HEADlines - Recommended Reads

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the power of ideas—how they take hold, evolve, and in some cases, reshape the way we see the world. This month, my reading list has been a reflection of that curiosity.

 

In Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering, Malcolm Gladwell revisits the theses of his bestselling book, The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, using a compelling blend of research and storytelling to comment on several phenomena that have emerged out of our society. The most interesting of these developments is Gladwell’s discussion of the importance of diversity. He describes the fragile circumstances of the cheetah, an endangered species. The cats’ biological uniformity, purportedly a consequence of the fact that the current animals descended from a single bloodline, leaves them vulnerable to diseases of many sorts. It turns out, Gladwell notes, that any population, whether it be a species of large cats, a virus, or even a group of human beings, has the greatest chance of survival when each individual member differentiates itself from others. Gladwell reminds us that vaccines against flu must be updated yearly because the virus that creates the illness mutates to increase its chances of survival. When a species lacks the ability to diversify, it becomes susceptible to illness and becomes weak. In the natural world then, diversity is crucial to thriving. In this spirit, the Marlborough community thrives because of the unique and varied contribution of each student. There isn’t only one way to be successful at Marlborough. What makes Marlborough thrive as a community is the way we celebrate many paths to excellence. Whether solving complex equations, choreographing an original dance, performing on stage to bring stories to life with passion and creativity, competing on the field, advocating for social change, or ideating solutions to future global challenges that do not yet exist, each girl is empowered to explore her interests, to take risks, and to define success on her own terms. This spark of purpose is not only inspiring—it is essential to the health and thriving of the Marlborough community and each individual in it! 

 

The Canceling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott examines the growing tension between free speech and social consequences—what cancel culture is, how it works, and why it has become a dominant force in today’s discourse. Using data, Lukianoff and Schlott argue that cancel culture is not just about silencing individuals; it has become a tool in the battle for power and influence, a battle in which rhetorical tactics often replace genuine debate. Rather than engaging with opposing ideas, people—on both the left and right—are increasingly using social and professional consequences to shut down discourse altogether. The book warns that this trend weakens trust, stifles intellectual curiosity, and ultimately makes us more polarized and less resilient as a society. 

 

But it is not all doom and gloom! The authors also offer solutions—ways to rebuild a culture of free speech that has intellectual humility and genuine engagement with differing viewpoints at its center. And that’s exactly what we strive for at Marlborough. Education is the antidote to this dynamic. You have heard me say this before: we do not teach students what to think—we teach them how to think. We foster intellectual courage, encourage students to ask hard questions, and help them develop the confidence to engage with ideas that challenge their own. Our goal at Marlborough is create an environment in which disagreement can be surfaced while we center thoughtfulness and mutual respect. In a world where conversations are increasingly shaped by fear of saying the wrong thing, the ability to think critically and independently has never been more important.

 

In Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present, Fareed Zakaria reminds us that history is shaped by moments of upheaval and transformation. Examining several moments of significant, rapid change, the author identifies the details of historic transformations that led to successful, sustained change, distinguishing them from other moments in which the transformation that was hoped for did not occur. Zakaria makes a hopeful case for how our current moment could lead to a more prosperous future for our world. Age of Revolutions offers not only societies, but also institutions, an optimistic path toward prosperity and vitality. Change is not just about reacting to the present—it is about anticipating the future, recognizing challenges before they arise, and having the discipline to stay the course even when progress feels slow or difficult. 

 

At Marlborough, we embrace that reality. Progress does not happen by accident, it requires intention and action. Our school is always evolving. It has to. Not just to prepare students for what is next, but to ensure that they have the skills, confidence, and vision to shape the future themselves. That means rethinking how we teach, refining our programs, and ensuring that what students learn inside and outside of the classroom equips them to be creative problem solvers, engaged and empathetic citizens, and bold leaders. It means giving them the tools to adapt, to challenge the status quo, and to push forward with confidence, even when the path ahead is uncertain. History shows us that revolutions do not succeed because people want change—they succeed when people are prepared to sustain it. That same principle applies to education. At Marlborough, we do not just prepare students to meet the moment…we empower them to define what comes next.