Monthly Archives: June 2023

The Understanding of Human Nature, and Its Relationship to Science Fiction

Posted on Monday 19 June 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Here’s a draft of another essay trying to summarize my take on science fiction and my provisional conclusions on the topics I’ve been reading about over the past couple decades.

Posted in Personal history, Psychology, science fiction, The Book | Comments Off

The Broadest Possible Terms

Posted on Sunday 18 June 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Let’s return to yesterday’s item from OnlySky, which strikes me as a way to expand one of my key themes. In fact, perhaps we can build one of my hierarchies to begin with the most basic conception of what science … Continue reading →

Posted in Narrative, science fiction, The Book | Comments Off

Today’s Links

Posted on Saturday 17 June 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Only time today for a few quick links, which I may or may not expand upon in future posts. OnlySky: The methadone of the people, subtitled “As long as the human condition is characterized by suffering, the vulnerable will seek … Continue reading →

Posted in Links | Comments Off

The Assertions of Ideologues; Common Enemies

Posted on Friday 16 June 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

How the Republicans’ budget plan ignores the record of history; How conservatives don’t mind Muslims as long as they’re all against LGBTQ rights; Another review of the book about a conservative “regime change” for the “common good” — a Christian … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Psychology, Religion | Comments Off

Today’s Examples of Tribal Loyalty

Posted on Thursday 15 June 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Examples today of: Defunding the IRS, mostly to benefit the wealthy; Tax cuts, benefiting mostly the wealthy; A party of law & order anxious to pardon its member for crimes against law & order; Defenses of Trump that are a … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative Resistance, Politics, Science | Comments Off

Catheter Biopsy, Again, and Hospital Cafeteria

Posted on Wednesday 14 June 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

The second anniversary of my heart transplant Two different catheter procedures to check the health of my heart The hospital cafeteria, endowed by Williams of Williams and Sonoma Today I had an appointment at CMPC for the procedure I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal history | Comments Off

Small-town values vs. Big-city values, and a Conservative Notion of the “Common Good”

Posted on Tuesday 13 June 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

How big-city values, not small-town values, are better suited for governing the nation; Recalling Robert Reich’s take on urban vs. rural; Heather Cox Richardson on the potential end of a long Republican era; A review of a book by an … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative Resistance, Culture, Politics | Comments Off

Donald Trump, Owen Gingerich, Heather Cox Richardson

Posted on Monday 12 June 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

A neuroscientist on why Trump loyalists are unbreakable; Why the astronomer Owen Gingerich saw God in the Cosmos; How Heather Cox Richardson dismantles the Republican charges that the DOJ is “weaponized” to take down Donald Trump. So why does a … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Psychology | Comments Off

The Breakdown of American Law and Order, by Republicans

Posted on Sunday 11 June 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Several items today about the indictment against Trump for his mishandling of top secret documents, how his fans still support him, and how this affects America’s reputation around the world. Snopes, 9 Jun 2023: Yes, Trump Said ‘No One Will … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative Resistance, Politics | Comments Off

America’s Crackpots vs. Its Foundational Strength

Posted on Saturday 10 June 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Items today: 12m people support violence to keep Trump in office; Kari Lake threatens violence to keep Trump in office; Florida wants immigrants to stay and work, despite the state’s anti-immigrant policies; Families in Florida who feel unsafe are leaving … Continue reading →