Author Archives: Mark R. Kelly

Scales of the Universe

Posted on Tuesday 15 August 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

The 13 scales that define our physical universe; A video that maps the Milky Way onto the United States, where on that scale our sun would fit between the ridges of a fingerprint; Recalling again the famous Powers of Ten … Continue reading →

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Why I Hate Pop Concerts

Posted on Monday 14 August 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Today’s lead article is about those of us who dislike attending pop concerts, even of singers and bands we otherwise admire and adore; Then, about PragerU; the “lost boys” on the American Right; and Lukianoff & Haidt’s book about Coddling, … Continue reading →

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The Slow Death of Lawns in Deserts

Posted on Sunday 13 August 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Major item today about the slow death of lawns in deserts, especially in the US southwest; Then a few quick items, about the decline of Christianity, and Scientology’s psychological torture; And a musical piece by Ludovico Einaudi. – – – … Continue reading →

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Feeding Voters a Fantasy World

Posted on Saturday 12 August 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

The most alarming thing I’ve learned in the past decade is how so many ordinary people are not smart, not well-educated, are susceptible to political ideology and religious zealotry, and are driven by ideology and zealotry to try to take … Continue reading →

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American Fragility and the Latest Political Hijinks

Posted on Friday 11 August 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

David Brooks on a kind of American decline, echoing some points of a 2018 book I happen to be half-way through reading; Quick links about slitting throats, Republican credulity, and firing Democrats; John Scalzi on that Ohio ballot measure. Here’s … Continue reading →

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Needless Deaths, Groceries, and Trump vs. Jesus

Posted on Thursday 10 August 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

David Wallace-Wells: why do Americans suffer so many “needless deaths” than other nations?; Why groceries are expensive is not an American issue; How some Trump-loving congregants deride Jesus’ teachings as “weak”. And Hans Zimmer’s “Journey to the Line,” from THE … Continue reading →

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The Rule of Law, Degrees of Conspiracy Theorists, and Martin Gardner

Posted on Wednesday 9 August 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

If Trump’s trial is on TV, will Americans, even his supporters, accept the outcome?; How traditional conspiracy theorists are alarmed by modern conspiracy theorists; Recalling Martin Gardner’s Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science; And just noting a few … Continue reading →

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Climate Change, Culture, the Economy, and Real Americans

Posted on Tuesday 8 August 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Paul Krugman on climate change as a culture war issue; Florida censors come after Shakespeare, and educators flee the state; Robert Reich is confidant that Biden will get credit for an economy “that’s better off than it’s been in decades”; … Continue reading →

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More About Who’s to Blame for Trump

Posted on Monday 7 August 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

A Slate writer responds to NYT’s David Brooks about how the “elites” are to blame for Trump culture; A David Brin post; Some quick links with comments… Phil Plait on seeing the Milky Way; And George Michael’s “You Have Been … Continue reading →

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America’s Dominance and Decline

Posted on Sunday 6 August 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Just one substantial item today, compared to the several posted yesterday. If America is so great by some economic and military standards, why is our quality of life, compared to so many other countries around the world, so poor? Concluding … Continue reading →

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