Magnitude Matters

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Partial List - Do The Right Thing Edition

Partial list of things most humans are too intellectually or morally weak to do:

When among a crowd engaging in bad behavior, walking away.
When opinions of hatred and cruel intolerance are expressed, stating firmly but kindly that you do not assent and may in fact condemn such thinking.
When points of view and arguments you disagree with intellectually are offered, constructively and honestly expressing a counter view.
When hearing of dreadful behavior by one's government (one's own party or favored politicians especially), behavior one would never themselves engage in, peaceably but forcefully and actively condemning and denouncing the behavior.
When witness to unethical actions by one's employer or close associates, calling out the misdeed and refusing to participate in it.

If we were composed of stronger fibers, the desire to act would be appropriately stimulated and we would refuse to turn a blind eye.

[see the sister post "Turning the Other Cheek"]

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? Please? Please? Please? Please?

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.

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 Trump	Eddie Haskell, Barrack Obama
Honest	Colonel Nathan Jessup, Ayn Rand	Atticus Finch, Abraham Lincoln

Saturday, August 17, 2019

We're on a Highway to Hell

And we're paving our way there with good intentions of course.

Incentives matter. A key hallmark of higher-level thinking is understanding this and understanding the true implications behind certain actions looking beyond the good intentions.

Partial list of cases in point:

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