This week, bestselling author Matthew Crawford begins with an article about how modern society’s suspicion of competition and masculine play stifles aspiration and solidarity, undermining the very rituals that once forged social order. Indeed, we at Independent Institute are delighted to announce that Crawford is joining our team!

Crawford is best known for his book Shop Class as Soulcraft, where he recounts his shift from think tank work to running a motorcycle repair shop, finding fulfillment in hands-on work. He majored in physics at U.C. Santa Barbara and earned a doctorate in the history of political thought at the University of Chicago. Recognized as a modern Renaissance Man, Crawford explores topics like government coercion and the impact of AI on culture. He will lead a group of writers for a special supplement on the future of liberty for the fall 2026 issue of The Independent Review, while continuing to produce influential cultural criticism.

Next, Williamson Evers and Kristian Fors offer their reminiscences about Charlie Kirk in the wake of his egregious murder.

In a pair of articles, Sam Jenson addresses the abuse of taxpayer assistance by NFL owners and Trump’s executive order targeting flag burning, which reframes protest as “incitement.”

Fors highlights some positive developments in California’s insurance market.

Finally, Ivan Eland concludes by discussing how the Trump administration’s push to deploy the U.S. military for domestic immigration enforcement signals a dangerous erosion of constitutional limits and a drift toward authoritarianism.

Enjoy.

Jonathan Hofer
Managing Editor