Where’s the Real Chain?
Our technological advancement has continued to the point where it is possible for a small number of people — or even a single person — can cause great harm.
Choose Only One
If you are getting stressed over a goal, consider that you might instead be getting stressed over a deadline.
“Moral Values”
Be wary of those who insist that they are simply acting from “moral values,” when the results of their values include pain and heartbreak, for either they are masking evil behind that façade, or their morals are dark and dire. Probably both. In either case, they are poisonous bedfellows.
Clench that Clip
As a kid, I read somewhere in an article that a typical human being has roughly a gram of fecal matter just kinda hanging out in a not-thoroughly-wiped way.
How to Properly Eat a Pie
Many people seem to think eating pie is hard because of one reason or another. This is wrong because many people simply don’t know the right way to eat pie. I will tell you how to eat pie.
Idols and Heroes
I think it’s always worth being cautious, to avoid thinking in terms of “heroes.” Pedestals are for vast and trunkless legs in the desert.
The Secret is the Crab
No man is an island. Because generally, meat sinks.
Beware of little cruelties
“Once malice is embraced as a virtue, it is impossible to contain.” “Their shared laughter at the suffering of others is an adhesive that binds them to one another…” The cruelty is the point.
Make Your Own Window
Starting with Much Madness is Divinest Sense by Emily Dickenson: Much madness is divinest senseTo a discerning eye;Much sense the starkest madness.’Tis the majorityIn this, as all, prevails.Assent, and you are sane;Demur, — you’re straightaway dangerous,And handled with a chain. I recently learned of the term “Overton Window,” which is a concept that totally made …
Beware the Repeated Meme
People call these little pictures “memes” and I can understand that. But please remember that memes are oft-repeated ideas.
Don’t be chippy-dumb
“Microchipping” is so “90’s Chucklehead Paranoia.” Instead, think “integrating your online activity into a significant model of what you will buy without thinking.”
They shouldn’t be the only game in town.
I think it would be much more interesting if cops had competition, and that the competition mattered. Customer: “Well, we could call the police, but Easy Pete’s Chillin’ Brothers will get the job done without shooting citizens in the face.”
The Skeleton People
In a hundred million years, when humans are long extinct, it may be the case that an intelligent species of animals, long descended from cephalopods, attempts to reconstruct our lives and bodies. We will be an oddity to them because we had an internal limiting structure. We will be The Skeleton People.
Bounties. Sure.
When I was a little kid, I was in the hospital. It was serious, and I kinda understood that. I was just glad that doctors and nurses were trying to help. I always thanked them. One day, a new kid was put into my shared room. He nonstop bragged about how he knew all about …
Batman$
Why are there no billionaires who are a version of Batman?
Sea Change
If we want to live in a technological world that contains millions or billions of people who may depend upon us, and upon whom we may depend, then we must execute a sea change in our relationships with our species, our environment, our philosophies, and our purposes for existence.
“Fool me once…”
I always figured that any supernatural creature that can be fooled by the application of Pascal’s Wager really isn’t deserving of worship from a thoughtful being.
Read More Carefully
The brave knight approached the pair of doors. Each door sported a gargoyle, and as he approached, they came to life. One spoke, and growled “One of us will lie and one of us will tell the truth. One door leads to the treasure and one door leads to certain death. You may ask one …
Monkey-Wrenchin’ a Mind
Anyone can be tricked or fooled — the human brain is very hackable.
A Bit of Writerly Advice
My writerly advice for today: Never overthink your world.
“For Warmth”
I think we can all agree that burning a confederate flag is perfectly acceptable as an act of protest, or to keep warm, or because you have a match, the name of the day ends with “y,” whatever.
“Nu-uh!”
There is a certain class of people highly tolerated and very dangerous in the United States: people who convulsively reflexively, and impulsively refuse to do what anyone tells them.
Hero Pets!
You know all those stories about hero dogs and hero cats saving their owners when the house catches on fire?
We are the Leftovers
I have a hypothesis: The Rapture happened. All genuine true believers were Raptured away.
Expertise — worth it!
I’ve been thinking about how we treat experts and professionals.
“Sinners are People!”
I think at this point, when faced with “love the sinner hate the sin,” it’s okay to adopt that same approach regarding the person making that claim.
Americana Brain Sandwich
I started understanding why the US enjoyed zombie movies so much after I had watched about fifty or so.
Tongue Beatings
You can learn so much by licking cake batter from the tines of an egg beater. For example, how to unplug appliances.
Froggy Reconsiders
It has been said that if you have to eat a frog, then do it in the morning. I’m not sure frogs have been consulted on this.
Minnows
Shallow seas breed little fish. Think deeply and act with intention, compassion, and vision.