Tuesday, March 10, 2026

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Mitchell Gurfield

Mitch Gurfield is a sociologist and writer who began his teaching career at Bard College at Simon’s Rock. He has written two books on Brazil and recently completed a play titled "Drowning in America" and a short story called “A la Mode.” He was a civil rights worker in Mississippi and was a cofounder of Berkshire Greens, a local organization that dealt with environmental and social justice issues.

written articles

MITCH GURFIELD: AI and the writer’s burden—a response to Sonia Pilcer

While I can readily understand why Sonia finds AI so helpful, I believe her use of it is a most serious mistake, which writers, students. and the general public should not imitate.

VIEWPOINTS: The gravitational allure of fascism: Why fascists like Hitler and Trump are so popular

As with Hitler, we get the distinct impression that many in the crowds at Trump rallies see him as a superman.

MITCH GURFIELD: The next step — a call to civil disobedience

I experienced first-hand the power of civil disobedience to bring about change as a civil rights worker in Mississippi in 1965.

MITCH GURFIELD: The real war of the worlds

The truth could not be clearer for those open to it: The metabolism of capitalism and the metabolism of nature are incompatible.

MITCH GURFIELD: The root cause of Trump’s fascist victory

It is no exaggeration at all to say that Trump’s victory was anchored in the failings of American capitalism. We have only to look at a handful of statistics to see how true this is.

MITCH GURFIELD: An extraordinary opportunity for Great Barrington

As difficult as the closing of Simon’s Rock is for that community, I see it as an extraordinary opportunity for the town to do something very special.

MITCH GURFIELD: What Kamala Harris and the Democrats should have done

Amidst the jubilation and frenzy of support for Harris, the most important question was ignored: Does she stand the best chance of beating Trump among all possible nominees?

MITCH GURFIELD: Hail to the students

"We Will Not STOP. We Will Not REST." — A student protestor’s sign in Chicago, May 5, 2024

MITCH GURFIELD: Is Trump really a fascist?

Given Trump’s hard-right politics, criminal behavior, and hateful rhetoric, it is understandable that many people today consider him a fascist. But is this assessment really accurate?

Partners in shame: Russia and the United States

“Sadness has no ending. Happiness does.” — Vinìcius de Moraes

No-fly zone in Ukraine could lead to nuclear war

Mitchell Gurfield admires the sentiment of Mickey Friedman's latest article, but cautions against the advice of antagonizing a brutal Putin.
spot_img

The Edge Is Free To Read.

But Not To Produce.