Geoff's Miscellany

Culture

Debiasing Desire an Interesting Paper

October 20, 2018

I found this paper, or rather, saw it linked on Twitter. It purports to criticize the behaviors of online dating platforms for their sexual racism, suggest that sexual selection is the result of more than individual choice, but rather of cultural factors as well, "In this view, individuals’ intimate affiliations are not the product of "pure" individual choice, but are instead shaped by accretions of state and social power." The paper then suggests that one can resist such assortative mating, "resistance simply requires recognizing that desire is malleable," particularly it can be shaped by online dating platform algorithms. But whose desires should be shaped, I wonder. I'll simply drop this paragraph here indicating whose desires should not

Two Visions of 2070

September 27, 2018

Of the two, neither is good. But both are entertaining:

The first is somewhat controversial, but it's essentially a guy giving a ted-talk as a ridiculous caricature of certain segments of the college type. For instance, he voices his (not real) support of euthanasia with this line, "In 2070, there won't be any old or sick people, cause WE'RE JUST GONNA KILL 'EM." It's definitely worth a listen if you like wry humour. 

The Christian Hope and Homo Prospectus

September 5, 2018

The Christian version of the afterlife is unique in two respects. It is so unlike our present existence that the Bible says that it can only be seen dimly and is best expressed in images. But it is very much like our present existence in that our present self will be preserved and will have attributes and levels of flourishing which depend upon our virtue in this life.

Music Video: An Unstoppable Man

February 9, 2018

 

If you like synth wave and/or Mad Max, this music video might improve your workouts or make you feel pumped.

Warning: Don't try any of these stunts without a seatbelt.

 

Book Review: Poor Richard's Retirement

February 6, 2018

Aaron Clarey, Poor Richard’s Retirement: Retirement for Everyday Americans

Aaron Clarey is a consultant and independent economist who writes books that are meant to help young men and women make wiser financial choices. His approach is no nonsense, gruff, and often cynical. But despite seeming like a complete jerk, his advice which is free on his blog or youtube channel clearly comes from a big heart (for sensitive users or those who may listen w/children around, he does curse a lot). This is evident when he, for instance, criticizes parents who don't spend a great deal of time with their children (this is a common thread in his books and podcasts and I only listen to them a couple of times a year).

The Hurt-Feelings Fallacy

January 18, 2018

The internet made me abreast of an informal fallacy which I have dubbed:

The Hurt-Feelings Fallacy

When a premise and/or conclusion of an argument hurts somebody’s feelings or hypothetically could do so in the future, then the argument is problematic. Because of this, the conclusion and the premises are all false. Similarly, if the corollaries of the argument could cause hurt-feelings then the whole argument is false. Also, and most important of all, if the person making the argument has or potentially could stimulate hurt-feelings, then all of the arguments that person makes are totally false.

Tucker Carlson: 20 Ideas for 2018

January 4, 2018

These screen caps are too small, but I suppose you can just search twitter for the thread (that's how I found it after seeing somebody quote it). Tucker Carlson (whose show I don't watch, but there are some hilariously edited clips online), gave 20 pieces of advice for the New Year. I found 5 to be obvious but easily forgotten. 7 is straight out of Epictetus (which means it's probably good advice). He's wrong about food. My mouth waters for steak and eggs. He's also right to emphasize personal responsibility for your emotional state and life in general.

O Love Divine!

December 30, 2017

O Love Divine! by Oliver Wendell Holmes1

O Love Divine! that stoop’st to share Our sharpest pang, our bitterest tear, On Thee we cast each earth-born care, We smile at pain while Thou art near. Though long the weary way we tread, And sorrow crown each lingering year, No path we shun, no darkness dread, Our hearts still whispering, Thou art near. When drooping pleasure turns to grief, And trembling faith is changed to fear, The murmuring wind, the quivering leaf, Shall softly tell us Thou art near. On Thee we cast our burdening woe, O Love Divine, for ever dear; Content to suffer while we know, Living or dying, Thou art near!

Taylor Swift: Great American Philosopher

December 28, 2017

I read a great quote in a meme. So I decided to find its source. It had a philosopher's touch:

Live your life like you're 80 looking back on your teenage years. You know if your dad calls you at eight in the morning and asks if you want to go to breakfast? As a teenager you're like no, I want to sleep. As an 80 year old looking back, you have that breakfast with your dad. It's just little things like that that helped me when I was a teenager in terms of making the choices you won't regret later.

Propagation by Com Truise

December 27, 2017

This is an atmospheric song for writing, reading, or exercise.

 

But the whole album is, as they say, totally boss: