1. Cain Preparing To Back Gingrich
If the New York Post is to be believed (and that is very much an open question), Herman Cain is preparing to throw his support behind Gingrich. This could put Gingrich either ahead of Romney or within striking distance on him in most major primary states. Though I’ve seen polls from Iowa and New Hampshire that show Paul in third place, though he trails both Gingrich and Romney by close to double digits. It’s worth hoping some of the Cain folks will disregard his advice and jump for Paul, but not likely.
2. Atheist Chaplains
It sounds like oxymoron, but the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers is pushing for the military to bring on thousands of atheist or humanist chaplains to counsel atheist and agnostic soldiers. If the military ultimately refuses this request in a post-DADT America, I’d regard it as more than a bit hypocritical, or at best selective. But as is usually the case, no one will shed a tear for the atheists given short shrift.
3. Return of the Megafauna
Scientists have been wanting to clone the woolly mammoth for some time now, but with the recovery of intact bone marrow preserved in permafront, they now have all the materials and technology they need to make it happen (in theory). I say go for it, clone the sh*t out of them. If only the giant sloth’s genetic material were so readily available…
4. Growing Organs
Progress marches on in the field of lab-grown human organs, with more and more encouraging results. I can only wonder how the world of a few centuries from now will deal with the reduction or elimination of consequences for hedonistic behavior. Taxing lab-grown organs or replacement surgeries? Legislating the standards applied to eligibility for the surgery (lifelong smokers are not eligible or pushed to the end of the waiting list)? Oh, and on an unrelated note, my new word of the day, thanks to this article, is “invaginate.”
Showing posts with label Science. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Science. Show all posts
5.12.11
2.12.11
Early Edition
1. Krauthammer on Mitt vs Newt
The always-insightful Krauthammer on what is likely to be the final GOP primary match-up: Romney vs Gingrich. He examines both of their serious flaws and strengths (though he sounds a bit more sympathetic to Romney), and ultimately concludes that we’d have been better off with Mitch Daniels, Paul Ryan or Chris Christie (and incidentally, I couldn’t agree more). Cue the trombone.
2. I Rarely Agree With David Brooks, But….
He actually gets it almost entirely right (except for his assertion that the American bank bailouts were necessary) on the global debt crisis and specfically the crumbling of the Eurozone. It’s Atlas Shrugged come to pass in Europe right now, with the irresponsible leaches demanding their bailouts from the industrious, financially responsible (comparatively speaking) Germans.
3. East Asia Gets Credit For Inventing Dogs
Genetic evidence concludes that dogs originated in eastern Asia, meaning that the indigenous cultures in the region south of the Yangtze River get the credit for being the first humans to successfully domesticate the grey wolf. So I guess chalk up one more awesome thing we owe to the Chinese…
4. New Study Challenges Apocalyptic Climate Change Scenarios
Regardless of whether this study’s assertion that the climate is far less sensitive than the IPCC says it is, I am always struck by what to me seems the futility of attempting to replicate all of the conditions contributing to the earth’s climate in these climate models. You read about these scientists jockeying the models until they spit out the results they would expect for certain climatic epochs like the last Glacial Maximum, then using that model to generate results for our modern climate. Perhaps I’m missing something but that seems incredibly sloppy and largely unreliable.
The always-insightful Krauthammer on what is likely to be the final GOP primary match-up: Romney vs Gingrich. He examines both of their serious flaws and strengths (though he sounds a bit more sympathetic to Romney), and ultimately concludes that we’d have been better off with Mitch Daniels, Paul Ryan or Chris Christie (and incidentally, I couldn’t agree more). Cue the trombone.
2. I Rarely Agree With David Brooks, But….
He actually gets it almost entirely right (except for his assertion that the American bank bailouts were necessary) on the global debt crisis and specfically the crumbling of the Eurozone. It’s Atlas Shrugged come to pass in Europe right now, with the irresponsible leaches demanding their bailouts from the industrious, financially responsible (comparatively speaking) Germans.
3. East Asia Gets Credit For Inventing Dogs
Genetic evidence concludes that dogs originated in eastern Asia, meaning that the indigenous cultures in the region south of the Yangtze River get the credit for being the first humans to successfully domesticate the grey wolf. So I guess chalk up one more awesome thing we owe to the Chinese…
4. New Study Challenges Apocalyptic Climate Change Scenarios
Regardless of whether this study’s assertion that the climate is far less sensitive than the IPCC says it is, I am always struck by what to me seems the futility of attempting to replicate all of the conditions contributing to the earth’s climate in these climate models. You read about these scientists jockeying the models until they spit out the results they would expect for certain climatic epochs like the last Glacial Maximum, then using that model to generate results for our modern climate. Perhaps I’m missing something but that seems incredibly sloppy and largely unreliable.
1.12.11
Early Edition
1. Early & Overwhelming Victory For Islamists In Egypt
After this week’s vote by a third of Egypt’s provinces for parliamentary seats, Islamists, composed primarily of the Muslim Brotherhood, currently claim a 65% share of the legislative body. More voting will take place up until January but, as this article reports, most of the more liberal provinces voted in this round, and future votes are expected to deliver even more seats to Islamist candidates. It will be interesting to see how the military “caretaker” government handles this, and how long this democratic system can last with all of the highly explosive elements at play.
2. Vote Deng Xiaoping In 2012 (Or Else!)
Another Friedman-esque lament that the United States languishes under the repressive yoke of representative, constitutional democracy and free markets while China basks in the liberating glow of central planning and flagrant violation of international law. What all of these clowns seem to disregard is that, as a developing nation, China’s current trajectory, while impressive now, is unsustainable in the long term and will eventually reach a state of inertia. The only caveat to that is if China can make a peaceful transition to a parliamentary or representative system with a coda of civil rights that are effectively enforced. If that should happen, the inevitable stagnation and subsequent social upheaval encountered by all central planning states when they grow too rapidly may be avoided.
3. Throwing Our Own Feces: The Key To Human Evolution?
Scientists studying chimpanzees hypothesize that an environment that selected for accurate throwing, a left-brain activity that requires relatively complicated cognition, may have paved the way for the development of speech in our ancestors. My favorite part of this article is the following quote from one of the scientists conducting the study: “Why did these chimps learn to throw in a captive context? I’ve never in my life seen a chimp be given a banana for throwing s–t at someone. The reward is not something food-based. The reward is that they can control a person’s behavior. They get a pile of something to throw, and usually the person tries to run. The chimp learns, ‘If I can do this, I can have some control over the world outside my cage.’”
4. Condescension Toward Customers May Drive Higher Profits
This study demonstrates how, when reminded of their lower social status or disadvantage, people tend to offer more money for a service or item than they normally would. The lesson for businesses? Belittle your target market and be a condescending douchebag toward your customers.
5. And Still We Move Inexorably Toward Cyberwar
This is the first I’ve heard that the Obama administration considered but ultimately rejected the idea of launching a cyberattack on Libya’s air defenses, which I think was a good decision. Still, other nations show far less restraint and prudence and are likely to be the ones who touch off a major war with a crippling initial cyberattack.
After this week’s vote by a third of Egypt’s provinces for parliamentary seats, Islamists, composed primarily of the Muslim Brotherhood, currently claim a 65% share of the legislative body. More voting will take place up until January but, as this article reports, most of the more liberal provinces voted in this round, and future votes are expected to deliver even more seats to Islamist candidates. It will be interesting to see how the military “caretaker” government handles this, and how long this democratic system can last with all of the highly explosive elements at play.
2. Vote Deng Xiaoping In 2012 (Or Else!)
Another Friedman-esque lament that the United States languishes under the repressive yoke of representative, constitutional democracy and free markets while China basks in the liberating glow of central planning and flagrant violation of international law. What all of these clowns seem to disregard is that, as a developing nation, China’s current trajectory, while impressive now, is unsustainable in the long term and will eventually reach a state of inertia. The only caveat to that is if China can make a peaceful transition to a parliamentary or representative system with a coda of civil rights that are effectively enforced. If that should happen, the inevitable stagnation and subsequent social upheaval encountered by all central planning states when they grow too rapidly may be avoided.
3. Throwing Our Own Feces: The Key To Human Evolution?
Scientists studying chimpanzees hypothesize that an environment that selected for accurate throwing, a left-brain activity that requires relatively complicated cognition, may have paved the way for the development of speech in our ancestors. My favorite part of this article is the following quote from one of the scientists conducting the study: “Why did these chimps learn to throw in a captive context? I’ve never in my life seen a chimp be given a banana for throwing s–t at someone. The reward is not something food-based. The reward is that they can control a person’s behavior. They get a pile of something to throw, and usually the person tries to run. The chimp learns, ‘If I can do this, I can have some control over the world outside my cage.’”
4. Condescension Toward Customers May Drive Higher Profits
This study demonstrates how, when reminded of their lower social status or disadvantage, people tend to offer more money for a service or item than they normally would. The lesson for businesses? Belittle your target market and be a condescending douchebag toward your customers.
5. And Still We Move Inexorably Toward Cyberwar
This is the first I’ve heard that the Obama administration considered but ultimately rejected the idea of launching a cyberattack on Libya’s air defenses, which I think was a good decision. Still, other nations show far less restraint and prudence and are likely to be the ones who touch off a major war with a crippling initial cyberattack.
30.11.11
Early Edition
1. The Most Useless Robot Ever
Assuming a robot paper weight hasn’t been invented yet, this, I think, currently tops the charts as the most useless robot ever designed. It’s comical means of locomotion should be set to kazoo music.
2. Atheists: Worse Than Hitler?
Interesting article about a study exposing the biases of most Americans against atheists as unworthy of trust. A study showed that people were far more likely to assume an individual performing relatively immoral acts was an atheist (with “rapist” being a close second) than a Muslim or a Christian.
3. Religious Right Wandering In The Wilderness
Speaking of prejudicial and irrational evangelicals, one of the upsides of the weak GOP field seems to be that the religious right is left without a clear champion (perhaps I should say “viable champion,” since Santorum really checks all the boxes for Christian fundamentalists), though all of the candidates have had their moments of shameless pandering.
4. The World of Tomorrow
Some pie-in-the-sky predictions of the technologies of the future. Some are more realistic than others.
5. Knowledge (Or Rather Possession of Data) Is Power
Yet more reason to believe the future of our species lies in first developing AI that knows literally everything (in terms of raw data) and can reliably recognize patterns and make accurate predictions of future events (the Palantir program is a nascent version of this superbrain) and then joining ourselves to it. Over the extreme long term it’s easy to imagine that we’d have less and less use for our physical bodies, to the point that we may discard them altogether.
Assuming a robot paper weight hasn’t been invented yet, this, I think, currently tops the charts as the most useless robot ever designed. It’s comical means of locomotion should be set to kazoo music.
2. Atheists: Worse Than Hitler?
Interesting article about a study exposing the biases of most Americans against atheists as unworthy of trust. A study showed that people were far more likely to assume an individual performing relatively immoral acts was an atheist (with “rapist” being a close second) than a Muslim or a Christian.
3. Religious Right Wandering In The Wilderness
Speaking of prejudicial and irrational evangelicals, one of the upsides of the weak GOP field seems to be that the religious right is left without a clear champion (perhaps I should say “viable champion,” since Santorum really checks all the boxes for Christian fundamentalists), though all of the candidates have had their moments of shameless pandering.
4. The World of Tomorrow
Some pie-in-the-sky predictions of the technologies of the future. Some are more realistic than others.
5. Knowledge (Or Rather Possession of Data) Is Power
Yet more reason to believe the future of our species lies in first developing AI that knows literally everything (in terms of raw data) and can reliably recognize patterns and make accurate predictions of future events (the Palantir program is a nascent version of this superbrain) and then joining ourselves to it. Over the extreme long term it’s easy to imagine that we’d have less and less use for our physical bodies, to the point that we may discard them altogether.
21.11.11
Early Edition
1. How China Can Defeat America
Very interesting article that posits China can overtake the United States by focusing on cracking down on political graft at home and incubating a stronger Confucian model of morality that eliminates the vestigial and pervasive human rights abuses the current government continues to sanction. Author asserts that if China can get a firm grasp on a moral highground by getting its own house in order, it can begin credibly projecting power and cutting into American alliances with far greater ease. While he also puts forward that China’s military is less experienced, well-organized and technologically advanced, he doesn’t really touch the question of cyberwarfare, in which it seems China has both a willingness and a sophistocation to carry out to their strategic advance (ie – eliminating all of those American advantages and levelling the playing field). What I find kind of funny about this is that it’s a suggestion that China should basically follow the American model, which has resulted, as we see in the present-day, with eventual decline and contraction. Any rising power that seeks hegemony should, before it embarks on that fateful journey, do some soul-searching and decide whether they’d be better off avoiding the role of top dog.
2. The Limits of Altriusm/Ethics/Empathy in Human Behavior
This article touches on some familiar old studies about what human beings are capable of doing to one another as long as they can diffuse accountability onto others (groupthink), or claim they were given orders, etc, etc. It also discusses a recent study about how individuals who make ethical choices that challenge the group are frequently ostracized by the conformist group, even when the individual’s ethical choices are validated, simply because they did not conform.
3. More on Gingrich, And How He Could Win
Consider the source (The Weekly Standard) and the author (Fred Barnes), but this is a somewhat plausible argument for how Gingrich could, against heavy odds, secure the GOP nomination over Romney and go on to beat Obama. If the suggestions that Newt has gotten control of his tongue and developed the discipline to avoid his frequent self-destructions are true (I somewhat doubt it), then great. But even finishing out the primary and general election season with a perfect performance won’t eliminate some of his more damning past misstatements that make easy fodder for the Democrats (his indirect Paul Ryan bashing, for instance, would make a great soundbyte on how even Gingrich, before it became politically convenient, admitted the right wing had overreached in the GOP, etc). He does demonstrate what other conservative candidates miss: that challenging the premise of the questions you are asked can be a winning strategy, and provides ample opportunity to teach conservatism via soundbyte to a nationwide television audience.
4. Hitchens On American Exceptionalism
Hitchens examines the accidents of history that led to the rise of the United States and the fortunes of its predecessors, and bemoans the focus on the amorphous, quasi-spiritual concept of American exceptionalism as a litmus test for conservatives.
Very interesting article that posits China can overtake the United States by focusing on cracking down on political graft at home and incubating a stronger Confucian model of morality that eliminates the vestigial and pervasive human rights abuses the current government continues to sanction. Author asserts that if China can get a firm grasp on a moral highground by getting its own house in order, it can begin credibly projecting power and cutting into American alliances with far greater ease. While he also puts forward that China’s military is less experienced, well-organized and technologically advanced, he doesn’t really touch the question of cyberwarfare, in which it seems China has both a willingness and a sophistocation to carry out to their strategic advance (ie – eliminating all of those American advantages and levelling the playing field). What I find kind of funny about this is that it’s a suggestion that China should basically follow the American model, which has resulted, as we see in the present-day, with eventual decline and contraction. Any rising power that seeks hegemony should, before it embarks on that fateful journey, do some soul-searching and decide whether they’d be better off avoiding the role of top dog.
2. The Limits of Altriusm/Ethics/Empathy in Human Behavior
This article touches on some familiar old studies about what human beings are capable of doing to one another as long as they can diffuse accountability onto others (groupthink), or claim they were given orders, etc, etc. It also discusses a recent study about how individuals who make ethical choices that challenge the group are frequently ostracized by the conformist group, even when the individual’s ethical choices are validated, simply because they did not conform.
3. More on Gingrich, And How He Could Win
Consider the source (The Weekly Standard) and the author (Fred Barnes), but this is a somewhat plausible argument for how Gingrich could, against heavy odds, secure the GOP nomination over Romney and go on to beat Obama. If the suggestions that Newt has gotten control of his tongue and developed the discipline to avoid his frequent self-destructions are true (I somewhat doubt it), then great. But even finishing out the primary and general election season with a perfect performance won’t eliminate some of his more damning past misstatements that make easy fodder for the Democrats (his indirect Paul Ryan bashing, for instance, would make a great soundbyte on how even Gingrich, before it became politically convenient, admitted the right wing had overreached in the GOP, etc). He does demonstrate what other conservative candidates miss: that challenging the premise of the questions you are asked can be a winning strategy, and provides ample opportunity to teach conservatism via soundbyte to a nationwide television audience.
4. Hitchens On American Exceptionalism
Hitchens examines the accidents of history that led to the rise of the United States and the fortunes of its predecessors, and bemoans the focus on the amorphous, quasi-spiritual concept of American exceptionalism as a litmus test for conservatives.
8.11.11
Late Edition
1. Latest GOP Primary Polls
I see a few things in these polls. One, Cain, despite everything, seems to have some spectacular staying power. If the next set of polls (which will cover the revelations of this week and the additional revelations pertaining sexual harassment allegations certain to come) shows him where he is today then it will be quite something. Another thing I see is just how pathetically quick Perry shot up and then immediately down in the polls as a direct result of people seeing him attempt to articulate what he calls his ideas. Quite frankly I think he, Bachmann, Santorum and probably Hunstman too need to bow out and free their supporters up to counteract the Romney bloc. The third thing apparent here is that Gingrich has a real chance, should Cain falter and some of the above-mentioned clingers-on drop out, to get the "Not Romney" vote if his performance remains consistent, which could make him a real contender for the nomination, despite all odds (and his salacious personal character). And finally, Ron Paul has polled consistently at between about 8 and 11 percent throughout the primary season, placing anywhere from second place to fifth place, which leads one to wonder what kind of a bump he might see from the inevitable dropping out of other candidates.
2. How Dogs Evolved From Wolves
Being fascinated as I am by the history between dogs and humans that originated between wolves and early man, I found this article painted a vivid mental picture of just how cool that story is.
3. Clinton Okay With Oligarchy
Scarborough secures his place as a total jackass by singing the praises of unlimited presidential terms. Shockingly, Bill Clinton joins the chorus. Scarborough, showing a staggering ignorance, compares apples to oranges when he points to Britain's parliamentary system allowing Churchill to have served his repeated, but interrupted, terms. There's a very good reason we passed the 22nd Amendment, and no, it wasn't just that Republicans were jealous of FDR (the amendment wasn't proposed until 1947, by the way, long after Roosevelt's death), but it was a recognition of the possibility of de facto dictatorship and oligarchy that is represented by a single person's long occupation, interrupted or not (Putin, anyone?), of the chief executive office. This is really a parade of idiocy, I'm quite stunned.
I see a few things in these polls. One, Cain, despite everything, seems to have some spectacular staying power. If the next set of polls (which will cover the revelations of this week and the additional revelations pertaining sexual harassment allegations certain to come) shows him where he is today then it will be quite something. Another thing I see is just how pathetically quick Perry shot up and then immediately down in the polls as a direct result of people seeing him attempt to articulate what he calls his ideas. Quite frankly I think he, Bachmann, Santorum and probably Hunstman too need to bow out and free their supporters up to counteract the Romney bloc. The third thing apparent here is that Gingrich has a real chance, should Cain falter and some of the above-mentioned clingers-on drop out, to get the "Not Romney" vote if his performance remains consistent, which could make him a real contender for the nomination, despite all odds (and his salacious personal character). And finally, Ron Paul has polled consistently at between about 8 and 11 percent throughout the primary season, placing anywhere from second place to fifth place, which leads one to wonder what kind of a bump he might see from the inevitable dropping out of other candidates.
2. How Dogs Evolved From Wolves
Being fascinated as I am by the history between dogs and humans that originated between wolves and early man, I found this article painted a vivid mental picture of just how cool that story is.
3. Clinton Okay With Oligarchy
Scarborough secures his place as a total jackass by singing the praises of unlimited presidential terms. Shockingly, Bill Clinton joins the chorus. Scarborough, showing a staggering ignorance, compares apples to oranges when he points to Britain's parliamentary system allowing Churchill to have served his repeated, but interrupted, terms. There's a very good reason we passed the 22nd Amendment, and no, it wasn't just that Republicans were jealous of FDR (the amendment wasn't proposed until 1947, by the way, long after Roosevelt's death), but it was a recognition of the possibility of de facto dictatorship and oligarchy that is represented by a single person's long occupation, interrupted or not (Putin, anyone?), of the chief executive office. This is really a parade of idiocy, I'm quite stunned.
Early Edition
1. GPS Warrants
Seriously, this made it all the way to the Supreme Court? Is this not an easy answer? Of course the police shouldn’t be allowed to attach a GPS device to your vehicle (private property) without a warrant! It doesn’t matter whether the car is on a public road, for crying out loud! Even under the current law police are only allowed to search your vehicle under a specific set of circumstances without a warrant or consent, and that is a one-time search and not a days- or even months-long surveillance operation. Good lord.
2. Never Trust a Microphone
Every politician gets caught being honest when a mic is accidentally left on at some point in their careers. Apparently Presidents Obama and Sarkozy had their moment yesterday when a private conversation between the two leaders was overhead by the media after their mics were left on. Sarkozy was reportedly overheard to call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “liar” and say that he “can’t stand” him, to which Obama replied, “You’re fed up with him? I have to deal with him every day!” Cue the trombone: wah waaaaaaah.
3. Death Row Inmate Recieves Stay of Execution For DNA Testing
Yet another case of a man literally within minutes of being killed by the state without the benefit of DNA evidence. Fortunately for him the state of Texas granted him a temporary stay until DNA testing that may prove his innocence can be conducted.
4. Scientists Seek to Create Cellular “Operating System”
I don’t understand the mechanics of this exactly, but if this endeavor proves successful it sounds like synthetic biology would enter an “industrial era” in which mass production of programmable cells and organisms could bring the field into the mainstream and, in all likelihood, a more commercial realm.
5. ASIMO Is Back (without the stairs…)!
As much as I view robots as largely impractical curiosities in their current forms (and in some cases nothing more than grant-funded fulfillments of deviant Japanese masochistic fantasies), I do hold out hope that this private and military R&D will continue without discouragement until they at least manage to refine the current powersuit prototypes into fully functional battle-mechs. I mean anytime I see a robot the first question I literally always ask is "Yes, but have you thought about mounting miniguns, mortars or maybe even a bank off hellfire missiles on it?"
6. Yup, Cyberwar Will Destroy Us All
Dire assessment from America’s top national and cybersecurity experts saying America is woefully unprepared to protect its infrastructure from cyberattack.
Seriously, this made it all the way to the Supreme Court? Is this not an easy answer? Of course the police shouldn’t be allowed to attach a GPS device to your vehicle (private property) without a warrant! It doesn’t matter whether the car is on a public road, for crying out loud! Even under the current law police are only allowed to search your vehicle under a specific set of circumstances without a warrant or consent, and that is a one-time search and not a days- or even months-long surveillance operation. Good lord.
2. Never Trust a Microphone
Every politician gets caught being honest when a mic is accidentally left on at some point in their careers. Apparently Presidents Obama and Sarkozy had their moment yesterday when a private conversation between the two leaders was overhead by the media after their mics were left on. Sarkozy was reportedly overheard to call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “liar” and say that he “can’t stand” him, to which Obama replied, “You’re fed up with him? I have to deal with him every day!” Cue the trombone: wah waaaaaaah.
3. Death Row Inmate Recieves Stay of Execution For DNA Testing
Yet another case of a man literally within minutes of being killed by the state without the benefit of DNA evidence. Fortunately for him the state of Texas granted him a temporary stay until DNA testing that may prove his innocence can be conducted.
4. Scientists Seek to Create Cellular “Operating System”
I don’t understand the mechanics of this exactly, but if this endeavor proves successful it sounds like synthetic biology would enter an “industrial era” in which mass production of programmable cells and organisms could bring the field into the mainstream and, in all likelihood, a more commercial realm.
5. ASIMO Is Back (without the stairs…)!
As much as I view robots as largely impractical curiosities in their current forms (and in some cases nothing more than grant-funded fulfillments of deviant Japanese masochistic fantasies), I do hold out hope that this private and military R&D will continue without discouragement until they at least manage to refine the current powersuit prototypes into fully functional battle-mechs. I mean anytime I see a robot the first question I literally always ask is "Yes, but have you thought about mounting miniguns, mortars or maybe even a bank off hellfire missiles on it?"
6. Yup, Cyberwar Will Destroy Us All
Dire assessment from America’s top national and cybersecurity experts saying America is woefully unprepared to protect its infrastructure from cyberattack.
7.11.11
Early Edition
1. Rise of the (Office) Machines
A piece from the Economist that gives voice to murmured discussions I have heard in various circles about how the Great Recession has spurred businesses to replace employees with software for the sake of cost and efficiency, and that those jobs are unlikely to return if the technology proves in the long term to be an improvement over flesh and blood white collar drones. The article cites a figure of roughly 50 million jobs (which equates to about 40% of all employment) that could reasonably be performed by computer software. The white collar software is certainly here to stay, and the market will either have to self-correct by reallocating those replaced into other areas or we will see a further, steady decline in US birth rates and population growth. We'll also have to figure out how to configure these white-collar software programs to experience a lack of fulfillment, crushing regret, and compulsive sycophancy.
2. Cop Cameras
I don’t have a problem with cops being fitted with cameras so long as a couple of very firm rules apply. The first, cops have to turn the cameras off when they enter a private residence, place of business or other private property, unless in the case of hot pursuit when turning the camera off is not reasonable due to the intensity of a confrontation or the officer’s personal safety. Any video taken in any of these circumstances would be inadmissible evidence. The second, police videos taken with these cameras absolutely must be made available to defendants and plaintiffs in both criminal and civil cases.
3. Caution on Cain
This article echoes a lot of my major concerns about Herman Cain as a general election candidate (apart from the “character” argument that says just because vague sexual harrassment charges have been levelled against him by women likely sympathetic to Obama that he is a weaker candidate on account). His clear ignorance on foreign policy and his major fumbles on such fundamental issues as abortion are disconcerting enough, but his repeated willingness to “fake it” through these issues during interviews rather than either admit he isn’t up to speed on them from the outset or more expertly dodging them is cause for additional concern. And while I’m no fan of career politicians, I think in the case of the presidency, given the constitutional responsibilities apportioned to the office, it’s pretty important we have someone with at least some public office experience, preferably in an executive capacity. That having been said, I would still vote for Herman Cain over Barack Obama any day of the week (though I’m getting pretty sick and tired of having to hold my nose when I cast my ballot every four years).
4. North Carolina Eugenics Victims
A bit of a haunting history lesson about what happens when governments, state or federal, are given license to make decisions regarding your health or your person, with or without your consent. While liberals rightly decry this dark chapter in history for its state-sanctioned racism, I imagine they don't get too outraged over the concept that government may claim a "public interest" can be served by a measure of control over your body (in this case, contemporary concepts of racial purity that of course are ludicrous to modern society), considering they overwhelmingly support the current delivery vehicle that finds a vested "public interest" in reduced health care costs warrants such state purview.
A piece from the Economist that gives voice to murmured discussions I have heard in various circles about how the Great Recession has spurred businesses to replace employees with software for the sake of cost and efficiency, and that those jobs are unlikely to return if the technology proves in the long term to be an improvement over flesh and blood white collar drones. The article cites a figure of roughly 50 million jobs (which equates to about 40% of all employment) that could reasonably be performed by computer software. The white collar software is certainly here to stay, and the market will either have to self-correct by reallocating those replaced into other areas or we will see a further, steady decline in US birth rates and population growth. We'll also have to figure out how to configure these white-collar software programs to experience a lack of fulfillment, crushing regret, and compulsive sycophancy.
2. Cop Cameras
I don’t have a problem with cops being fitted with cameras so long as a couple of very firm rules apply. The first, cops have to turn the cameras off when they enter a private residence, place of business or other private property, unless in the case of hot pursuit when turning the camera off is not reasonable due to the intensity of a confrontation or the officer’s personal safety. Any video taken in any of these circumstances would be inadmissible evidence. The second, police videos taken with these cameras absolutely must be made available to defendants and plaintiffs in both criminal and civil cases.
3. Caution on Cain
This article echoes a lot of my major concerns about Herman Cain as a general election candidate (apart from the “character” argument that says just because vague sexual harrassment charges have been levelled against him by women likely sympathetic to Obama that he is a weaker candidate on account). His clear ignorance on foreign policy and his major fumbles on such fundamental issues as abortion are disconcerting enough, but his repeated willingness to “fake it” through these issues during interviews rather than either admit he isn’t up to speed on them from the outset or more expertly dodging them is cause for additional concern. And while I’m no fan of career politicians, I think in the case of the presidency, given the constitutional responsibilities apportioned to the office, it’s pretty important we have someone with at least some public office experience, preferably in an executive capacity. That having been said, I would still vote for Herman Cain over Barack Obama any day of the week (though I’m getting pretty sick and tired of having to hold my nose when I cast my ballot every four years).
4. North Carolina Eugenics Victims
A bit of a haunting history lesson about what happens when governments, state or federal, are given license to make decisions regarding your health or your person, with or without your consent. While liberals rightly decry this dark chapter in history for its state-sanctioned racism, I imagine they don't get too outraged over the concept that government may claim a "public interest" can be served by a measure of control over your body (in this case, contemporary concepts of racial purity that of course are ludicrous to modern society), considering they overwhelmingly support the current delivery vehicle that finds a vested "public interest" in reduced health care costs warrants such state purview.
3.11.11
Early Edition
1. This Wasn't In The Coloring Book....
Occupy Oakland becomes a violent, mindless mob seeking to create more jobs, close the income gap and end corporate cronyism by shutting down the nation's fifth largest shipping port and engaging in street fights with the police.
2. Scientists Create Molecular Computer That Resembles Human Brain Function
I really have no clue what this means, but it doesn't look to have any immediate practical effects. But it appears to be one more small step in the long march toward the potential birth of artificial humans.
3. A Cain Supporter Is Worrried
This piece from the American Spectator raises most of the concerns I've had about Cain not being ready for primetime no matter how much his supporters may wish he was. The current allegations against him of sexual misconduct, strangely becoming larger everyday (where were the folks claiming knowledge of behavior that could "end his campaign" when he first began to rise in the polls.... or declare his candidacy for president?) have just piled more upon him.
Occupy Oakland becomes a violent, mindless mob seeking to create more jobs, close the income gap and end corporate cronyism by shutting down the nation's fifth largest shipping port and engaging in street fights with the police.
2. Scientists Create Molecular Computer That Resembles Human Brain Function
I really have no clue what this means, but it doesn't look to have any immediate practical effects. But it appears to be one more small step in the long march toward the potential birth of artificial humans.
3. A Cain Supporter Is Worrried
This piece from the American Spectator raises most of the concerns I've had about Cain not being ready for primetime no matter how much his supporters may wish he was. The current allegations against him of sexual misconduct, strangely becoming larger everyday (where were the folks claiming knowledge of behavior that could "end his campaign" when he first began to rise in the polls.... or declare his candidacy for president?) have just piled more upon him.
1.11.11
Early Edition
1. More on Free Will & The Human Brain
A piece from the New York Times on neuroscientist Dr. Michael Gazzaniga and his studies on brain function, free will and the applications of neuroscience to society and our legal system. His new book, "Who's In Charge: Free Will and the Science of the Brain," may be an excellent resource for the ongoing debate on free will amongst us.
2. Yet Another Way the World Might End
This from the Atlantic, a bit hysterical but looks at the ways in which misunderstandings between the US and China could lead to nuclear war (basically a retread of any number of articles one might have read circa 1969). I'm actually surprised this article didn't discuss the far more plausible cyberwar situation that could lead to tactical nuclear strikes or accidental launch.
3. Listen, I'm a Journalist. Don't Ask Me For Details.
I love how there's so much interest in protecting the identities of the accusers in this Cain "scandal" but no regard whatsoever in protecting the reputation of Cain himself from unsubstantiated slander. That aside, I'm pleased the gentleman behind "breaking" this story is honest enough to admit that he's not interested in clarifying any of the details in these allegations.
A piece from the New York Times on neuroscientist Dr. Michael Gazzaniga and his studies on brain function, free will and the applications of neuroscience to society and our legal system. His new book, "Who's In Charge: Free Will and the Science of the Brain," may be an excellent resource for the ongoing debate on free will amongst us.
2. Yet Another Way the World Might End
This from the Atlantic, a bit hysterical but looks at the ways in which misunderstandings between the US and China could lead to nuclear war (basically a retread of any number of articles one might have read circa 1969). I'm actually surprised this article didn't discuss the far more plausible cyberwar situation that could lead to tactical nuclear strikes or accidental launch.
3. Listen, I'm a Journalist. Don't Ask Me For Details.
I love how there's so much interest in protecting the identities of the accusers in this Cain "scandal" but no regard whatsoever in protecting the reputation of Cain himself from unsubstantiated slander. That aside, I'm pleased the gentleman behind "breaking" this story is honest enough to admit that he's not interested in clarifying any of the details in these allegations.
31.10.11
Early Edition
1. Mind-Reading Technology
The Economist, in a rare moment of hyperbole, gets a bit ahead of itself in declaring an era of mind-reading upon us. But they do raise the requisite questions about freedom and the relationship between the state and individual (see here). Clearly real mind-reading technology with any degree of scientific reliability is, if it’s possible at all, a long way off. And I’ve always been skeptical, or perhaps confused is a better word, about how one would verify the accuracy of the results of any mind-reading technology when ultimately such tests rely almost entirely upon the honesty of the test subject.
2. Skeptics Fire Back At BEST
Immovable climate skeptic James Delingpole of the UK Daily Telegraph responds to the BEST results that claim to prove global warming beyond dispute.
3. Surprise! The Media Finds More Dirt On Leading GOP Conservative Candidate!
Politco apparently has dug up two former co-workers at the National Restaurant Association that claim to have accused Herman Cain of sexual harassment back in the 90s. I’ll reserve judgment on whether the reporting on these allegations is accurate or not (though by early appearances they appear genuine). I’m more interested to see if Cain intends to play the Clarence Thomas card, which I think he has every right to do given the ongoing media narrative of racism being behind every attack on minority public figures in American history.
The Economist, in a rare moment of hyperbole, gets a bit ahead of itself in declaring an era of mind-reading upon us. But they do raise the requisite questions about freedom and the relationship between the state and individual (see here). Clearly real mind-reading technology with any degree of scientific reliability is, if it’s possible at all, a long way off. And I’ve always been skeptical, or perhaps confused is a better word, about how one would verify the accuracy of the results of any mind-reading technology when ultimately such tests rely almost entirely upon the honesty of the test subject.
2. Skeptics Fire Back At BEST
Immovable climate skeptic James Delingpole of the UK Daily Telegraph responds to the BEST results that claim to prove global warming beyond dispute.
3. Surprise! The Media Finds More Dirt On Leading GOP Conservative Candidate!
Politco apparently has dug up two former co-workers at the National Restaurant Association that claim to have accused Herman Cain of sexual harassment back in the 90s. I’ll reserve judgment on whether the reporting on these allegations is accurate or not (though by early appearances they appear genuine). I’m more interested to see if Cain intends to play the Clarence Thomas card, which I think he has every right to do given the ongoing media narrative of racism being behind every attack on minority public figures in American history.
28.10.11
Early Edition
1. Perry May Duck Future Debates
When you look and sound like a retarded chimp up past his bedtime during these debates I can imagine why you’d want to avoid as many of them as possible.
2. Paul Ryan’s Stock Continues to Rise
Peggy Noonan contrasts the Obama strategy of mindless, petty division with Paul Ryan’s thoughtful style of problem solving supported by carefully explained philosophy. If you haven’t watched Ryan’s speech at the Heritage Foundation you might want to check it out here, it was very well done and should serve to both shame and motivate the President to clean up his act.
3. The Speed of Thought
Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman talks to NPR about human thought and how he thinks we’re not as great as we think we are at decision-making. His theories of System 1 and System 2 thinking are very relevant to previous conversations on free will and unconscious versus conscious thought. While Kahneman does not advance a “no free will” position, he does emphasize the overwhelming influence of chemicals, etc on brain activity and, consequently, decision-making.
When you look and sound like a retarded chimp up past his bedtime during these debates I can imagine why you’d want to avoid as many of them as possible.
2. Paul Ryan’s Stock Continues to Rise
Peggy Noonan contrasts the Obama strategy of mindless, petty division with Paul Ryan’s thoughtful style of problem solving supported by carefully explained philosophy. If you haven’t watched Ryan’s speech at the Heritage Foundation you might want to check it out here, it was very well done and should serve to both shame and motivate the President to clean up his act.
3. The Speed of Thought
Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman talks to NPR about human thought and how he thinks we’re not as great as we think we are at decision-making. His theories of System 1 and System 2 thinking are very relevant to previous conversations on free will and unconscious versus conscious thought. While Kahneman does not advance a “no free will” position, he does emphasize the overwhelming influence of chemicals, etc on brain activity and, consequently, decision-making.
27.10.11
Late Edition
1. Filmmaker Claims Photographic Proof of Alien Influence
Give me a computer with SimpleText and I’ll give you an “attributable” Stephen Hawking quote too. I’m sorry, too soon?
2. CBO Chief: There’s No Way To Determine If Stimulus Created Jobs, Major Tax Reform Will Lead To Growth
Somebody’s got to put a muzzle on this loose cannon Elmendorf. He’s too concerned about sound fiscal and budgetary policy to understand what really matters here. Which, clearly, is re-election.
3. FoxNews Panel Embarrassed To Have To Interview Ron Paul
Great discussion, though some of the questions are softball time-wasters. Juan Williams can’t help but prod Ron Paul about a third party run (which can only help Obama). Krauthammer looks like someone pooped in his Fruit Loops when Paul talks about al Qaeda in Iraq. Glad to see Paul understands his delivery needs improvement, question is what he’s going to do about it. He did surprise me when he said he’d probably vote for the FairTax (with some reservations). Great thing about a Paul presidency is that the worst case scenario is that he’s completely marginalized and ignored, his veto overriden on issues with overwhelming Congressional support, which is something that would tickle him pink anyway (the executive branch being marginalized by Congress, that is).
Give me a computer with SimpleText and I’ll give you an “attributable” Stephen Hawking quote too. I’m sorry, too soon?
2. CBO Chief: There’s No Way To Determine If Stimulus Created Jobs, Major Tax Reform Will Lead To Growth
Somebody’s got to put a muzzle on this loose cannon Elmendorf. He’s too concerned about sound fiscal and budgetary policy to understand what really matters here. Which, clearly, is re-election.
3. FoxNews Panel Embarrassed To Have To Interview Ron Paul
Great discussion, though some of the questions are softball time-wasters. Juan Williams can’t help but prod Ron Paul about a third party run (which can only help Obama). Krauthammer looks like someone pooped in his Fruit Loops when Paul talks about al Qaeda in Iraq. Glad to see Paul understands his delivery needs improvement, question is what he’s going to do about it. He did surprise me when he said he’d probably vote for the FairTax (with some reservations). Great thing about a Paul presidency is that the worst case scenario is that he’s completely marginalized and ignored, his veto overriden on issues with overwhelming Congressional support, which is something that would tickle him pink anyway (the executive branch being marginalized by Congress, that is).
25.10.11
Late Edition
1. OMG, The Earth Has Warmed For Reals
I know there are hardcore spectics out there that don’t think that warming is occurring but I think the vast majority of folks are more skeptical of the anthropogenic argument than the actual warming. “Proving” that warming is occurring or has occurred is just fine, the planet has done so many times in its history. And another thing: why would any climate scientist, given the checkered recent history of shoddy peer review and politicization, even think about deviating from the standard peer review process by doing what they have done and inviting fanfare and attention to their work prior to extensive peer review? Also, I thought this was settled science as of like 2008 or something. They’re still doing studies on this?
2. Google Gets a Gold Star
Great big gold star for Google, but while the requests they can disclose are a great thing, I’m really far more concerned about the more than 50,000 requests issued via “National Security Letter” or the other “requests” Google is forced to cooperate with thanks to the sweeping powers granted to the federal government to combat terrorism.
3. Can We Just Agree That Everyone Is Crazy?
The war over who is more anti-science continues to rage on. Kind of funny to watch. Still a plague on both their houses; religion and irrationality take many guises and can never be purged entirely from the human condition. It’s the folks who want to compel me to do something about their irrational beliefs that ought to be publicly derided.
I know there are hardcore spectics out there that don’t think that warming is occurring but I think the vast majority of folks are more skeptical of the anthropogenic argument than the actual warming. “Proving” that warming is occurring or has occurred is just fine, the planet has done so many times in its history. And another thing: why would any climate scientist, given the checkered recent history of shoddy peer review and politicization, even think about deviating from the standard peer review process by doing what they have done and inviting fanfare and attention to their work prior to extensive peer review? Also, I thought this was settled science as of like 2008 or something. They’re still doing studies on this?
2. Google Gets a Gold Star
Great big gold star for Google, but while the requests they can disclose are a great thing, I’m really far more concerned about the more than 50,000 requests issued via “National Security Letter” or the other “requests” Google is forced to cooperate with thanks to the sweeping powers granted to the federal government to combat terrorism.
3. Can We Just Agree That Everyone Is Crazy?
The war over who is more anti-science continues to rage on. Kind of funny to watch. Still a plague on both their houses; religion and irrationality take many guises and can never be purged entirely from the human condition. It’s the folks who want to compel me to do something about their irrational beliefs that ought to be publicly derided.
24.10.11
Late Edition
1. iSkin
The future is now. Turn your skin into a touchpad. This could revolutionize human intimacy. Wait, what? I mean ergonomics.
2. Whoops! Fundamentalism!
This is about as alarming a debut as you could imagine for the new Libyan government, short of calling for the destruction of Israel and decapitating a Western journalist on live television. Still, from what I understand this Jalil guy is at best a more secular moderate and at worst an opportunist. He's likely doing this to keep the Islamist elements of the revolution appeased until the difficult work of drawing up a constitution begins. If this Sharia thing survives a constitutional convention or Jalil and company start talking jihad, death to America, etc then I'll be really ill at ease. At least we can still withhold Ghadafi's frozen assets (I bet you thought I was going to say "corpse") if they keep talking crazy.
The future is now. Turn your skin into a touchpad. This could revolutionize human intimacy. Wait, what? I mean ergonomics.
2. Whoops! Fundamentalism!
This is about as alarming a debut as you could imagine for the new Libyan government, short of calling for the destruction of Israel and decapitating a Western journalist on live television. Still, from what I understand this Jalil guy is at best a more secular moderate and at worst an opportunist. He's likely doing this to keep the Islamist elements of the revolution appeased until the difficult work of drawing up a constitution begins. If this Sharia thing survives a constitutional convention or Jalil and company start talking jihad, death to America, etc then I'll be really ill at ease. At least we can still withhold Ghadafi's frozen assets (I bet you thought I was going to say "corpse") if they keep talking crazy.
Early Edition
1. Owning the Moon
This is absolutely ludicrous, particularly Bigelow’s claims that there are compelling and profitable reasons to stake out a claim on the moon. Owning the moon would without doubt not be profitable for the United States at all, at least not anytime this century. If private enterprise wants to make a go of it, I’m all for it. If they’re successful, the US can buy tracts of moon land from them on which to build whatever it likes. But for God’s sakes, no more space race nonsense!
2. Green Berets
I’m a bit torn on the US military contracting for alternative energy for strategic reasons. I absolutely understand the non-environmental motivation behind it, and in terms of government funding cutting-edge technologies or alternative energies, I’m of the mind that the military is really the only part of government that has any business doing it. But being intimately familiar with defense contracting and all the antics that go on in it, and coupled with the fiasco that the administration’s “green shoots” policy of alternative energy subsidies that essentially amount to kick-backs and crony capitalism, I have serious misgivings about how this will work out practically. And of course I’m extremely wary of the military being used to advance a political/environmental agenda.
3. Tunisian Elections
The latest on the Tunisian elections, the first free elections in the nation’s history. It’s too early to say anything with certainty, but the early leader seems to be a moderate Islamist party, which, from reports, seems to have been an expected development. The party’s willingness to join other coalitions, regardless of whether it wins an outright majority in the Parliament, in order to ensure this caretaker government is as broad and collaborative as possible is encouraging. Will continue to watch with interest.
4. School Report Cards to Include Your Child’s BMI?
This is insane, absolutely insane. An Ohio law that requires schools to measure their students’ BMIs and report them via the Ohio Health Department to their parents seems to be facing some broad resistance from state schools, with nearly 40% of the state’s school districts opting out of collecting the measurements. The argument, I would assume, for even involving the schools in this is that they provide lunch to the children five out of seven days of the week and so they’re in part responsible for the child’s health. But school lunch, which of course is in no way is required to be purchased at school, only constitutes 24% of the meals those children consume. The other whopping 76% comes from home. So why in the hell does this argument continue to gain traction (rhetorical question)?
This is absolutely ludicrous, particularly Bigelow’s claims that there are compelling and profitable reasons to stake out a claim on the moon. Owning the moon would without doubt not be profitable for the United States at all, at least not anytime this century. If private enterprise wants to make a go of it, I’m all for it. If they’re successful, the US can buy tracts of moon land from them on which to build whatever it likes. But for God’s sakes, no more space race nonsense!
2. Green Berets
I’m a bit torn on the US military contracting for alternative energy for strategic reasons. I absolutely understand the non-environmental motivation behind it, and in terms of government funding cutting-edge technologies or alternative energies, I’m of the mind that the military is really the only part of government that has any business doing it. But being intimately familiar with defense contracting and all the antics that go on in it, and coupled with the fiasco that the administration’s “green shoots” policy of alternative energy subsidies that essentially amount to kick-backs and crony capitalism, I have serious misgivings about how this will work out practically. And of course I’m extremely wary of the military being used to advance a political/environmental agenda.
3. Tunisian Elections
The latest on the Tunisian elections, the first free elections in the nation’s history. It’s too early to say anything with certainty, but the early leader seems to be a moderate Islamist party, which, from reports, seems to have been an expected development. The party’s willingness to join other coalitions, regardless of whether it wins an outright majority in the Parliament, in order to ensure this caretaker government is as broad and collaborative as possible is encouraging. Will continue to watch with interest.
4. School Report Cards to Include Your Child’s BMI?
This is insane, absolutely insane. An Ohio law that requires schools to measure their students’ BMIs and report them via the Ohio Health Department to their parents seems to be facing some broad resistance from state schools, with nearly 40% of the state’s school districts opting out of collecting the measurements. The argument, I would assume, for even involving the schools in this is that they provide lunch to the children five out of seven days of the week and so they’re in part responsible for the child’s health. But school lunch, which of course is in no way is required to be purchased at school, only constitutes 24% of the meals those children consume. The other whopping 76% comes from home. So why in the hell does this argument continue to gain traction (rhetorical question)?
21.10.11
Early Edition
1. Experience and the Presidency
An article excoriating Obama’s lack of leadership experience as the underlying factor in his presidency’s failure. It also should serve as a reminder that the challenger he faces in 2012 needs to have relevant leadership experience combined with a demonstrable mastery of the issues confronting the next president (foreign policy, economy and budget). A lot of people would interpret this as necessarily a Washington insider, but this is absolutely not the case. There are many members of Congress that have made a career opposing establishment culture, and there are many governors across the country whose entire agenda has been driven by opposition to Washington and the protection of their state’s interest. All that to say, the whole Tea Party 2010 phenomenon was great; inexperienced newcomers for whom politics is merely the expression of concerned citizenry and not a career is exactly what the House of Respresentatives is all about. But when we start talking about the presidency, it’s important for those who oppose Obama on the grounds that he is a radical neophyte to avoid falling into the hypocritical trap of pushing an equally bumbling novice into his place on the grounds of ideological purity.
2. Libya
There’s a lot of talk of Libya being a vindication of President Obama’s “foreign policy” (I’m frankly not sure if President Obama has a foreign policy, or if he’s outsourced it all to Secretary Clinton). I do have to say that, in broad strokes, I think President Obama got Libya right (though his execution was sloppy and downright foolish in certain respects). Before I get drowned out by the inevitable caterwauling, what I mean by that is that he had the sense/boldness to pursue a policy in which the United States diffused responsibility for military action in an Arab nation among other participants (including Arabs) and played a role of, at best, a first among equals. Whether or not President Obama did this out of courage is debatable, but the move itself was politically courageous in that it defied the jingoistic notion parroted by the neocons that America must lead whatever fight it decides to pursue (we do not; we should merely be the best fighter among many for reasons of national pride). If the United States makes a conscious decision to rollback the neocon nation-building agenda that’s crippled our ability to credibly exercise our foreign policy, then adventures like the one in Libya become what they used to be only two decades ago: drop in the bucket investments that yield huge dividends for minimal costs. Here is a situation where the Alliance and the United Nations responded to the direct and explicit call of oppressed peoples representing a broad opposition movement to assist them in establishing a pluralistic government, pledged to pay us back for our involvement, and did not require the deployment of conventional ground forces on our part or an indefinite commitment. The total cost to date has been roughly $2 billion, all of which could be paid back by the Libyan NTC if Gaddafi’s frozen assets (roughly $32 billion) are unfrozen and turned over to the NTC, minus our cut. I don’t want this to turn into a full-blown article about the merits of the Libyan operation, I imagine the other aspects of my views of its merits will be borne out in ensuing commentary.
3. “Clovis First” Officially Dead
And neolithic human civilization, with all its mastadon, giant-sloth and predatory flightless bird hunting, is badass.
4. Cain “Clarifies” His Pro-Life Stance
So it seems Cain was simply trying to deflect Piers Morgan’s questions about the extremity of his anti-abortion views and wasn’t putting forward a nuanced, “hands off” approach to abortion with respect to the federal government. Fail. Where I fault Cain is that, despite his reputation for plain-spokenness, he seems too often to try to wriggle out of difficult questions with misdirection (how often have you heard him give a quick, non-answer and then quickly say “Now, secondly…” and move onto another completely unrelated statement). He also sometimes doesn't seem to grasp the implications of his answers or statements to the public's perception of his agenda. The overall impression one gets from these repeated gaffes (he got roasted in the last debate for not only saying in an interview that he could see himself offering a transfer of Gitmo prisoners for a captured American soldier, but his bumbling attempts to completely disown the statement) is that there is either no cohesive policy underlining his campaign or that he is far too unprepared for these interviews in terms of mastering the issues. Bottom line is, while I tried to give him a chance, Herman Cain does not seem to deserve his front-runner spot.
An article excoriating Obama’s lack of leadership experience as the underlying factor in his presidency’s failure. It also should serve as a reminder that the challenger he faces in 2012 needs to have relevant leadership experience combined with a demonstrable mastery of the issues confronting the next president (foreign policy, economy and budget). A lot of people would interpret this as necessarily a Washington insider, but this is absolutely not the case. There are many members of Congress that have made a career opposing establishment culture, and there are many governors across the country whose entire agenda has been driven by opposition to Washington and the protection of their state’s interest. All that to say, the whole Tea Party 2010 phenomenon was great; inexperienced newcomers for whom politics is merely the expression of concerned citizenry and not a career is exactly what the House of Respresentatives is all about. But when we start talking about the presidency, it’s important for those who oppose Obama on the grounds that he is a radical neophyte to avoid falling into the hypocritical trap of pushing an equally bumbling novice into his place on the grounds of ideological purity.
2. Libya
There’s a lot of talk of Libya being a vindication of President Obama’s “foreign policy” (I’m frankly not sure if President Obama has a foreign policy, or if he’s outsourced it all to Secretary Clinton). I do have to say that, in broad strokes, I think President Obama got Libya right (though his execution was sloppy and downright foolish in certain respects). Before I get drowned out by the inevitable caterwauling, what I mean by that is that he had the sense/boldness to pursue a policy in which the United States diffused responsibility for military action in an Arab nation among other participants (including Arabs) and played a role of, at best, a first among equals. Whether or not President Obama did this out of courage is debatable, but the move itself was politically courageous in that it defied the jingoistic notion parroted by the neocons that America must lead whatever fight it decides to pursue (we do not; we should merely be the best fighter among many for reasons of national pride). If the United States makes a conscious decision to rollback the neocon nation-building agenda that’s crippled our ability to credibly exercise our foreign policy, then adventures like the one in Libya become what they used to be only two decades ago: drop in the bucket investments that yield huge dividends for minimal costs. Here is a situation where the Alliance and the United Nations responded to the direct and explicit call of oppressed peoples representing a broad opposition movement to assist them in establishing a pluralistic government, pledged to pay us back for our involvement, and did not require the deployment of conventional ground forces on our part or an indefinite commitment. The total cost to date has been roughly $2 billion, all of which could be paid back by the Libyan NTC if Gaddafi’s frozen assets (roughly $32 billion) are unfrozen and turned over to the NTC, minus our cut. I don’t want this to turn into a full-blown article about the merits of the Libyan operation, I imagine the other aspects of my views of its merits will be borne out in ensuing commentary.
3. “Clovis First” Officially Dead
And neolithic human civilization, with all its mastadon, giant-sloth and predatory flightless bird hunting, is badass.
4. Cain “Clarifies” His Pro-Life Stance
So it seems Cain was simply trying to deflect Piers Morgan’s questions about the extremity of his anti-abortion views and wasn’t putting forward a nuanced, “hands off” approach to abortion with respect to the federal government. Fail. Where I fault Cain is that, despite his reputation for plain-spokenness, he seems too often to try to wriggle out of difficult questions with misdirection (how often have you heard him give a quick, non-answer and then quickly say “Now, secondly…” and move onto another completely unrelated statement). He also sometimes doesn't seem to grasp the implications of his answers or statements to the public's perception of his agenda. The overall impression one gets from these repeated gaffes (he got roasted in the last debate for not only saying in an interview that he could see himself offering a transfer of Gitmo prisoners for a captured American soldier, but his bumbling attempts to completely disown the statement) is that there is either no cohesive policy underlining his campaign or that he is far too unprepared for these interviews in terms of mastering the issues. Bottom line is, while I tried to give him a chance, Herman Cain does not seem to deserve his front-runner spot.
20.10.11
Late Edition
1. Cain Is Totally Befuddling
In this video it sounds like Herman Cain is saying that he is opposed to any kind of federal abortion ban, though he is personally opposed to abortion in all cases. I'm not entirely sure that's the position he's articulated in the past, however. Either he tried to dodge Piers Morgan with a deceptive little sidebar to avoid discussing the extremity of his anti-abortion position, or this is his legit policy position. I don't know the answer, and would be grateful if someone could provide clarity.
2. So About That International Banking Conspiracy....
Very interesting article from PopSci on a report that has found that a very tightly knit network of companies control the entire global economy in a model that resembles an economic "super-entity," as they put it.
3. Carrying Capacity in a World of 7 Billion
I'm sure this article will startle some, but I take a rather stoic approach to this. So long as market pressures aren't too heavily suppressed, the developed and developing world will naturally adjust to the increased resource pressures. It's the undeveloped world that will continue to have minimal carrying capacity and face massive die-offs if left unassisted, over-exploited and in perpetual conflict.
In this video it sounds like Herman Cain is saying that he is opposed to any kind of federal abortion ban, though he is personally opposed to abortion in all cases. I'm not entirely sure that's the position he's articulated in the past, however. Either he tried to dodge Piers Morgan with a deceptive little sidebar to avoid discussing the extremity of his anti-abortion position, or this is his legit policy position. I don't know the answer, and would be grateful if someone could provide clarity.
2. So About That International Banking Conspiracy....
Very interesting article from PopSci on a report that has found that a very tightly knit network of companies control the entire global economy in a model that resembles an economic "super-entity," as they put it.
3. Carrying Capacity in a World of 7 Billion
I'm sure this article will startle some, but I take a rather stoic approach to this. So long as market pressures aren't too heavily suppressed, the developed and developing world will naturally adjust to the increased resource pressures. It's the undeveloped world that will continue to have minimal carrying capacity and face massive die-offs if left unassisted, over-exploited and in perpetual conflict.
19.10.11
Late Edition
1. Transhumanism and Liberty
As transhumanism progresses further and further this is a question that is all the more important to resolve. Unfortunately science is usually the first victim in politics, so leaving this up to the politicians is probably not the right answer. While Bailey protests that the unenhanced would pose no threat to the enhanced, history and even current events do not bear this out. There are health care concerns in a welfare state such as ours. Why would the state bear the burdensome cost of those who won't help themselves by enhancing their immunities? There's education. Why must the state expend extra money on unenhanced, less intelligent students that consume a disproportionate amount of their teachers' time, attention and resources? While I sympathize with Bailey's libertarian utopian ideal of the state having no say in these matters and letting the market settle it all, the truth is that the state would almost certainly either coerce the unenhanced into enhancements, punish them via the tax code (which amounts to the same thing), punish us all by banning certain enhancements (which Bailey's debate opponent seems to favor), or punish the enhanced/wealthy into paying for even more extravagant social programs to protect the unenhanced. I agree with Bailey that transhumanism in and of itself is not incompatible with or a threat to the concept of liberty, but unfortunately the libertarian ideal does not exist and isn't likely to in our lifetime. So long as a portion of the American public remains uneducated and afraid of genetic enhancements (thanks to scaremongering from both right- and leftwing radicals) that prolong their children's lives and increase their intelligence and productivity, they'll vote for shrill politicians to keep everyone from having access to them.
2. Washington DC Overtakes Silicon Valley as Wealthiest City in America
What with the K Street lobbyists representing corporate interests that have grown ever larger and closer to government, the growth in the bureaucracy and the recession nationwide decimating industry, I suppose this shouldn't surprise. But it is still both shocking and extremely telling that the center of government has overtaken what is widely considered the center of innovation and private industry as the wealthiest city in America. Whatever it portends, it's certainly a handy fun-fact for the GOP hopefuls.
As transhumanism progresses further and further this is a question that is all the more important to resolve. Unfortunately science is usually the first victim in politics, so leaving this up to the politicians is probably not the right answer. While Bailey protests that the unenhanced would pose no threat to the enhanced, history and even current events do not bear this out. There are health care concerns in a welfare state such as ours. Why would the state bear the burdensome cost of those who won't help themselves by enhancing their immunities? There's education. Why must the state expend extra money on unenhanced, less intelligent students that consume a disproportionate amount of their teachers' time, attention and resources? While I sympathize with Bailey's libertarian utopian ideal of the state having no say in these matters and letting the market settle it all, the truth is that the state would almost certainly either coerce the unenhanced into enhancements, punish them via the tax code (which amounts to the same thing), punish us all by banning certain enhancements (which Bailey's debate opponent seems to favor), or punish the enhanced/wealthy into paying for even more extravagant social programs to protect the unenhanced. I agree with Bailey that transhumanism in and of itself is not incompatible with or a threat to the concept of liberty, but unfortunately the libertarian ideal does not exist and isn't likely to in our lifetime. So long as a portion of the American public remains uneducated and afraid of genetic enhancements (thanks to scaremongering from both right- and leftwing radicals) that prolong their children's lives and increase their intelligence and productivity, they'll vote for shrill politicians to keep everyone from having access to them.
2. Washington DC Overtakes Silicon Valley as Wealthiest City in America
What with the K Street lobbyists representing corporate interests that have grown ever larger and closer to government, the growth in the bureaucracy and the recession nationwide decimating industry, I suppose this shouldn't surprise. But it is still both shocking and extremely telling that the center of government has overtaken what is widely considered the center of innovation and private industry as the wealthiest city in America. Whatever it portends, it's certainly a handy fun-fact for the GOP hopefuls.
Early Edition
1. Is That a Tiger in the Front Yard?
This is insane. So far it sounds like the sheriff’s office has gunned down 35 of the nearly 50 exotic animals that escaped from the preserve (I believe this is The Wilds, I can’t think of any other exotic private game preserve in Zanesville, OH). But there are F-ing lions, tigers, bears and wolves roaming free, probably frightened and pissed off, and while I’m impressed that they’ve bagged as many of the animals as they have in such a short amount of time, I imagine there will be a few that elude capture/killing for a little while.
2. Romney Wins (Again); Gingrich Gets His First Bloody Nose; Cain Founders; Perry Falls Flat (Again)
Gingrich got his nose bloodied for the first time last night when he finally went on offense against Romeny on health care. His strategy up to this point (and it’s a good one) has been to steadfastly avoid criticizing his primary opponents; he strayed from it and got his hat handed to him by Romney. Very interesting to watch, and more than a little disappointing. I don’t care what the media, the polls or anyone else says, Cain is foundering. 9-9-9 got hit from every side last night and all he could say were his typical taglines, calling the criticisms “knee jerk reactions” (what the hell does that even mean) and telling the American people to do the math themselves and ignore all of the independent analyses in favor of his own analysis. Not too terribly compelling. While I agree that he should get credit for starting a conversation, I think there are far better plans that would be more worthy of the political capital the next president will have to spend to get them passed. It’s amazing how badly Perry sucks. He tried to get aggressive but his attacks were all either low-blows, blatantly hypocritical or were met with vigorous boos by the crowd. Bachmann sounds ever more crazy, proudly touting her plan to build a double-walled fence along the entire Southern border. Romney is once again, unfortunately, the undisputed winner.
3. Life is Precious
Not in the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” kind of way, but rather statistically-speaking, life on other planets seems clearly far rarer than lifeless planets (though more common than originally thought). Even if living planets were even-steven with lifeless planets, the universe is so infinitely vast and so thinly dispersed (relatively speaking) that when one extrapolates the likelihood of intelligent life capable of contacting us actually sending a signal that reaches us before our planet or theirs dies, the prospect of extraterrestrial contact is (probably mercifully) woefully unlikely.
This is insane. So far it sounds like the sheriff’s office has gunned down 35 of the nearly 50 exotic animals that escaped from the preserve (I believe this is The Wilds, I can’t think of any other exotic private game preserve in Zanesville, OH). But there are F-ing lions, tigers, bears and wolves roaming free, probably frightened and pissed off, and while I’m impressed that they’ve bagged as many of the animals as they have in such a short amount of time, I imagine there will be a few that elude capture/killing for a little while.
2. Romney Wins (Again); Gingrich Gets His First Bloody Nose; Cain Founders; Perry Falls Flat (Again)
Gingrich got his nose bloodied for the first time last night when he finally went on offense against Romeny on health care. His strategy up to this point (and it’s a good one) has been to steadfastly avoid criticizing his primary opponents; he strayed from it and got his hat handed to him by Romney. Very interesting to watch, and more than a little disappointing. I don’t care what the media, the polls or anyone else says, Cain is foundering. 9-9-9 got hit from every side last night and all he could say were his typical taglines, calling the criticisms “knee jerk reactions” (what the hell does that even mean) and telling the American people to do the math themselves and ignore all of the independent analyses in favor of his own analysis. Not too terribly compelling. While I agree that he should get credit for starting a conversation, I think there are far better plans that would be more worthy of the political capital the next president will have to spend to get them passed. It’s amazing how badly Perry sucks. He tried to get aggressive but his attacks were all either low-blows, blatantly hypocritical or were met with vigorous boos by the crowd. Bachmann sounds ever more crazy, proudly touting her plan to build a double-walled fence along the entire Southern border. Romney is once again, unfortunately, the undisputed winner.
3. Life is Precious
Not in the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” kind of way, but rather statistically-speaking, life on other planets seems clearly far rarer than lifeless planets (though more common than originally thought). Even if living planets were even-steven with lifeless planets, the universe is so infinitely vast and so thinly dispersed (relatively speaking) that when one extrapolates the likelihood of intelligent life capable of contacting us actually sending a signal that reaches us before our planet or theirs dies, the prospect of extraterrestrial contact is (probably mercifully) woefully unlikely.
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