Best Long-Form Pieces of 2008

Well, at least according to David Brooks, of whose writing I have not always been a fan. I can't say that I know enough to agree or disagree with these choices, although the summary of the piece by Professor X, which I intend to read forthwith, certainly has the ring of sad, depressing truth. To quote the soon-to-be-gone G. W. Bush, "Rarely is the question asked, is our children learning?" Well, sir, Professor X, through no apparent fault of his (her?) own, answers a heart-breaking "No."