After decades of debate, and despite the overwhelming strength of the evidence in favor of phonics, reading education is still a controversial topic in the United States. Many educators continue to resist phonics in favor of anti-conceptual methods that amount to not teaching reading at all. This talk will present the recent history and current state of the reading wars and examine the ideas behind the ongoing opposition to phonics. Discover the crucial link between the right ideas and happiness. Visit aynrand.org/discover Recorded July 1, 2023, at OCON in Miami, Florida.