Originally a staple of Newsweek's print edition, Conventional Wisdom used arrows to track whose stock was rising or falling in the political circus. We're reviving it in the digital age because the problem it lampooned—hyperbole and partisan certainty masquerading as insight—has only intensified.
CW assigns arrows—up, down, or sideways—to the figures and forces shaping current events. The arrows don't predict the future or claim special insight. They capture the prevailing winds of the moment, uncluttered by tribal howling. In an era when partisan media reinforces rather than questions assumptions, CW operates from the center—skeptical of left and right alike, committed to puncturing inflated reputations and recognizing overlooked truths.
In this edition, CW looks at the former prince named Andrew.
Prince Andrew ⬆
Stripped of titles, evicted from his mansion, becomes Andrew Mountbatten Windsor—yet King Charles pays his rent at Sandringham for life. Downward mobility with a royal safety net.
Sarah Ferguson ⬇
After 20 years cohabitating with her ex-husband at Royal Lodge, now she's on her own—no palace offer of a new home for her. Turns out being the "happiest divorced couple" has a shelf life.
Prince William ⬆
After backing the King’s decision, he gets rid of embarrassing uncle before moving family into Forest Lodge next week. Finally, a Windsor who finishes what he starts.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie ⬅➡
Keep their titles as granddaughters of a sovereign under George V's 1917 rules. Father scandalized, mother homeless, but they're still HRH. Aristocracy: It's all about the fine print.
Virginia Giuffre ⬆
Her family’s statement: ”An ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family, brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage." Posthumous victories count double.
Lord Louis Mountbatten ⬇
His surname now marks Andrew's exile rather than Philip's marriage. First he loses India, now Uncle Dickie gets dragged into family messes.
'Peppercorn Rent' ⬇
The legal term describing Andrew’s arrangement for the Royal Lodge, meaning technically rent exists but actually means nothing gets paid. Now Fleet Street has discovered what it means; British taxpayers learned they were subsidizing it.
