....the fact that wine can bring great pleasure – and that it can cultivate a sense of community – has been something of a theme in Western philosophy. Plato argued that those over forty should get drunk “to renew their youth, and that, through forgetfulness of care, the temper of their souls may lose its hardness and become softer and more ductile”. Kant thought that when drunk “we forget and overlook the weaknesses of others . . . people who are otherwise hard-hearted become, through intoxication, good-humoured, communicative and benign”.For those who want to read a little bit more about Kant on drinking, you can read a short .pdf from a 1941 journal here.
Saturday, December 10, 2016
A good quote for the Christmas season
From the TLS:
Friday, December 09, 2016
Seriously?
Spotted on Twitter:
And guess which one it is whose newspapers run grossly oversimplified Right wing beat up stories about there being too many "leaners" when it comes to tax paid versus benefits received......
George Megalogenis
A tale of two media empires:
Fairfax pays 25.4% tax on taxable income of $91,856,465
News pays 0% tax on taxable income of $70,847,581
And guess which one it is whose newspapers run grossly oversimplified Right wing beat up stories about there being too many "leaners" when it comes to tax paid versus benefits received......
Yeah, I give up..Malcolm Turnbull is a coward
I've avoided commenting on the obvious disappointment of the performance of Malcolm Turnbull as Prime Minister.
But yes, I think this week it has reached the point where I have to admit it: he is a complete coward; a captive of the backwards looking, science denying, American poisonous-Right influenced, "conservative" wing of the Party. Unwilling to call them out, and talking the same opportunistic political lines that Tony Abbott took regarding energy policy, rather than trying to convince the public of what past experience shows he almost certainly believes in his heart, he's showing himself up as the worst type of bluffing, insincere, politician who gives a bad name to politics.
And, of course, his evident lack of sincerity fails to convince the Conservative voters he seeks to placate, as well.
There is no future for the Coalition while it has this internal conflict, and Malcolm has proved himself incapable of taking his party with him. "Sad", as someone would tweet....
But yes, I think this week it has reached the point where I have to admit it: he is a complete coward; a captive of the backwards looking, science denying, American poisonous-Right influenced, "conservative" wing of the Party. Unwilling to call them out, and talking the same opportunistic political lines that Tony Abbott took regarding energy policy, rather than trying to convince the public of what past experience shows he almost certainly believes in his heart, he's showing himself up as the worst type of bluffing, insincere, politician who gives a bad name to politics.
And, of course, his evident lack of sincerity fails to convince the Conservative voters he seeks to placate, as well.
There is no future for the Coalition while it has this internal conflict, and Malcolm has proved himself incapable of taking his party with him. "Sad", as someone would tweet....
A tax I hadn't heard of...
Beachcomber has a short post about a 19th century rumour, at least amongst the poor in one area, it seems, that Queen Victoria was about to order all children under 5 to be put to death, due to "scarcity of provisions." He writes:
Scarcity of provisions was a factor even in the 19C in England: and Ireland was, in 1847, about to begin the most brutal experience in its history because of a lack of food. But where on earth would the rumour come from that Queen Victoria was going to get all King Herod on her subjects? Leaving aside the fact that 19C Britain would not have tolerated this and that Parliament not the Queen would have made this kind of a decision, the rumour is reminiscent, in a way, of some medieval gossip that give the state or the ‘crown’ exaggerated powers and interests in the private life of the peasantry. The classic example is the longstanding conviction among the French and some German peasants that the royal authorities wanted to tax sexual relations between men and women, including between husband and wife. This conviction and piffling ‘proofs’ led to periodic continental riots and rebellions.
Fair enough
Priests ‘should learn about climate change as part of their formation’
This should be upsetting to the Latin mass loving conservative Catholic clique, but one of the peculiar things about them is how Pope Benedict XVI, who they generally are quite fond of, was pretty much completely on side with climate change as a serious problem. (Oh, that's right, the very silly man from the 50's, CL, used to cite some comment where Benedict mentioned abortion in the context of the "human environment", so as to argue that you didn't have to worry about climate change until you stopped all abortion. Conservative Catholics can't walk and chew gum at the same time, you see.)
This should be upsetting to the Latin mass loving conservative Catholic clique, but one of the peculiar things about them is how Pope Benedict XVI, who they generally are quite fond of, was pretty much completely on side with climate change as a serious problem. (Oh, that's right, the very silly man from the 50's, CL, used to cite some comment where Benedict mentioned abortion in the context of the "human environment", so as to argue that you didn't have to worry about climate change until you stopped all abortion. Conservative Catholics can't walk and chew gum at the same time, you see.)
Thursday, December 08, 2016
Horrible scenes from the Philippines
I don't know that I should link to this, really - too many of the photos (which, in terms of photographic quality, are so good they look like they are from a movie) are appalling and quite upsetting.
But I think the terrible actions of a "strong man" leader, democratically elected, are something that should be given publicity given the situation in America at the moment...
But I think the terrible actions of a "strong man" leader, democratically elected, are something that should be given publicity given the situation in America at the moment...
The American paranoia/conspiracy sickness
Of course, with a President elect who has traded in this stuff, don't expect it to get much better any time soon...
Pizzerias in Austin and New York Are Now Also Being Accused of Abetting Satanic Pedophilia
Sandy Hook Truther Arrested for Threatening to Kill Parent of Murdered Child
Trump Supporters Cheer Alleged PizzaGate Gunman
Should we take some comfort from the fact that Trump sacked his adviser's son for promoting this stuff? Not much, when his Dad played up to it on Twitter as well (from my first link):
Pizzerias in Austin and New York Are Now Also Being Accused of Abetting Satanic Pedophilia
Sandy Hook Truther Arrested for Threatening to Kill Parent of Murdered Child
Trump Supporters Cheer Alleged PizzaGate Gunman
Should we take some comfort from the fact that Trump sacked his adviser's son for promoting this stuff? Not much, when his Dad played up to it on Twitter as well (from my first link):
Michael G. Flynn, the son of Donald Trump's soon-to-be national security adviser, was reportedly removed from Trump's transition team Tuesday for having circulated Pizzagate tweets. But Flynn's father—Michael T. Flynn—has also promoted fake Hillary Clinton sex-abuse stories:
U decide - NYPD Blows Whistle on New Hillary Emails: Money Laundering, Sex Crimes w Children, etc...MUST READ! truepundit.com/breaking-bombs…
The elder Flynn nonetheless continues to retain his position in Trump's inner circle.
Wednesday, December 07, 2016
Something's up
Just when the Pizzagate conspiracy was about to be blown wide open, I see that Australia's home for Pizzagate dissemination - Catallaxy - has been shut down by a lenghty Ozblogistan fault - allegedly.
I expect the Black helicopters are hovering over a few Catellaxians' houses right now. I do not expect to ever hear fromUSSR SRR again.
If only they could take out the IPA while they're at it, I'd be quite happy.
I expect the Black helicopters are hovering over a few Catellaxians' houses right now. I do not expect to ever hear from
If only they could take out the IPA while they're at it, I'd be quite happy.
Inaccurate, of course
The WAPO fact checks Trump's upset at the cost of getting replacement Air Force Ones.
As they say, he doesn't know what he doesn't know.
As they say, he doesn't know what he doesn't know.
An honest economist
I like the way that Krugman sometimes makes it very clear that he, and other economists, don't really know exactly what is going on, or what policy prescriptions would work to fix a perceived problem. It's a lot more honest than the "our problem? it's Keynes, Keynes! I tell you!" line from certain other economists...
Brisbane needs a nap
Brisbane's lack of daylight saving means that it's hard enough to sleep in beyond about 5 am in summer anyway, what with bright sun and noisy morning birds. (With sunrise at 4.45, the sky starts to brighten well before 4.30, and hence some birds start up that early too.)
This sleep depriving system has been compounded by night time storms the last couple of nights. Yesterday morning, the clouds meant it wasn't so light at 4.30, but the thunder woke everyone up anyway. Last night, the storm came in around 1am and hung around til about 2.30, I think. Actually, the thunder was not as loud where I live as in other parts of Brisbane (if Twitter is any guide, it was very bad nearer the inner city), but it was persistent and loud enough to prevent sleep.
This morning it is very steamy, and I bet another storm disruptive day or night is on its way.
If you are dealing with anyone in Brisbane today, just be aware they are probably sleep deprived...
This sleep depriving system has been compounded by night time storms the last couple of nights. Yesterday morning, the clouds meant it wasn't so light at 4.30, but the thunder woke everyone up anyway. Last night, the storm came in around 1am and hung around til about 2.30, I think. Actually, the thunder was not as loud where I live as in other parts of Brisbane (if Twitter is any guide, it was very bad nearer the inner city), but it was persistent and loud enough to prevent sleep.
This morning it is very steamy, and I bet another storm disruptive day or night is on its way.
If you are dealing with anyone in Brisbane today, just be aware they are probably sleep deprived...
Tuesday, December 06, 2016
Not sure how this'll work out by the year 4000...
Caesarean births 'affecting human evolution'
Well, I'm quite fond of the idea that the alien greys are very evolved time travelling humans from the future, and they're pretty small and look like they'd pop out pretty easily. Or, more likely, decanted, I suppose...
Well, I'm quite fond of the idea that the alien greys are very evolved time travelling humans from the future, and they're pretty small and look like they'd pop out pretty easily. Or, more likely, decanted, I suppose...
More arguing with Jason
Seems to me you're keener on the Trump call to Taiwan than even the Wall Street Journal, which notes that Trump's follow up Twitter attack on China isn't even accurate. I'd say any "you're not dealing with a pushover anymore" beneficial signalling of the phone call has been promptly undone by Trump once again showing himself up as a blowhard who doesn't care about facts.
Trump and the Generals
Here's a pretty balanced take on the matter of Trump's apparent fondness of getting Generals involved in his government, from the CSM.
As for the one who is definitely wanted by Trump at the moment - Mattis - I wouldn't have thought that a Marine leader who is likened by Trump to Patton (with a history of somewhat over the top motivational quips to his troops) would be a good choice. Yet the New York Times has endorsed him in an opinion piece and editorially. And Trump himself says that Mattis has told him that he is against torture, due to it not being effective.
So, maybe he would be OK? I dunno, I sorta just don't really trust Marines, though, to be honest. Their earnestness puts me off.
As for the one who is definitely wanted by Trump at the moment - Mattis - I wouldn't have thought that a Marine leader who is likened by Trump to Patton (with a history of somewhat over the top motivational quips to his troops) would be a good choice. Yet the New York Times has endorsed him in an opinion piece and editorially. And Trump himself says that Mattis has told him that he is against torture, due to it not being effective.
So, maybe he would be OK? I dunno, I sorta just don't really trust Marines, though, to be honest. Their earnestness puts me off.
Astronaut eye problems
In other Space.com news, I see that the reason astronauts can start having eye focus problems is due to spinal fluid floating around to where you don't really want it.
Quite a difficult problem to deal with, then.
Quite a difficult problem to deal with, then.
Still working on this?
US Military Develops 'Multi-Object Kill Vehicle' to Blast Enemy Nukes
Seems a bit like we're re-visiting the 1980's, when Reagan lead enthusiasm for "Star Wars" technology meant Aviation Week and Space Technology was full every week with information about space based laser missile defence satellites under development. (Although I think I have read since that much of this was deliberate propaganda inserted with the keen encouragement of the CIA, or some agency or other.)
Monday, December 05, 2016
The Monday Trump
Apart from the point I noted a couple of posts ago (about how it seems quite possible Trump was manipulated by others into talking to Taiwan), two other items off the net further explain why Trump is such a worry in terms of international relations.
As William Saletan writes, Trump's "victory tour" shows Trump doing what we all know he does - he tells the audience in front of him what they want to hear - and it is now clear that this applies as much to foreign leaders as it does to adoring Trumpkins in front of him. He seems clueless about contradictory messages being out there for everyone to see. How on earth is that supposed to work successfully for international relations?
Stephen Colbert was very funny in his ridicule of this a few days ago, too. Have a look at how he characterises the phone call with Pakistan (from the 2:10 mark, if you don't want to watch it all):
In other weekend Trump news, I see he's still broadcasting a specific message that he will punish companies by tariffs if they move jobs out of America. Now I'm no purist when it comes to potential government involvement to preserving certain industries and jobs, but even I can see that this is a silly approach.
When is Trumpkin drongo Steve Kates going to start worrying about this?
As William Saletan writes, Trump's "victory tour" shows Trump doing what we all know he does - he tells the audience in front of him what they want to hear - and it is now clear that this applies as much to foreign leaders as it does to adoring Trumpkins in front of him. He seems clueless about contradictory messages being out there for everyone to see. How on earth is that supposed to work successfully for international relations?
Stephen Colbert was very funny in his ridicule of this a few days ago, too. Have a look at how he characterises the phone call with Pakistan (from the 2:10 mark, if you don't want to watch it all):
In other weekend Trump news, I see he's still broadcasting a specific message that he will punish companies by tariffs if they move jobs out of America. Now I'm no purist when it comes to potential government involvement to preserving certain industries and jobs, but even I can see that this is a silly approach.
When is Trumpkin drongo Steve Kates going to start worrying about this?
Sunday, December 04, 2016
Pilot waves envisaged and discussed
Just found two recent, good videos illustrating and discussing pilot wave theory for quantum mechanics. Well worth watching:
Message to J Soon
So you like the Trumpian approach to attacking a dead dictator and calling/taking a call from Taiwan because it annoys China?
I await your response then to his apparent praise of (or at least reluctance to criticise) "just go out and kill whoever it takes" Duterte; getting oddly enthusiastic about Pakistan; and the man crush he has on Putin...
In any event: it's near impossible for everything to go wrong under any President; and some things that go right can be more by good fortune than good planning. (Reagan and the collapse of Soviet communism is an example of that, I reckon.) But with international diplomacy, Trump represents a dumb bull in a China shop that happens to be packed with nuclear weapons. It'll be a long, long time before I stop worrying about what this "Being There" presidency is going to be like.
Update: The New Yorker has a good article on the Taiwan call issue, indicating that it seems quite on the cards that Trump may have been played by Bolton and some of his other hangers on into taking the call. As it says, this is not a great sign:
I await your response then to his apparent praise of (or at least reluctance to criticise) "just go out and kill whoever it takes" Duterte; getting oddly enthusiastic about Pakistan; and the man crush he has on Putin...
In any event: it's near impossible for everything to go wrong under any President; and some things that go right can be more by good fortune than good planning. (Reagan and the collapse of Soviet communism is an example of that, I reckon.) But with international diplomacy, Trump represents a dumb bull in a China shop that happens to be packed with nuclear weapons. It'll be a long, long time before I stop worrying about what this "Being There" presidency is going to be like.
Update: The New Yorker has a good article on the Taiwan call issue, indicating that it seems quite on the cards that Trump may have been played by Bolton and some of his other hangers on into taking the call. As it says, this is not a great sign:
Trump has also shown himself to be highly exploitable on subjects that he does not grasp. He is surrounding himself with ideologically committed advisers who will seek to use those opportunities when they can. We should expect similar moments of exploitation to come on issues that Trump will regard as esoteric, such as the Middle East, health care, immigration, and entitlements.
For a piece I published in September, about what Trump’s first term could look like, I spoke to a former Republican White House official whom Trump has consulted, who told me, “Honestly, the problem with Donald is he doesn’t know what he doesn’t know.” It turns out that is half of the problem; the other half is that he has surrounded himself with people who know how much he doesn’t know. Since Election Day, Trump has largely avoided receiving intelligence briefings, either because he doesn’t think it’s important that he receive them or because he just doesn’t care about them. George W. Bush, in the first months of 2001, ignored warnings about Osama bin Laden. Only in our darkest imaginings can we wonder what warnings Trump is ignoring now.
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