Author Archives: Mark R. Kelly

The Need for a Fantasy Past

Posted on Sunday 28 July 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

There are two problems with MAGA. First, it’s regressive in that it’s trying to reimpose primitive tribal values onto a complex, global world. Second, more practically, it’s simply not possible to return to conditions of the past. Today’s items: Why … Continue reading →

Posted in conservatives, Economics, Human Nature | Comments Off on The Need for a Fantasy Past

The Resurgence of Tribal Human Nature

Posted on Saturday 27 July 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Again, one theme of this blog is the resurgence of tribal human nature and morality, at the expense of the achievements of the Enlightenment: Science and Democracy; With examples today beginning with “childless cat ladies” from the right; How Trump … Continue reading →

Posted in conservatives, Human Nature, Morality | Comments Off on The Resurgence of Tribal Human Nature

Tribal Human Nature Fights Back

Posted on Friday 26 July 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Thomas L. Friedman asks Trump and Vance: What is wrong with you people? Republican attacks against Kamala Harris as being childless reveal base tribal motivations for how society ought to be run; And who’s brainwashing whom? Do children ‘belong’ to … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Nature, Politics, Religion | Comments Off on Tribal Human Nature Fights Back

Steven Pinker: THE BLANK SLATE, post 5

Posted on Wednesday 24 July 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

After being distracted by Texas affairs, politics, Riven, and reading Brian Greene and others, let’s get back to this book and try to finish summarizing it and capturing key points. This and one more post. Earlier posts about this book: … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Notes, MInd, Morality, Science, Steven Pinker | Comments Off on Steven Pinker: THE BLANK SLATE, post 5

Life carries on and on and on and on

Posted on Tuesday 23 July 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Heather Cox Richardson taking a future historian’s perspective on recent political events; The irony of Republicans accusing Democrats of staging a coup; Paul Krugman on how Republican accusation of immigrants taking away “black jobs” is wrong in so many ways; … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Politics | Comments Off on Life carries on and on and on and on

Far, Far Better Thing?

Posted on Monday 22 July 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

So this is the week that President Joe Biden, under fire by everyone since his lame debate performance last month (which I wrote about here), stepped down from his candidacy for a second term as president. This is virtually unprecedented … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative Resistance, Politics, progress | Comments Off on Far, Far Better Thing?

Subjective Worlds

Posted on Sunday 21 July 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

First of all, I updated yesterday’s post to include the initial list of falsehoods in Trump’s RNC acceptance speech as compiled by CNN, and read off on TV by its fact-checker in the minutes after the speech ended. For today, … Continue reading →

Posted in conservatives, Politics, Psychology, The Gays | Comments Off on Subjective Worlds

Lies and More Lies, and Fans Who Don’t Care

Posted on Saturday 20 July 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Many many comments about Trumps RNC speech on Thursday, accepting his third nomination to become president. He had promised — after his near-death experience the week before — to throw out his earlier combative speech, and instead give one that … Continue reading →

Posted in conservatives | Comments Off on Lies and More Lies, and Fans Who Don’t Care

The Incoherency of Religious Rationales

Posted on Saturday 20 July 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

It’s generally considered impolite to point out the irrationality and incoherency of religious faith, but sometimes the examples are so blatant, you wonder if they aren’t signs of some mental disorder. Like those cases where brain damage causes one side … Continue reading →

Posted in Meaning, Religion | Comments Off on The Incoherency of Religious Rationales

Never Mind Policy or Principles, Conservatives Need Only Stories

Posted on Thursday 18 July 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Politics and the Narrative Drive converge in items today. Robert Reich about how the GOP is courting unions; How J.D. Vance emphasizes his personal story rather than conservative principles; How Republicans cling to the myth of migrant crime; And how … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative Resistance, conservatives, Narrative, Politics, Religion | Comments Off on Never Mind Policy or Principles, Conservatives Need Only Stories