Now that official restraints have been loosened, Americans nonetheless retreat into what Holder calls "race-protected cocoons" and rely upon cliches, stereotypes and familiar habits of ethnic and racial congregation instead of opening ourselves to the undeniably uncomfortable, but ultimately rewarding, prospect of facing each other across the chasm of learned behaviors and inherited reflexes.

CNN: Commentary: Holder wants to tear down wall of race

Patents, which usually give the holder a monopoly over the process or innovation protected for 20 years, are also becoming more difficult and costly to challenge.

ECONOMIST: Big Blue becomes bountiful | The