Category Archives: Human Nature

Falling Birthrates as Tribal Panic

Posted on Tuesday 7 July 2026 by Mark R. Kelly

Another examination of the roots of falling birthrates, a global reality; I see the concern about it as tribal panic; Briefly noted: make gun violence great again!; more about the latest GOP scare tactic; more about those who spread false … Continue reading →

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The New Commie Threat

Posted on Monday 6 July 2026 by Mark R. Kelly

Robert Reich on the Commie threat, a tired Republican charge, recalling McCarthy; Lazy Republican thinking about communism and current kids these days; Twisted thinking about religious liberty; A video of Paula White, presidential spiritual advisor; Stephen Miller, divine providence, and … Continue reading →

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The 250th, Patriotism, and the Sin of Pride

Posted on Saturday 4 July 2026 by Mark R. Kelly

Today is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, by the US, to separate itself from English rule. * Some overviews then. Once again, there are always problems, but people typically don’t give credit where credit … Continue reading →

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Are the Best Years Behind Us? No.

Posted on Monday 29 June 2026 by Mark R. Kelly

The US is better off than 50 years ago, yet people feel worse (another version of this recurring story); Alfred Schnittke’s Concerto Grosso no. 1. – – – Yet another story on this general theme. It’s about human nature, not … Continue reading →

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Human Nature and American Self-Esteem

Posted on Friday 26 June 2026 by Mark R. Kelly

Another story about a European loving his American experience, and also how Americans need this kind of validation; Brief items about Trump Derangement Syndrome, the demonization of Anthony Fauci, how Christian Nationalist candidates should conceal their agendas, and why there … Continue reading →

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Asymptotic Progress

Posted on Friday 12 June 2026 by Mark R. Kelly

How the news about adjusting climate change predictions is good news, and how science is always about increasingly approaching the truth, while never claiming (as religion does) to have found it; Trumps guts a line of oceanic defense; there’s a … Continue reading →

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More About the Contrast between Principles and Tribalism

Posted on Thursday 28 May 2026 by Mark R. Kelly

The January 6th rioters feel entitled to reparations by the US government for the inconvenience they’ve experienced from having broken the law and been arrested; Contrasting views of Christianity in Texas; How the GOP fires people who value principles over … Continue reading →

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What Scientists Do…

Posted on Wednesday 27 May 2026 by Mark R. Kelly

A revision to climate change predictions doesn’t discredit science, as some people would like to think; Yuval Noah Harari on the global liberal order; the stories of fascism, communism, and liberalism; redemption; and self-correcting mechanisms; Short items about Trump’s Ebola … Continue reading →

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Morality, and the Bible, Again

Posted on Wednesday 20 May 2026 by Mark R. Kelly

How the world is becoming more moral, not less; Trump’s egotistical take on religion; Trump’s laughable phone; Noting Trump’s IRS deal that somehow exempts his family from tax audits forever; And how a Christian nationalist pastor thinks America needs “less … Continue reading →

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Superficial Christianity on Full Display

Posted on Monday 18 May 2026 by Mark R. Kelly

Things said at last weekend’s prayer rally, and how they strike me as unhinged from reality; Heather Cox Richardson’s take: a turning away from “Enlightenment values of natural rights, equality, and self-government to one that requires Americans to accept that … Continue reading →

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