Another post is up at The Federalist: in this one I give some reasons why I'm skeptical of what is now called 'Climate Change:' You see, I can’t judge from what I don’t know (e.g., climate science), but I can judge from what I do know. I know something of history, something of philosophy, and something … Continue reading Talking Climate Change at ‘The Federalist’
Modern Cluelessness
Realist Catholic Climate Declaration
WM Briggs, Statistician to the Stars, presents the second draft of what a Catholic Declaration on Climate ought to look like. Short, sweet, and to point: The Magisterium of the Catholic Church has no, and should not have, an official position on the earth’s optimal atmospheric mean temperature, nor on the best rate of change of … Continue reading Realist Catholic Climate Declaration
Talking Dying Franchises at ‘The Federalist’
First article in a while is up on The Federalist, talking about why dying franchises matter: The imaginative power of Star Wars’s IP has been systematically stripped away into a confused and contradictory mess loaded down with contemporary politics. The simple, yet rich story of the originals (and even of the prequels, for all their faults) … Continue reading Talking Dying Franchises at ‘The Federalist’
Whistling for Dogs at the Everyman
This week at The Everyman, I discuss the 'Dog Whistle' trope: For instance, if a candidate talks about ‘States’ Rights,’ that is a signal to white supremacists that he’s secretly in favor of bringing back segregation, because back in the day segregation was partially justified on the basis of ‘States’ Rights.’ Therefore, any mention of … Continue reading Whistling for Dogs at the Everyman
Talking Violence at the Everyman
My latest piece is up at The Everyman, where I share some thoughts on mass shooters and violent crime in general; thoughts that have been percolating one way or another for quite a while. It is this: back in, say, the 1950s there was comparatively little violent crime in the United States. Oh, there was some, … Continue reading Talking Violence at the Everyman
Qui Bono, Everyman?
My latest piece is up at The Everyman discussing the always essential question, "Who Benefits?" For instance, take the issue of marijuana. I have heard many things from both sides of the argument whether it should or should not be legalized, and I don’t personally know what the truth is in regards to whether it is … Continue reading Qui Bono, Everyman?
Ambiguity at the Everyman
My latest piece is up at The Everyman discussing the common trick of arguing from ambiguity: you know, you say "a man isn't a woman," and they answer "who gets to decide the definition of 'a woman'?" Turning obvious and object concepts into mush in order to win an argument: There is a scene in C.S. … Continue reading Ambiguity at the Everyman
Giving to the Poor in Spirit at ‘The Everyman’
Today at 'The Everyman,' I talk about the issue of beauty, modern churches, and who these hideous, spare edifices are actually built for: The beatitude runs “Blessed are the Poor in Spirit, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” But one of the marks of the poor and meek is that they love wealth and glamor. … Continue reading Giving to the Poor in Spirit at ‘The Everyman’
“Games as a Service”
I've been following this fellow's work for a long time: he's a very entertaining game critic and comedian (he has a great style of saying outrageously odd things in a perfectly normal tone), but he also draws attention to a major issue in the gaming world. I'll let him explain it, since he lays it … Continue reading “Games as a Service”
A Record of the Past
One way or another, I watch a lot of old films, whether old TV shows, old movies, or even old instructional videos. It’s informative, and not just in the way the original filmmakers intended. As C.S. Lewis pointed out, consuming work produced in a different time doesn’t just tell you what the work is about, … Continue reading A Record of the Past
Serpent's Den 