Reality seems to offend the noisiest people these days. It’s not just that they don’t like it, they want to deny it even exists. And they demand you go along with them. Especially when it contradicts their political agenda. To this way of hallucinating, science isn’t real to them because it has too much “western, white male” influence. It doesn’t lead where they want to go. Nor (the belief goes) can you expect others to behave ethically when that’s not a path that their culture created.
Tag: class
Middle Ground, Victimology, Cancel Culture, & Fighting Racism (38m) – Episode 312
Episode 312 has Skyler giving his commentary on the following entries to r/unpopularopinions: HotAshDeadMatch writes, “The ideological middle ground is gone and that’s a terrible development”; snub-nosedmonkey writes, “Constantly telling people they are victims is harmful and disempowers them”; _ImperialCereal_ writes, “Getting people fired from their jobs for posting ignorant/racist bs is too far”; wishinonaprayer writes, “I know you guys absolutely live for it but believe it or not, beating the shit out of racists doesn’t make them any less racist”; SOwED writes, “Racism is a useful tool the upper class uses to keep the middle class and lower class fighting each other rather than disrupting the upper class”; and MimikyuMimikyu writes, “The growing obsession with racism is influencing more people to become less interested in addressing it.”
True Authority, Pandemics, Memento Mori, & Feminism (14m) – Episode 311
Episode 311 has Skyler giving his commentary on the following topics: where true authority and leadership comes from and why politicians don’t have it; the arbitrary classification of pandemics; how Stoicism prepares us for illness; the feminist creative energy and markets; and more.
5 Things I Learned Debating the Harvard Prof Who Called for a “Presumptive Ban” on Homeschooling
Last week, I outlined much of my argument against Harvard Law School professor Elizabeth Bartholet that I incorporated into our debate, but here are five takeaways from Monday’s discussion.
Police Violence: “Reform” Is Not Enough
Every few years, some particular instance of a pervasive phenomenon — police violence in the form of unjustified or at least highly questionable killings — “goes viral” with the result that America’s cities explode in protest. Every time that happens, some American politicians complain about a non-existent “war on police,” while others promise “reforms” such as closer supervision (like the increase in body camera use following the 2014 killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri), civilian review boards to investigate complaints, better training, and of course more money. After each round of “reforms,” the problem continues.
My Upcoming Debate with the Harvard Professor Who Wants a “Presumptive Ban” on Homeschooling
When I told my 13-year-old homeschooled daughter that I would be participating in an upcoming debate with the Harvard professor who recommends a “presumptive ban” on homeschooling, she asked incredulously, “Why would anyone want to prevent people from homeschooling?”
On Police Brutality II
Society needs antitrust enforcement against the police and their bosses, the state. At some point this monopoly goes too far and ends up shooting itself in the foot, but make no mistake, the police are not your friend, nor are they your protector.
Laughter Killed the Devil
Evil is self-serious. Oppressors and statists can only live by fear. Fear is the only thing they have. If they are not feared, they are nothing. They are a threat only to the extent people fear them as such. There is nothing – nothing – done by the state and the dictators who run it that can be done if people do not fear them.
Too Terrified to Talk About It
In absolute terms, most people remain terrified of coronavirus, so it’s hardly surprising that sexual harassment worries them less. The fact that sexual harassment accusations actually worry the average respondent even more than coronavirus, however, suggests that most workers really are living in fear during normal times.
The Banality of Evil, COVID-19 Edition
Cuomo’s usual “large and in charge” act seems to be crumbling under the weight of the body count. Suddenly, he was “just doing his job,” maybe even “just following orders.” Sound familiar?