A Peek Behind the Curtain
Here's how the deep state controls the narrative.
Behind the scenes, they contact tik tockers/celebrities/influencers to voice their narrative (and offer to pay them!). Then, they will turn this information (that they planted) to force the hands of politicians to put into place "popular" policies that the blob themselves created. In this case DEI shit. The only problem in this case: young people don't care so much about money yet.
Hilarious
A professor screams profanities at officers arresting a trespasser, touches one of the officers and gets arrested herself. At the end, she is groveling and apologizing. Meanwhile, the internet interprets this as the officers overreacting?!?
If I were at one of these colleges, I'd seriously consider dropping out and joining campus security.
So What You're Saying Is
The Palestinians are more rational than American college students.
“There is no doubt support for Hamas is declining in Gaza because more and more people feel it has some responsibility for the pain they are enduring,” said Shikaki.
This sounds like winning:
Analysts say the absence of Hamas’s powerful internal security force — which has been lying low to avoid Israeli attacks — has opened an unprecedented space for those willing to vent their frustration at the militant group and its leadership.
The Middle East operates on the principle of the strong horse.
All Non-Progressives Organize
I wonder why a political movement of non-progressives isn't growing/taking action and borrowing a play from the radicals playbook. Imagine if even 5-10% of Columbia and/or NYU students just dropped out and requested tuition refunds? Imagine if it got up to 15-20%? It would be an unmitigated disaster for the Universities. They would overnight turn into Evergreen College - basically a mental institution. Or imagine if it were just Jewish students and professors? Why not take such a principled stance? To say: this is intolerable. Because it is.
The Best Thing About Israel
From a non-Jew from California...it's like one of those ultraviolet flashlights cops use on crime scenes to see things the normal eyes cannot...If you find a person, group, or country who hates Israel or codes their hate with something like the "Palestinian right of return" you know that person is unreasonable and potentially nuts. And at the very least, cannot be trusted. How? Well, let's try this - when has such a "right of return" been tried? Are there any practical models that demonstrate it working? Forget how poorly behaved the Palestinians are and their use of terrorism. Even if you imagined the best version of a Palestinian state and the right of return - what would that look like?
Here's the point of the "right of return." By design, it's completely unworkable. That's precisely why it attracts the people it attracts. That's the aspect they like about it. And the Palestinians have chosen this as part of their identity: the perpetual victim that justifies any sort of mad, chaotic behavior. And you see what it's gotten them.
Logging
Film: Pride and Glory
Colin Farrell threatens to a baby with a hot iron in this film.
Film: Kong vs Godzilla
Highly forgettable, but my 6 year old likes. Coach Taylor deserves better. I wish I could bottle his reaction to Matt Sereson arriving to pick up his daughter wearing a Member's Only jacket.
TV: The Curious Case of Natalia Grace
Sometimes you gotta watch what she wants.
Had You Told Me That Was Looked Down Upon Here...
Funny, you can't collect a salary for that...
In seriousness, read some of these articles - a lot of these "protestors" actually don't work for Google. It seems like these protest groups try to recruit people within institutions to open their doors and then use the institutional profile to gain attention for their cause.
Polycule
Last night I was at a party that was full of poly people, and at the end of the night we wound up in this big cuddle pile. There were eight of us fit together like puzzle pieces, snuggling. It felt so cozy, so much oxytocin flowing. We were all envisioning living together, not having to worry about individual mortgages, just having some big house. Can’t we just do that? Why can’t we do that? An adult sleepover camp, that’s the vibe. It is my mission to make that happen for me and whoever wants to join me.
There is a ton of laughable stuff in the article but also some disturbing, straight up child abuse. This is directly endorsed by the NY Times who offers no critique of this "lifestyle." This is a cult, people! And supports the right wing pedo taunts...
Here is a funny bit:
Poly-saturation is different for different people. For me, the maximum seems to be three partners at once, especially because I gravitate toward long-term committed in-depth relationships. I mean romantic partners. We have play parties that are intended to be a sexual space but more of a casual connection, and I’m not only with my partners there.
Here is a disturbing bit:
I have one partner now with three kids. He is transmasc, and he’s radical about the way he raises them. They’re radically home-schooled. They’re 17 and nonbinary, 6 and 5. They know everything in age-appropriate ways. They’ve seen their mommy undergo the transmasc experience, seen their mom become who they really are. I was up late last night with him in a hotel room, and the 17-year-old was in the room snoozing, so we just sat on the bathroom floor chatting about our relationship all night, and while that was happening my husband was texting to say, Oh, I got a last-minute match, so I’m going to meet this girl for a date. And then I get a text while we were still on the bathroom floor vibing, it was 4 in the morning, and he said, We had a great date, a great connection, she’s looking for friends with benefits, we had sex. And I was smiling. You know you’re really poly when you’re with one of your partners talking about how much you love each other and you’re so happy your husband had this awesome night. Of course, I experience pangs of jealousy, but there are these moments, these gems, of being so happy for someone else’s happiness.
There's a word of these feelings: madness.
This Doesn't Work When You Talk About It
US proposed fake Israeli strike on Iran for Israel to save face.
I worry that most elites in America spend the majority of their time in the realm of perception and are losing track of the thing known as reality.
Lock Her Up and Throw Away The Key
Activist threatens to murder Bakersfield City Council members for not passing a ceasefire resolution. I know this sounds absurd and is almost laughable but unfortunately this is what the kids are now doing. They've lost their minds. We need to punish them to full extent of the law. They'll get the message. Or the won't. Either way, the rest of us will be better off.
At Least a Semi-Reasonable Position
This is what I would call a pro-Palestinian position that is at least not bat shit crazy.
Although, hidden beneath this is a suggestion of a one-state, UN formed secular democracy that would essentially eliminate the State of Israel. Which strikes me as a bit of a non-starter. What other country in the world would voluntarily say: sure, we'll peacefully dismantle our country and allow outsiders to dictate our political future?
Honest Discussion About Race
How come people are always saying "we need to have an honest discussion about race." All we ever seem to talk about is race. What's lacking in honesty about the discussion? What they mean is: we need everyone to agree with ME about how I feel about racism. Which by the way...would accomplish what?
Nature
Yale students demand divestment from Israel or they'll go on hunger strike.
They'll balk after a few hours, but I hope they go through it!
Clinton on Hamas
They're smart. A better word for it is evil. The Arabs and Israelis are the only ones who seem to know it, though.
Israel Strategy Part 2
If I were Israel, and this is true that Biden forced them to pull back, I'd take a new strategy: wait and double down. We all know Hamas doesn't recognize any ceasefire, so I would hardly wait for Hamas to constitute itself so they can attack. I'd wait and strike first. Take out the leadership and make them as operationally useless as possible.
Good Post
In late 2021, Hamas held a conference on what they would do after conquering Israel. They discussed water, sewage, currency, and making a directory of property to confiscate. They plan not to let talented Jews leave and make them work for the state.The ceasefire crowd doesn't get it. Israel has an actual enemy. It's not the enemy you wish they had. It's not people who can be reasoned into living in peace with a Jewish state. Hamas is actually serious about slaughtering the Jews and taking all their land.
I read on Twitter the other day - reposted by Nassim Taleb - that Hamas is a tiny organization that alone is causing the collapse of Israel and the West in general. Ha! A tiny organization?!? They were the political power in Gaza - that's hardly a tiny or inconsequential group. In any case, Hamas and supporters are the dregs of the world - the lower 25%. My beef is not that they exist, but that anyone with any iota of power listens to them at all.
Logging
Film: Zoolander and Get Shorty
Zoolander holds up better. This movie works so well because the big joke is that Ben Stiller is "really, really, really good looking." This would not have worked with a handsome actor or even a semi-handsome actor. Ben Stiller looks like an ape man, so it plays.
Get Shorty was a lot worse than I remember it. I remember it being cool. It's more like a cartoon. Compared to Pulp Fiction or Out of Sight, similar films from the era, it comes out quite far below.
Film: Reptile
I enjoy mediocre procedurals. What can I say? Still, it feels like something was forgotten or left out in this film...the bite mark? What happened with that? The final scene was confusing. I guess Benicio (who co-wrote the script) loves Pat Garret and Billy the Kid, but the scene was completely misplayed. The Knocking on Heaven's Door sequence was between two people who loved each other - and Pat needing to witness that. Here...it doesn't make any sense at all.
Film: The Little Things
See above. I haven't finished yet, but why have they revealed the killer so soon and so easily? I'm confused where this movie intends to go.
Film: The Friends of Eddie Coyle
Awesome 70s flick...Mitchum incredible. Some great dialog scenes, but I imagine for most people the plotting is a bit difficult to follow. I can, but I've seen the film, read the books, and know the world. Perhaps I just love certain scenes and the vibes of the film -- and perhaps the way it (and other films) capture a place and time. Like a thing I noticed was how shitty Mitchum's kitchen was...and it made me think - man, it would've sucked to be a small time gangster in the 70s. The guy had 3 kids!
Film: Malcolm X
Need a longer space to write about it, but my contention is that it strives to be a masterpiece but does not quite achieve it. I'm still thinking about why... one of my theories is that Lee tries too hard to connect it to the "present" - meaning the 90s - with Rodney King and Mandela. Those parts felt the least relevant upon rewatch. I wish he strove for a timelessness. My other theory is that Malcolm X lived an incredible life but did not accomplish incredible things. What I mean by this: ultimately the Nation of Islam is basically a small minded cult with very little to say. It vaguely speaks to a black tradition of self-reliance and empowerment, so on one level it is connected with US History - Marcus Garvey, etc and you still see a thread of it in Charlamagne tha God and other public figures/ideas. But when is the last time NOI accomplished anything? I mean, it seems about as relevant (and maybe even less) than Alcoholic Anonymous for the work they do in rehabilitation. No one is making an AA movie, I hope.
AI Function
I quite enjoy podcasts, but overall find about 15% of the information useful or interesting. Part of me wonders if I could program an AI to find that 15% and just listen to that. PS - I do not find the same to be true of movies, tv shows, or books. Although perhaps non-fiction...I almost wonder if most non-fiction books could be summarized into long articles...especially those non-fiction books which aren't really well written and typically address faddish ideas.
Extreme Wokeness Theory
I strongly suspect the reason we have all this extreme wokeness is that really idle rich kids inherited a bunch of wealth and needed to do something to feel useful but were incapable of thinking or working very hard. Case study here.
Microeconomics
The cappuccino at my favorite local coffee spot used to cost $4. During the pandemic, I started tipping $1. Then as inflation went up, the price went to $4.50. I lowered my tip to $0.50. Yesterday, CA instated a $20 minimum wage law for fast food. I noticed the price of my cappuccino went up to $5.25. I'm going to start cutting back. I can substitute my own great cup of coffee for $0.25 or so with the best beans you can buy on the West Coast. I might start looking into buying one of those nice cappuccino makers...
Girl, You Are Something Else...Never Seen Anything Like It
The highest level of greatness--when your opponent in awe.
Travels
Day 1 - Vegas. Stayed at Excaliber. Vegas is a walking city! Got me thinking why doesn't LA have pedestrian bridges in some spots, but I realized no one would use them. Ate dinner at Proper Food Court in Aria - a better lunch spot than dinner - but still reflective of better food options in Vegas these days. Kids enjoyed an arcade dungeon. Unsurprisingly, I'm not a fan of the buy a credit card style of arcade games today. Somehow less free than the old quarters. Did a bit of blackjack in the evening at an electronic table. Not nearly as a fun. But you can play for $5 vs. $25 a hand. Back in year 2000, I'd play blackjack at $5 a hand and even today, I don't find it fun to play for anymore than that. Why, I wonder? I checked inflation and the internet says prices have increased 69% since then. So it makes a weird sort of sense - I should be willing to play at like $8 a hand. But why has Vegas inflated the low end so much? I only saw $20 and $25 tables. Granted it was Saturday night, but something has happened here...
Day 2 - Breakfast at Hash House. Kids liked. Drive to Zion. Stayed in remarkable tiny home "resort" in the middle of dessert. Almost like glamping. Really enjoyed the locale and amenities. Hiked Zion Canyon Overlook trail. Stopped by nature center and touched the river. Got a nice meal on the way back at Camp Outpost. Roasted smores at night, star gazed...great view of Jupiter and Big Dipper. Passed out at night before other planets could come out. Would've loved to spend more time in Zion to do some more adventurous outdoors stuff...
Day 3 - Drive to Antelope Canyon. Delicious Mexican canteen lunch at El Tapatio in Page, Arizona. My informal theory is that Mexican restaurants with Tapatio in their names tend to be good. I've had a number of good experiences in this direction. Hiked down into Antelope Canyon with a Navajo guide in the afternoon. Spectacular slot canyon - just google the images. Got groceries and had healthy dinner in hotel room (kitchen included).
UPDATE:
Day 4 - Took a kayak trip down the Colorado through horseshoe bend. Peaceful water. Kids got to paddle a bit. Unbelievable scenery. Well worth it. Dinner at brewery. Mediocre food.
Day 5 - Drive to Grand Canyon. Find snow on the ground. Kids play with it, more impressed by the snow than the lookouts at the South Rim. Checked out visitor center. Fell asleep in a short movie about Grand Canyon. Got into hotel. Lousy dinner at tavern like place, sort of ski resort/tourist type of spot. More star gazing. Saw Jupiter and Mercury.
Day 6 - Early bike rentals ride along South Rim. Great time. Saw big family of elk. Best views probably on the planet. Got back, lunched. Took shuttle to South Kaibab trail - one of the main hikes. Only did the first bit to Oo Ah Point. Not too bad, kids could've done a bit more but the hike apparently gets more treacherous on the way down. Every month 600 hikers need help from Rangers, etc. Seems high.
Day 7 - Drive back to Vegas - actually Summerlin. Stayed at resort called Red Rock. Nice family alternative to the strip. Less seedy. Some decent restaurants/food. There's a bowling alley. I didn't gamble. Great pool. Huge room. Found out the place is owned/built by Howard Hughes corporation. Felt oddly like a place you might see in Asia. Built recently. Gaudy, not overly tasteful. Practical, clean, PG-13 compared to the rest of Vegas...
Absurd
In a weird way, this is the best argument for Trump as a transformative political figure. Does anyone doubt Trump would've picked up the phone? Does Trump seem like a guy who would worry about what the Democrats or the press would think (like Clinton)? This guy took shit for sitting down with Kim Jong Sun, but maybe that's more of the type of shit we need.
Ceasefire Now
As much as AIPAC gets discussed, I'd like to know who funds and orchestrates the Ceasefire stuff. Is this foreign money? Qatar?
Logging
Film: Godzilla (1954)
Can't believe how much the kids liked it, stuck with it, and followed the subtitles and themes of the film.
Film: King Kong (1933)
For all the talk of "problematic" movies and TV shows, this is one of the only films I've watched in a long ass time where the argument would hold up. Women are basically insulted for their uselessness for the first quarter of the film. Natives portrayal is pretty damn weird - basically, they are black africans on a mysterious indonesian island whose big plan is to steal a white women to marry off to King Kong. Women is kidnapped, tied up and then "given" to Kong. The Chinese cook is portrayed as a decent guy with a goofy outfit and accent, who isn't capable of helping rescue the woman. The white American dudes take off on a noble crusade to get the women back and just murder several prehistoric creatures they come across (No one thinks about perhaps studying the Stegosaurus?).
And yet! Still pretty goddamn awesome. My kids enjoyed mocking the special effects, but one of them find Kong "very ugly" and didn't like looking at him.
My Theory
If the 7 million Jews in Israel and 5 million or so Palestinians all up and moved into the United States within a generation they would all be friends and probably be closer with each other than with other minority groups. Like you'd see traveling youth soccer teams that were just Israeli-Palestinian teams.
Maybe Britain should just recolonize?
Criminal Justice Reformer...
...who was on Joe Rogan had body parts in his freezer.
There's a ton of stories about famous black men who were unjustly harassed by police - from Jay Z to Malcolm X - they recount these stories in detail as evidence of prejudice against black men. But when I read the stories, I can't help but notice the guys telling the stories are always doing crime! It's hilarious. It makes the cops seem like they know what they're doing.
Hamas's Audience
When the global left manages to apply pressure on Western governments to "go easy" on Hamas, Hamas reacts by hardening their negotiation position. Hamas's audience IS the global left. So the irony is - the more power the global left wields over institutions of power and government - the harder it becomes for the Palestinians to accept peace. The global left is Hamas's only "ace-in-the-hole." If they abandoned support from Hamas, this whole thing would be over. But they can't. Because they're the scorpion riding the frog.
Maybe We Needed A Bit More Racism...
One of the reasons I supported the Iraq invasion was because I bought into the idea that Arabs wanted to live like everyone else in the world and if you got rid of a tyrant like Saddam we'd see change. In hindsight, an argument I'm finding oddly compelling is that actually...maybe Saddam was doing a pretty good job keeping the so-called "Arab-street" under control while he pursued his passion for writing novels.
What's changing my mind is that post-Oct 7th, it's become pretty clear the vast majority of Arabs in their hearts of hearts support the mass murder and rape of Jews (Israelis). I'd like to think the more cosmopolitan and intellectual Arabs feel different. Or the Arabs from different countries have different nuanced and complicated positions on the matter. Or perhaps the Arabs who immigrate to the West become more sympathetic. It turns out none of them do. So therein lies the problem.
Other thing - if Israel is a colonial state - where is exactly the "home state" the Jewish colonizers are supposed to return to?
Logging
Film: Dune 2
No profound thoughts...I generally enjoyed myself seeing a big spectacle in the theater. With Sidney Sweeney on SNL and seeing Glenn Powell in a Twisters trailer...then Florence Pugh, Zendeya, Austin Butler, and to a lesser extent Chalamet...it got me thinking maybe there will be a new generation of stars. I can't totally tell. My criticism of the film would be a lack of emotional resonance...maybe a bit cold? I found myself not entirely caring or feeling the outcome was up in the air. Perhaps knowing the story impacted this, but I also suspect it has something to do with the Bene Gesserit storyline.
Although the highlight of the evening might've been the crown booing the new Nicole Kidman AMC ad.
Perhaps A Sign...
In Gulf War 1 we had a 100K troops in Saudi Arabia, we were allied with the Saudis but when Saddam fired scuds at Tel Aviv, our "allies" were cheering in front of our military. That would be a bit like your bench cheering when the other team scored during a game.
I Remember the 90s
And remember the Palestinians were primed for peace, but their political leadership rejected it. I agree today is 10x worse because what's changed is the Palestinian popular opinion supports Hamas. Now is this Israel's fault? Who is to say. I guess it reflects on some level the "success" of Hamas if their true goal was to radicalize the Palestinian people. Although I tend to take Hamas at their word and their goal is a state from the river to the sea and the destruction of Israel. That plan does not seem to be going well at all.
I Somewhat Agree
Biden engages in dreampolitik.
Biden is a proponent of dreampolitik: pursue fantasies but not in the real world. So in Ukraine fantasy of Russian defeat but without the risks of actually bringing it about. And in Israel fantasy of an end to Palestinian national project but mixed with fear of consequences.
How Are We To Make The Distinction?
I don't disagree with this Macaes statement in rhetorical terms. But in practical terms, how are Israel and the EU (in this case) supposed to make the distinction, especially when Hamas deliberately masks itself as civilian and a sizable number of Palestinian civilians support Hamas. Nevertheless, efforts in this direction would be much more fruitful in lowering the harm rather than simply directing ire toward the Israelis and Biden.
Therapy Example
If therapists focused on Little League baseball for instance, they would've developed psychological terms for:
1) not being able to catch the ball (badglove disorder)
2) being afraid of getting hit by the ball (scaredofpitchitis)
3) throwing with bad form (throwinglikeagirlism)
Whereas the baseball coach realizes this just takes practice and effort to learn how to do.
For instance - are we so sure there is such a thing as dyslexia? Or ADHD? I mean, I know a lot of people are diagnosed with these things. But a lot of folks also get afraid of being hit by a pitch. My point: are these pathologies? Couldn't dyslexia be treated by say...practicing reading? Or ADHD be treated by...a lot of exercise?
Therapists
I look forward to reading this book about the therapy-industrial-complex in schools.
I view therapists as a step above fortune tellers, but in the category of financial advisors. In theory, both can be helpful in limited capacities. But the problem lies in the collective incentives - financial advisors as a group, have incentives to push products and services that will make them money. Therapists as a group, have incentives to keep meeting with patients and find all sorts of new diagnosis. It would take a pretty remarkable therapist or advisor to solve their clients problems in a fast and/or cheap manner AND stay employed. I'm sure many who practice get into the field with good motivations - but those who succeeded in solving clients/patients problems would be rewarded by not having any work to do. In short, they would make themselves irrelevant.
An Idea For the Wars...How About We Win?
Proxy wars are being waged against the Western alliance. Started by our enemies. My proposal for these wars: let's win. Here's how:
1) NATO makes a deal with Ukraine. If their country is willing to conscript all young Ukrainians of fighting age to join the fight - meaning - those who left the country must return or lose citizenship...meaning they gather 1 million troops or 5-10% of the population...whatever the number is to win. We will fund, supply with weapons, and put European troops on the ground to push Russia back to the original borders.
2) Convince Taiwan to build a reserve force of 1 million trained reservists. Arm them.
3) Rebuild our ability to manufacture weapons in mass now.
4) Stand with Israel until Hamas is gone whether it takes 2 months or 2 years.
5) Take out revolutionary guard targets until the attacks in the Red Sea stop.
Shoot 'Em
Mobs are using violence to stop Israeli speakers on campus at Cal. I propose the same solution I proposed to Jan 6 protestors: shoot 'em until they stop.
Gobert Trade
All the smart NBA people were against, but I always kinda liked it. Why? How about when you've got a young star on your team (Edwards), surround him with the best basketball players you can? In case you haven't noticed, there are only 5 guys on a court at a time. When you've got a guy (or two) that leaves 3-4 slots. What good do all the top draft picks give you in this circumstance?
"Stuck In Gaza"
Taleb compares 6 day war to Israel being "stuck in Gaza" for 145 days. In 1967, Israel faced annihilation by three countries invading them. Today, they've lost under 300 soldiers and are at war with an irregular force while all their current peace treaties remain in place.
He goes on to claim China will be the global power in 15 years and the US will be run by the woke. This is the most un-Taleb prediction in his history. This is a guy who talks about lindy effect - that the longer things survive, they more likely they are to have staying power. Wokeness?!? How durable has this proven to be? The CCP in China? I suppose we'll see, but I don't know...is this a society that the world wants to be the global leader? Didn't we just get to see an up close test of the difference between the US and China? China is the country that birthed the coronavirus and the US is the country that developed and distributed the vaccine.
This clown thinks Israel won't exist in 15 years. I'd bet on Israel over Putin's government, the CCP, or the Ayatollah's in Iran. Are these bastions of stable governments ready to hang onto power? I don't think so.
UPDATE: That said, there are some indicators the US is a total mess and perhaps a house of cards - Google's Gemini and Mademe Web are pretty good red light warning signals - but my point is that to make this argument is a very un-Taleb take.
Interesting Take
Marilyne Robinson on Biden, Barbie, and other things...
What’s the last movie you saw?
Gee, I don’t know. Oh, ha! I tried to watch “Barbie,” but it stopped in the middle. I didn’t deal with the problem.
What did you think of the parts you saw?
It was not addressed to me, let’s say that. If pink by itself is a toxin, I think that was the effect that it had on me.
On Biden:
Because Obama’s signature quality was youth, and Biden’s is age. Frankly, I’m less than a year younger than Joe Biden, so I believe utterly in his competence, his brilliance, his worldview. I really do. You have to live to be 80 to find this out: Anybody under 50 feels they’re in a position to condescend to you. You get boxed into this position where people who deal with you are making assumptions about your intellect. It’s very disturbing. Most people my age are just fine. What can I say? It’s a kind of good fortune that America is categorically incapable of accepting: that someone with a strong institutional memory, who knows how things are supposed to work, who was habituated to their appropriate functioning is president. I consider him a gift of God. All 81 years of him.
Logging
Film: The Red Shoes
I highly recommend watching classic films over the course of 2-3 nights over checking out a new TV program. I didn't know a single one of these actors, but they were all terrific. One of the best films about making large scale artistic productions (in this case, ballet) I can remember. Beautiful set pieces. Some excellent dialog scenes. Incredible ending.
Reasoning
When siding with the Palestinians, you'll find your positions contorting quite a bit - into supporting mass murder, rape, and authoritarian communists. Good luck going in that direction.
When Your Argument for Contemporary Political Action Starts With...
a) Going back to the 9th century
b) Going back to 1948
c) Going back to 1619
Chances are, everything else that follows is what's known as a "load of shit."
On the other hand, if your argument for maintaining an existing order or boundary begins with any of these things, chances are the idea is robust.
Nature Speaks
Nature has a way of speaking. Red dot on a spider. Don't go near it. Spikes on a branch - avoid.
Being so called "anti-Israel" tells you about the human animal. It tells you exactly who will march you to the death chambers if given the opportunity. It tells you will betray you when you need it. It tells who to treat like Hyman Roth -- a person who you can do business with, but not someone a Corleone trusts.
Hint
If a "gotcha" clip on the internet is short, the chances are likely that it's propaganda.
Example here.
Logging
Film: Top Gun: Maverick
Watching with young boys - quite a bit more enjoyable in this context. A lot of things are. The technical elements of the fight scenes impressive. Casting around Cruise was super strong. Does Cruise get enough credit for identifying talent actors to surround himself with?
Book: Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Didn't remember how preoccupied with death Tom Sawyer was...
Also, Tom loses a front tooth in the book but is 12 years old. Kids lose their front teeth at 6 or 7. Was this a mistake or did kids lose teeth later back then? Serious question.
TV: New Curb, S12
Not yet as terrific as S11.
TV: Sons of Anarchy Pilot
I remember bumping on the show as one of those phony prestige shows...like Chernobyl...where they marketed it like it was on par with Deadwood or Sopranos when it's clearly not. But if viewed as genre trash, it can be viewed next to Justified or Reacher and not embarrass itself. My point: not unwatchable. Cast has a lot of good faces.
Play: Hamlet
Read a strange version where the Gravediggers are referred to as Clowns and Hamlet never bumps into Fortinbras. Every time I read, I have questions. Why does Laertes presume Claudius had something to do with Polonius's murder? How old is Hamlet again? I used to insist he was not much more than a teenager - he's in college after all, but then he seems to remember a guy who died 23 years ago. So I read what the internet says and even this is open to interpretation. Are the clowns lying or misremembering the guy being dead for so long?
TV: Seinfeld random episodes
My unpopular opinion amongst intelligent people: Seinfeld is still better than Curb.
Taleb
Is just wrong on the Palestinian-Israel stuff. He says this:
The problem of Israel and its supporters: Once you realize your colleague isn’t the virtuous, humanitarian former victim he persuaded you that he was, you can’t unsee it.(Irreversibility, distrust)
Bro! This works the other way. The Palestinians, by their actions, are the ones we can't unsee. We can't unsee delightful lunatics mass murdering and raping civilians for no apparent goal other than to shock and horror.
Palestinian Suffering
Bruno Macaes does an excellent job of chronicling Palestinian suffering. But one wonders: as terrible as the suffering is, then why not do the thing that would end it? Surrender. Cease the support of Hamas. Acknowledge the legitimate existence of Israel. Don't declare war on your neighbor.
I understand pride, but at a certain point you gotta ask yourself what your pride is getting you.
Valentines Day
New Yorker headline: Why is Polyamory Everywhere Now?
I would frame the question a tad differently: Why are there so many deranged bored losers out there?
Egypt
They love the Palestinians so much they won't open their border and take in any refugees.
Gimme a break. The only thing that unites this whole thing is hatred of Israel.
"Over The Top"
Biden mad at Netanyahu for "over the top" war fighting.
Because Israel fights to win and Biden fights to not lose.
Putin Plan
I joked in the past about how we could resolve numerous world problems by seizing Gaza, giving it to Trump to develop into Vegas on the mediterranean, jobs for all the Palestinians, and let Putin have a nice hotel penthouse where he could lie around with his shirt off. But now I now realize what he really wants is a tenured professorship at Oxford where he could just spend all days reading 9th century texts and uncovering weird stories about the history of his homeland.
The Dysfunction IS the Point
Pro-Palestinian protestors show up for forum against sexual violence in warfare. Note the forum is about the general topic, not even specific to what Hamas did October 7th. Are you starting to get it yet? These folks don't support the Palestinians, they support the evil that was done.
Genocide Joe
Interesting how pro-Palestinian folks manage to conflate the US (and Joe Biden) for Israeli's actions. But somehow manage to separate Hamas from "Palestinian civilians." Let me spell out the difference. Israel is a friend and ally to the US. We don't 100% agree with all their actions, but respect their sovereignty and right to defend themselves in the way they see fit. The Palestinians on the other hand vote in Hamas, let Hamas act in their name, and then cower and hide behind the label of "civilian" when the time comes to face the consequences of their vile, evil actions. It's a bunch of bullshit. The people in Gaza support Hamas. They have a choice to live with their neighbors or fight in a perpetual war when they are the weaker party. They continue to choose war. I think it's insane, but you cannot blame the rest of the world for your choice.
DEI Rules
Amazon has new DEI rules for film and tv productions. Just what the creative process needs: more middle management to chart the numbers of ethnicities portrayed in works of fiction to make sure there is proper representation. Beyond dumb on so many levels.
Remember that the real beneficiary of DEI rules are those who get to make the DEI rules.
Logging
Film: You Hurt My Feelings
Is the meta-message of this film everyone sucks at their job?
I laughed out loud quite a bit during the movie but the basic premise didn't totally land for me. The first scene that felt "off" to me was the aftermath sisterly powwow of Julia Louis Dreyfus overhearing her husband hated her new book. Would this be that upsetting? We're talking about a little beyond middle aged women here with a college grad for a kid...have we become this fragile? Seems to me the type of thing you get over a few years after grad school. And yes, all these characters went to grad school.
Solid cast though. Has any actress of her generation had a better career than Julia Louis Dreyfus?
Strange Young Female Energy
Every generation needs to deal with the physical and emotional challenges of girls becoming women. In the old days, they met this challenge by locking up women in the house, using chastity belts, organizing dances, etc. Our generation has met these challenges by making it cool to obsess over pop stars and/or transition into young men.
Take It Up with the UN
Wa. Wa. Ancestors lost their land 50-100 years ago. Welcome to the club with billions of other descendants. Get in line at the UN and make your specious claim. Try to kill the descendants of the people who "took" your land is going to lead to a predictable outcome: death and misery. But sure, keep trying it. By all means.
More Hospitals
Israel psychos invade hospital and kill three Palestinian medical professionals.
Oh, wait. Nevermind...they actually turn out to be terrorists hiding in the hospital. Yeah, we should really be sympathetic to these folks. Real easy to deal with, common sense, salt of the earth types.
Logging
Film: Anatomy of a Fall
Fairly gripping examination of a troubled marriage. If I have a complaint, it would be this: never for a moment did I believe she "did it" and so from a mystery/procedural perspective I found the drama a bit lacking. That said, I walked in a few moments late and don't know what I missed at the beginning of the film. On some level, I read this film as a plea for sanity.
Another random thought: everyone seems to think the 21st century will be the story of India and China's rise. Europe has become an afterthought. But if I could place a bet, it would not surprise me if a European woman was the one to create a Fortune 500 company. If I could wager, I would bet on a European woman over the favorites: American, Indian, or Chinese.
Settler-Colonialism
The entire settler-colonialist argument against Israel - why does this argument not apply toward the Islamic conquests of Jerusalem and Palestine more largely? Do people think the original inhabitants of Palestine were Islamic? Like there were dinosaurs, then mammals, and then people who practiced Islam? Did the folks peacefully convert to the religion out of choice?
The Other Difference Between Ukraine and Palestine
Besides the Palestinians starting the war against Israeli and the Russians starting the war against Ukraine - the other main difference: Ukraine wants peace and freedom for themselves as a sovereign nation. They have no desire to "overtake" Russia or wipe Russia from the map. The Palestinians on the other hand want to destroy their neighbor and take their land that they claim was stolen 75 years ago. That's the difference for those who would like to draw parallels. One is holding a line. One wants to redraw them.
Pessimism As A Disease
I sense so much pessimism when it comes to Israel-Hamas. Even so far as people claiming "Hamas is winning." Winning?!? What ludicrous world view thinks getting 30-50% of your fighting force and all your infrastructure destroyed - not to mention total destruction of your people and land as winning? What if I reframed my life goals as: going bankrupt. And then I proceeded to do exactly that. Would anyone say I succeeded in life? Does joining a death cult and then dying count as "winning?"
As my kid would say, "no way, dude."
Folks are marching in the streets against Israel. So what? Ever heard of a losers? Does anyone remember Occupy Wall Street? They had just as many protestors and guess what? Last time I checked, Wall Street is still there and the Occupiers are still delinquent on their student loans. Sorry folks. The crocodile tears for Palestinians are a Western luxury good more fickle than even our support for Ukraine. See, just as cancellations, wokeness, etc can cut both ways so can Westerners attention. Ask the citizens of the Central African Republic how much Westerners really care about civilian deaths in foreign lands. I don't mean to be glib, but ultimately humans can't be expected to care equally about all 6 billion souls on the planet. It might be rational to do so, but we can't. If the Palestinians want to live in peace and want their land and control of their own destiny, it will be on them to curtail the maniacs in their own camp. They've failed to do so for the past 50 years.
Not Going Away
This issue of anti-semitism is not going away. And by the way, this isn't really about antisemitism - it's about profound dysfunction within both elite and non-elite circles in the Western world. We've become insane and I can't really tell you why. Anti-semitism in places like Harvard is like drug use for spoiled kids - just dysfunction for the sake of dysfunction.
Dead Teslas In The Freezing Cold
The other day there was a considerable line at a bank charging station here in LA as well Cold weather no good for battery operation.
Another Example
Taleb says Israeli politicians were making mistakes on October 9th. Again an example where he expects Israelis to play 9-D chess and be inhuman supercomputers and the expectations for Palestinians is to only fantasize about mass murder and genocide of their neighbors but that acting upon it might - under certain conditions - cross a line.
Russian Strategy
Interesting twitter thread - we are closer to war with Russia than we think. Russia would not fight a conventional war against NATO, but rather a psychological risk-escalation war. I agree this would be in their interest. But I don't think we should fight either type of war with Russia (or China) if it came to it. We should fight a war against the leadership of Russia and the leadership of China - a war that is totally ruthless, mafia-style that involves decapitating their leadership and their kin by any means necessary and as fast as possible. A war that would encourage paranoia and the people surrounding the leadership to turn on them as quickly as possible. I believe this would leverage NATO and the West's material advantages because neither Russia nor China could ever "eliminate" the threat. Likewise, it would position our strengths (unreliance on a single person or mafia group) against their weaknesses - the continuous threat of democratic revolution from within.
Countries and People Who Dislike Us
Sometimes I feel bummed about our country, but then when consider the alternative and in particular, the folks that don't like America - here are the list -
Iranian Ayatollahs
Chinese Communists
Russian Fascists
Palestinian Terrorist
Yemeni Pirates
North Korean Dictators
That these folks don't like us suggests to me that we're doing something right.
17%
Per this Niall Ferguson youtube clip, only 17% of the world's population lives under liberal democracy. Can this be right?
Mark Cuban
What's going on with this guy? First, he sells the Mavericks suddenly and totally gives up control. It made me think the guy has a terminal disease. Now, he's wading right into the middle of the culture war by taking the side of DEI the moment when the tide is turning against it. Sort of like signing up for Napoleon's army once he got to Moscow. Strange decision. It makes me wonder now if there is some type of legal case or charges of pretty bad behavior coming down the pipe for the guy and he's looking for some type of exit ramp. I dunno. It's quite weird.
Innocent Palestinians
When people use the term innocent Palestinians - are they referring to the people whom Hamas gives Israeli hostages to hold in their apartment for 50+ days? Are they innocents? Non-combatants? I really want to know since all these pro-Palestinian folks seem to be war crime legal experts now.
In 500 Years...
Historians will look back at our present and make one of these two observations:
1) There was a time period in a place called America where men pretended to be women and women pretended to be men and common practice was to just pretend this was normal. Or...
2) There was this time period where people were so ignorant, they thought the body you were born into was the same thing as your essential soul.
I wish I could bet on this somehow.
Unreality
What reality are Taleb and Macaes living in where they think Israel or any country with capability would standby stoically while their neighbors assemble and plot their mass murder? My question for those criticizing Israel's post Oct 7th actions: what should they do? What is the alternative to dismantling Hamas? How could they possibly allow Hamas to operate in Gaza as before? It wouldn't work. Taleb and Macaes know it won't work. Do they think ANY country or people with any sort of power would be able to take the higher road after such an assault and invasion? Do they think there is some moderate group of Palestinians who can "reign in" Hamas? Where is there any evidence of this?
Their criticisms do not reflect the reality facing Israel or any country.
Malcolm X
Reading the Autobiography of Malcolm X...his father just killed and everyone in the family thinks he was murdered by the Black Legion, a Klan offshoot. Insurance company refuses to pay because they believe it was a suicide. Officials think it was a streetcar accident. So I want to find the truth and look it up. You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to find out any information on the internet - all records just cite what Malcom says in autobiography. Even ChatGPT 3.5 says this:
Malcolm X's father, Earl Little, was indeed killed, but the circumstances surrounding his death are a matter of historical debate. Earl Little, a Baptist minister and supporter of Marcus Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), faced threats from racist organizations. Some accounts suggest that he may have been targeted by the Black Legion, a white supremacist and terrorist organization active in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s.
On the night of September 28, 1931, Earl Little was found dead on the streetcar tracks in Lansing, Michigan. Officially, his death was ruled as an accident, with authorities stating that he had been hit by a streetcar. However, Malcolm X and his family believed that his father had been murdered, and they suspected the involvement of the Black Legion.
The Black Legion was known for its violent tactics and intimidation against African Americans, Jews, and other minority groups.
While the exact circumstances of Earl Little's death remain unclear, the suspicion that he may have been targeted by the Black Legion reflects the racial tensions and violence prevalent during that time. Malcolm X's upbringing, experiences with racism, and the circumstances surrounding his father's death played a significant role in shaping his views and activism later in life.
The only half decent information is buried deep within an article in the NY Times about Malcolm X's mother.
Family life, solid if not secure, was shattered in 1931, when Earl died after he was run over by a streetcar in Lansing, Mich. The idea that the incident was not an accident — that Earl could have been murdered — became a touchstone of Malcolm’s life story, though it has largely been refuted.
Seems to me this new era of AI provides new tools of propaganda that will make the truth harder to discern.
Logging
Film: Vengeance
By BJ Novak. A strange film. Both a really good and really bad movie crammed into one. Almost like the filmmaker knows what makes a good film, but at the same time that he cannot make one. I really wonder what would've happened if he just tried to make the good film. This would've entailed: no podcast element, no Issa Rae, and no BJ Novak as the star. But strangely, would've meant keeping Ashton Kutcher doing what he did in the movie, a couple more script rewrites, and a little more design/style in the filmmaking.