The vast majority of how we view the past is based on poor statistical knowledge, poor historical records, feelings of superiority, false moral ideals of “progress,” victors determining the “truth,” and general narratives that support interpreters dogma.
Category: Meandering Thoughts
A Positive Force in The World
I think it takes a unique type of psychological sophistication and narcissism to be a true charlatan/bullshit artist. There are almost no public figures that I can say I believe are total frauds.
Has Trump Been Good for Libertarianism?
I saw someone post that Trump is the most libertarian president and there was a long thread of people debating this. I think this idea is super wrong, and likely a hard stance to defend. I don’t think any of my friends would take the challenge to try to defend Trump as a libertarian president. That being said. I think I will make a post of why I believe Trump provides the presidency that libertarians should love the most since, at least Nixon, but probably since Grover Cleveland.
Identity and Social Constructs
I pity most people who get lost in identity. These are people pigeonholing themselves. These are people who can’t accept themselves. These are people who can’t negotiate who they are and how they feel with society and so they abandon themselves and opt to become an artificial construct.
Arbitrary Standards for Relationships
I’m not going to teach my daughters “how a man ought to treat them.” I think these sorts of rules have a lot of downsides that are highly problematic.
Overvaluing or Undervaluing Motivations
I think when people discuss the motivations of human interaction (politics, history, and economics included) they often don’t realize that they understand many of the relevant factors, but they often overvalue and undervalue certain ones. For example, I tend to think historians overvalue leadership and undervalue economics.
Language, Intent, & Bigotry
Racism/sexism/bigotry are allegations of intent. If a strong wind blows and sticks align to spell “Cunt,” we wouldn’t think the wind is sexist because the wind holds no intent. If a woman were offended, we would properly say that she is attributing false intent to random events.
Cheap Tricks and Parenting Hacks
I’m not a fan of most parenting hacks or special ways to phrase stuff. Your kids can tolerate no. Your kids don’t need to be coddled or manipulated into cooperation. You shouldn’t practice slight of hand and try to distract them or focus on positivity or something.
Economic Systems Transform Culture, Not Vice-Versa
I think capitalism is purely an accident, usually it doesn’t start. There have been several point in history where centralized control collapsed but markets still operated. In that period of time, no one was able to grab the reigns of power but peaceful transactions were highly profitable. Later, philosophers came in and acted like they were leading the parade. In short, I think the enlightenment explanation is wrong.
LGBT is Now a Movement to Control People
I would’ve considered myself a supporter of most LGBT values and goals up until 3 years ago. Anyone who knew me before then knew very well that I strongly believed in treating gay people with respect and for them to have equal rights. However, 3 years ago I went from ally to an opponent of LGBT causes.