Category Archives: Social Commentary
Insane, Or Evil?
Some thoughts on the Norwegian mass murderer and appropriate punishment.
The “Occupy” Movement
…and its simultaneous enthusiasm and contempt for democracy.
[Update a few minutes later]
When is it all right to emulate Guy Fawkes? Hint: don’t try it while Republican.
[Update a while later]
Whatever happened to Occupy [Insert Your City Here]?
I’m guessing that the expression of the protesters — in form and substance — wasn’t serving the interests journalists favor. Excessively left-wing speech coming out of an angry/confused/unclean face… it’s not helping the mainstream Democrats.
You don’t say.
In Which Andrew Sullivan Is Unfairly Attacked
One wouldn’t have thought it possible, but I actually largely agree with Andrew Sullivan. The notion that intelligence is not heritable is ludicrous, and if it is, the notion that every “race” is going to be equivalent in that regard is equally so.
Yes, I know that (Marxist) Stephen Jay Gould desperately attempted to make the case, but he failed. I have no firm opinions on which “race” is smarter than which (and yes, one can agree that race is a social construct while also recognizing that groups of genetically related people will share some inherited traits), but I don’t believe the acceptance of the notion that some are born smarter than others, and that some genetic groups may be on average smarter than others makes one a racist per se. Moreover, I don’t even care, since this fact should play no role in either public policy or individual interactions. The only people who believe that it should are collectivists, who believe that people should be dealt with as groups rather than individuals. Thus, if anyone is racists, it is them.
[Update in the afternoon]
It should be noted that I am not defending The Bell Curve or any specific research. I’ve never even read it. I’m simply defending the notion that different “races” could have different average “intelligence.”
Do Kittens Really Rule The Internets?
Asking the important questions.
The science is settled.
We’ve All Been Waiting For This
This year’s annual bad s3x writing awards. I think that “bad” is modifying the “writing,” not the “s3x,” though in many cases, it appears to be both.
[Via Kathy Shaidle]
Character
Thoughts on freedom, virtue and religion from Bill Whittle.
We Laugh
…so we can think better. Some interesting research on the role of humor.
Simpsons Fail
A lot have been complaining about The Simpsons going downhill over the past several years. I agree that there have been some egregious moments in the series, but overall, I still have found each episode mostly enjoyable. But not tonight. It may be possible to spoof Mad Men, but they certainly didn’t succeed. It’s the first time I can recall watching The Simpsons and not laughing. And that’s saying something. Whoever the writers were, they clearly don’t understand what they were satirizing at all. They may be too young.
[Monday morning update]
OK, I exaggerated. This was funny: “Why can’t I be funny with just my words? Bill Maher doesn’t put dangerous things near his crotch, except when he’s off work.” – Krusty Clown
Alcohol Was Involved
…as could have been easily predicted.
[Update a few minutes later]
Speaking of alcohol, Danielle Crittendon explodes the latest urban myth with good old-fashioned empiricism. The science is settled! But just to be sure, I think that Kari should do this on Mythbusters.