Author Archives: Mark R. Kelly

Progress in 2023

Posted on Sunday 31 December 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

For this last post of the year, I’ll link several year-end pieces about progress in the world, where most people see only continued doom. (I’ll do a separate post, about progress against my goals in my own life, soon.) NY … Continue reading →

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After Holiday Break: Trip Report: LA and LV

Posted on Sunday 31 December 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

We were away from home for a week, from Saturday the 23rd to Friday the 29th. Here’s a summary.

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The Defiance of Conspiracy Theorists

Posted on Tuesday 26 December 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Quick item from Facebook today. From Adam-Troy Castro, a science fiction writer seemingly better known for his Facebook posts than for his fiction. This is about Flat-Earthers, conspiracy theorists, psychology, and the argument from personal incredulity. I’ll quote the whole … Continue reading →

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Before Holiday Break

Posted on Friday 22 December 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Quick post, likely the last one for several days, perhaps a week. Topics: RFK’s lies; Big Think’s “Explain It Like I’m Smart” series; How the humanities have become more political; the most mystifying open questions in science; why a university … Continue reading →

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Sources of Meaning

Posted on Thursday 21 December 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

How the Catholic League finds meaning at Christmas only in its own teachings, while presuming everyone else must be miserable; How Republicans have found tribal meaning in Christian Nationalism; How Republicans search for voter fraud only among populations who would … Continue reading →

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People Prefer a Softened Reality

Posted on Wednesday 20 December 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

A Big Think piece about over-hyped science and astronomy claims from this past year; Adam Lee on Benjamin Franklin’s “noble lie”: that people need religion in order to behave; And an Endpiece about current holiday activities. I’ve mentioned before that … Continue reading →

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Whether Economics is a Science, and other topics

Posted on Tuesday 19 December 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Paul Krugman on economists who won’t admit they are wrong; How science journalism is theatened, not to mention basic scientific literacy; Disinformation and journalists challenging interviewees on air; How Uganda’s anti-gay laws, inspired by American Christians, is hurting its economy; … Continue reading →

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A Way to Talk Around the Problem

Posted on Monday 18 December 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

The “same color” illusion — an example of how we cannot trust our senses; How Rudy Giuliani descended into MAGA, and whether we’re all equally susceptible; How right-wingers are triggered by tap-dancing in the White House to The Nutcracker; Brief … Continue reading →

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Why Progressives Are Moving to the Right: For a Simpler Story

Posted on Sunday 17 December 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Busy pre-holiday weekend — making rusks and another batch of lemon bars. So only a single item for today, setting aside yet again the more substantial topics I alluded to yesterday. Here’s one of those pieces where I react to … Continue reading →

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Threat or Loser?

Posted on Saturday 16 December 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

How Trump is destroying democracy and democratic culture; Or do Trump’s weaknesses assure he won’t win?; Short items about the Satanic Temple, and a new GOP slogan. Here’s a piece that takes a wide perspective on the presence of democracy … Continue reading →

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