Stories of American exit in the nation's 250th year

Special Issue Release: The Opt-Out Nation

Freethink, Kristin Houser, and Big Think

Jul 11, 2026

Hey readers,

You don’t have to be chronically online to know America is having a bit of a moment on social media.

Millions of travelers have descended upon the nation for the World Cup, and they’ve discovered something that, apparently, was super surprising to them: America is pretty great. This has compelled them to break out the selfie sticks and praise everything from the beauty of our landscapes and the size of our stadiums to the quality of our food and the friendliness of our citizens.

All this positive attention coincides with a major milestone in American history: the nation’s 250th anniversary. In anticipation, Big Think centered its summer 2026 print issue around the American instinct to chart one’s own path — an instinct that started with the Declaration of Independence and still lives on today in our insistence on calling it “soccer” rather than “football.”

That issue, The Opt-Out Nation, is out now, and below, you’ll find a taste of what’s in it, including an essay about the origin of America’s first philosophy, an interview focused on the government’s recent perspective shift, and a field guide to places where Americans are rejecting the status quo.

(If you’re wondering why you’re receiving this message, Freethink recently merged with its sister site, Big Think, and after five years at Freethink, I’m now Big Think’s Managing Editor — I hope you’ll opt in to joining me at Big Think by clicking your preference below.)

Read on,
Kristin

THE BIG SPLIT

An illustration of a house in a forest, with part of a man's face drawn on one side—evoking transcendentalism—nestled among green trees and dark foliage.

“Live deliberately”: The origin of America’s first philosophy

By Jonny Thomson

Our first ideas about how the world works are often inherited from our parents — we absorb their beliefs and values before deciding whether to adopt or reject them. The same is true of nations. In this essay, Mini Philosophy columnist Jonny Thomson recounts how a young America stepped out of Great Britain’s intellectual shadow to establish its first original philosophy, one based on self-reliance, solitude, and — unsurprisingly — independence.

THE BIG MAP

People sit around a campfire next to a covered wagon at dusk, some opting out of the warmth to tend cooking supplies on the ground, while the softly illuminated wagon glows in the evening light.

Mapped: America’s 10 most creative acts of noncompliance

By Frank Jacobs

The U.S. started with a breakup letter to England, and in the 250 years since, Americans have found countless ways to chart their own paths. In this Strange Maps piece, Frank Jacobs highlights 10 creative examples of American noncompliance, including a school without grades, a city without a government, and an island without cars — but with plenty of fudge and horse manure.

THE BIG SHIFT

A grayscale collage features a man’s portrait overlapped with an American flag and a document related to U.S. policy, next to an image of the Great Wall of China with two people walking.

The pressures pushing America toward short-term thinking

By Steven Ross Pomeroy

The founders designed America with long-term stability in mind — they divided authority to keep power dispersed and built an amendment process so that the Constitution could adapt over time. Today, though, the nation’s leaders are increasingly focused on short-term wins. In this interview with Big Think, veteran American diplomat and national security official Richard Haass explains the reasons for that shift — and what it could cost the world.

Explore the Full Digital Issue

THE BIG TRADE-OFF

A white van with its side door open is parked on desert ground next to a Joshua tree, embodying the spirit of van life, with mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.

Van life looks like freedom. It can feel like exile.

By Jasna Hodzic

Writer Jasna Hodžić has learned a lot from living in a converted van for more than six years. For one, she can now take apart and service a diesel heater in less than two hours. She also knows that life without a fixed address can be liberating — but that freedom comes at a cost. In this essay, Hodžić explores these trade-offs and shares her advice for would-be van lifers, including her belief that life on the road should be less about rejecting a traditional life and more about embracing one that’s only possible on four wheels.

Kristin Houser is the managing editor at Big Think.

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