Wednesday, September 4, 2019

On the Matter of Carts and Horses

I want to be wealthy.

The wealthy take fabulous vacations, drive expensive sports cars, and surround themselves with luxury.

Therefore, I am going to New York for a week at The Plaza. While there, I will do some amazing shopping; eat at Tavern on the Green, The Russian Tea Room, et al.; and take in some fabulous theater. Upon my return, I am buying a Ferrari.

Of course . . . it doesn’t work that way.

Will someone please tell local governments that? PleasePleasePleasePlease?

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Partial List of (additional) Low-Hanging Public Policy Fruit

These are addenda to The Big Five

While The Big Five were largely federal issues, these (2/3) are largely state and local issues.

They are based on simple principles allowing for straightforward application if we would be so bold. Alas, the incumbent, vested interests would resist with every fiber of their selfish being. 

But I for one will keep fighting the good fight with hope that reason and justice will prevail. 

Monday, September 2, 2019

Partial List of Political/Ideological Religious Symbols


The Left (progressive minds):
  • Bike lanes (inspired by this)
  • Organic food
  • Recycling logo
The Right (conservative minds):
  • War memorials that honor battles, victory, and the nobility of soldiers
  • Flags
  • "Buy American" & "Made in the USA" labeling and sloganeering*
*Yes, this puts labor unions (the organizations rather than the members, per se) on the right, where they have always been--a backwards-looking mindset focused on protecting the status quo.


Related: The right has its own political correctness.

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Honesty versus Politeness in a 2x2 Grid

I have a number of things I've been thinking about in the form of a 2x2 grid for comparison and contemplation. This is the first of these: honesty against politeness.

Examples of each of the four resulting categories (one fictional character and one real-life one): 



Rude
Polite
Dishonest Bugs Bunny, Donald TrumpEddie Haskell, Barrack Obama
HonestColonel Nathan Jessup, Ayn RandAtticus Finch, Abraham Lincoln

Monday, August 12, 2019

What I'm Listening To (Podcast Rundown) circa August 2019

This is an update to my prior list of podcasts I am currently listening to. No comments this time, but after listing my favorites, I will group them into those I listen to every episode and those I listen to occasionally (alphabetical after the favorites). Just because one is listed under "occasional" doesn't mean you should dismiss it--there are gold in some of those occasions.

Thinking about the list today I notice that there have been many that have come and gone--some were just tried on for size and others were one-time staples. I think this has been healthy turnover.

Every Episode (favorites):
EconTalk
Conversations with Tyler
Reason Podcast
The Fifth Column - Analysis, Commentary, Sedition
Free Thoughts
The Fribrary Podcast
Libertarian
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

Every Episode (others):
30 Animals That Made Us Smarter
50 Things That Made the Modern Economy
99% Invisible
a16z
Against the Rules with Michael Lewis
Akimbo: A Podcast from Seth Godin
Animal Spirits Podcast
Building Tomorrow
Capitalisn't
Cato Daily Podcast
Conviction
Crimetown
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History: Addendum
Darknet Diaries
Economics Detective Radio
Every Little Thing
Freakonomics Radio
Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
It's Not What It Seems with Doug Vigliotti
Kibbe on Liberty
Macro Musings with David Beckworth
Made You Think
Make No Law: The First Amendment Podcast
Mercatus Policy Download
MinuteEarth
More or Less: Behind the Stats
Oklahoma Sooners Postgame
Oklahoma Sooners Unofficial 40
Pessimists Archive Podcast
Rationally Speaking
Reason Video
Revisionist History
Science Salon
Science Vs
So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast
The Anthropocene Reviewed
The Curious Investor
The Emergent Order Podcast
The Long View
The Political Orphanage
The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg
The Subgame Perfect Podcast
Words & Numbers

Occasional:

Saturday, August 10, 2019

The Beary Best

Partial list of the best bears:

My strange mind had thought of this some time ago, but it was Bearmageddon's appearance on The Remnant Podcast with Jonah Goldberg that inspired me to post it.