Once upon a time, is how great stories begin. You heard this one, many years ago. Rest awhile and I will remind you of the path of the hearth
fire. The hearth fire is the place where great stories are told and
heard. Grandparents and the very young ones get to sit closest to
the fire because that is fair and proper and that is where they were when the
first heard about the path of the hearth fire. You remember Pythagoras. He was a school teacher. He learned
at the hearth fire, back in the...
people
open_in_new
You’ve shared some amazing provocative content this year, and thinkspot wants to amplify your high quality thoughts by offering a chance at $1600 in cash prizes, a lifetime thinkspot Writer’s membership, and a special feature in our Newsletter. We’re proud to announce our first-ever writing contest open to all current thinkspot Thinkers and other curious minds. Contest Details: Prizes: First Prize: $1000 cash, lifetime thinkspot membership, and top placement in a thinkspot Newsletter. ...
school
open_in_new
I was having one of those hypothetical scenario discussions with a friend the other day, when the line between a dystopian possibility and reality became uncomfortably blurred. The hypothetical scenario in question being - what might happen if men began to significantly diminish from public life due to societal transformations. It's concerning how a narrative fueled by animosity towards men is gaining traction in various developed societies, even spreading to more distant ones, such as...
people
open_in_new
The Figure: Vishwakarma, in Hindu mythology, is revered as the divine architect and craftsman of the gods. In Hindu mythology, Vishwakarma is not typically depicted as the primary creator of the universe. That role is usually attributed to Lord Brahma. However, he is considered to be the divine architect who played a role in the design of the universe, including its various components. According to some interpretations, Vishwakarma assisted his father, Lord Brahma in the creation of the...
people
open_in_new
So here we are - a new platform as tomorrow the sky spins "backwards" for the relative motion of Mercury as seen on Earth. It may be trite - but I love the story - when the (probably Logical Positivist midwits) were spouting off to Wittgenstein abut how the present was so much more clever than the past, saying "after all, they believed the sun moved 'round the EARTH!" Ludwig smiled and was said to reply, "yes, but I wonder what it would have looked like if the OPPOSITE were true?" It is not...
people
open_in_new
Last year, I taught a student who had a child a year or two older than my daughter. The two girls would sometimes giggle and smile at each other over zoom while we worked through practice questions. I truly enjoyed working with her. “They will pick up on everything, just you wait,” she stated a few times throughout our sessions. I wasn’t quite sure what she meant. My daughters’ language development wasn’t as advanced as it is now. She’s recently started to speak in full sentences. I do get...
people
open_in_new
Many citizens in Western countries consider "immigration" to be the biggest problem their countries are facing. Former Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy reiterated this several times during his closed campaign. Donald Trump has spoken about this for years, too. For the past several days, I have seen many articles here on ThinkSpot about politics and the culture wars (degeneracy and intersexual dynamics). Then today, I read John Pepin's scintillating post about immigration titled Free...
people
open_in_new
This topic is a nerve I have an impulse to press lately. Our culture has been working though a social cycle of high-trust peaking, and then this trust being preyed upon and monetized by a kind of rent-seeking behavior, obsession with zero-sum game, and it may well have to do with dynamics of shrinking demographics. As a cohort (not always a population - it could be a race or subculture) declines in numbers - the rates of predatory sociopathy might increase. There has been a lot of talk...
people
open_in_new
Higher Ed is Eating Everyone’s Lunch Think of an image of a college professor. Middle-aged, perhaps even older. Well-dressed. Dignified. A man or a woman, but still, you probably imagined a man. Bespectacled, of course. Tweed, leather elbow pads, mahogany bookshelves, maybe even a tobacco pipe puffing away. Strolling the campus, having deep conversations, researching, never getting rich, but living a life of quiet dignity and the pursuit of knowledge. What they don’t imagine are poorly...
people
open_in_new
A Free Ride Posted on April 24, 2024 by john Dear Friends, It seems to me, the elite have made the US and Europe a wagon, for migrants to hop on for a free ride. While us citizens are yoked to the contraption. The elite are guilty of this crime. An elite who went to great trouble, enabling it with legislation, encouraging non citizens to collect the dole. That non citizens can vote in many localities, for the faction that enabled them, is a bonus. Moreover, if casting a ballot is...
people
open_in_new
image source: shutterstock In the 5th century BC, the
Greek philosopher Democritus, an early contemporary of Socrates known for his
cheerfulness, wrote “Sweet exists by convention, bitter by convention, color by
convention; atoms and void alone exist in reality.” In its context, the Greek
word used here was átomos (ἄτομος), which derived its root from témnō (τέμνω),
meaning “to cut.” Átomos, with the prefixed “á” thus meant “not cut,” “uncut,”
“indivisible,” or “undivided.” In that moment in...
people
open_in_new
While it's true that the side effects of medications can vary greatly in severity and duration, it’s essential to recognize the inherent trade-offs involved in taking them. "There is no such thing as a free lunch," especially when it comes to our health. This isn’t to diminish the value of medication for those who rely on it to navigate daily life; many of the individuals I work with find themselves in this very situation, and I deeply empathize with their challenges. However, it's crucial...
people
open_in_new
If there is anything at all to be said about our time, it is chiefly that we are living through an age of hyper connectivity. Everything, for the connivence of rapid data collection and analyzation has been made connected, linked in impossible ways that could have never been imagined just twenty five years before. An example that one can offer to explain such a phenomena is simply the way our search engines have been designed to provide information based on existing biases, or produce...
people
open_in_new
Until all the collectivist types come around to understanding that it is the Libertarians, Anarchists, and Voluntarists who are the true leaders in the Liberty movement, there will not be any solidarity. Sorry, but you don't get to co-opt, insult or deride the very people who have always railed against government corruption, and then in turn expect them to jump on board your little bandwagon just because you finally realize you were wrong or that your efforts were in vein. Without a full...
people
open_in_new
Are the machines running us? The future might elicit thoughts of fear and dread or bring about excitement and the very best from our imaginations and creativity. Questioning where we are going is a touchstone. Where are we now? How did we arrive here and how do we get where we want to go? My mind rushes to technology and social media. We take a lot of technology for granted. Our knowledge of the machines we use hasn’t, on average evolved in tandem with their complexity. It seems we are...
people
open_in_new
Note: This article was authored by a close friend and colleague, Ankit, for publication on my blog Dregs of Yore, and edited by me. Introduction Using a phrase like "When I reflect on my life..." might seem odd for someone who is just 30 years old. One imagines this expression to be used by grandparents fondly reminiscing the days of their youth to their grandchildren. However, if you find yourself using it when the past isn't that far removed, it might indicate one of two things: (a)...
people
open_in_new
On today's journey through the seemingly endless abyss of social justice paradoxes we will once again touch on race. I don't find much personal satisfaction in writing about race because growing up, I never felt any sense of groups being less than, or meaningfully different. Some of my best friends were Hispanic, Asian or Black growing up - one of the virtues of a boarding school where parents of wealthy families around the world could dispose of their children, and combine with the largely...
people
open_in_new
Let’s turn it up to 11 For the first time in its 54-year history, NPR is enjoyable. The entertainment is not coming from the programming, though, but from the fallout from Uri Berliner’s whistleblower report at the Free Press about the ideological silo that is the broadcaster. Once Berliner got people’s attention, the extremely public record of insane proclamations from NPR’s CEO Katherine Maher came to light. That’s when the fun really began. Maher, as Matt Taibbi noted at Racket News, has...
people
open_in_new
Buying Justice Posted on April 25, 2024 by john Dear Friends, It seems to me, while the recent Supreme Court ruling restoring property rights to American citizens, and chastising the EPA is a victory… it came at a cost. I don’t know what the lawyer bills for the Sackett family were, but I guarantee they were in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not the millions. There aren’t many people with that level of wealth enabling them to successfully protect their Constitutional Rights....
people
open_in_new
Power Of The Purse Posted on April 16, 2024 by john Dear Friends, It seems to me, we see the astonishing power of the purse in the medical system. Any debate that goes against the narrative is stifled by the threat of liquidation. Punishment is rapid and severe should anyone have too much to think. That’s one reason why the vaccine that isn’t… is still available, pushed on toddlers, and no one has gone to prison for the deaths it’s caused. How many medical advancements have been...
people
open_in_new
The United Nations Peacekeeping forces operate throughout the entire world. Forces are only deployed when both of the main parties in the conflict give consent to the UN. At this time, there are currently 11 UN peacekeeping missions going on throughout Earth. Let's take a quick glimpse at all eleven missions. One - Western Sahara - The people of Western Sahara have been fighting for independence from Morocco since 1991. Two - Golan Heights - The mountainous range between Israel and Syria...
people
open_in_new
Compromised Politicians Posted on April 13, 2024 by john Dear Friends, It seems to me, we’re way too hard on our friendly, thoughtful, and compromised politicians. While yes, many if not most are corrupt as vulture vomit, it’s not their fault. Some are literal psychopaths. Which is a birth defect. The rest are controlled by the deep state. Because, while a politician must face an election every few years, the deep state is above the law, our constitution and consequences. If a politician...
people
open_in_new
The true purpose of Public SchoolsTo truly awaken the masses, in particular our youth, they must first be made aware that our public education system is based on a model of obedience and conformity. The Prussian model (modern day Germany) on which it is based is designed to teach them what to think, not how to think. It was first introduced in Ontario (Upper Canada back then) in the 1840's by Egerton Ryerson, son of Colonel Joseph Ryerson, who was not only an authoritarian type military man,...
people
open_in_new
I once knew a girl in high school who I admired very much. Her grades were consistently at the top of the class. She had a style all her own. Her bedroom walls were covered in magazine clippings and collages she'd spent long hours on. She didn't mind falling off a skateboard and scraping her elbow. Her creativity just shimmered through everything she did, no matter how small. She seemed like the model student. More so, the model friend. Then she started trying different things. Introducing...
people
open_in_new
Would human rights matter when human beings cease to right themselves? Will there be any humanity left when humans are coerced further to the left than ever before? It’s 2024, but 1984 is still on its way. Industry 4.0 is here to stay, and billions will be held under its sway. Our world sunders under the assault of oppressive black rocks hurled at us by the infernal juggernaut of a trebuchet that is Wide State Socialism, and our apathy will cause us to pay. It’s said that “the only thing...
people
open_in_new
They are treated like animals. Life in jail is appalling. It is awful in
ways that most people could never imagine.” This is an
experienced criminal lawyer talking about the men, the increasing proportion of
our prison population, who find themselves imprisoned without a trial. On
remand and locked up in vile conditions with violent, dangerous people. They
are being locked up because of changes to our bail legislation which are
resulting in more and more men being refused bail – shut away...
school
open_in_new
In The Iliad, the classic epic
poem from ancient Greece, there is a scene in which the Hephestus, the Greek
god of the forge, gives the hero Achilles a new shield. This shield is
marvelously wrought in a practical sense—it is a weapon made by a god, after
all, and given to the world’s greatest warrior—but it is also highly symbolic.
Hephestus decorated this shield with beautiful pictures of both the wonders of
the natural world and scenes dramatizing the virtues that defined Greece. Imagine,...
people
open_in_new
The Figure: Manu is referred to as the archetypal man or the first man in early Hindu texts, and is revered as both a lawmaker and a saint. He is considered the mind born son of Brahma (the Creator), symbolising the union of divine wisdom and human consciousness. In Sanskrit, the term for 'human', मनुष्य (manuṣya) or मानव (mānava), means 'of Manu' or 'children of Manu'. The name "Manu" finds its roots in the Sanskrit word "man," which means to think or to reflect. As such, Manu is often...
people
open_in_new
Ridicule and Outrage Posted on April 28, 2024 by john Dear Friends, It seems to me, the people’s reaction to the absurd Scottish hate crime law… is how it’s done. Soon that nonsensical abuse of thought will be tossed in the rubbish heap. Due to public outrage. Moreover that reaction will cause the elite to think twice before passing another absurd law like that. Outrage is only effective when the outraged tell their representatives though. Seething in quiet does nothing to help anyone....
people
open_in_new
The
transforming accomplishment of the end of the 21st
Century will be the global adoption of truly democratic government:
that is, a purely democratic political structure that ensures equal
participation in government by people with very little money. The
mechanism that will be discovered for this radically new kind of
democratic governance will actually prove to be rather simple. The
government will be based on a bicameral (two house) legislature. The
so-called “lower” house will be...
people
open_in_new
Click here to join me Thursday, April 4th at 6pm EST for a discussion on this important topic. Does your workplace have too few black people in top jobs? It’s racist. Does the advanced math and science high school in your city have too many Asians? It’s racist. Does your local museum employ too many white women? It’s racist, too. After the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, prestigious American institutions, from the medical profession to the fine arts, pleaded guilty to “systemic racism.”...
school
open_in_new
(alternate subtitle: The Fight of Our Lives) Our century is going to be defined by the victor of the current battle between our immoral self-serving leaders, and the moral self-sacrificial ones. Each group that emerges from the war will have made the bed that their future generations will be forced to sleep in, and the character of those societies will also be strongly characterized by their stance on free speech, thought, and expression. We will have either missed our last chance to...
people
open_in_new
When a woman tells her husband, 'I'm not in the mood', she is implying that her husband is a sex object whose sexuality is only relevant when she is 'in the mood' and wants to use it, and vice versa. Husbands and wives in love and marriage will never speak about 'mood' and will naturally want to please each other and are pleased to do so because they are together.All this talk about the 'woman's right to say no' detracts one from the spirit of a marriage where both the man and woman give...
people
open_in_new
The Story of the Most Critical Anti-Trust Action in a Generation. Tech Giants: Google/Alphabet, Amazon, Apple Computer, Infinity, Microsoft. Few organizations throughout history have exceeded the modern American mega-corporation when it comes to gathering money, power, and influence. The question becomes: are these companies so dominant that they can be considered a “monopoly?” The term “monopoly” is tricky. In the United States, we like to define it in the legal sense. Something is a...
people
open_in_new
A few weeks back, I made the mistake of joining my boyfriend on a double date with another couple, a friend and her partner. As the evening unfolded, it became clear why this arrangement was ill-advised – modern times seem to have little tolerance for traditional acts of chivalry. My boyfriend takes it upon himself to open car doors for me. He bears the weight of heavy shopping bags, and ensures my comfort by pulling out my chair whenever we dine out, a habit he maintains almost without...
people
open_in_new
Ethical Elites Posted on April 3, 2024 by john Dear Friends, It seems to me, our elites have an ethics issue, they don’t have any. Our elites are people utterly lacking morals. They’re not so much amoral as immoral. Why do I say this? Because it’s obvious and no one else seems to be saying it. We have people without a conscience running the world today. Any glance at the actions of the elite over the last few decades shows unequivocally they’re demons. Who zealously attacks efforts at...
people
open_in_new
National Security Posted on April 4, 2024 by john Dear Friends, It seems to me, the greatest threat to American national security, is the government itself. Let’s consider it. What if the government miscalculates in their scheme to get Putin, and Russia launches a nuclear strike against the US? Will that have protected US national security? Obviously not. The world would end, America would cease to exist, and the government itself would have destroyed our nation. Then there are the...
people
open_in_new
I'm doing Honor to the astringent legacy of Karl Kraus (and architect Adolf Loos) with this one. We are familiar with financial or technological booms and busts, but there are also social booms and busts, a big high and then crash, then desperate for a next wave. You can call them fashion, fads, disco, you know. With the internet having brought social media monetization and the selling of demographic marketing info - these trends, fads and disco have been ever more tightly-stapled to...
people
open_in_new
Oftentimes in life, there are moments which present us with two separate but equally difficult choices. And what could be more excruciatingly difficult than having to choose between love and success? Aside from the random single played through store speakers, or inside friends’ cars, I’ve never actively sought out or searched for a Taylor Swift song. I have almost zero knowledge of her career’s history or what came out when and who it was aimed at or why. But I recently stumbled upon a...
people
open_in_new
The Elite Are Captured Posted on April 9, 2024 by john Dear Friends, It seems to me, the government can violate our Constitution at will, because the whole government, constitutional and administrative state, has been captured by an ideology. In Federalist papers #10, Madison warned, tyranny would result if two branches were ever controlled by a single faction. If you think about it, it makes sense. The only limit in our “limited” form of government is the infighting between factions....
people
open_in_new
Wall Street Trading Desk ** I’m writing this near the Market Close on Wednesday, April 10. Currently, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is down over 400 Points, all in reaction to the report this morning that the Consumer Price Index, our most widely watched measure of inflation, advanced by an annual rate of 3.5%, up from 3.2% the month earlier. Wall Street is shocked. Stocks and bonds were hit heavily, commodities were up, anticipating rising inflation, and cryptos were higher. What made...
people
open_in_new
thinkspot Writers’ Contest ($1,000 grand prize) By thinkspotRestoring the presumption of innocence conference By Bettina ArndtCelebrating Discrimination By rightawayJoe Biden And The Back-Door War By ValueSideVishwakarma: The Divine Craftsman By Sadhika PantThe Elite Are Captured By NumapepiJoin us! thinkspot space Thursday at 8pm ET: Join us at this link! https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1nAJEaWMOvoJL By thinkspot
school
open_in_new
As we navigate the complex world of health and beauty, a pressing concern demands our attention—the impact of certain products on women's health. I approach this topic not as an authority dictating choices but as a Board Certified Health Coach deeply invested in public health and wellness. My intention is to foster a conversation, especially around the substances found in many cosmetics and personal care items marketed towards women, such as heavy metals, parabens, and others which carry...
people
open_in_new
The tactic of repeating a falsehood until it's widely accepted as truth is a powerful form of propaganda, a concept highlighted by notable figures across history, including political leaders and even within totalitarian regimes. This method capitalizes on the psychological principle known as the availability heuristic, where the ease of recalling certain pieces of information leads individuals to overestimate their importance or truthfulness. As such, repeated exposure to the same falsehood...
people
open_in_new
If the world's hopes and dreams could be borne upon the delicate wings of a butterfly, we would find ourselves precariously balanced between imminent peril and captivated by an ideal form of beauty. Steeped in the thought patterns of moments, seconds, minutes, months and years before the present, the gift lies in potential. I am referring to prosperity; a butterfly's wings threaten prosperity and survival. From woke to a wake, the 21st century will draw to a close with cries of "Look How...
people
open_in_new
To truly awaken the masses, in particular our youth, they must first be made aware that our public education system is based on a model of obedience and conformity. The Prussian model (modern day Germany) on which it is based is designed to teach them what to think, not how to think. It was first introduced in Ontario (Upper Canada back then) in the 1840's by Egerton Ryerson, son of Colonel Joseph Ryerson, who was not only an authoritarian type military man, but first and foremost, a united...
people
open_in_new
From the tenthAmendmentcenter.com Original article by Mike Maharrey. Jumping into this topic in the middle of the article... "The problem is it’s almost impossible to pass sweeping legislation that addresses every aspect of anything, much less something as far-reaching and complex as sound money and monetary policy. Success against the largest government in history requires more than tough rhetoric or big talking in social media posts. It requires a sound strategy – as the founders...
people
open_in_new
Exilio By The Ralphamale - A Fictional Story I was approached by someone close to Thinkspot and asked to come write here a little bit. I had already considered opening a SubStack, and I still might do that in conjunction with this, but I liked the guy and said yes. Why not, then? I’m in Argentinia, host of Deathwatch, my daily live stream on the internet. It used to air at night, but I started carrying this site called Nozy during the day, and their main man aired in my old slot. So, I just...
people
open_in_new
Libertarians fully accept and embrace hierarchical social or economic contracts that are entered into voluntarily. As long as all participants are doing so voluntarily, and have the option to opt out if the other party fails to uphold their end of the contract, libertarians have no problem with anyone choosing to set up their own commune, socialist endeavors, or any other collective arrangement. What people like myself wish to make widely known by all people is the very real fact that there...
people
open_in_new
Unjust Courts Posted on April 14, 2024 by john Dear Friends, It seems to me, as long as people are treated unjustly, and unfairly by the courts, how can any of us expect fair and just treatment? We can’t. A dog understands justice. Unfairly give two dogs out of three a treat, ignore the other, and there will be a reaction. Because justice is so hard wired into our psyche that even pets understand it. That’s why we have the cannon of law. To call the unjust just. It may take a lot of...
people
open_in_new
This question has been cropping up in my mind again and again of late. Loving God encompasses feelings of adoration, reverence, and devotion. It involves a deep emotional connection and a desire to cultivate a relationship based on love, trust, and intimacy. Love prompts acts of worship, gratitude, and service as expressions of devotion towards the divine. On the other hand, fearing God involves a sense of awe, respect, and humility in the face of the divine's power, authority, and majesty....
people
open_in_new
As a teacher and proponent of the Socratic method, I often use thought exercises with my students, prodding them toward the truth instead of spoon-feeding them as their indoctrination camps (schools) do. I am new to posting here, so I decided to post a thought exercise here to spark conversation. Please consider the following hypothetical scenario, and give your opinions in the comments. Several years ago, a veteran of many wars returned to his family home, having finally quit the military...
people
open_in_new
The Tick Posted on April 17, 2024 by john Dear Friends… Two guys, JOE and STEVE are in Steve’s apartment. Joe is relaxing on the sofa. Steve is rummaging in the kitchen. STEVE asks, “Want a beer?” Joe scratches the back of his neck. JOE says, “Yea. Thanks.” Joe rubs the back of his neck. Steve goes to the fridge. He opens it and grabs a couple of beers. Joe looks at Steve in time to catch a beer. He catches it. Opens it. He takes a gulp. Steve walks to the easy chair. He sets down. Picks...
people
open_in_new
I was born in the middle of the last century so will not be around for the end of the current one. But my grandchildren will be and, like most people with grandchildren, I hope their world will be one in which they flourish. In the middle of the last century, economist Friedrich Hayak published The Road to Serfdom, which was met with scorn by some, but perceived as a wake-up call by others. My grandchildren's lives will depend on where we are along that road at the end of this century. Will...
people
open_in_new
Attitude Leads Outcome Posted on April 21, 2024 by john Dear Friends, It seems to me, attitude leads outcome, most think it’s the other way around, but they’re wrong. Good attitudes lead to success and poor attitudes lead to failure. Oh, there are examples of those who’ve got ahead with a poor attitude, but they’re also examples of corruption, graft and privilege. The heir to an estate needn’t have a winning attitude. Those with a poor one however will be wearing shirtsleeves in short...
people
open_in_new
President John F. Kennedy America no longer declares war; instead, we “budget.” The last war that America declared was World War II. And yet, today, we are bogged down in endless conflict. The United States has been involved in no fewer than 13 conflicts in the 24 years of the 21st century. That’s a new war every two years. This week, the US Congress reduced the pursuit of war to a mere budget. Under the yet-to-be-designated bill, titled: Making emergency supplemental appropriations to...
people
open_in_new
“I hope she'll be a fool -- that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.". ― F. Scott Fitzgerald It’s not difficult to think of the archetypal fool as a bit of a derogatory term. We tend to discuss this in regard to an apprenticeship. Jordan Peterson states, “If you are not willing to be a fool, you will never become the master.” As an adolescent and in my early twenties, I’m not quite sure I understood the positive and negative aspects of both roles. I made...
people
open_in_new
I was on facebook and saw a quote attributed to Bruce Lee saying you should express your anger. It made me think a bit and I decided to jot some notes. It turned into this, basically an essay. I thought it was maybe worth sharing. I didn’t edit it very much, mostly changed some of my own shorthand and added breaks in the text for readability. I feel with anger the first thing is to analyze and feel it, understand where it is coming from and why. Next one should decide it's worth, make a...
people
open_in_new
A contentious Superfund proposal for Washington’s Upper Columbia
River
The Tenth
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states “The
powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor
prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States
respectively, or to the people.” The Founding Fathers feared a
distant and powerful government, and made it clear in the Tenth
Amendment that local control was to be the primary form of
government.
How
far we have come from that ideal of...
people
open_in_new
When you’re trying something newDo you remember the first time you drove somewhere new? Especially if you were moving somewhere else. Every sight, sound and every other sense was new and foreign. You might’ve felt alien. It was unmapped territory. You did not have a mental image of how far the road went, how many buildings were on it, who else was around, etc. You might have even imagined your surroundings based on clues you observed but nothing yet was fully explored, verified or memorized....
people
open_in_new
Tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time, the financial world will be on high alert as the Bureau of Economic Analysis unveils its first estimate of Q1 GDP. This figure holds immense significance, providing the most crucial snapshot of the economy’s macro status. Despite the possibility of revisions, this initial estimate offers Wall Street the most comprehensive view of the economy. Investors and speculators have already taken their positions, with the bond market leading. The reason is apparent:...
people
open_in_new
Michael Knowles DEBATES Pearl Davis | "Men Should Bow Out" (youtube.com) Pearl says only 5% of women are worthwhile considering the risk, and her criteria is 'fatness, tattoos, non-traditional women', etc. I suppose that she may be taking into account the 1/3 or 1/4 of women who have had abortion as well. That could be a bottom line, for sure. What point is marriage, if there is no inherent respect for the child? 60% of marriage-age women who support abortion as a number one...
people
open_in_new
Join us on Twitter with Stephen Blackwood and others at 4:30 PM EST on Tuesday, April 30th. In light of the recent events occurring at higher education institutions across the US, thinkspot will be hosting a Twitter Space with our guest Stephen Blackwood (thinkspot contributor and founder of Ralston College) to discuss Ralston’s role and significance in the increasingly turbulent and contentious higher education landscape. We will explore questions regarding the purpose(s) of graduate...
school
open_in_new
The Right Shouldn’t Defund NPR, It Should Work There By rich_cromwellMental Health as Social Credit Score By samaustenThe End of Matter By aaadedireMasculinity Under Attack By Sadhika PantLeaders of Liberty are laying the groundwork for the future. By CanadianLibertarianThe Balance Sheet Of War By ValueSideA thinkspot space with Stephen Blackwood By thinkspot
school
open_in_new
Vampire Elite Posted on April 26, 2024 by john Dear Friends, It seems to me, our elites thirst for blood is insatiable, their sere mouths need slaking as if they were tied down in the desert sun. Not simply Western elites but elites the length and breadth of the planet. That’s why it’s so important to murder the Jews, slaughter the Russians, exterminate the Ukrainians, crucify the Christians, kill the Hindus, starve the poor, draw Europe into the death fest, and goad Putin into using...
people
open_in_new
“Play is the work of childhood.”-Piaget Elena Sokolova My dad came over the other morning to bring my daughter some gifts for her birthday. After enjoying an early lunch with my dad and his girlfriend, my daughter asked for some play-dough. These days, I have to actually hide it from her so that she won’t open every single container and mix it all together into one big blob. I was about to retrieve a few containers, but instead, I thought it might be fun to switch it up. “Slime?” “Yes,...
people
open_in_new
To think of a future in the first place requires us to accept one solid fact, we won’t get any better. From the takeover of AI and students not wanting to write even 2 words for their homework, to the mere existence of billionaires, it only worsens. This rise of using artificial intelligence and a decline in creativity and innovation is not a new thing, a quick example that comes to my mind is how my teachers all collectively gather their exam questions from various sources on the internet....
people
open_in_new
We’re living through an era where the very fabric of society is being rewoven beneath our feet. There's an invisible war—a 5th generation warfare—that's reshaping what it means to be free, to be human. This isn't just a metaphor; it's the reality of our times, a battle between the Great Reset and the Great Awakening. Globally, signs of the Great Reset aren't just emerging; they're already here. In China, the social credit score system fines citizens for minor infractions like jaywalking,...
people
open_in_new
In an era of unprecedented technological advancements, the future of human civilization has become increasingly unpredictable. In the 21st century alone, there has been a rapid growth of innovations that would have been deemed impossible mere decades ago. In particular, this essay will focus on two technological innovations: Artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency. I believe that these two innovations have significant positive and negative implications for the future. Concerning the...
people
open_in_new
Digital Versus
Analog Thinking: Has Technology Influenced How We Think? A wise old bard
once penned, “There
is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” What causes us to think the way we do and
determine if something or someone is good or bad? Is there something in the space between good
or bad? Has living in the digital era
influenced the way we structure and process our thoughts and our capacity to
fully assess something? Man has always
seemed to compare himself to the...
people
open_in_new
A glittering, stainless steel future, free of disease and hunger, with technology one could only dream of: this is the future envisioned by the media of past generations. But for many creatives of this decade, the advent of AI which can create (or imitate) art presents a dystopian future of algorithmically generated entertainment, infinite and soulless, commodifying the human spirit. For someone who hopes to make a living out of their creative endeavors, the idea that a machine could create...
people
open_in_new
Photo by Lisa Fotios from Pexels “Good Morning,” I type. “I’m reaching out to formally resign from your magazine.” I frown and take a sip of my coffee. I understand that I’m not winning any popularity contests or Ms. Congeniality anytime soon. I attempt a few lines and then backpedal. I try to explain that I am more than just a writer for their magazine: I run a small independent press, too. I have been active in supporting diverse voices in publishing for more than 5 years—the LGBTQIA+...
people
open_in_new
There was always
something visionary about Bladerunner, with it a common understanding amongst
us in secret that it's more than just a movie, it’s a prophecy. Beyond the obvious plot
line exists a complex painting of our future. Mass overpopulation, the effects
of devastating war, global shortages, grand-scale multiculturalism, and omnipotent
megacorporations. Perhaps
something darker lurks under the surface of this Hollywood masterpiece. A
desire or longing for this future to materialise....
people
open_in_new
Fyodor Dostoevsky’s masterpiece Demons (1872) predicts the horrors that would take place in the following century due to the spread of nihilistic and genocidal beliefs during that author’s lifetime. One of the main characters, a revolutionary named Verkhovensky, makes a statement which effectively illustrates this terrifying mindset: “. . . [Y]our whole step is towards getting everything destroyed: both the state and its morality. We alone will remain, having destined ourselves beforehand to...
people
open_in_new
The American built M1150 exploding mines. ** The Russo-Ukraine War, which began in February 2014, took a dramatic and decisive turn precisely eight years later, on February 24, 2022, when Russian Forces crossed the border into neighboring Ukraine. Since the beginning of this most recent phase of the conflict, the United States has been the principal supplier of Ukrainian military arms and systems. It has presented America with an unrivaled test and assessment of its Military Production...
people
open_in_new
Staying informed is crucial, yet it's becoming increasingly difficult in a world where trust in mainstream media is waning—a distrust well-earned not only by their pursuit of clicks and profit but also due to reporting biases, errors, and the presentation of conflicting information that often misleads rather than enlightens. As traditional news outlets struggle to stay relevant amidst a flood of independent voices online, many people are turning away from established anchors and towards...
people
open_in_new
Polarization, AI, Lone Wolf, and more. Join us on Thurs. April 18 with Gregg Hurwitz as we discuss polarization, AI, and his new book By thinkspotthinkspot Writers’ Contest ($1,000 grand prize) By thinkspotThoughts for the End of the Century, Butterflies and All By DanielSandersonThoughts for the End of the Century, Own Your Outcomes : Or They'll Own You! By KaizenAndrockThoughts for the end of the century - the path of the hearth fire By CraigJamesThoughts for the End of the Century: ...
school
open_in_new
To devour—, and willingly allow yourself to become devoured—, completely, is truly a unique experience for us humans indeed. Unique in how the human spirit is unable to bear the weight of such trauma but only once. No matter the degree of self-hatred any mind may potentially reach, none is equipped with the possibility of repeatedly placing itself on a platter for another’s digestion. Like death; it is irreversible. The blessed are spared from ever feeling it at all. We—, who know its face,...
people
open_in_new
Moderate Inflation Posted on April 18, 2024 by john Dear Friends, It seems to me, the experts claim inflation is under control, if you simply change what you buy. Instead of beef switch to pork, if that becomes too expensive, switch to chicken, and then roadkill… you see, its all in the budgeting. That’s how they come to a 3% inflation rate. After a few more years of this moderate inflation… only the rich will be able to afford road kill. The rest of us will be eating bugs, greenbriar...
people
open_in_new
Not long after my ninth birthday is when I first began hearing my father violently coughing up blood on a regular basis. Rarely did I hear anymore quiet that lasted longer than a few sparse minutes from the living room where he'd sleep alone in the fold-out bed. It'd been months since I last saw him in actual clothes as he now only wore different sets of the same bland pajamas my mom probably picked out for him in a few different colors. He'd probably never again wear a nice button-up shirt....
people
open_in_new
Time is running out. I need to be at O’Hare International Airport in under ninety minutes. To go that far west, I should first head south toward the Loop and then take the Blue Line. Everything is a blur—, the studio walls, the commotion outside, the last twenty-some years. Everything blurs by. Michigan Avenue is one long, concrete-runway. It reaches the sunset and then some. Police are posted at most corners, beggars escape the wind within random alcoves, and tourists slow down foot-traffic...
people
open_in_new
The world is changing too quickly to keep up with. In the past it was possible to feel that you had a general understanding of what's happening in the world (and be wrong, but at least you could pretend from the comfort of your own home). Now, anyone can broadcast their wrongness, live. Is it any wonder? If you wanted, you could pull up a new random fact every fraction of a second to learn (and then immediately forget). It's an unwinnable game. If a fact can be replaced or forgotten without...
people
open_in_new
Trap music isn’t my number one forte, but my playlists are filled with enough of it to know something special when I hear it. Cue Young Thug. The Atlanta rapper is currently the talk of the town due to recent RICO charges that I won’t get into here. But whichever side of the legal discussion one falls on, there is no debate when it comes to his artistic vision and talent. The flow is impeccable. As is the delivery, cadence, and overall confidence. A GQ article once compared Thug’s...
people
open_in_new
As we progress into the second quarter of the 21st century, two of the most powerful “buzzwords” that continue to make themselves heard are “liberty” and “equality.” It is hard to go a long time in the world of political discussion and commentary without encountering these loaded terms. The former may be utilised in situations such as the defence of gun rights, or the debate over freedom of speech, while the latter would perhaps be used to promote tax changes that will “benefit the...
people
open_in_new
As we progress into the second quarter of the 21st century, two of the most powerful “buzzwords” that continue to make themselves heard are “liberty” and “equality.” It is hard to go a long time in the world of political discussion and commentary without encountering these loaded terms. The former may be utilised in situations such as the defence of gun rights, or the debate over freedom of speech, while the latter would perhaps be used to promote tax changes that will “benefit the...
people
open_in_new
Value, Utility and Perception Posted on April 19, 2024 by john Dear Friends, Its seems to me, value is entirely a perception, and not reality. Sometimes we value the utile but most often we value the things we’re told are valuable. No independent thinking necessary. When we do think for ourselves, our value judgments are based on our perception, and not reality. I’ve heard it said that we don’t see things… we see utility. A rock is invisible, else it’s a hammer, knife or tripping...
people
open_in_new
At a time when the government is considering a further liberalisation of our already permissive abortion legislation, RTE Investigates this week aired a documentary on “the realities of Ireland’s current abortion services” which was far from being fair and impartial. In fact, we didn’t get to hear from a single pro-life advocate, and it did not tell us that some of the experts we did get to hear from are, in fact, long-time pro-choice advocates. All in all, a very bad day’s work. The...
people
open_in_new
Civilizations are the end-product of humans living together.
They distinguish mankind from all other
creatures in that they are marked with a high degree of innovative creativity that
will help him live with an increasing degree of comfort. Birds have been making the same kinds of nest
for as long as there has been “birdhood.”
But human technology has advanced civilization since the beginning of
time. Whether confining fire to a box
that radiates heat into his abode, or turns turbines...
people
open_in_new
The staples of an average millennial high-schooler’s bedroom: a skateboard propped up against the wall, a closet full of Hurley, and a Tom DeLonge Signature Strat in the corner. The fact that most of us can relate isn’t an accidental coincidence. Pop-punk reigned king of the airwaves during the late-90s/early-2000s. While various sub-genres such as midwest emo and shoe gaze had already been around for a while, nobody could’ve really predicted the rise of simple four-powerchord choruses with...
people
open_in_new
A specter is haunting the 21st century — the specter of artificial intelligence (AI). Its ghost does not come from the past but arrives from the future. As Hamlet lamented, the time is out of joint, as AI causes disruption and dislocation. The purpose of this essay is to explore how AI might influence inequalities. In particular, I focus on how AI might increase or decrease inequalities in this century. I suggest that an updated distributist approach may serve as a framework for the end of...
people
open_in_new
Thoughts for the end of the century. A dose of meeting. The graveyard rush. Tinnitus. Thoughts. Employee misgivings gone stale. Suspire. Incoming, my last swarm of irate customers from across the globe. Thank you for calling! Thoughts. Is it not a miracle today? This is Rue. How one’s well-being is at the mercy of a face unseen, a voice unheard. How can I help? Of words that penetrate even the eyes closed. Mm-hm. Where once it could have been at the mercy of Hitler. Oh my, sorry to hear...
people
open_in_new
In an era brimming with declared brilliance and ubiquitous technological marvels, it behooves one to question whether this surge of innovation heralds a new age of enlightenment or merely the twilight of decency. Here, at the turn of the century, I find myself navigating through the modern world’s treacherous currents, where today’s captains of industry steer not riverboats but vast oceans of data, and the gold rushes unfold not on rugged frontiers but within silicon chips and cloud...
people
open_in_new
Carbon Credits Are A Con Posted on April 22, 2024 by john Dear Friends, It seems to me, carbon credits are simply another way for the rich to steal from the poor. By creating an entirely arbitrary market, they can “create wealth” in the form of script, and sell it to dupes. Making real money. Then that swindle increases the cost to everyone for everything. Which, obviously, effects poor people far more than the rich, who are getting richer, selling carbon credits. What makes this scam so...
people
open_in_new
The most consequential falsehood in American public policy today is the idea that any racial disparity in any institution is by definition the result of racial discrimination. If a cancer research lab, for example, does not have 13 percent black oncologists—the black share of the national population—it is by definition a racist lab that discriminates against competitively qualified black oncologists; if an airline company doesn’t have 13 percent black pilots, it is by definition a racist...
school
open_in_new
I called myself a writer for a long time. Now, writing is unpleasant because, 1. It's unnecessary; I have nothing true to say, and 2. My "rightness" is utterly dependent on everyone else's "wrongness," and I can't run that story anymore. Right and wrong are words that never come into contact with reality. Believing in something called "other people," society, politics, philosophies, just doesn't make any sense. To speak of "they" or "them" no longer makes any sense. "They" only occurs in...
people
open_in_new
Back MEDITATIONS II today Its! The! SUPER REQUEST SHOW! In which Meaningwave Enjoyers Superchat their requests to get their Meaningwave song of choice played! YOU HAVE THE POWER TO PROGRAM THE ULTIMATE MEANINGWAVE LIVE SET! GET AFTER IT! TRACKLISTING Akira The Don & Johnny Cash - RAGGED OLD FLAGAkira The Don - HARD WORK (Instrumental)Akira The Don ft. Paul Harvey - HARD WORKAkira The Don & Joseph Campbell - The IndividualAkira The Don & Danika XIX - THE WISE MAN AND THE FOOLAkira The Don ft....
school
open_in_new
A Guide to Social Justice Paradox - Part 3 By RSnakeWhen Race Trumps Merit: How the Pursuit of Equity Sacrifices Excellence, Destroys Beauty, and Threatens Lives By Heather Mac DonaldClick here to join us for a discussion on Race and Merit with Heather Macdonald and Phil Magness this Thursday, April 4th at 6pm EST. Manu: The First Man and Keeper of the Law By Sadhika PantRetrograde spins forward - tomorrow, tonight - I post. By DavidGetzinAcademia Isn’t a Pit, It’s a Ladder By...
school
open_in_new
Post Science, Science Posted on May 1, 2024 by john Dear Friends, It seems to me, just as we’re in post Constitutional America, we’re also in post scientific method, science, and post rational, logic. Instead of using reductionism to come to conclusions about the world, our elites have flipped the script and use reductionist arguments to discredit truth, and defend lies. Why do you think Boeing has had such a string of failures? Bad luck? I don’t think so. They’ve changed their hiring...
people
open_in_new
Back MEDITATIONS II today! Join in Akira and the gang in a celebration of, and an execution of... THE POWER! TRACKLISTING Kanye West x Point Point - PowerAkira The Don - OPPORTUNITYAkira The Don - How I Made Meaningwave (feat. Jordan Peterson)Akira The Don & Danika XIX - WHO WILL PLAY GODAkira The Don - Mind Over Mind (Instrumental)Akira The Don - my mind 145 G#minor - 12A - 145Akira The Don - Watch What Is Going On (Instrumental)Akira The Don - Your Biggest Enemy (Instrumental)Akira The...
school
open_in_new
Solana Tokens are Turning Memes into Vectors of Wealth Bobby had some big scores this past month, getting money of the best kind—crypto money. In terms of satisfaction, that’s gotta be near the top, right in the same league as gambling money, sports betting money, an unexpected inheritance, etc. Money won feels better than money earned, you better believe it. Money lost feels like a cavernous pit in your stomach, but hey, we won this time, leave that for the suckers who bought my bags....
people
open_in_new
For good or ill, what remains of Western civilization will
decide the fate of the world, because the West is the torch-bearer for
Prometheanism, from which the modern techno-age has sprung. We strive towards
infinite space exploration, speed, knowledge, power and compassion as
expressions of our prime symbol of Infinity.
Realize this and you see it everywhere. Unfortunately, we bargained away God, Country, and Tradition,
and so lost our identity. Our resultantly lowered guard let in a fresh,...
people
open_in_new
In the latest captivating episode of Healthy & Awake Podcast, I'm joined by Dr. Judith Curry, a distinguished figure in the realm of climate science, for a conversation that dares to question the prevailing climate change discourse. With an illustrious career that spans over a decade at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the foundation of the Climate Forecast Applications Network (CFAN), Dr. Curry brings a depth of knowledge and expertise that is both rare and invaluable. This episode...
people
open_in_new
That’s right, I said it. I’m really not sure what the average Conan the Barbarian comic book reader looks like, but I’m one of them. 38 year old white guy who lives in suburban Texas with his wife and son. While my son is getting into Venom, I started picking up issues of Conan and some other adult oriented titles (e.g. the new Basic Instinct series from Sumerian comics). The first time I read Conan comics was years back when Dark Horse was publishing the IP. I got back into it recently...
people
open_in_new
Sometimes, what's right in front of us isn't what it seems. Our brains, in their quest for efficiency, employ heuristics and biases—shortcuts that, while useful, can make us susceptible to influence. Propaganda exploits these shortcuts through narrative control, fostering group conformity via bipartisan politics, and leveraging authority to forge a consensus. These are just a few of the ways it shapes our thoughts and perceptions. Similarly, marketing mirrors these tactics but focuses on...
people
open_in_new
Subscriptions for programmes, or applications, or 'apps' to some, is a scam, plain and simple. They produce it one time, and then expect money for your lifetime even though they aren't doing anything more for you, or even if you don't want any of their updates. Previously, they sold an application. If there were any new features, they sold it in the next version of the product and you bought it if you wanted it. Now, that choice is taken away simply because they own the company. That is...
people
open_in_new
I planned to write about wildlife today, specifically the problems
caused by introducing large apex predators like grizzly bears and
wolves into rural areas where it is certain they will conflict with
people. I have been thinking about how the progressive politicians
running our country and the state of Washington value these wildlife predators over
the lives and wishes of the people who live, work, and play in our
more remote areas. This morning, I realized that the urban areas of
the...
people
open_in_new
Before the bill to secure our border and reform immigration policies even arrived, Speaker Mike Johnson declared it, “Dead on arrival.” Trump likened it a gift to Democrats, declaiming with characteristic punchiness, “A bad border deal is far worse than no border deal.” The Republicans preferred to kill the deal entirely than pass a negotiated compromise and give the White House home team a win. Given that Republicans intend to run on border security, they benefit from keeping the issue...
school
open_in_new
Stopping Illegal Immigration Posted on March 30, 2024 by john Dear Friends, It seems to me, illegal immigration could be stopped by the Republican controlled House, today, if they had the will. That they don’t, shows they don’t. How? By passing a law forbidding non citizens from accessing any social services. If they come here… they’re on their own. No welfare, no free phone, no free food, no free housing, no free anything… but a ticket home. Turn off the magnet and the filings fall...
people
open_in_new
After seeing this clip of Jordan Peterson and “@Destiny” debating the justifiability of Covid mandates, I thought it would be fruitful to post two key facts that should outright define the discussion. The first surrounds the lethality of Covid and the second concerns the frequency of heart damage among the vaccinated. Covid is not significantly lethal to the majority of age deciles. By April of 2021, 6.9 million cases of Covid had been confirmed in the United Kingdom and case outcomes were...
people
open_in_new
President Biden's weekly economic briefing.** As we noted yesterday, today’s GDP Report is critically essential. It presages the Federal Reserve’s future actions and has tremendous political implications for the upcoming Presidential Campaign. Briefly stated, the report shows that the economy grew at a paltry 1.6% for Q1 2024, far below even the most bearish Wall Street estimate and less than one-half the growth rate of the quarter before. It’s hard to overstate just how dismal this...
people
open_in_new
Back MEDITATIONS II today Join Akira The Don and the gang for a powerful live set of STOICWAVE BANGERS You can also listen to our streams as audio on your podcast feed of choice. STREAM HERE ...
school
open_in_new
It seems that "wokism", a sort of modern incarnation of the concept of "political correctness", is running rampant throughout Western cultures. Russia and China have used this phenomenon to mock Western freemarket democratic systems and their attendant freedoms. Russia and China use wokism as an example of the catastrophic bankruptcy and corruption of the West.The effects of wokism are everywhere. These wokist consequences are obvious if one observes carefully and knows what to pay attention...
people
open_in_new
Stupid Scientists Posted on April 7, 2024 by john Dear Friends, May God save us from stupid scientists, busily engaged in schemes to destroy the world, in an effort to save it from a phantasm. From cooling the planet by spreading chemicals in the atmosphere, to putting up bird choppers (windmills), they’re doing more harm than good. Some half wit directly injecting household garbage directly into the aquifer is doing less damage. The fundamental problem is, people with too much...
people
open_in_new
In today's culture, it often feels as though the collective sentiment and mainstream narratives outweigh the pursuit of truth. This pattern is visible in responses to COVID, political discourse, and even in discussions about gender and biology. It's as if our society is grappling with a malaise, having sidelined the value of truth, open debate, and diversity of thought. The consequence? Anyone stepping outside the mainstream narrative faces potential censorship, cancel culture, and targeted...
people
open_in_new
NEW NUMBER ONE! NEW LIVE TV PERFORMANCE! NEW MIXTAPE! MORE! THIS WEEK IN MEANINGWAVE - 03/29/2024 ANOTHER EPIC WEEK IN THE MEANINGWAVE UNIVERSE! New mixtape! New TV performance! MEDITATIONS II campaign stretch goals smashed! That up there is a photo my wife took last night when she came down the studio to bring me an ethernet cable during the very epic and instantly blocked MONTAGE MUSIC show. I moved the studio around this week, to reduce friction, and that’s the view from the mixing desk…...
school
open_in_new
Buen dia familia! Music video for BEHIND CLOSED DOORS from the forthcoming MEDITATIONS II album is out now! Lyrics for this song are adapted from Book 3.7 of The Meditations Of Marcus Aurelius. MEANWHILE! CDs have been designed! Trading cards have been delivered to the fulfillment center! Captain Jack will be arriving in Mexico tomorrow to shoot videos! Less than two weeks till MEDITATIONS II! LET'S GO! See you on stream tonight for the SUPER REQUEST SHOW! LOVE TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!AKIRA...
school
open_in_new
So there was a pleasant and thoughtful comment a woman ( @liberty5300 ) posted to one of my pieces here - I glanced at several of her own think spot posts - and read one she wrote on Andrew Tate. It was almost entirely in positive regard of him and may have come out before the revelations of his abuse and pimping, I'm not sure. But all that aside, here I want to address why he was popular to begin with for saying what I would consider to be fairly obvious things, and really not going very...
people
open_in_new
The 19th century was that in which leading intellectuals proclaimed the death of God, and the 20th that in which the common man lived out this proclamation. At the first quarter mark of the 21st, it is now clear that ours will be the century in which God arises from the grave once more. From Elon Musk to Joe Rogan, Jordan Peterson to Russel Brand, thoughtful leaders of today, even if often unable to personally find faith in the traditional sense, have yet remarked with striking frequency...
people
open_in_new
The Doom Loop Of Economics Posted on April 10, 2024 by john Dear Friends, It seems to me, American cities have committed suicide, entering the doom loop of economics. Under the normal progression of creative destruction, you would expect the collapse to be followed by a Renascence. Sadly, in this case that’s unlikely. Because the problem that’s destroying our cities isn’t going away with the economy. It’s entrenched. Diverting the normal creative destruction cycle. Sticking them in the...
people
open_in_new
Part 1 Back to living in a box. Back to wishing it was different. I hear the call through the airwaves out beyond the clouds in the distance; ‘Find me…’ I see thunderstorms outside my studio window as lightning cracks across the sky. I crash on my bed letting chemicals rewire all parts of my mind as my frontal-lobe explores further. Outside there is so much life—, inside there is only grey ash. I walk her streets at night in ever-search of self-gifted curses, like always. The city becomes...
people
open_in_new
The older I get, the more I want a moody atmosphere when I sit down and watch a movie after work at night. That often leads me to mysteries, thrillers, and the types of horror movies where the protagonist goes off into unfamiliar territory, isolated from civilization. One particular cinematic mood that was captured most prominently in the early 1990s was the steamy thriller. Some might call them “erotic thrillers” but I don’t want to mix Skinemax with the likes of Basic Instinct and Single...
people
open_in_new
Members of the "antifa" movement often claim to be the exact opposite of fascists. However, a closer examination reveals that substituting "socialism" for "fascism" in many statements made by fascists would likely receive instant approval from socialists. Consider how Mussolini describes the role of the "individual” in a Fascist state: "The citizen in the Fascist State is no longer a selfish individual who has the antisocial right to rebel against any law of the Collectivity." (p. 280 of his...
people
open_in_new
The Vatican has just released a new document on the topic of human dignity. Among other issues, it addresses the ethical problems of surrogacy—including the commodification of babies and the financial exploitation of low-income women who are contracted to be surrogates. Ireland is in the process of adopting one of the most permissive laws in Europe on the issue, but elsewhere, opposition to the practice is mounting. A major conference advocating for a worldwide ban on surrogacy was held in...
people
open_in_new
President Biden signing legislation. On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden signed a massive aid package aimed at helping Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan strengthen their respective military. But it was also an omnibus bill that included much more than a mere aid package. Buried within its provisions were potential sanctions against the social media site TikTok and an extension of the regrettable Patriot Act. However, a third provision within the Bill may prove to be the most costly for you and...
people
open_in_new
Or is it? As a child learns from its actions, must we not first have taken an action before we can learn from it, and therefore can we have foresight without first having hindsight? Perhaps Eve could have benefited from hindsight; but then where would we be? However, the time for saying ‘but we didn’t know any better’ has passed and indeed we have the benefit of observing past generations to plan the perfect future where everyone is happy, with no problems, never-ending happiness, with all...
people
open_in_new
Part four of the "Hilbert Problems for Social Justice" takes on gender vs racial politics and how the documented rules differ for different out-groups. It is precisely this lack of consistency we're after in this series. Our quest is to unravel the inconsistencies that pepper the moral landscape, seeking clarity amid the cacophony of social justice rhetoric. An anonymous reader shared a thought-provoking observation, noting the escalating 'ante' for social acceptance within these groups, "I...
people
open_in_new
Science Is Dead Posted on April 6, 2024 by john Dear Friends, It seems to me, science is dead, murdered by scientists. The global warming swindle put a knife deep in its chest, the trans movement pushed it to the hilt, and DEI is twisting it. Scientists and indeed the entire new class, as Gouldner called them, are captured by an idea that’s antithetical to their core belief. The vision is so captivating though, they just can’t help themselves. I’ve heard it said that people aren’t...
people
open_in_new
If you pay attention to current events, then you already know that former NFL running back and actor O.J. Simpson died yesterday. After hearing about his passing, I immediately reflected upon the 'Trial of the Century' that occurred during the 1990's in which Simpson was found to be not guilty of murdering his wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. I remember how divided America was at that time between those who thought that he was guilty and those who thought that he was innocent. ...
people
open_in_new
Narcissistic Elites Posted on April 12, 2024 by john Dear Friends, It seems to me, as the small is an analogue of the large, in physics, chemistry and economics, small relationships mirror large ones. The large relationships are those between groups of people and small ones those between individuals. The analogue becomes apparent when we examine the narcissist and the source of narcissistic supply. In the family a parent is occasionally a narcissist. That parent then destroys the child...
people
open_in_new
President Joe Biden speaks with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy days after Russia invaded Ukraine. ** President Biden has pursued the Ukraine Conflict with single-minded ferocity, spending hundreds of billions of US Dollars and costing hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian lives. Here is our perspective. ** The American Political System aims to strike a delicate “balance of power” between the electorate, “we the people,” and those who govern us. The US Constitution seeks to give “we the people”...
people
open_in_new
Buen día beloved wave riding individual! Good news! I invested in a sweatband! IT’S ON NOW! Speaking of ON, you can get 15% off EVERYTHING at meaningwave.com with code ‘SPRING’ at checkout! Valid for just a few more days! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARCUS AURELIUS! 1903 years old, and more relevant and beloved than ever. Thank you for ghost-writing this amazing music! LOVE YOU! It’s a beautiful day to be alive here at the time of MEDITATIONS II existing. Thank you for all your beautiful words regarding...
school
open_in_new
“But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.’ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (1 Peter 3:14‑16 NIV) “Be wise in the way you act...
people
open_in_new
One podcaster I regularly listen to has a saying: “The more things change, the more we must depend on those things that never change.” When thinking about the last three quarters of this century (and beyond), I intentionally anchor this statement at the forefront of my mind. Before looking forward, while reflecting on the last hundred years, we’ve witnessed technology advances shifting and reshaping our lives at an ever-increasing pace. Worldwide events like COVID, or politically charged...
people
open_in_new
My oldest son was a good student in terms of grades and behavior in the classroom, but he was mediocre on standardized tests. He wasn’t bad at testing, and I am not belittling him. However, he was average. He went on to play collegiate football, get married, and have kids, all of which are considered good outcomes. But he didn't get the same consideration as my youngest son, who was a good test taker. My youngest son is a rockstar when it comes to
test-taking. He has exceptional insight...
people
open_in_new
Wishing to predict the future is a common thought. Who hasn't longed to own folklore's crystal ball? Hope is threaded throughout the human condition. "I told you so," is a bitter to hear, but extremely satisfying to speak in any language. My family's friend DeVondre Wright [correct first name, last name modified] surely had sweet dreams about the years ahead, but no crystal ball. Many of his wishes, I suspect, concluded with"forever and ever." Whoops, careful, watch your head up here. This...
people
open_in_new
“The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.’” (Luke 22:61 NIV) “Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!’” (John 21:19 NIV) “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.” (Ephesians 1:7-8a NIV) The most...
people
open_in_new
The news today is that Iran seized a cargo ship owned by a Jew, and launch drone attacks against Israel. why wouldn’t they? Queers for Palestine run Biden optic, and the White House is a joke. Inclusive includes mentally derelicts and the gender psychotic to the highest policy of the land. American policy is to hold up their bums and say drill here. As if manna from heaven would be any more of a miracle drop than Biden landing his gig as Leader of the Free Workd. This is Alfred E....
people
open_in_new
After
a series of unknown events in the hands of the Divine Author, a new
century is born. In this world, humanity
aims to
become humble
stewards
of prosperity. Suffering
takes on many forms:
locally grown food became
a luxury; the choice of visiting
family became
a
security
and safety
risk due to rising gas prices and deteriorating air-bound
transporters;
and
where
the endless online echo chamber of half-alive minds perfect
their pouty faces rather
than sharing their vulnerable truths....
people
open_in_new
Preceding generations can hardly be blamed for displacing their faith in God in favor of the material sciences. It seemed that we could do nothing wrong, and that it was just a matter of time before every previously stifled avenue of human inquiry opened to new horizons of possibility. The improvement of everyday life and the reduction of worldwide poverty over such a short span of time has truly been astounding. However, biblical cosmology describes reality beyond the limits of what the...
people
open_in_new
Iran launches the Qader Missile. ** Modern information technology has put the globe at our fingertips. Today’s internet allows information to be gathered from the world’s four corners and instantly transmitted to us here in America. It has led most of us to believe we always have a complete worldview. Consequently, in a situation like Iran’s attack on Israel yesterday, many of us believe that we’re getting the whole story of the conflict. Unfortunately, I’m here to say that isn’t the case....
people
open_in_new
I’ve always been pulled by the energy and lifestyle of a big city. Nothing really strikes me the same way as walking alongside a nonstop stream of people. May it be the crowds or even the beautiful pandemonium, but there is a lure to it that I can’t exactly pin down. The best way I can describe this are through a couple of excerpts of my time in Queens (aged nine), and Chicago (aged twenty-seven), from a memoir I wrote called A Mother’s Tears, for free here. From Chapter 6 My cousin and her...
people
open_in_new
Do you know what Molyneux’s Question is? Can a blind person identify shapes by sight if they could see when they’ve only known shapes by feel. It was asked half a century before we could even attempt to cure blindness and probably thought about centuries prior, when we couldn’t even fully understand why people are blind. Questions often come before we have the problem completely understood and well before we can even try to answer them. I think there are a couple unique ones that will come...
people
open_in_new
Aside from the disciples, of all the people in the gospels to be
focused on Jesus, there was one group who seemed to be almost everywhere
Jesus went. This group, known as the Pharisees, didn’t watch Jesus
because they wanted to believe in Him. Instead, they watched Him because
they wanted to catch Him breaking a law or saying something wrong. However, during one of Jesus’ miracles, the Pharisees missed being
present, even if they were present in the area where this healing took
place....
people
open_in_new
"The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" is a classic movie title, but it also describes the state of the century. However, amidst all the chaos, we can still find hope in people like Athena Lux. She is an entrepreneur who believes in trustworthy technology and is committed to a Democratic Republic. Before we congratulate the good, we must acknowledge the ugly truth. By 2030, corporations were covertly running the world. A universal social credit system was installed along with digital currency...
people
open_in_new
This is part seven of a series of articles about the proposed EPA
Superfund site on the upper Columbia River. The previous articles are
available at thinkspot.com and nancydchurchill.substack.com. In this
article, we discover where to make comments and what to consider as
your write your comment. Should
the Upper Columbia River be an EPA Superfund Site?
In
this series, we have explored the scope of the past pollution, the
size of the target area, and the remediation that has already...
people
open_in_new
I don’t have to tell you that the Cost of Living is skyrocketing. The Consumer Price Index shows that the cost of most items we purchase regularly has increased by over 10% in just two years. But, as you know, that’s only part of it. Some food items are up over 30%, while gasoline prices look set to rise soon due to the conflict in the Middle East. I was recently asked what my number one recommendation for surviving this economic storm would be. Here’s the strategy I’ve adopted for the...
people
open_in_new
Right now, education is digitalized. Books are digitalized. Music is digitalized. Memories are digitalized. Lives are digitalized. One day, will everything be digitalized? Is that where this is leading? One day, will the whole world be one big VR game, like in the movie Ready Player One? Imagine how terrifying it would be to be stuck, a ghost, forever, in digital form. That is how life will be. The only real things will be plants and animals, and that will be for the food they give....
people
open_in_new
The concept of consensus isn't inherently scientific. Rather, it's frequently utilized to masquerade as truth, despite the reality that consensus can often be misguided. This can stem from groupthink, where the urge to conform overrides critical analysis, leading to a consensus not built on solid reasoning but on the perception that "everyone else believes this." This was a key point in my recent discussion with Dr. Judith Curry (Ep. 43) regarding climate science. She addressed the widely...
people
open_in_new
The world of food narratives is rife with contradictions. There's a faction that vilifies carbs as dietary demons, while another assures us they're perfectly safe. Artificial sweeteners are caught in a similar tug-of-war—some citing health hazards, others pointing to studies refuting such claims. Diets too, like keto and carnivore, are championed by some for solving myriad health issues, yet criticized by others for sustainability concerns or potential health detriments. And while some...
people
open_in_new
As a kid growing up in the 1970’s, the Cold War dangled the
threat of nuclear war every chance it could find in our little minds. We were, at times, paralyzed by the thought
of a nuclear bomb being dropped on our neighborhood. Our playground battles with the Russians were
almost a daily occurrence. Today, a new threat by Communist China and the Russians has
again brought the discussion of nuclear threat to the forefront. Russia’s President Putin has released a
target map of potential...
people
open_in_new