Biggest Scandal in America and No One Is Talking About It
Home prices are being rigged by the government to benefit existing homeowners at the expense of buyers. We're just seeing the results: first time home ownership down by 40% since 2004.
This is an enormous scandal. And it impacts nearly everybody. It of course impacts poorer people the most, and especially poorer young people.
The government is doing this because existing homeowners enjoy policies that ensure their homes raise in value. Of course they do! Everyone will take free money if offered. But the truth is - no money is free - it comes with a cost. And the cost is that younger people are going to be less financially secure.
Here is how the scam works: limit housing demand via local zoning laws and make money to buy houses cheap to borrow via the mortgage interest deduction and low interest rates. Thus, prices go up.
This is government working for the old and wealthy at the expense of the poor and young. If you are not a home owner, it is making your life worse and more expensive every day and denying you the ability to grow wealth by capturing any gains in the real estate market. And yet, all the young people seem to be more passionate about fighting for imaginary causes, like neo-nazis and Trump. But they would be smarter and happier to instead concern themselves with the hustle on home prices that is taking their hard earned money out from their pockets every day. Everyone needs shelter and the monied are using the government to make shelter more expensive than it needs to be to benefit those already sheltered. Basic rent seeking.
Friday, September 01, 2017
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
To Be Fair, I've Been Noticing This For Awhile
15 Years Ago, the internet was an escape from the real world, now the real world is an escape from the internet.
15 Years Ago, the internet was an escape from the real world, now the real world is an escape from the internet.
Monday, August 28, 2017
Why The Neo Nazi / Fascist Witchhunt?
I hope students are still required to read The Crucible in school. In it, they may recognize an echo from the present: the search for neo nazis and fascists. The Onion, of course, captures it best of all: Antifa Organizers Announce Plans To Disrupt Neo-Nazi Rally Or Whatever Else Going On That Day:
I hope students are still required to read The Crucible in school. In it, they may recognize an echo from the present: the search for neo nazis and fascists. The Onion, of course, captures it best of all: Antifa Organizers Announce Plans To Disrupt Neo-Nazi Rally Or Whatever Else Going On That Day:
“We will stop at nothing to prevent these vile fucking neo-Nazi hatemongers from gathering, or, if not them, someone else,” said Sarah Jackson, 26, adding that the only way to end the spread of fascism is to physically confront Nazis, peaceful right-wing protesters, or just random people going about their daily lives. “We need to tell these Hitler-loving fucks or whoever else is standing there, ‘Get out of our city!’ Remember, we’re talking about white supremacist terrorists, people running errands on their lunch breaks, or a group of tourists, so if we have to throw a punch or two, then so fucking be it.”The WSJ also tackles the issue. Hat tip, Viner.
Soon liberalism had become a cultural identity that offered Americans a way to think of themselves as decent people. To be liberal was to be good.It's nice to be liberal. You get to parade yourself around as a good person without actually having to be good. It's what religion used to be, but cheaper and requiring less work. The drawback to thinking people, however, is needing to toe the party line when in the company of others.
Sunday, August 27, 2017
An Adult in The Room
12 Browns kneel for the national anthem. Jim Brown addresses the team and tells them not to disrespect their country. Next game, they all stand.
12 Browns kneel for the national anthem. Jim Brown addresses the team and tells them not to disrespect their country. Next game, they all stand.
Saturday, August 26, 2017
Trump Was Right
When he condemned taking down Confed statues by saying "Who's next, George Washington?" he was criticized by being insensitive. But was he wrong?
Theater cancels Gone with the Wind screening.
I wish there was someone else to stand up to this PC-tide, but there isn't. So we have Trump.
When he condemned taking down Confed statues by saying "Who's next, George Washington?" he was criticized by being insensitive. But was he wrong?
Theater cancels Gone with the Wind screening.
I wish there was someone else to stand up to this PC-tide, but there isn't. So we have Trump.
The Left Has Become A Cult
And is fueled by the internet.
In Boston, 30,000 Americans rallied against Free Speech. Americans in Boston! This is an outrage beyond imaginable. Andrew Sullivan writes about it better than I can:
It seems to me highly plausible transgender people are suffering from a body dysmorphia illness similar to anorexia. I hope we are willing to continue to study this phenomenon to gain a deeper understanding, but until we find some clear consensus, pushing trans-identities on children seems to me borderline child abuse. Children can't possibly grabble with the complexity of the issue. We don't let kindergardeners cross the street on their own, or watch whatever tv show they want, much less wrestle with super complicated notions of sex and gender that most American adults don't know how to distinguish. (and which transactivists purposely conflate).
Furthermore, there are health and monetary consequences to transgrooming. Taking hormones and puberty suppression drugs are dangerous. This is the stuff prison punks are forced to take. And people are giving this stuff to their children. This strikes me as insane. Not even to mention the surgeries later in life. It would not surprise me to discover some transactivism is majorly funded by some groups in the pharmaceutical industry looking for a steady stream of customers (you will take hormones for life as every gene in the human body will be fighting a sex change).
Transactivists, like Islamic Terrorists, are exploiting intellectual fissures in Western thought. Transactivists have successfully framed their argument as an extension of the gay rights movement, when in fact is should be thought as a body dysmorphic disorder. Just like Islamic Terrorists have successfully framed themselves a religious movement, when in fact they are a fascist political movement.
And is fueled by the internet.
In Boston, 30,000 Americans rallied against Free Speech. Americans in Boston! This is an outrage beyond imaginable. Andrew Sullivan writes about it better than I can:
As Boston, an allegedly liberal city, undoubtedly did. It seems to me that the acid test of whether a “free speech” rally is just a cover for white supremacists is whether it truly upholds free speech (which means inviting a spectrum of opinion, including the far right and the far left), whether it invites people of many races, whether it denounces violence, and whether it invites dialogue and engagement. This one did all of the above — and the organizers were deemed Nazis for it.In California transactivists have targeted early childhood education as a battleground for transrights. Read this story and prepare to be disgusted.
It seems to me highly plausible transgender people are suffering from a body dysmorphia illness similar to anorexia. I hope we are willing to continue to study this phenomenon to gain a deeper understanding, but until we find some clear consensus, pushing trans-identities on children seems to me borderline child abuse. Children can't possibly grabble with the complexity of the issue. We don't let kindergardeners cross the street on their own, or watch whatever tv show they want, much less wrestle with super complicated notions of sex and gender that most American adults don't know how to distinguish. (and which transactivists purposely conflate).
Furthermore, there are health and monetary consequences to transgrooming. Taking hormones and puberty suppression drugs are dangerous. This is the stuff prison punks are forced to take. And people are giving this stuff to their children. This strikes me as insane. Not even to mention the surgeries later in life. It would not surprise me to discover some transactivism is majorly funded by some groups in the pharmaceutical industry looking for a steady stream of customers (you will take hormones for life as every gene in the human body will be fighting a sex change).
Transactivists, like Islamic Terrorists, are exploiting intellectual fissures in Western thought. Transactivists have successfully framed their argument as an extension of the gay rights movement, when in fact is should be thought as a body dysmorphic disorder. Just like Islamic Terrorists have successfully framed themselves a religious movement, when in fact they are a fascist political movement.
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Irving - Isiah
This is what a trade should be. My impression from this static moment: a great move by both sides.
The Celtics get a blue chip in Irving and sell high on Isiah and avoid dealing with the max contract issue next summer for a 29 year old 5 foot 9 point guard who can't play D.
The Cavs get out from under a toxic situation with Irving-LeBron, bring back an All Star to replace at least 80-90 percent of Kyrie, get some wing defensive help in Jae Crowder, and a pick to leverage depending on how the Lebron situation shakes out. Either they keep the pick for the future when Lebron leaves, or swap the pick for something they need later in the season to improve for the now. LeBron leaves and they can build around Isiah, Kevin Love, Crowder, and Tristin T. That's not a terrible team.
If I were Cleveland, I would've wanted to run in back with Kyrie and Lebron, but those two players basically made it impossible to do it. A real smart team would've figured a way to squash the issue with foresight, but I don't think Cleveland is a real smart team.
This is what a trade should be. My impression from this static moment: a great move by both sides.
The Celtics get a blue chip in Irving and sell high on Isiah and avoid dealing with the max contract issue next summer for a 29 year old 5 foot 9 point guard who can't play D.
The Cavs get out from under a toxic situation with Irving-LeBron, bring back an All Star to replace at least 80-90 percent of Kyrie, get some wing defensive help in Jae Crowder, and a pick to leverage depending on how the Lebron situation shakes out. Either they keep the pick for the future when Lebron leaves, or swap the pick for something they need later in the season to improve for the now. LeBron leaves and they can build around Isiah, Kevin Love, Crowder, and Tristin T. That's not a terrible team.
If I were Cleveland, I would've wanted to run in back with Kyrie and Lebron, but those two players basically made it impossible to do it. A real smart team would've figured a way to squash the issue with foresight, but I don't think Cleveland is a real smart team.
The Truth Is Out There...
Shady McCoy on Kaepernick:
McCoy was asked how Kaepernick's situation compares to that of former NFL quarterback Michael Vick, who became a Philadelphia Eagles teammate of McCoy in 2009 after spending time in prison on federal dogfighting charges.
"He's 10 times better than Kaepernick," McCoy said of Vick. "You'll deal with that situation, that attention, that media aspect of it. The good, the bad attention you'll get. Compared to Kaepernick, it's like, he's not really that good [enough] of a player to deal with....And those who want to find grievance choose to ignore it.
Can They Take A Nobel Prize Away?
Joseph Stiglitz from 2007 praises Venezuela's economic policies.
Boy, you couldn't make a worse call as an economist in contemporary times if you ask me. He should be in economist jail.
Joseph Stiglitz from 2007 praises Venezuela's economic policies.
Boy, you couldn't make a worse call as an economist in contemporary times if you ask me. He should be in economist jail.
GRRM
Is the big winner of the disappointing GoT season.
To not have previously recognized GRRM was the genius behind the major plot moves is pretty absurd - and this is what I was worried about when the show moved beyond the books. But my angle is a bit different - GRRM has taken a ton of shit for not being able to finish Winds of Winter. But I think the disappointing nature of the show this season validates his decision to take his time and work to get it right. Even if he never finishes.
Is the big winner of the disappointing GoT season.
To not have previously recognized GRRM was the genius behind the major plot moves is pretty absurd - and this is what I was worried about when the show moved beyond the books. But my angle is a bit different - GRRM has taken a ton of shit for not being able to finish Winds of Winter. But I think the disappointing nature of the show this season validates his decision to take his time and work to get it right. Even if he never finishes.
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
It's Not About the Statues
Robert Lee, Asian American ESPN broadcaster, taken off the air for a UVA college football game.
For some, including ESPN, it's about virtue signaling. For others, it's about tearing institutions down and taking as many scalps as possible. It's not about Confed statues, or Colin Kaepernick's job, or whatever. You know how I know?
a) There were actual Americans who actually fought the Confederacy and the evils of slavery and actual Americans who actually fought the Nazis. And yet, the protesters don't talk about these people, don't idolize these people, they don't celebrate these people. They don't propose taking down Confederate monuments and replacing them with monuments of Sherman or Grant. They just want to tear things down and celebrate and move onto the next thing.
b) There are actual Americans and many others (kurds, iraqis, free syrians) who are on the front lines right now fighting ISIS who are actual fascists and actually take slaves (yazidi's), and nary a peep from the Left about this issue. Instead, they are fighting against blocks of granite and Trump.
They aren't serious and shouldn't be taken seriously. And indulging them only makes it worse -- and absurd. See above link.
Robert Lee, Asian American ESPN broadcaster, taken off the air for a UVA college football game.
For some, including ESPN, it's about virtue signaling. For others, it's about tearing institutions down and taking as many scalps as possible. It's not about Confed statues, or Colin Kaepernick's job, or whatever. You know how I know?
a) There were actual Americans who actually fought the Confederacy and the evils of slavery and actual Americans who actually fought the Nazis. And yet, the protesters don't talk about these people, don't idolize these people, they don't celebrate these people. They don't propose taking down Confederate monuments and replacing them with monuments of Sherman or Grant. They just want to tear things down and celebrate and move onto the next thing.
b) There are actual Americans and many others (kurds, iraqis, free syrians) who are on the front lines right now fighting ISIS who are actual fascists and actually take slaves (yazidi's), and nary a peep from the Left about this issue. Instead, they are fighting against blocks of granite and Trump.
They aren't serious and shouldn't be taken seriously. And indulging them only makes it worse -- and absurd. See above link.
Kaepernick
One interpretation: he protests, therefore he loses his job in the NFL. My interpretation: he's losing his job in the NFL, therefore he protests.
Two years ago, when the Niners went 8-8 under Harbaugh there were numerous reports Kaepernick was isolated in the locker room. Michael Crabtree hated him. He was having serious issues with teammates. This is a guy who was obsessed with his body, working out, instagram, etc. Which was fine -- it was why he was popular initially under the millennial types. The next year, he turns into Martin Luther cornrow, becomes a vegan, loses weight, loses a step, loses muscle, and loses his starting position. And then starts protesting injustice. Others follow suit. You know the rest of the story. He gets a starting gig back, plays with training wheels, pads his stats in games when the Niners are down and goes like 0-7, or 1-6 as a starter. The Niners don't want him back because the gimmick of Kaepernick got figured out 3 years ago by defensive coordinators. No other NFL team wants him either. The SJW types start using him as a symbol of injustice because that is what they do. He, instead, changes agents, and tells teams he won't be protesting any longer because he realizes getting paid millions is better than working a regular 9-5. But NFL teams can't use him because he doesn't fit into NFL schemes. If you roll with Kap, you need to build around his skillset, which is diminished and I'd argue, always a gimmick. So instead of him trying to improve as a QB, he chose to allow himself to get hijacked as a symbol. It's actually a sad story. He's not a bad guy, just shallow, and obviously dealing with identity issues. But this is about him - not about injustice. He could easily go to the Arena League and play if he wanted to play football. It worked for Kurt Warner.
For those who argue it's about the protests - they having nothing to stand on. There are numerous other NFL players who are still protesting. Kaepernick has given up his protests. This is about projecting grievance - nothing more.
One interpretation: he protests, therefore he loses his job in the NFL. My interpretation: he's losing his job in the NFL, therefore he protests.
Two years ago, when the Niners went 8-8 under Harbaugh there were numerous reports Kaepernick was isolated in the locker room. Michael Crabtree hated him. He was having serious issues with teammates. This is a guy who was obsessed with his body, working out, instagram, etc. Which was fine -- it was why he was popular initially under the millennial types. The next year, he turns into Martin Luther cornrow, becomes a vegan, loses weight, loses a step, loses muscle, and loses his starting position. And then starts protesting injustice. Others follow suit. You know the rest of the story. He gets a starting gig back, plays with training wheels, pads his stats in games when the Niners are down and goes like 0-7, or 1-6 as a starter. The Niners don't want him back because the gimmick of Kaepernick got figured out 3 years ago by defensive coordinators. No other NFL team wants him either. The SJW types start using him as a symbol of injustice because that is what they do. He, instead, changes agents, and tells teams he won't be protesting any longer because he realizes getting paid millions is better than working a regular 9-5. But NFL teams can't use him because he doesn't fit into NFL schemes. If you roll with Kap, you need to build around his skillset, which is diminished and I'd argue, always a gimmick. So instead of him trying to improve as a QB, he chose to allow himself to get hijacked as a symbol. It's actually a sad story. He's not a bad guy, just shallow, and obviously dealing with identity issues. But this is about him - not about injustice. He could easily go to the Arena League and play if he wanted to play football. It worked for Kurt Warner.
For those who argue it's about the protests - they having nothing to stand on. There are numerous other NFL players who are still protesting. Kaepernick has given up his protests. This is about projecting grievance - nothing more.
Sunday, August 20, 2017
Neo Nazis are the New Witches
Been thinking about neo-nazis because I can't help NOT thinking about them as they are the topic de jour. But shamefully, perhaps, I just can't seem to muster the fear of all my brethren. I know, I know, this must mean I'm secretly racist, or almost just as bad, privileged. But that's not really an argument, that's a demand to shut the fuck up. Which I won't abide.
Here is my reasoning:
1. As far as I know, no neo nazi holds any political position in the entire United States.
2. I cannot name a single business run by neo nazis or supported publicly by neo nazis
3. I have never met a neo nazi. Nor have I ever met anyone who has a neo nazi acquaintance. And I've been to 38 or so states and lived in the USA for quite a long time and come across thousands of people in my travels.
For the folks who believe it is 1933 Germany here in the USA, I suggest reading In the Garden Of Beasts, a book by Erik Larson about what was actually happening in Germany when the Nazis you know - actually took over. Living in America today presents exactly ZERO similarities, unless you gather all your knowledge from the internet.
One can point to internet videos/movies/segments and websites. I know. But let me remind you, there are a lot of weird people out there, including: juggalos, people who get dressed up like clowns and follow insane clown posse; Grinders, people who bio hack their own bodies to turn into robots, and others who follow the Official Church of Satan.
My point is, this neo nazi stuff is hysteria and worse, the people spreading it know it and are using it to rouse up political support for their own Leftist political causes.
Been thinking about neo-nazis because I can't help NOT thinking about them as they are the topic de jour. But shamefully, perhaps, I just can't seem to muster the fear of all my brethren. I know, I know, this must mean I'm secretly racist, or almost just as bad, privileged. But that's not really an argument, that's a demand to shut the fuck up. Which I won't abide.
Here is my reasoning:
1. As far as I know, no neo nazi holds any political position in the entire United States.
2. I cannot name a single business run by neo nazis or supported publicly by neo nazis
3. I have never met a neo nazi. Nor have I ever met anyone who has a neo nazi acquaintance. And I've been to 38 or so states and lived in the USA for quite a long time and come across thousands of people in my travels.
For the folks who believe it is 1933 Germany here in the USA, I suggest reading In the Garden Of Beasts, a book by Erik Larson about what was actually happening in Germany when the Nazis you know - actually took over. Living in America today presents exactly ZERO similarities, unless you gather all your knowledge from the internet.
One can point to internet videos/movies/segments and websites. I know. But let me remind you, there are a lot of weird people out there, including: juggalos, people who get dressed up like clowns and follow insane clown posse; Grinders, people who bio hack their own bodies to turn into robots, and others who follow the Official Church of Satan.
My point is, this neo nazi stuff is hysteria and worse, the people spreading it know it and are using it to rouse up political support for their own Leftist political causes.
Saturday, August 19, 2017
Confederate Statues
If I thought it was simply about Confederate statues, I see the case for bringing them down one-by-one. I think these are local decisions that should be made in an orderly way. I personally have little sympathy for the Confederacy. It was about preserving the evil of slavery and not about "states rights." In addition - and like most evils - it was also incredibly stupid. The South couldn't win the war and they knew it. Yet, they still decided to fight it, costing over 600,000 lives.
But I am skeptical that for the progressive left that this is primarily about Confederate statues, nor will it stop at the statues. As we have already seen: tech companies are blocking alt-right websites, tiles in the NY subway that look like the Confederate flag are being taken down, and an Abe Lincoln statue was set ablaze, among other stupidities. How do I know this? Because it was already happening before the Confederate statues: see Colin Kaepernick kneeling for the American Flag, see the Portland school board changing the name of Lynch Elementary School, attempts to get Princeton to rename the Woodrow Wilson school, and the movement to rename the Washington Redskins, among numerous other tedious and cheap displays of virtue signaling.
I also think it's indicative of the times and the dead end philosophy of the progressive Left that their best ideas are about bringing something down than actually building anything up.
If I thought it was simply about Confederate statues, I see the case for bringing them down one-by-one. I think these are local decisions that should be made in an orderly way. I personally have little sympathy for the Confederacy. It was about preserving the evil of slavery and not about "states rights." In addition - and like most evils - it was also incredibly stupid. The South couldn't win the war and they knew it. Yet, they still decided to fight it, costing over 600,000 lives.
But I am skeptical that for the progressive left that this is primarily about Confederate statues, nor will it stop at the statues. As we have already seen: tech companies are blocking alt-right websites, tiles in the NY subway that look like the Confederate flag are being taken down, and an Abe Lincoln statue was set ablaze, among other stupidities. How do I know this? Because it was already happening before the Confederate statues: see Colin Kaepernick kneeling for the American Flag, see the Portland school board changing the name of Lynch Elementary School, attempts to get Princeton to rename the Woodrow Wilson school, and the movement to rename the Washington Redskins, among numerous other tedious and cheap displays of virtue signaling.
I also think it's indicative of the times and the dead end philosophy of the progressive Left that their best ideas are about bringing something down than actually building anything up.
Thursday, August 17, 2017
Bannon is Smart
I honestly haven't read much about Bannon - surprising given how much he's in the news. But this makes me think he's really, really smart.
Here's why - even if you take the premise that affirmative action type of programs are needed and possible to execute well, and you take the premise we need to stop micro-aggressing and man/white splaining in every avenue of life, and take the premise women get paid 70% of men for doing the same work, and every major industry and job needs more diversity in race and gender, and there are all sorts of systemic injustices that need to be corrected - even if you accept all these premises (which I don't necessarily, btw). But even if you did, I still think it's a dead end political idea. Because most Americans do not see themselves of being guilty of these crimes. A vast majority of Americans - on the left and right both - basically believe in equality opportunity. They don't practice systemic racism, or try their very best not to. You may disagree. But the relevant point is that most Americans don't view themselves that way. And if, you're on the Left and you try to insist to the majority of Americans that - No - you actually are racist and sexist and horrible - guess what? They're going to stop listening. You've lost. And you get Trump. Period. End of story.
I honestly haven't read much about Bannon - surprising given how much he's in the news. But this makes me think he's really, really smart.
He dismissed the far right as irrelevant and sidestepped his own role in cultivating it: “Ethno-nationalism—it's losers. It's a fringe element. I think the media plays it up too much, and we gotta help crush it, you know, uh, help crush it more.”
“These guys are a collection of clowns,” he added.
From his lips to Trump’s ear.
“The Democrats,” he said, “the longer they talk about identity politics, I got ’em. I want them to talk about racism every day. If the left is focused on race and identity, and we go with economic nationalism, we can crush the Democrats.”I think he just articulated something in one brief paragraph that I've been trying to express for years, except I've been coming at it from liberal perspective. And that is: race and identity politics is a dead end political issue for liberals. I've focused on trying to articulate why identity politics is poison, stupid, etc, but that's wrong. The relevant point is that it's bad politics. It's a losing strategy. It is why Democrats outnumber Republicans and yet, the Republicans control the House, Senate, and White House.
Here's why - even if you take the premise that affirmative action type of programs are needed and possible to execute well, and you take the premise we need to stop micro-aggressing and man/white splaining in every avenue of life, and take the premise women get paid 70% of men for doing the same work, and every major industry and job needs more diversity in race and gender, and there are all sorts of systemic injustices that need to be corrected - even if you accept all these premises (which I don't necessarily, btw). But even if you did, I still think it's a dead end political idea. Because most Americans do not see themselves of being guilty of these crimes. A vast majority of Americans - on the left and right both - basically believe in equality opportunity. They don't practice systemic racism, or try their very best not to. You may disagree. But the relevant point is that most Americans don't view themselves that way. And if, you're on the Left and you try to insist to the majority of Americans that - No - you actually are racist and sexist and horrible - guess what? They're going to stop listening. You've lost. And you get Trump. Period. End of story.
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
PayPal Changes Terms of Service
To no longer allow hate groups to raise money.
In a vacuum, this policy makes sense. Unfortunately, we don't live in a vacuum and I personally fear businesses and individuals all turning into idea-police considerably more than I worry about neo nazis.
To no longer allow hate groups to raise money.
In a vacuum, this policy makes sense. Unfortunately, we don't live in a vacuum and I personally fear businesses and individuals all turning into idea-police considerably more than I worry about neo nazis.
Monday, August 14, 2017
Charlottesville: The Future
It does not take much bravery or wisdom to condemn neo-nazis and white nationalists as all our national politicians and media outlets are doing. And notice one can seize the moral high ground by coming out harder and quicker against these fearsome boogymen. Now social media sleuths are going after the livelihoods of protestors and succeeding. This is exactly what I'd do if I wanted more Charlottesvilles. And is why I think we are headed towards more Charlottesvilles: because identity politics is too engrained into our culture to eradicate and adults are no longer tending the store.
Here is a good article about it.
As most liberal college students, I got to flirt with identity politics while in college. Luckily, I was too busy with other things to pay it much mind and being a natural contrarian, quickly found its appeals lacking. But it's come back with a force and nowadays in polite conversation, I often find myself the only one criticizing identity politics from the left and getting dismissed in all the conversations as a closeted conservative. But that is precisely the problem with identity politics: the complete and utter myopia and ignorance of those who subscribe and practice it. It's worse than a dead-end philosophy. It's nihilistic and murderous. All one needs to do is look at recent history in Yugoslavia, Rwanda, or Lebanon, to see where it leads. There is no good outcome. All the the twittering and social ostracism by the sanctimonious left is radicalizing those on the alt-right. This is clear. And the vice-versa.
Let me be clear: both sides are very, very wrong. And very stupid. Both morally and tactically. This is a lose-lose game everyone is playing.
UPDATE: I'll link to a preemptive response regarding identity politics:
It does not take much bravery or wisdom to condemn neo-nazis and white nationalists as all our national politicians and media outlets are doing. And notice one can seize the moral high ground by coming out harder and quicker against these fearsome boogymen. Now social media sleuths are going after the livelihoods of protestors and succeeding. This is exactly what I'd do if I wanted more Charlottesvilles. And is why I think we are headed towards more Charlottesvilles: because identity politics is too engrained into our culture to eradicate and adults are no longer tending the store.
Here is a good article about it.
As most liberal college students, I got to flirt with identity politics while in college. Luckily, I was too busy with other things to pay it much mind and being a natural contrarian, quickly found its appeals lacking. But it's come back with a force and nowadays in polite conversation, I often find myself the only one criticizing identity politics from the left and getting dismissed in all the conversations as a closeted conservative. But that is precisely the problem with identity politics: the complete and utter myopia and ignorance of those who subscribe and practice it. It's worse than a dead-end philosophy. It's nihilistic and murderous. All one needs to do is look at recent history in Yugoslavia, Rwanda, or Lebanon, to see where it leads. There is no good outcome. All the the twittering and social ostracism by the sanctimonious left is radicalizing those on the alt-right. This is clear. And the vice-versa.
Let me be clear: both sides are very, very wrong. And very stupid. Both morally and tactically. This is a lose-lose game everyone is playing.
UPDATE: I'll link to a preemptive response regarding identity politics:
White supremacy is not a response to identity politics; identity politics are a response to white supremacy. They’re a response to life in a country that built itself on the theory that “all men are created equal” but a reality where the opposite was true. And they’re a response not just to the outright racism that survives on websites such as Stormfront and at Confederate flag rallies but also to the stubborn structural barriers that still hold back people with darker skin.Maybe. I still think it's the wrong response.
Wednesday, August 02, 2017
Trademarking Offensive Words
In an attempt to censor them.
These people worry me significantly more than Donald Trump precisely because they are everywhere now. 15 years ago ideas about policing language that would be openly mocked are regularly brought up within polite company.
In an attempt to censor them.
These people worry me significantly more than Donald Trump precisely because they are everywhere now. 15 years ago ideas about policing language that would be openly mocked are regularly brought up within polite company.
Sunday, July 30, 2017
How Not To Be A Gentrifier
Ridiculous. As with all far-left positions, the underlying message is: cease to exist. Don't have babies because of the environment, don't get ahead because it's at the expense of others, don't buy a home because it means someone else doesn't have a home. Don't talk because you're committing a micro-aggression or white/man/splaining. Basically, don't exist. Nice folks, these people. Really nice folks.
Ridiculous. As with all far-left positions, the underlying message is: cease to exist. Don't have babies because of the environment, don't get ahead because it's at the expense of others, don't buy a home because it means someone else doesn't have a home. Don't talk because you're committing a micro-aggression or white/man/splaining. Basically, don't exist. Nice folks, these people. Really nice folks.
Saturday, July 29, 2017
Reason
McCain's finest hour.
Congress was designed to be the most powerful branch of government. I don't understand why we've allowed the President to become such an all powerful position. Someone ought to explain why we've been in all these wars over the past 60 years without Congress declaring once.
McCain's finest hour.
Congress was designed to be the most powerful branch of government. I don't understand why we've allowed the President to become such an all powerful position. Someone ought to explain why we've been in all these wars over the past 60 years without Congress declaring once.
Thursday, July 27, 2017
I Couldn't Disagree More
The Ringer argues Euron Greyjoy isn't needed. I think he's going to make the season.
The Ringer argues Euron Greyjoy isn't needed. I think he's going to make the season.
Sunday, July 23, 2017
Sunday, July 09, 2017
Car Leasing
LA Times article about how more people are leasing than buying because of new tech. Right. People are leasing for the same reason they've always leased: they want a nicer car than they can afford. Notice this line, buried in the article:
"Those rates put Lexus among Infiniti, BMW and Audi as automakers with the highest leasing rates."
Notice it isn't the cheaper cars being leased.
LA Times article about how more people are leasing than buying because of new tech. Right. People are leasing for the same reason they've always leased: they want a nicer car than they can afford. Notice this line, buried in the article:
"Those rates put Lexus among Infiniti, BMW and Audi as automakers with the highest leasing rates."
Notice it isn't the cheaper cars being leased.
Saturday, July 08, 2017
Logging
Film: Seven Samurai
I can't believe I'd never seen it before. And I now understand why it is on so many top ten lists. Best Kurosawa film I've seen. Hard not to watch this and Days of Heaven (which I caught a bit of the other night) and not miss film and feel a deep loss for it going away. (Even though I readily admit not being able to tell much difference from contemporary digital vs film) Is there an aspect of not being able to tell the difference btwn film and digital, though the lack of ambitious filmmakers who strive to use the medium in a unique way?
Film: Seven Samurai
I can't believe I'd never seen it before. And I now understand why it is on so many top ten lists. Best Kurosawa film I've seen. Hard not to watch this and Days of Heaven (which I caught a bit of the other night) and not miss film and feel a deep loss for it going away. (Even though I readily admit not being able to tell much difference from contemporary digital vs film) Is there an aspect of not being able to tell the difference btwn film and digital, though the lack of ambitious filmmakers who strive to use the medium in a unique way?
Sunday, July 02, 2017
Logging
TV: Glow Ep. 1-3
Is it good or trendy? I'm not sure yet. I would argue the show has a few great moments, but strains to get to them. I'll confess to being a tad resistant to the show because the whole project feels like hipster catnip with their "strong" female characters and the ironically fetishizing of a sport the creators don't much seem to care for. Also, it feels like they ought to get points against them for the familiarity of the characters: the out-of-work actress, the irascible, but maybe brilliant director, etc. But on the whole, it's pretty digestible and reminds me most of Entourage.
TV: Glow Ep. 1-3
Is it good or trendy? I'm not sure yet. I would argue the show has a few great moments, but strains to get to them. I'll confess to being a tad resistant to the show because the whole project feels like hipster catnip with their "strong" female characters and the ironically fetishizing of a sport the creators don't much seem to care for. Also, it feels like they ought to get points against them for the familiarity of the characters: the out-of-work actress, the irascible, but maybe brilliant director, etc. But on the whole, it's pretty digestible and reminds me most of Entourage.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Saturday, June 17, 2017
Hope Comes In Many Forms
The Worm is the only person in the world who can call Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump a friend.
I'd say stranger things have happened, but if Rodman somehow brought about peace in a Asia, well, maybe stranger things haven't happened.
The Worm is the only person in the world who can call Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump a friend.
I'd say stranger things have happened, but if Rodman somehow brought about peace in a Asia, well, maybe stranger things haven't happened.
Sunday, June 04, 2017
Campus Inquisitions
The New York Times is finally noticing the problem.
There's a real simple solution: you intimidate professors or other students like a thug, you get tossed from school. That'd end this stuff real quick.
I also think Professors could band together and cease teaching classes until their students are brought to heel. But these are actual solutions and I have little confidence Progressives want solutions, they want to maximize misery.
The New York Times is finally noticing the problem.
There's a real simple solution: you intimidate professors or other students like a thug, you get tossed from school. That'd end this stuff real quick.
I also think Professors could band together and cease teaching classes until their students are brought to heel. But these are actual solutions and I have little confidence Progressives want solutions, they want to maximize misery.
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Racist Graffiti at LeBron's LA Home
I wish I could put money on this being a fake "hate crime."
Just knowing LA...and knowing where LeBron's home probably is...(I'm guess Brentwood, but I don't know)...the racists in the 10 million and up zip codes don't tend to be the graffiting types.
My bet is on fake hate crime first and dumb teenager second.
I wish I could put money on this being a fake "hate crime."
Just knowing LA...and knowing where LeBron's home probably is...(I'm guess Brentwood, but I don't know)...the racists in the 10 million and up zip codes don't tend to be the graffiting types.
My bet is on fake hate crime first and dumb teenager second.
Sunday, May 28, 2017
Not News To Anyone Paying Attention
Fareed Zakaria on how liberals aren't that tolerant.
Not than anyone asks me, but I consider myself a classical liberal in the John Stuart Mill sense. This puts me at odds with progressives and Democrats who for the most part misinterpret my positions to be conservative. This is because they haven't read political theory and equate Progressive with Democrat and Democrat with liberal, and mistake what are essentially modified Marxist and post-structural critiques of capitalism for "liberal" positions.
American progressives no longer believe in free speech and to my mind that makes them a greater threat to the nation than Donald Trump. I recognize I might be wrong.
Fareed Zakaria on how liberals aren't that tolerant.
Not than anyone asks me, but I consider myself a classical liberal in the John Stuart Mill sense. This puts me at odds with progressives and Democrats who for the most part misinterpret my positions to be conservative. This is because they haven't read political theory and equate Progressive with Democrat and Democrat with liberal, and mistake what are essentially modified Marxist and post-structural critiques of capitalism for "liberal" positions.
American progressives no longer believe in free speech and to my mind that makes them a greater threat to the nation than Donald Trump. I recognize I might be wrong.
Saturday, May 27, 2017
Logging
Film: Prime Cut
Lee Marvin crime thriller with Gene Hackman. Say no more. I'm all in.
TV: Master of None
Aziz Ansari aping Woody Allen. Not as good. Aziz is a bad actor! Check out his Michael Clayton long taxi cab shot in one of the episodes...what's with all the affectation? Needed direction. Should've started off bummed, and then started thinking about his shopping list for the next day.
Film: Prime Cut
Lee Marvin crime thriller with Gene Hackman. Say no more. I'm all in.
TV: Master of None
Aziz Ansari aping Woody Allen. Not as good. Aziz is a bad actor! Check out his Michael Clayton long taxi cab shot in one of the episodes...what's with all the affectation? Needed direction. Should've started off bummed, and then started thinking about his shopping list for the next day.
Scathing Critique of Yale
I agree with 100% of what was said here.
The correct response to bullying a professor by students is suspension or expulsion. But the academy is proving itself to no longer be an educational institution, but rather a resort. Students are customers and faculty employees. This might've become the #1 biggest problem in America today - the ruination of higher education. Because if education goes down, so will other great institutions.
I agree with 100% of what was said here.
The correct response to bullying a professor by students is suspension or expulsion. But the academy is proving itself to no longer be an educational institution, but rather a resort. Students are customers and faculty employees. This might've become the #1 biggest problem in America today - the ruination of higher education. Because if education goes down, so will other great institutions.
Cultural Appropriation
Is just Marxism with a much narrower and vague target. Plus, the arguments and writing are incredibly tedious. All culture is cultural appropriation. Their argument/tactic is to focus on uneven power dynamics, but guess what: power exists. Someone is going to exercise it. Therefore in whatever context, there will cultural appropriation by their definition. The real problem is they just want power for the progressive clique and we can all see where that would go if they ever achieve their aims - some mix of Soviet Russia, Venezuela today, and campus grievance committee meetings.
Is just Marxism with a much narrower and vague target. Plus, the arguments and writing are incredibly tedious. All culture is cultural appropriation. Their argument/tactic is to focus on uneven power dynamics, but guess what: power exists. Someone is going to exercise it. Therefore in whatever context, there will cultural appropriation by their definition. The real problem is they just want power for the progressive clique and we can all see where that would go if they ever achieve their aims - some mix of Soviet Russia, Venezuela today, and campus grievance committee meetings.
The Greatest Reality Show Ever Created
Trump is the water cooler talk in my office. From the 30K foot view, his election is the greatest reality show ever produced.
It's also possible to interpret the Trump election as a great moment for Democracy - people are talking again about politics. Politics went from the realm of boredom and ennui to great, meaningful drama. Our country is more engaged with political questions today than I can remember in recent memory. Maybe it is in a super-negative and pessimistic manner, but I don't remember anyone saying democracy was as perfect system - just the least worst of alternatives.
Trump is the water cooler talk in my office. From the 30K foot view, his election is the greatest reality show ever produced.
It's also possible to interpret the Trump election as a great moment for Democracy - people are talking again about politics. Politics went from the realm of boredom and ennui to great, meaningful drama. Our country is more engaged with political questions today than I can remember in recent memory. Maybe it is in a super-negative and pessimistic manner, but I don't remember anyone saying democracy was as perfect system - just the least worst of alternatives.
The Story
"A reporter don't control the story, the story controls the reporter."
I have a nagging suspicion all the Russia inquiries are going to amount to a whole lot of nothing and we're going to see Trump win again in 2020 because the Dems will waste four years focusing on criminalizing Trump as opposed to honing their message, appealing to voters, and putting systems in place to find/recruit/elect good political candidates.
And the good thing is - my thesis will be tested by time.
UPDATE: All the Trump pessimists ought to be selling stocks, getting into gold, or volatility indexes. If not, they don't believe what they say or are financial illiterates. Or both.
"A reporter don't control the story, the story controls the reporter."
I have a nagging suspicion all the Russia inquiries are going to amount to a whole lot of nothing and we're going to see Trump win again in 2020 because the Dems will waste four years focusing on criminalizing Trump as opposed to honing their message, appealing to voters, and putting systems in place to find/recruit/elect good political candidates.
And the good thing is - my thesis will be tested by time.
UPDATE: All the Trump pessimists ought to be selling stocks, getting into gold, or volatility indexes. If not, they don't believe what they say or are financial illiterates. Or both.
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Childish Men
Are the reason why so many brilliant, successful women in their 30s aren't pregnant.
You keep telling yourself that.
Are the reason why so many brilliant, successful women in their 30s aren't pregnant.
You keep telling yourself that.
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Hmmmm
Maxine Waters sums up well the Democratic position.
She would've supported firing Comey if Hillary had done it, but doesn't support Trump doing it.
And they wonder why they don't control any branch of government, most state houses, despite being on the "right side of history."
Maxine Waters sums up well the Democratic position.
She would've supported firing Comey if Hillary had done it, but doesn't support Trump doing it.
And they wonder why they don't control any branch of government, most state houses, despite being on the "right side of history."
Logging
Film: Cold in July
Uneven tone. Strange storytelling in that the lead character was not carrying much of the movie. But I quite enjoyed it overall.
Film: The Yakuza
Don't see how I hadn't seen this before. Rather excellent.
Film: Miller's Crossing
Arguably the greatest Coen Brothers movie and that's saying something. Planned just to watch a few minutes and stayed up late watching the entire thing.
TV: Crashing
Not great, but the one stiff fiance character totally cracks me up.
Podcast: S-Town
I fell asleep listening at least 4 times. Took me a lot of attempts to muscle through. Nevertheless, glad I did. My favorite part was the character Olin who loved Brokeback Mountain. What a touching sequence. Didn't grab me like Serial. Didn't anger/annoy me in the same way, either.
Film: Cold in July
Uneven tone. Strange storytelling in that the lead character was not carrying much of the movie. But I quite enjoyed it overall.
Film: The Yakuza
Don't see how I hadn't seen this before. Rather excellent.
Film: Miller's Crossing
Arguably the greatest Coen Brothers movie and that's saying something. Planned just to watch a few minutes and stayed up late watching the entire thing.
TV: Crashing
Not great, but the one stiff fiance character totally cracks me up.
Podcast: S-Town
I fell asleep listening at least 4 times. Took me a lot of attempts to muscle through. Nevertheless, glad I did. My favorite part was the character Olin who loved Brokeback Mountain. What a touching sequence. Didn't grab me like Serial. Didn't anger/annoy me in the same way, either.
Unhealthy
Professor faces disciplinary action for calling diversity training a waste of time.
Which only confirms what he says is true for otherwise it could tolerate dissent.
Professor faces disciplinary action for calling diversity training a waste of time.
Which only confirms what he says is true for otherwise it could tolerate dissent.
Saturday, April 29, 2017
This Is Just Weird
Obama considered gayness?
I suppose I'm supposed to be open minded about this sort of thing...and say, it's pretty normal to be confused sexually when young, etc, etc, but it should say something about progressive culture that is more acceptable to "consider" gayness than to "consider" registering as a Republican.
It fits with the narrative that Obama is glamor spell.
Obama considered gayness?
I suppose I'm supposed to be open minded about this sort of thing...and say, it's pretty normal to be confused sexually when young, etc, etc, but it should say something about progressive culture that is more acceptable to "consider" gayness than to "consider" registering as a Republican.
It fits with the narrative that Obama is glamor spell.
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Ann Coulter Not Allowed
A liberal mob now determines what can be heard at UC Berkeley.
Everyone who refuses to stand up to these folks are cowards.
A liberal mob now determines what can be heard at UC Berkeley.
Everyone who refuses to stand up to these folks are cowards.
Insanity
A Portland parade canceled because of protester threats to - get this - Republicans.
This is what happens when you capitulate to fools.
A Portland parade canceled because of protester threats to - get this - Republicans.
This is what happens when you capitulate to fools.
Monday, April 24, 2017
Shame
At my alma mater, the inmates are trying to take over the asylum. Students want control over hiring. Jeezus.
At my alma mater, the inmates are trying to take over the asylum. Students want control over hiring. Jeezus.
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Most Influential
Kaepernick voted top 100 most influential people. Hmmm. Maybe top 100 of the most influential unemployed people.
When I type Kaepernick in google, I come up with all these stories about his donations to charity. Please be aware, people, these stories are planted by his publicists.
Kaepernick voted top 100 most influential people. Hmmm. Maybe top 100 of the most influential unemployed people.
When I type Kaepernick in google, I come up with all these stories about his donations to charity. Please be aware, people, these stories are planted by his publicists.
Sunday, April 09, 2017
Toss 'Em
I'm no fan of CMC, my alma mater's arch rival, but at least the college prez will punish those who would stop free speech.
It'd be great to take a strong stance on these things.
I'm no fan of CMC, my alma mater's arch rival, but at least the college prez will punish those who would stop free speech.
It'd be great to take a strong stance on these things.
License to Offend
He suggests moral philosophers and comedians deserve one. I'd say all Americans do.
He suggests moral philosophers and comedians deserve one. I'd say all Americans do.
Imagine writing with the worry in the back of your mind, “If I get this wrong, my colleagues will say I’m evil, ostracize me, and try to get an Internet mob to come after me.” I don’t see much progress being made in an atmosphere like that, and, incidentally, it sure doesn’t seem to me like the departments where people are quick to take offense are the places publishing ground-breaking work.
Saturday, April 08, 2017
Becoming Antifragile
Taleb. Great stuff.
IMO, several antifragile moves an individual can make:
Financial -
1) Hold WAY more cash than you think you need. Should the market crash, or some type of financial opportunity arises, it's good to be able to take advantage of it.
2) Diversify your assets. This doesn't just mean diversity in stocks. I mean, own a variety of things that maintain or go up in value - stocks, bonds, jewelry, home, cash, tools. I'm open to other ideas. Remember, this is not to maximize return or wealth, but to become antifragile.
3) Keep stock assets in a variety of tax positioned accounts, ie post-tax, roth ira, pre-tax. Situations may arise where you can take advantage. For example, you might need to buy a new car or decide to buy a new roof. Better to take that money from post-tax rather than deal with messing with an IRA.
3) Eliminate all debt.
4) Keep your monthly nut as low as possible, but feel free to indulge in one-off purchases because they can be eliminated. This means aim low on rent and not having car payments, basically.
5) Get insurance to avoid catastrophe, but don't overbuy. (ancedote: I drive an old car and was re-upping my car insurance and realized, I really just need the basic collision because if I get into an accident, the car won't be worth repairing. So...rather than overbuy insurance, just hold cash for the eventual purchase of a new car)
Social Life
1) Keep a variety of friends in different regions of the country / globe. Never know when you'll need to move or would like to visit.
2) Keep different circles of friends. Should one circle disappoint or break up, you will have others to fall back upon.
3) Have a mix of close friends, sort of close friends, and acquaintances. Should you find yourself lacking close friends, try and turn some sort of close friends into close friends. Should you find yourself lacking sort of close friends, try turning some acquaintances into sort of close friends. It sounds mercenary, but this is actually a good idea.
4) Develop and cultivate a variety of activities one enjoys, ie garden, play soccer, hiking, playing cards/games, weigh lifting, wood working, etc.
5) Always be putting yourself in position to meet new people.
Career
1) Get two or three jobs instead of one. (if you lose one job, or it doesn't pay enough, you can concentrate on the others)
2) Develop multiple employable skills. (if one falls out of fashion or becomes obsolete, you are not stuck)
3) Produce property or goods that you own and can be sold. Try and develop ways to earn money that don't require additional labor per unit. (your wages aren't exclusively tied to your labor, but you can make passive income)
4) Get married to someone else with all the above mentioned qualities.
Family
1) Have more children as opposed to fewer children.
2) Stay in good touch with extended family and participate in their lives.
Creative Projects
1) Work on a number of projects at one time. But a huge caveat, I'd add to this from my own experience: Always keep one in first position and focus on completing that to full task. Be outlining, or planning numerous others in different stages. You can run into the problem of trying to do too much at one time just as easily as you can put all your eggs in one basket.
2) Work in different forms.
3) Always be paying attention to others working and try to improve on it.
4) Work within a tradition.
Taleb. Great stuff.
IMO, several antifragile moves an individual can make:
Financial -
1) Hold WAY more cash than you think you need. Should the market crash, or some type of financial opportunity arises, it's good to be able to take advantage of it.
2) Diversify your assets. This doesn't just mean diversity in stocks. I mean, own a variety of things that maintain or go up in value - stocks, bonds, jewelry, home, cash, tools. I'm open to other ideas. Remember, this is not to maximize return or wealth, but to become antifragile.
3) Keep stock assets in a variety of tax positioned accounts, ie post-tax, roth ira, pre-tax. Situations may arise where you can take advantage. For example, you might need to buy a new car or decide to buy a new roof. Better to take that money from post-tax rather than deal with messing with an IRA.
3) Eliminate all debt.
4) Keep your monthly nut as low as possible, but feel free to indulge in one-off purchases because they can be eliminated. This means aim low on rent and not having car payments, basically.
5) Get insurance to avoid catastrophe, but don't overbuy. (ancedote: I drive an old car and was re-upping my car insurance and realized, I really just need the basic collision because if I get into an accident, the car won't be worth repairing. So...rather than overbuy insurance, just hold cash for the eventual purchase of a new car)
Social Life
1) Keep a variety of friends in different regions of the country / globe. Never know when you'll need to move or would like to visit.
2) Keep different circles of friends. Should one circle disappoint or break up, you will have others to fall back upon.
3) Have a mix of close friends, sort of close friends, and acquaintances. Should you find yourself lacking close friends, try and turn some sort of close friends into close friends. Should you find yourself lacking sort of close friends, try turning some acquaintances into sort of close friends. It sounds mercenary, but this is actually a good idea.
4) Develop and cultivate a variety of activities one enjoys, ie garden, play soccer, hiking, playing cards/games, weigh lifting, wood working, etc.
5) Always be putting yourself in position to meet new people.
Career
1) Get two or three jobs instead of one. (if you lose one job, or it doesn't pay enough, you can concentrate on the others)
2) Develop multiple employable skills. (if one falls out of fashion or becomes obsolete, you are not stuck)
3) Produce property or goods that you own and can be sold. Try and develop ways to earn money that don't require additional labor per unit. (your wages aren't exclusively tied to your labor, but you can make passive income)
4) Get married to someone else with all the above mentioned qualities.
Family
1) Have more children as opposed to fewer children.
2) Stay in good touch with extended family and participate in their lives.
Creative Projects
1) Work on a number of projects at one time. But a huge caveat, I'd add to this from my own experience: Always keep one in first position and focus on completing that to full task. Be outlining, or planning numerous others in different stages. You can run into the problem of trying to do too much at one time just as easily as you can put all your eggs in one basket.
2) Work in different forms.
3) Always be paying attention to others working and try to improve on it.
4) Work within a tradition.
Logging
Book: Excellent Sheep: The Miseducation of the American Elite
TV: Big Little Lies
Companion pieces about the American upper/upper middle classes headed toward widespread sociopathology. The interesting point about both is not simply the problem with education, but how the problems with our education system are impacting our society and souls.
Book: Excellent Sheep: The Miseducation of the American Elite
TV: Big Little Lies
Companion pieces about the American upper/upper middle classes headed toward widespread sociopathology. The interesting point about both is not simply the problem with education, but how the problems with our education system are impacting our society and souls.
Syria Missiles
Unfortunately, I've seen this movie before. And I see why our establishment does it. It's the safe thing to do. Ironically. No American lives at risk. No costly involvement. Get to look morally tough. Something everyone can get behind. A classic Bill Clinton-esque move. And to my mind, the most disappointing thing Trump has done thus far. He's supposed to be this maverick free-thinker. I thought we had no vital national security in Syria or the Middle East. We've done this world policeman act before. That said, I hope it works, although I don't exactly know what working looks like in Syria.
Unfortunately, I've seen this movie before. And I see why our establishment does it. It's the safe thing to do. Ironically. No American lives at risk. No costly involvement. Get to look morally tough. Something everyone can get behind. A classic Bill Clinton-esque move. And to my mind, the most disappointing thing Trump has done thus far. He's supposed to be this maverick free-thinker. I thought we had no vital national security in Syria or the Middle East. We've done this world policeman act before. That said, I hope it works, although I don't exactly know what working looks like in Syria.
Thursday, April 06, 2017
I Wonder Why
Enrollment at Mizzou shrinks, closing dorms.
This is what happens when you start letting the lunatics run the asylum.
Enrollment at Mizzou shrinks, closing dorms.
This is what happens when you start letting the lunatics run the asylum.
Wednesday, April 05, 2017
Genius Pepsi Ad
Pepsi is pulling their video ad from the airwaves because it of course offended people by trivializing protest.
Of course, only because of the outrage, did I (or most anyone else) look at the ad.
I'd call that brilliant.
Pepsi is pulling their video ad from the airwaves because it of course offended people by trivializing protest.
Of course, only because of the outrage, did I (or most anyone else) look at the ad.
I'd call that brilliant.
Do As I Say, Not As I Do
Facebook diversity demands for their outside law firms that Facebook does not meet.
This is rather common pathology for limousine liberal political agendas. They want others to pay more taxes, others to pay for more healthcare, others to absorb illegal immigrants. I often hear liberals talk about a moral duty to take in Syrian refugees, for example. But I never hear the same people offer these Syrian refugees a job, places to live, or invite their children to attend the same schools as their children. But someone else definitely should.
Facebook diversity demands for their outside law firms that Facebook does not meet.
This is rather common pathology for limousine liberal political agendas. They want others to pay more taxes, others to pay for more healthcare, others to absorb illegal immigrants. I often hear liberals talk about a moral duty to take in Syrian refugees, for example. But I never hear the same people offer these Syrian refugees a job, places to live, or invite their children to attend the same schools as their children. But someone else definitely should.
Sunday, April 02, 2017
Why Kap Doesn't Have A Job
Instead of waxing all the political bs, why doesn't someone ask Michael Crabtree?
And as for the argument that the Niners are a dysfunctional organization and Kap would do better elsewhere -- only partially true. One the reasons they're dysfunctional is Kaepernick and his uneven, unpredictable play that will only work with a top defense and top offensive line.
Instead of waxing all the political bs, why doesn't someone ask Michael Crabtree?
And as for the argument that the Niners are a dysfunctional organization and Kap would do better elsewhere -- only partially true. One the reasons they're dysfunctional is Kaepernick and his uneven, unpredictable play that will only work with a top defense and top offensive line.
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Rights
Students have a right to argue against Charles Murray. They have a right to ignore Charles Murray. But they don't have a right to silence him or suppress his speech. Who is teaching these people civics? Did they misread the First Amendment? Shit, if Adolph Hitler rose from the dead and wanted to come talk at American Universities, we would let him.
Students have a right to argue against Charles Murray. They have a right to ignore Charles Murray. But they don't have a right to silence him or suppress his speech. Who is teaching these people civics? Did they misread the First Amendment? Shit, if Adolph Hitler rose from the dead and wanted to come talk at American Universities, we would let him.
More Important Than Ever
We need Chappelle more than he needs us.
We need Chappelle more than he needs us.
If anything, Chappelle’s personal mission in comedy is to seek the truth, even if it hurts. He refuses to be constrained by political correctness and hurt feelings. Rather, he wants his audience to think, consider, debate, discuss, argue, and react to the world we live in. There are many sides to a particular story, and each one needs to be investigated intelligently, forcefully — and above all, humorously.
That’s something many conservatives support, and should always support in a liberal democratic society — even if it took a liberal comedian to remind us of this fact.
Feminism
Radical vs. Universal vs. Intersectional
The problem with feminism is similar to the problem with Islam. All the passion and energy of the movements are with the radical and fanatical. The main ideological battle is won. The majority of people in Western societies believe in gender equality. Perhaps there are still some marginal areas of improvement and dust up elements, but the lunatics are exploiting this trivial stuff to hijack the cause and are steering the agenda. And a good 25% of "feminists" refuse to acknowledge and speak out against this issue in some dusty old show of solidarity. Similarly, a good 25% of Muslims, while not fanatical or radical themselves, believe in solidarity with the radical elements and lean more towards them in their hearts than they do with liberal values. This, to me, is the battle of hearts and minds that need to be won. I don't consider losing an option here.
Radical vs. Universal vs. Intersectional
The problem with feminism is similar to the problem with Islam. All the passion and energy of the movements are with the radical and fanatical. The main ideological battle is won. The majority of people in Western societies believe in gender equality. Perhaps there are still some marginal areas of improvement and dust up elements, but the lunatics are exploiting this trivial stuff to hijack the cause and are steering the agenda. And a good 25% of "feminists" refuse to acknowledge and speak out against this issue in some dusty old show of solidarity. Similarly, a good 25% of Muslims, while not fanatical or radical themselves, believe in solidarity with the radical elements and lean more towards them in their hearts than they do with liberal values. This, to me, is the battle of hearts and minds that need to be won. I don't consider losing an option here.
NBA
The debate: is the NBA awesome or weak sauce today? The biggest proponent of the weakness argument is probably Charles Barkley, but I hear it all the time. Imagine what the Bad Boy Pistons would do to Curry? Today's NBA is weak because of the hand check rules. Now, normally, I'm sympathetic to the idea that the past is underrated and the present overrated, but on this one, I'm in the camp of the NBA is much better today than in the past. For one principal reason: the shooting. The shooting is SO much better today. The primary goal of basketball is to get the ball in the hoop. Yes, defensive is important. And in the old days, I thought rebounds were the most important technical aspect of the game. I just don't think that is true any longer. You ask what Curry would do to the Bad Boy Pistons? I say shoot over them.
The debate: is the NBA awesome or weak sauce today? The biggest proponent of the weakness argument is probably Charles Barkley, but I hear it all the time. Imagine what the Bad Boy Pistons would do to Curry? Today's NBA is weak because of the hand check rules. Now, normally, I'm sympathetic to the idea that the past is underrated and the present overrated, but on this one, I'm in the camp of the NBA is much better today than in the past. For one principal reason: the shooting. The shooting is SO much better today. The primary goal of basketball is to get the ball in the hoop. Yes, defensive is important. And in the old days, I thought rebounds were the most important technical aspect of the game. I just don't think that is true any longer. You ask what Curry would do to the Bad Boy Pistons? I say shoot over them.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Chappelle = Back
Not his peak, but his Netflix show is quite good.
The funniest bit, is unsurprisingly, sparking internet outrage. Fuck those people. He imitates in classic Chappelle fashion what it would be like if you're buddy pitched to you going transgender. Ah. Genius.
Not his peak, but his Netflix show is quite good.
The funniest bit, is unsurprisingly, sparking internet outrage. Fuck those people. He imitates in classic Chappelle fashion what it would be like if you're buddy pitched to you going transgender. Ah. Genius.
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Unimpressive
The Republicans have 7 years of fantasizing about dismantling Obamacare and during that time, couldn't come up with a workable plan? Jesus, what a clusterfuck this insurance thing is.
Is anyone considering basically just scratching the entire system for a two tiered idea-
1) Barebones universal coverage for everyone with an enormous out of pocket max funded by taxes to prevent medical bankruptcy and super awful long term health problems, plus --
2) Private insurance supplements to be bought on the private market and get the employers out of the system altogether. They can add an insurance "benefit" to wages or simply pay people more.
The Republicans have 7 years of fantasizing about dismantling Obamacare and during that time, couldn't come up with a workable plan? Jesus, what a clusterfuck this insurance thing is.
Is anyone considering basically just scratching the entire system for a two tiered idea-
1) Barebones universal coverage for everyone with an enormous out of pocket max funded by taxes to prevent medical bankruptcy and super awful long term health problems, plus --
2) Private insurance supplements to be bought on the private market and get the employers out of the system altogether. They can add an insurance "benefit" to wages or simply pay people more.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
On Myths
A good section from this article:
A good section from this article:
I fear that libertarians have their own version of the Progressive myth. Progressives often believe that ever-growing tolerance and health insurance coverage are the future, if only bad Republicans could be defeated in political battle. It turns out that the “default settings” on complex societies are much tougher to manage than that, and now around the world left-wing and progressive political forces are in retreat, perhaps permanently so. Libertarians, in turn, toyed with the idea that competition from trade and globalization would make liberty-based gains increasingly hard to reverse. A libertarian society might not be guaranteed, but we could push and claw in that direction, knowing that a certain base standard of liberty was pretty sure to command public loyalty and institutional support. That framework also has been looking worse since about 2000; the year here can be debated, but today’s political problems are obvious.Libertarian thinking relies too heavily, IMO, on the power economic incentives. Of my many misunderstandings re: human nature, the assumption of rational behavior of individuals is one of the things I was most wrong about. I think humans tend to behave instinctually, which is quite a different thing than rationally.
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
NBA Rest
The true issue is NBA tickets are too expensive and too "special." All these professional sports sold out the ordinary fans for corporate money (all of which is tax deducted, ridiculously). The tix cost too much and thus the fans expect too much. Of course the NBA players and teams should have the right to rest their players. It's an 82 game season plus a long stretch of playoffs. Stupid discussion. If Adam Silver is concerned with the fans, he should figure out a way to take some of the TV money and put it towards making tix prices reasonable.
The true issue is NBA tickets are too expensive and too "special." All these professional sports sold out the ordinary fans for corporate money (all of which is tax deducted, ridiculously). The tix cost too much and thus the fans expect too much. Of course the NBA players and teams should have the right to rest their players. It's an 82 game season plus a long stretch of playoffs. Stupid discussion. If Adam Silver is concerned with the fans, he should figure out a way to take some of the TV money and put it towards making tix prices reasonable.
Strange Article
In the LA Times today about a waiter asking a woman for "proof of residency."
It's basically a grievance piece about racism and the absolute terror someone of Mexican heritage must go through on a daily basis. The story - a waiter asked for their documentation - doesn't, to my mind, hold up to any scrutiny or common sense. Has a waiter ever asked anyone from documentation? Furthermore, should a waiter ask me for something ridiculous, my response would be, "Go get me a fucking glass a water." A waiter is not in any type of position of power. What is the problem here? Say this story were true (which I doubt) - does it basically amount to - "there was a waiter who was an idiot?" Is this news?
And lastly - just a thought - for those concerned with an abundance of racism against Mexican-Americans - wouldn't an orderly immigration HELP this issue? Wouldn't an improved immigration system that seemed to work, help alleviate the citizens concerns of living amongst illegal immigrants? Just a thought.
In the LA Times today about a waiter asking a woman for "proof of residency."
It's basically a grievance piece about racism and the absolute terror someone of Mexican heritage must go through on a daily basis. The story - a waiter asked for their documentation - doesn't, to my mind, hold up to any scrutiny or common sense. Has a waiter ever asked anyone from documentation? Furthermore, should a waiter ask me for something ridiculous, my response would be, "Go get me a fucking glass a water." A waiter is not in any type of position of power. What is the problem here? Say this story were true (which I doubt) - does it basically amount to - "there was a waiter who was an idiot?" Is this news?
And lastly - just a thought - for those concerned with an abundance of racism against Mexican-Americans - wouldn't an orderly immigration HELP this issue? Wouldn't an improved immigration system that seemed to work, help alleviate the citizens concerns of living amongst illegal immigrants? Just a thought.
Pretty Much Right
The US political system will crumble or at least suffer when the middle class disappears.
We need to feel apart of the same country to succeed as a country. And all the fractured groups are lining up in the type of factions the founding fathers warned us against.
The US political system will crumble or at least suffer when the middle class disappears.
We need to feel apart of the same country to succeed as a country. And all the fractured groups are lining up in the type of factions the founding fathers warned us against.
Not A Bad Idea
I don't see this as a bad idea for healthcare: universal coverage for catastrophe.
What would the limit be? 20K? 50K? How much would insurance cost to hit that 50K number? It's at least a simple, interesting idea.
I don't see this as a bad idea for healthcare: universal coverage for catastrophe.
What would the limit be? 20K? 50K? How much would insurance cost to hit that 50K number? It's at least a simple, interesting idea.
Logging
Film: Hacksaw Ridge
A bit old fashioned, but I liked it for that reason. How long before no one remembers or cares about the sacrifices made by American men in WW2? Feels like our society is headed in that direction and I don't have a tremendous amount of confidence if we were to face such an enemy today that we'd be able to emerge victorious. I guess that makes is good we have nukes? I don't know.
Film: Hacksaw Ridge
A bit old fashioned, but I liked it for that reason. How long before no one remembers or cares about the sacrifices made by American men in WW2? Feels like our society is headed in that direction and I don't have a tremendous amount of confidence if we were to face such an enemy today that we'd be able to emerge victorious. I guess that makes is good we have nukes? I don't know.
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Aye, Aye, Aye
Who is the Ringer hiring as writers? This is totally ridiculous.
Who is the Ringer hiring as writers? This is totally ridiculous.
The phrase “ideological diversity” is a Trojan horse designed to help bring disparaged thought onto campuses, to the media, and into vogue. It is code for granting fringe right-wing thought more credence in communities that typically reject it, and nothing more.Thus denying anyone can disagree reasonably on ideological grounds. Notice the reductio-ad-absurdum she uses in the article:
History is littered with horrible ideas that aren’t worth poking holes into during a question-and-answer session. “The earth is flat,” for instance. “Castrating homosexuals is an acceptable punishment for homosexuality.” “Slavery is good.” “Women’s suffrage is incompatible with democracy.”Notice that exactly NONE of these ideas are the ones being pushed by speakers on campus, or the President, or really, anyone other than Kyrie Irving.
George Washington
It was only a matter of time before they go after him.
Jesus, the balls on these people.
UPDATE: This is who they're fucking with.
It was only a matter of time before they go after him.
Jesus, the balls on these people.
UPDATE: This is who they're fucking with.
Thank The Lord
For this woman.
For this woman.
It is an absolute outrage how so many pampered, affluent, upper-middle-class professional women chronically spout snide anti-male feminist rhetoric, while they remain completely blind to the constant labor and sacrifices going on all around them as working-class men create and maintain the fabulous infrastructure that makes modern life possible in the Western world. Only a tiny number of women want to enter the trades where most of the nitty-gritty physical work is actually going on—plumbing, electricity, construction. Women have played virtually no role in the erection of those magnificent towers in every major city in the world. It's men who operate the cranes or set the foundations or wash windows on the 85th floor. It's men who troop out at 2:00 AM during an ice storm to restore power to neighborhoods where falling trees have brought down live wires. It's men who mix the stinking, toxic cauldrons to spread steaming hot tar on city roofs. Last year in a nearby town, I drove by a huge, chaotic scene where emergency workers in hazmat suits were struggling with a giant pipe break, as raw sewage was pouring into the street. Of course all those workers up to their knees in a torrent of thick brown water were men! I've seen figures indicating that 92 per cent of people killed on the job are men—and it's precisely because men are heroically doing most of the dangerous jobs in modern society. The bourgeois blindness of feminist leaders to low-status working-class labor by men is morally corrupt! Gay men, on the other hand, have always shown their awed admiration of working-class masculinity and fortitude. It's no coincidence that a buff construction worker in a hard hat was one of the iconic personae of the gay disco group, the Village People, during the Studio 54 era!
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Logging
Film: Logan
One of the better superhero films. Essentially, a superhero Western. First half is near great. 2nd half less so. Loses a bit of propulsion and I didn't go for the entire finale all that much. Audience seemed to love the final moment. I thought it was okay. Mangold is a funny filmmaker. Near great quite a few times. Definitely one of the more solid studio filmmakers working today.
Film: Logan
One of the better superhero films. Essentially, a superhero Western. First half is near great. 2nd half less so. Loses a bit of propulsion and I didn't go for the entire finale all that much. Audience seemed to love the final moment. I thought it was okay. Mangold is a funny filmmaker. Near great quite a few times. Definitely one of the more solid studio filmmakers working today.
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Yes
VDH diagnoses the problem with contemporary politicians.
VDH diagnoses the problem with contemporary politicians.
The Bloomberg syndrome is a characteristic of contemporary government officials. When they are unwilling or unable to address pre-modern problems in their jurisdictions — crime, crumbling infrastructure, inadequate transportation — they compensate by posing as philosopher kings who cheaply lecture on existential challenges over which they have no control.As I was thinking earlier today, for all the Americans who think the United States is the problem in the world, then you probably do not have very big problems.
Thursday, March 09, 2017
The IYI Crowd
Egg freezing for millenials.
But hey, freedom...
Egg freezing for millenials.
Lisa Besserman, a 32-year-old tech startup founder who is considering freezing her eggs to focus on her career, says the idea of a millennial-focused “boutique” is more appealing than a clinic. She’s “on the fence” about whether she wants to be a mom, but knows for sure that she wants to preserve her options. “I would feel very bad to be in the same room as a woman trying desperately to get pregnant,” says Besserman, who splits her time between Buenos Aires and New York. “In a sense I would feel selfish to say, ‘I have the ability [to have kids], but I’m putting that on hold’ … that would really take a toll on me psychologically.” Right now, the only thing that distinguishes Besserman from the women she doesn’t want to upset is time. If and when she wants to use her eggs, she will have to undergo the same often nerve-racking experience many women struggling with infertility turn to: in vitro fertilization. But clinics like Extend allow their clients to temporarily suspend that reality.A sign of being an IYI (intellectual, yet idiot) is to opt for the risky, expensive, and more complicated choice over the simple, time-tested one. In this case, that would be to make a decision like an adult (whether you want a family) and if so, find a good guy and settle down.
But hey, freedom...
Wednesday, March 08, 2017
Amazing
Gender reversal teaches uncomfortable lesson.
The professors began the project assuming that the gender inversion would confirm what they’d each suspected watching the real-life debates: that Trump’s aggression—his tendency to interrupt and attack—would never be tolerated in a woman, and that Clinton’s competence and preparedness would seem even more convincing coming from a man.
What happened, however, was quite different. Audiences in two sold out performances were shocked. They liked Brenda King and distrusted Jonathan Gordon!Woops. This reminds me of the story of how the game Monopoly was created. The woman who made the game thought it would make people realize the evils of capitalism, but instead, it became the most popular board game ever and a celebration of capitalism.
The uncomfortable lessons in this are many - 1) Clinton benefited from being a woman (she would not have otherwise been a candidate) and 2) Trump is a much more skilled politician and speaker than coastal elites would like to acknowledge
There are more, but I'll stop with those.
Tuesday, March 07, 2017
That Was Quick
ESPN is going down in flames.
I remember not long ago, it was the greatest success story in media. I no longer subscribe.
ESPN is going down in flames.
I remember not long ago, it was the greatest success story in media. I no longer subscribe.
Feels Like I'm Watching a Dystopian Novel
A video of the events at Middlebury college. Notice what happens when Murray comes to speak.
Bear in mind what is happening here: Murray was INVITED to speak on campus. Student protesters showed up and silenced him by not allowing him to speak and be heard by other students and faculty. There is no wiggle room here - this is an assault against the First Amendment, perhaps the most sacrosanct of all American political ideals. The students could all be sieg-heiling and I'd be equally worried.
If I were affiliated with Middlebury college, I would strongly consider resigning in protest, transferring schools, and never giving them a cent again. This, to my mind, is awful beyond words.
A video of the events at Middlebury college. Notice what happens when Murray comes to speak.
Bear in mind what is happening here: Murray was INVITED to speak on campus. Student protesters showed up and silenced him by not allowing him to speak and be heard by other students and faculty. There is no wiggle room here - this is an assault against the First Amendment, perhaps the most sacrosanct of all American political ideals. The students could all be sieg-heiling and I'd be equally worried.
If I were affiliated with Middlebury college, I would strongly consider resigning in protest, transferring schools, and never giving them a cent again. This, to my mind, is awful beyond words.
I Agree With This
"But an alternative perspective, bracing at times, is to simply to compare positions in absolute terms, and that makes a lot of Trump’s views resolutely ordinary in the broader sweep of American history."
Perhaps it is the current borderless culture that is radical and not Donald Trump. Just a thought.
"But an alternative perspective, bracing at times, is to simply to compare positions in absolute terms, and that makes a lot of Trump’s views resolutely ordinary in the broader sweep of American history."
Perhaps it is the current borderless culture that is radical and not Donald Trump. Just a thought.
A Day Without Women
I've been tangentially hearing about this...and I can't say that I know what it is exactly. But am I wrong, but isn't a day without women in the workplace essentially a return to American norms before the 1940s-50s?
I read about a school that will be shutting down for this day because the women teachers won't be working. I wonder how the moms of the students will feel.
Also - as a general rule - for any of those considering sitting out a day of work (for whatever reason), I encourage you to wikipedia Wally Pipp.
I've been tangentially hearing about this...and I can't say that I know what it is exactly. But am I wrong, but isn't a day without women in the workplace essentially a return to American norms before the 1940s-50s?
I read about a school that will be shutting down for this day because the women teachers won't be working. I wonder how the moms of the students will feel.
Also - as a general rule - for any of those considering sitting out a day of work (for whatever reason), I encourage you to wikipedia Wally Pipp.
Protesting
The Middlebury professor who was assaulted details the events on Facebook.
It's of note the people leading these protests refuse to read Murray. I suspect there is a subconscious aspect to all this political protesting - a dislike of reading and doing homework - but wanting what are the traditional "results" of doing the work - the intellectual validation of being "smart." There's a reason this all happens at colleges in an "intellectual" environment. And this trend - of not doing HW/reading - but also wanting the validation - was something going on back when I was in college. There was a certain type of student who was proud to write essays professors would give high marks to without having done the reading (or only skimmed it). I feel like not wanting to do work goes back to the beginning of time, but at least in the past, those who didn't do work took their gentleman "C's" and didn't complain about it. Nowadays, kids want to not do the work, but also get A's. That's the problem.
The Middlebury professor who was assaulted details the events on Facebook.
It's of note the people leading these protests refuse to read Murray. I suspect there is a subconscious aspect to all this political protesting - a dislike of reading and doing homework - but wanting what are the traditional "results" of doing the work - the intellectual validation of being "smart." There's a reason this all happens at colleges in an "intellectual" environment. And this trend - of not doing HW/reading - but also wanting the validation - was something going on back when I was in college. There was a certain type of student who was proud to write essays professors would give high marks to without having done the reading (or only skimmed it). I feel like not wanting to do work goes back to the beginning of time, but at least in the past, those who didn't do work took their gentleman "C's" and didn't complain about it. Nowadays, kids want to not do the work, but also get A's. That's the problem.
Saturday, March 04, 2017
Thoughtcrime
In Middlebury.
They always cite outside agitators, but if that were the case, why aren't the students protesting the agitators? Or doing something to stop them?
In Middlebury.
They always cite outside agitators, but if that were the case, why aren't the students protesting the agitators? Or doing something to stop them?
Open Borders
For anyone who believes in open borders, I suggest, as an experiment throwing a party where EVERYONE is invited and see how it goes.
One of my old ideas is that in college everyone ought to be required to throw a party to learn how to be a host, be generous, and learn how not to get your shit stolen.
For anyone who believes in open borders, I suggest, as an experiment throwing a party where EVERYONE is invited and see how it goes.
One of my old ideas is that in college everyone ought to be required to throw a party to learn how to be a host, be generous, and learn how not to get your shit stolen.
Friday, March 03, 2017
Andrew Sullivan
Is a depressive, scattered, and whiny. And also occasionally, the best writer out there.
His latest column begins with what has come to typify him - an overreaction to Trump - and then ends with a succinct, beautiful section about what ails Western culture.
And more and more, I suspect, the shifting winds of this merciless global economy and the impact of mass migration are bringing about similar changes all over the West. This beautiful but deeply sad story about how a provincial town in France has slowly died — as its young people flocked to cities, as its shops were supplanted by a supermarket, says a lot about the moment we are in: “Down another street is the last toy store, now closed, and around a corner is the last independent grocery store, also shuttered. Walk down the empty, narrow streets on some nights and the silence is so complete that you can hear your footsteps on the stones.” The town, Albi, is not alone.
In America, as Charles Murray has shown in his extraordinary book, Coming Apart, the young and the smart and the talented — the people who would once have formed the core of these small towns — have long since fled to distant colleges and cities. They don’t come back. They would once have been the police chief or the town librarian or the school principal. They once helped make the town a well-run place with a clear identity, where the same families and networks lived together, died together, belonged together. These connections have attenuated … as economics supplants culture, as efficiency erases the individuality of inefficient places, as Amazon rips the heart out of shopping districts, as the smartphone removes us from physical space, and as many more immigrants and their culture alter the feel of a place in ways that disorient those with memories and loyalties.
Thursday, March 02, 2017
Memo To World
Kaepernick will stand for the national anthem. I guess racism is over now.
Or, is Kap trying to get a job as he was just released by the Niners and signed with new agents.
Remember folks: this was always about him and never about an issue.
Kaepernick will stand for the national anthem. I guess racism is over now.
Or, is Kap trying to get a job as he was just released by the Niners and signed with new agents.
Remember folks: this was always about him and never about an issue.
Wednesday, March 01, 2017
Stephen A Smith
I don't know what's going on, but Stephen A Smith is growing on me.
I used to find him and Skip Bayless almost unwatchable in their absurdity, but I think with Max Kellerman, I like him a whole lot more. Max is more the straight man and allows Stephen to do his ranting. But something about their new show has made me realize Stephen A's content is good quality - he's got good sources, good information, and good sporting analysis.
Anyhow, love this bit linked to above about Adrian Peterson being a souped up Frank Gore. Max's reactions are hilarious. Love Stephen A and his ridiculous passion.
I don't know what's going on, but Stephen A Smith is growing on me.
I used to find him and Skip Bayless almost unwatchable in their absurdity, but I think with Max Kellerman, I like him a whole lot more. Max is more the straight man and allows Stephen to do his ranting. But something about their new show has made me realize Stephen A's content is good quality - he's got good sources, good information, and good sporting analysis.
Anyhow, love this bit linked to above about Adrian Peterson being a souped up Frank Gore. Max's reactions are hilarious. Love Stephen A and his ridiculous passion.
Now They're Protesting Charles Murray
At Middlebury College.
This happens when kids stop reading books in favor of social media.
And who's next to be silenced, you ask? The answer is everyone.
At Middlebury College.
This happens when kids stop reading books in favor of social media.
And who's next to be silenced, you ask? The answer is everyone.
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