Science Monitor reaching more readers than ever, in its strongest financial position in more than half a century, and continuing to pursue meaningful news around the world.

After the Marathon bombings: a new resolve

The globalization of ideas via the Internet, air travel, and migration is profoundly affecting the world. In once-isolated communities, exposure to the new and different can prompt a reaction of anger, fear, even terrorism. But the tide of freedom and human dignity is immensely more powerful -- and ultimately unstoppable.

Why we're hard-wired for best practices

Whether on Capitol Hill or in isolated desert communities, people tune into each other to find out what works. The adoption of "best practices" seems to be embedded in human nature.

What does amnesty accomplish?

The last big immigration amnesty in the United States took place in 1986. As the US considers immigration reform, the Monitor examines the costs and benefits of that decision -- and catches up with some of the almost 3 million people it affected.

A balance worth tipping

Conflict-prevention programs in schools aim to shift the view of students, to encourage them that there is something to live for, that life isn’t unfair, and that school is worth their time and attention.

Trees, meet forest

Navigating an unfamiliar city is a breeze with turn-by-turn directions on Google Maps or other such applications. But are we losing the big-picture view of where we are going?

The hottest global trend is local

Bright lights and big cities are impressive. But from home-grown food to neighborhood bike paths, community cleanups to small-time bookstores, local is where life happens.

After Newtown: a time for solace

Dec. 14, 2012, will long be remembered in Newtown, Conn., and well beyond. Tears will long be shed. Prayers and comfort will long be needed.

Chinese communism: cause or club?

It has long since walked away from its founding principles, but the Chinese Communist Party still has a hammerlock on power in the world's most populous nation. How long will the Chinese people tolerate a ruling clique that can't be voted out of office?

Finding the true focus

In an age of all-too-easy digital manipulation, there are good reasons to suspect the veracity of a visual image. But there's another kind of photographic truth-telling needed: focusing beyond dramatic scenes of conflict and suffering and fairly showing the people of the world without stereotypes.

What a gun can do to you

There are as many reasons that people own guns as there are gun owners. Some people feel safer with them. Some feel more empowered. Others feel conflicted because of the way guns change the way they think and live.

What rulers overlook

From the Pharaoh's day to the present, rulers have grabbed power and established their authority. But all dynasties crumble unless they understand that power is provisional -- and that even the powerless must have a say.

Machines versus people

For generations, machines have been replacing people. We've applauded when drudge work was mechanized. Now, however, machines are moving in on thought work. That has big implications for the future of jobs.

The interface is the message

The Internet needed a friendly face to become usher in the digital revolution. The browser, which launched 20 years ago this spring, was that face. Today's interface of choice, the app, has launched a second revolution.

Why second acts matter

Scoring a 'first' is worthy of celebration. But second acts, second tries, and second chances are crucial. First, they correct for first-time flaws. Second, they prove that firsts were no fluke.

Hello Mars. Goodbye sci-fi

Since the dawn of astronomy, the Red Planet has fascinated humans. For most of history, it's been just outside the range of human discovery, which made it ripe for the imagination. Now, with the Curiosity Rover's high-resolution photos and mobile science lab, Mars is joining our world.

Bad news is loud. Good news rules

If you look behind the often dire headlines and examine the long-term trends, you'll see that crime is falling, lifespans are increasing, and poverty is ebbing. In other words, there's solid evidence for hope.

Who needs church?

The purpose of church may not be apparent in everyday life. But there comes a moment when we all wonder if everyday life is all there is. Church is waiting to help answer that question.