One of my favorite words is orthogonality — perhaps because it is found only rarely. I owe my ownership of the word to my mentor from Kentucky State University, Dr. Terry Magel, formerly head of the Computer Science program.
Tag: government
Peter Leeson: Why Self-Governance Works Better Than You Think (1h7m)
This episode features a lecture by economics and law professor Peter Leeson from 2016. Leeson uses rational choice theory to explore the benefits of self-governance. Relying on experience from the past and present, Professor Leeson provides evidence of anarchy ‘working’ where it is least expected to do so and explains how this is possible. Provocatively, Leeson argues that in some cases anarchy may even outperform government as a system of social organization, and demonstrates where this may occur.
The Road to a Dim Dystopia
What has happened with tech companies over the last several years have really challenged certain perceptions I have held on government, private businesses, and markets.
USPS is Failing Me
Right after Christmas, I ordered a couple of items with Christmas money. And I’m still waiting for them to arrive.
Both were sent United [sic] States Postal Service. Both have tracking numbers, but…
One apparently disappeared into the U…
Families, Not the Government, Should Regulate Big Tech
Here are five ideas for turning action into agency regarding Big Tech and social media.
Convenience vs. Social Desirability Bias
Convenience has a massive effect on your behavior. You rarely shop in your favorite store, eat in your favorite restaurant, or visit your favorite place. Why not? Because doing so is typically inconvenient. They’re too far away, or not open at the right hours, so you settle for second-best or third-best or tenth-best. You usually don’t switch your cell phone company, your streaming service, or your credit card just because a better option comes along. Why not? Because switching is not convenient. Students even pass up financial aid because they don’t feel like filling out the paperwork. Why not? You guessed it: Because paperwork is inconvenient.
The Political Class: At War with Each Other and on the Rest of Us
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible,” President John F. Kennedy said in a 1962 speech, “will make violent revolution inevitable.” Nearly 60 years later, two warring groups within the American political class seem resolutely determined to make “peaceful revolution” — by which JFK seems to have meant orderly democratic decision-making — impossible.
Earth Isn’t Flat and Government Isn’t Good
Have you ever run into someone who believes the Earth is flat? I was shocked to discover such people exist. Many of them also believe the moon is a hologram, gravity doesn’t exist, and space isn’t real. It’s a bewildering experience listening to them try to make their case while fending off evidence to the contrary.
Political Violence: The Politicians Doth Protest Too Much
Our rulers aren’t really opposed to political violence on grounds of justifiability, though. They’re only opposed to political violence when it’s used against them rather than by or for them. They’re the lords. We’re the peasants. While they won’t say that openly and proudly, they don’t want us to forget it even for a moment.
The Beer Belly Putsch: A Sign of Things to Come
Things are falling apart. The centre is not holding. So, what comes next? I don’t know. But the Beer Belly Putsch is evidence that whatever’s next, it’s at the door and knocking.