Just what is “Stubborn Things?”

“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” —John Adams

If there’s an ebb and flow to human events, then history’s pages seem to be turning a little more quickly these days.

The pace of events often tests our ability to process what’s happening and to “make sense of it all.” That challenge is frequently made worse by political actors who, empowered by the insatiable hunger of the 24-hour news cycle and social media tools with global reach, work to bend news narratives to serve their own interests.

It often feels as though we’re simply treading water in a sea of misinformation and disinformation, but accurate numbers, objective accounts, precise images, etc., can pierce through the fog like a lighthouse well-lit. Some of these actualities not only stand for themselves, but they hint at broader truths that can help us better understand these times and the steps we should take to shape our future.

As Founding Father John Adams said two and a half centuries ago, “facts are stubborn things.” Our task is to identify and elevate those stubborn things.

My Stubborn Things series, launched back in 2022, aims to do just that…