Advancing the cultural foundations of a free society
Polyhymnia advances American culture through engagement with the aesthetic and philosophical foundations of Western society.
Edward B. Tylor wrote in 1871 that “Culture or Civilization…is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.”It changes over time, heretofore glacially, offering us a relatively smooth, even predictable trajectory.
But now it changes quickly, and usually not for the better.
To change anything, that change must be made at the cultural level. That is what we aim to do at Polyhymnia.
Essays, conversations, and cultural criticism shaped by enduring questions.
2026-09-11
It’s Always 9/11 | Ep. 523 Words & Numbers
Antony and James reflect on 9/11, both the day and its legacy. What does it mean as more time passes?
Read more2026-09-07
Disinteresting Rates | Ep. 522 Words & Numbers
What’s the deal with bonds and interest rates? Find out on Words & Numbers, where we will use both words and numbers to get to the bottom of things.
Read more2026-09-04
The Power of Beautiful Schools
Beauty is not merely decorative, nor must it be sacrificed for utility. In schools, beauty serves an essential purpose: it shapes how students think, connect, and see the world.
Read more2026-09-02
Living Beyond Our Means
How six decades of living beyond our means brought the national debt to $40 trillion.
Read more2026-08-31
A Priest Walks Into a Podcast | Ep. 521 Words & Numbers
A priest shows up. Antony doesn’t confess, James doesn’t convert, but they all talk about human dignity.
Read more2026-08-24
Something New, Something Old
Boyd Taylor Coolman draws on the medieval idea of intellectual virtue, which holds that reading, thinking, questioning, discussing, and learning have value beyond what they produce.
Read moreExplore essays, commentary, conversations, and more in our Reading Room.
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Polyhymnia publishes essays, commentary, and conversations on culture, philosophy, beauty, and public life—written for readers who want more than headlines and noise.
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