For a country that prides itself on democracy and freedom, the U.S. has a long history of blind and unthinking allegiance to scapegoating whoever the government wants scapegoated. What is amusing is that this blind, unthinking, slack-jawed version of democracy, while not a product of any one political party, is particularly apparent in the conservative [...]
Archives for Social Commentary
Knowing when to shut up
Wherein I discuss the value of knowing when to shut up and to separate belief from facts.
Keith Olbermann on Health Care Reform – A Must See For Everyone
A special, hour-long commentary. Share it with anyone you can. Regardless of your politics, this is an issue beyond partisanship and petty bickering and I hope you will take the time to listen. If you disagree, I’d love to hear actual well constructed and intelligent arguments. Specious arguments about Nazis and Socialism don’t qualify.
Visit msnbc.com [...]
The Fatalism of Never Changing Minds
Recently, while I was at work, I overheard a co-worker’s conversation on the phone about how he never talks politics with friends or acquaintances because “you can never change anybody’s mind about stuff like that.” My first instinct was to agree with him, while my second was the realization that to accept this statement as [...]
You Found Out About My Secret
My Kenyon Birth Certificate
18,000 Deaths Per Year
And all to feed somebody’s voracious greed:
Eighteen thousand mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers, dying preventable deaths because insurance was too expensive or flat-out unavailable. (Link)
Oh, and please, Mr. Capitalism-And-Profit-Above-All-Else, please reconcile for me your devotion to profit with your so-called Christianity and supposed devotion to Christ.
k thx bai
Wither Twitter: An Essay on the Crude Beginnings of a Post-Money Economy
An essay examining Twitter in light of Cory Doctorow’s concept of Whuffie and Charles Stross’s ideas of a post-money society in Accelerando using Amanda Palmer as a prime example of someone creating an reputation based economy for themselves.
The Future, Gay Penguins, and Other Tidbits
When we have a watch that can do video calling, eyeware that can display interactive menus based on eye movement, and signals from outer space, you know that the future is upon us.Meanwhile, gay penguins raise a family, women are just as good at math as men, men are selfish pigs, and if you think [...]
You are Your Own Worst Enemy
From John Goekler:
In actual fact, unless you’re serving in a war zone, the most dangerous person you’re ever likely to encounter – by several orders of magnitude – is the one you see in the mirror every morning.
Compare this:
Deaths of Americans due to terrorist activities, according to the US State Department, have averaged less than [...]
Remarkable Essay about Haiti
I have no words after reading this other than to say that you should read it as well.
h/t Driftglass
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