The TST Weekly Column is a collection of standalone pieces—timeless ideas viewed through the lens of the present. One clear idea each week, built and refined over time through reason, evidence, and lived experience.

WWB Research

Weekly Wisdom Builder

Wed 28 Jan 2026 Edition

— Research & Learning —

Stories: Science Philosophy Critical Thinking History Big Bang Metaphysics Evolution Biases Futurism Ancient History Ethics Reasoning

1 Essay + 6 Tidbits

1 Weekly Focus

The research, stories, and questions that inform this week’s column.

This Week:

— Law Enforcement —

Law enforcement is legitimate only when it protects life rather than overriding it.

Greetings!

This week, I found myself returning to a question many of us are struggling with: when does law enforcement go too far, and where is the line?

I chose to focus on law enforcement—not as a political issue, but as a question of purpose. Law enforcement exists to serve justice, not replace it. When enforcement becomes more destructive than the crime it addresses, it violates the very reason law exists. Order without restraint is not strength; it’s authority forgetting why it exists at all.

–Michael Alan Prestwood

6 Key Ideas

Weekly Crossroads

A few minutes of key ideas!

The research & wisdom reminders.

1 Story of the Week »

Due Process

Protection against authority.

Emerged in the 1600s.

Due process is the boundary that separates lawful authority from arbitrary power.

2 Quote of the Week »

“The sad truth is that most evil is done by people who never make up their minds to be either good or evil.”

Hannah Arendt
1963

Great harm is often caused not by hatred, but by people who stop thinking and simply comply.

3 Science »

Why do complex systems fail when proportionality is removed?

Complex systems remain stable only when responses scale appropriately to the problem they are addressing.

4Philosophy »

Ethics Lesson: Should Trump go to jail for his crimes?

Ethically, the question isn’t who someone is, only whether justice treats like cases alike, without fear or privilege.

5Critical Thinking »

Why do people confuse rule-following with moral reasoning?

Rules can guide behavior, but moral reasoning requires judgment—and judgment cannot be outsourced to authority.

6History!

Does the border problem contribute to higher crime rates?

Immigrants, including the undocumented, consistently contribute to a lower—not higher—crime rate.

Inspired?

Take the deep dive.

Article of the Week

Updated This Week

History

Article

American Immigration Policy: Problems & Solutions

This. Is. Not. Hard.

Immigration

American immigration debates feel chaotic because multiple distinct problems are collapsed into one emotional argument. When we separate legal immigration, visa overstays, non-violent illegal entry, and violent crime, solutions become obvious. Justice requires proportional enforcement, factual grounding, and policies that reduce harm rather than amplify fear.

That’s the whole rhythm!

1 Weekly Idea • 6 Research Tidbits • An Archive to Dive Deeper

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