1. The purpose of government is to promote the common good. The great danger of any Republic is the loss of the sense of commonality between different parts of the populace. This, of course, can happen under any form of government, but it is a particular danger for Republics, because elected governments incentivize animosity and … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: On Republics and Anime Girls
History
Thomas Jefferson and Intellectual Humility
Note: This is a reconstruction of the post mentioned in this week's Flotsam: the one eaten by WordPress. Turns out I exaggerated a bit and the opening few paragraphs at least survived, though everything after the 'Council of Nicea' bit - that is, basically all of my own thoughts - is a reconstruction, and I … Continue reading Thomas Jefferson and Intellectual Humility
Friday Flotsam: Mostly Grumpiness, Some History
1. A rather discouraging week; I had a few very productive days, but also a number of flops and didn't get as much done as I'd intended. 2. On Wednesday I spent about an hour working on a post, only to have WordPress's autosave function freeze and lose the whole thing just as I was … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Mostly Grumpiness, Some History
Friday Flotsam: Teaching, St. John Vianney, and Beavers
1. This week was training for my new teaching job. It looks like it'll either be an amazing experience or a catastrophic disaster. I guess we'll find out. 2. At the very least, I won't have to worry about what I should read for a while; it's pretty much all read books and discuss, and … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Teaching, St. John Vianney, and Beavers
Friday Flotsam: Mostly ‘Oppenheimer’
1. I'm starting my job training in classical education Monday, so beginning a new phase of existence as you might say. 2. I saw Oppenheimer last night and I'm still settling on what I thought about it. It certainly leaves the viewer with a lot to think about, and it's a film that demands to … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Mostly ‘Oppenheimer’
Friday Flotsam: Federalist Papers, Mission Impossible, Trailers
1. One of those weeks where I was very busy and productive, but feel like I didn't really get anything done. Very little actually ended up in the 'finished' pile, since I ended up passing from one project to another or deciding after a few hours' work that this one isn't going to fly after … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Federalist Papers, Mission Impossible, Trailers
Friday Flotsam: From Napoleon to Puss in Boots to Writing Advice
1. It's Bastille Day, commemorating that great day in the cause of liberty when an urban mob stormed a mostly-empty prison that was already slated for demolition, freed a handful of criminals and lunatics, then burned it to the ground. Sure, why not? 2. Speaking of which, Ridley Scott is apparently coming out with a … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: From Napoleon to Puss in Boots to Writing Advice
Friday Flotsam: Depression and Loyalism
1. Had a big depression attack yesterday, though thanks to the progress I've made with a new counselor, it wasn't nearly as bad as attacks in the past. Previously, I would have been freaking out and in constant pain. This time it was just a heavy unhappiness and listlessness that made doing any kind of … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Depression and Loyalism
Friday Flotsam: New Job and Some Other Stuff
1. The first news is that as of this week I have a new job. Come August I'll be teaching with Regina Caeli Academy: a classical-education homeschool-hybrid where kids learn at home three days a week then come in for Socratic discussion two days. I'm taking on high school-level American History, US Government and Economics, … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: New Job and Some Other Stuff
The Horrors of Imperialism
A pattern for lovers of freedom in every day and age. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc7HmhrgTuQ
Serpent's Den 