Content tagged with "society"

“Downtown, where all the lights are bright.”
Blog Post
December 26, 2008
1218

If we had to re-make cities from scratch, would they have downtowns?

Adam vs Danny
Blog Post
April 11, 2009
308

The top two contestants on American Idol, Danny Gokey, a widowed church music director from Milwaukee, and Adam Lambert, a gay singer from West Hollywood, are predicted to face off in the final. Despite their strong talent, the author suggests that the final vote may become more about their lifestyles and contemporary culture, with both conservative Christian America and LGBT America expected to support their respective contestants.

Diplomas and Value Judgments
Personal Blog
Blog Post
June 28, 2006
442

Not graduating from high school causes people to judge you, for all sorts of reasons.

Effort and Potential
Personal Blog
Blog Post
October 15, 2014
1070

The article discusses the “10,000 Hour Rule,” which suggests that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to master anything. The author questions the validity of this theory, arguing that some people are naturally smarter than others and that practice only amplify natural ability. The article also suggests that the focus should be on genuine effort, not results, and that societal inequality can be justified by blaming everyone for their situation.

Everything, All the Time, Everywhere: How We Became Postmodern
Deane’s Library
Book Review
November 16, 2023
268
Gratifying Narrative Syndrome
Personal Blog
Blog Post
October 6, 2014
825

The document discusses “Glitifying Narrative Syndrome,” a human tendency to confirm narratives that are emotionally or psychologically gratifying. It explains that confirmation bias, also known as “myside bias,” is the tendency to selectively gather or remember information in a way that confirms one’s beliefs or hypotheses. The document also suggests that these narratives may be spreading virally, similar to a meme, as they provide a satisfying “click” when new information fits into a larger framework.

I Miss You
Personal Blog
Blog Post
April 13, 2019
1826

Thoughts on middle-age male friendship, or the lack thereof.

It’s Good to Be a Man: A Handbook for Godly Masculinity
Deane’s Library
Book Review
December 30, 2023
24
Needless Sex in Film and TV
Personal Blog
Blog Post
January 8, 2009
451

I’m not against nudity in media, so long as it has a point.

Of Tumors and Borders
Personal Blog
Blog Post
June 17, 2006
339

The human condition is universal.

On Moral Hazard
Personal Blog
Blog Post
October 19, 2019
696

The article discusses the Ukrainian impeachment crisis, focusing on the allegations that Donald Trump withheld military aid to Ukraine in exchange for an investigation into Joe Biden’s son. The author criticizes the Trump Administration’s response, suggesting that political influence in foreign policy is common and that the absence of consequences encourages irresponsible behavior. The author argues that without consequences, politicians are free to engage in illegal behavior, and that this approach is indicative of a lack of objective standards in American politics.

Primates of Park Avenue
Deane’s Library
Book Review
June 27, 2015
135
Solving the Working Poor
Personal Blog
Blog Post
April 15, 2006
721

Improving the plight of the working poor can be a trickier problem than you think.

The Human Connection and the Lack of Corporate Morality
Personal Blog
Blog Post
October 13, 2014
1529

The article discusses the lack of corporate morality, comparing the human connection of ownership in companies like IBM and Blend Interactive to the lack of moral responsibility in large corporations. It argues that corporations, due to their size and the financial market’s evolution, are designed to act in the interests of profit, with the only objective standard being profit. The author suggests that as the number of owners increases, the need for moral leadership and the desire to act for the good of others becomes more remote.

The Road to Character
Deane’s Library
Book Review
April 22, 2021
338
The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind
Deane’s Library
Book Review
October 4, 2023
203
The Second Mountain
Deane’s Library
Book Review
April 30, 2021
221
The Social Guidebook to Norway: An Illustrated Introduction
Deane’s Library
Book Review
November 13, 2016
21
The Unbundling of “Marriage”
Personal Blog
Blog Post
May 12, 2010
928

The document discusses the concept of marriage as a contract, a romance, and a spiritual institution, and suggests that over the next 20 years, the government may decentralize its focus to the contractual, legal aspect of marriage, possibly replacing it with “civil unions” or “domestic partnerships.” This shift would strip away the romantic and spiritual aspects of marriage, leaving it more in the hands of individuals and their churches. The author acknowledges that this shift may disappoint some, but predicts that it will eventually lead to the legalization of gay marriage in all states.

The Validity of The Lesser of Two Evils
Personal Blog
Blog Post
October 2, 2014
486

The article argues that when considering environmental options, it’s important to consider the alternative or default. It cites a study that suggests replacing fossil fuels with nuclear power could prevent more deaths than it causes, and that the alternative, even if imperfect, might be worse. The author uses the example of corporate farming and organic farming, arguing that while both may be undesirable, they provide a significant amount of food and are not perfect.

White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America
Deane’s Library
Book Review
December 25, 2021
567
Why Marketing Bothers Me
Personal Blog
Blog Post
October 9, 2014
305

The author expresses dissatisfaction with two aspects of marketing: overstating product value and creating unnecessary needs by making people feel inadequate. They argue that while some marketing practices are beneficial, they often lead to unnecessary purchases and contribute to societal problems.

Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World
Deane’s Library
Book Review
September 4, 2023
865