Maggie's FarmWe are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for. |
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Wednesday, June 21. 2023Wednesday morning linksClimate Change Turns Out To Be a 71-Year-Old Guy Named Ed Pandemic Learning Slide Continues for 13-Year-Olds, Making Full Recovery Unlikely What Can We Do About Pandemic-Related Learning Loss? Remote school was devastating for many students. In Richmond, Virginia, a plan to switch to a year-round calendar brought promise and pushbac Spectator: Why civics test scores are falling in American schools - For the next generation, history isn’t being rewritten. It’s being intentionally obscured Why scrapping standardized tests is bad for college applicants Florida Teacher Fired for Comparing Students' Skin to Coffee The Ideological Subversion of Biology Chris Licht and the Decline of Journalism Chris Christie: We should definitely mutilate children's genitals Good News: Biden Regime Just Gave China Greenlight To Invade Taiwan The Failing Ukraine Counteroffensive & The Peace That Could Have Been Europe in Decline Tuesday, June 20. 2023A Yankee supperSteamed, not boiled. From a reader:
Do Colleges Prepare Students for Jobs?It's a complex question, especially in US higher ed. Do Colleges Prepare Students for Jobs? Just for the sake of argument, let's pretend that public secondary education is meant to produce competent youth with good citizenship. That's an impossible goal, but a good idea. But the US anyway, "higher ed" can mean almost anything from pure job-training to deep explorations of the liberal arts with higher STEM things (not job training, but more intellectual adventure for young adults). Thus "college" has no specific meaning in the US now.
Of courseSomething all psychologists and psychiatrists have always known: Study finds that the human brain reactivates mental representations of past events during new experiences It's a type of pattern memory. In relationships, shrinks call it "transference."
Tuesday morning linksThe scientific proof that thinking positive really does help conquer chronic pain and illness A Conversation with Animal Rights Pioneer Peter Singer - “Animal Liberation” is nearly 50 years old. What have we learned? Taki has a colorful life YouTube says it removed Jordan Peterson interview of RFK Jr. for violating vaccine policy Did the vaccines work? Did lockdowns? Naomi Wolf, feminist turncoat AP Style Guide is an ideological minefield Titanic tourism: the military loves this type of stuff. It’s the rare opportunity to do live deep sea rescue. They get to try out their latest equipment. Mayo Clinic professor suspended after saying testosterone improves athletic performance Nat. Georgraphic: Interested in an electric car? Here's what you should know before you buy. Not interested UN Chief Goes on Delusional Tirade Against Fossil Fuels, Saying They Are “Incompatible with Human Survival”. Meanwhile, globalists of the World Economic Forum want the number of cars around the world to be reduced by 75% by 2050. Now It's the Body Mass Index (BMI) That's Racist SpaceX launches SATRIA-1 communications satellite for Indonesia, lands rocket at sea England is giving masturbation homework assignments to nine-year-olds Anheuser-Busch tries again to repair the damage with a new ad campaign The World War On Free Speech Intensifies. Elon Musk can't fight censorship on his own - MICHAEL SHELLENBERGER Governments hate free speech The stupidity of the Oscars’ diversity quotas Patients who regret sex-change ops, sue doctors pose legal challenges for health care industry. Mother "repeatedly" told doctors daughter might have same bipolar disorder but was ignored in favor of drugs and surgery. Academic publisher called out for selective retraction. AMC Cancels Showings of Documentary Showcasing People Who Regret Sex Change Procedures After Transgender Activists Complain WSJ: U.S. Becomes Transgender-Care Outlier as More in Europe Urge Caution WaPo: 100 places to see after you die Black Marxist scholar who supports reparations finds out she descends from slave owner Law, Betrayed - Identity’s triumph over argument in legal education undermines democracy. There are legitimate questions about Biden's age and stamina as he runs for a second term — but his off-beat proverbs are just Biden being Biden. I think that's right. Always a goofball. China Says Xi, Blinken Meeting Was Just A "Courtesy", Castigates US For "Misperceptions" "We have always been at war with Eastasia" Sheesh, China is not an enemy. Not mine anyway. There Is No Substitute for Ukrainian Victory. Now is not the time for an armistice in Ukraine. How about tomorrow? Monday, June 19. 2023Weights for conditioningNot addressing seeking hypertrophy or "getting big". Nothing wrong with wanting to "get big," but our focus is maintaining fitness and functionality. Furthermore, not all male bodies, or few female bodies, can "get big" anyway. It depends on physical architecture mostly, and also how much time you want to put into one thing. Some people do heavy weights 3-4X/wk. Heavy. I don't have the time or vanity, so fine. Well, I do have my share of vanity but whatever. Sun's out, guns out. I do not wish to be unattractive to my wife, for starters. I do not want to be a lazy, sedentary, late middle-aged slob although that might be fine. Anyway, What's the best heavy weights routine for general conditioning? I used to do them 5X5 three times/wk, but I wanted or needed to do 2 days of HIIT cardio and about 2 days of calisthenics, and it got to be too much. Satisfying, but too much. My trainer now has me doing high reps with weights - like 15 warm-up, then 12/10/8/6. It's hard. Might be better for me. I'd be better off adding 4 sets of deads/wk, maybe. Can do that. Lots of Monday morning linksAre You Ready For Today's Juneteenth Federal Holiday? Index Investing is Misunderstood. The goal is to optimize, not to average Table salt vs. Kosher salt Is Lightin The Box a Chinese scam company? Bud Light Just Wants to Get Back to Making Beer, Sponsoring Pro-Child Mutilation Parades, But there's also a listening tour. NYT: The moral crisis of America's doctors WILL THE REAL BLACK MAN PLEASE STAND UP? How the identity cult captured America. Equity was born in an ideological graveyard Research: 1-in-4 U.S. Children Live in Fatherless Homes, Spurring Mental Health and Behavioral Issues Spectator: My evening pretending to be a woman - I decided to give autogynephilia a try Girl sues hospital for removing breasts at age 13 Thus it begins Anatomy of a Scientific Scandal - Under pressure, a journal once notable for its courage retracts a major paper on the social roots of gender-related distress—all over a minor, inconsistently applied technicality. BORIS JOHNSON: The wonder drug I hoped would stop my 11.30pm fridge raids for cheddar and chorizo didn’t work for me. But I still believe it could change the lives of millions New Cleveland Clinic Study Confirms Negative Efficacy of Covid Vaccine: Boosted 33% MORE Likely to Get Covid New York State’s Directive to Schools: Lie to Parents. Secret gender transition is now the default policy for the state’s public schools. New York Office Occupancy Breaks 50% for First Time Since Pandemic Hit Good Morning America Reporter in San Francisco Says They’re Not Filming Downtown Because They Were Told it’s too Dangerous California Is Killing Fast Food Jobs. California lawmakers and President Joe Biden seem determined to help fast-food workers by eliminating their jobs. Here's a book: How to Diversify your Campus Washington Post helps those who are intimidating lawyers into not working for Trump "We Are Restricting Freedom... For The Common Good": Irish Green Party Calls For Limiting Free Speech The revolutionary power of heresy - Freedom of speech has toppled tyrants and propelled humanity forward. We lose it at our peril. Americans Assume the Jihad Is Over. In Africa, It's Bloodier and More Aggressive Than Ever. Sunday, June 18. 2023Longitude, clocks, and Greenwich Mean TimeNavigation was difficult without good clocks. What would we all do without GPS on boats? I can't use a sextant.
Happy Dads' Day, dadsI instinctively dislike these made-up days, but what the heck? Treat me special. Taking the kids out on the boat to swim and frolic in the sea after church. They are supplying drinks and sammiches. Since Mrs. is my co-captain, I can boat and drink beer. What about you Dads?
From today's Lectionary: "As wise as serpents..."Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23) 9:35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 9:38 therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." 10:1 Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. 10:2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 10:3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 10:4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, 10:6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 10:7 As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' 10:8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. 10:9 Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, 10:10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. 10:11 Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. 10:12 As you enter the house, greet it. 10:13 If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 10:14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 10:15 Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. 10:16 "See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 10:17 Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; 10:18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. 10:19 When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; 10:20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 10:21 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 10:22 and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 10:23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes." Saturday, June 17. 2023"Zero" carb nutritionLots of people have, let's say, interesting nutritional habits. To each his or her own, I guess. Luckily for me, nutrition gives me little joy - unless beer is nutrition. (One thing that gives me joy is leaving the damn gym after a workout.) I'm not skinny, but fit for age. Wait - that's a lie because I do enjoy a few slices of a rare ribeye. Zero carb eating is not especially about losing fat (altho it works for that). Jordan Peterson only consumes steak and bubbly water for some wacky reason. Lex said he is sort-of similar. Whatever, but they should do a daily or weekly multivit. That's fine despite being a little idiosyncratic. Fortunately, we have learned that dietary fat is harmless, and also necessary. Lots of people find too much eating makes them less sharp and more lazy. I'm like that. My trainer, who pushes me to eat more, always notices that I am stronger after a day without food, like, after some GI problem. My nutrition has been mainly Thai take-out lately. Convenient. One $11 take-out meal is 2-3 meals for me. I tend to eat once or twice daily, not by discipline but for lack of interest and because food makes me tired. I am also a very slow eater and tend to stop the minute any hunger goes away. So people are different, but food is not medicine. Again, not talking about getting rid of surplus body fat even though that's a good idea for life fitness and vanity. Is a No-Carb Diet Safe? One Dietitian Discusses the Pros and Cons
Tulsi GabbardA good person, regardless of politics
Saturday morning linksBiden Announces By 2025 All Wildfires Must Be Electric Gen Z, Millennials lazier workers than Gen X and Boomers: study Chronicle on shoddy data A brand new study from the Cleveland Clinic is out. And it found something we already knew: Covid vaccines increase the chances of getting Covid instead of being protective. Medicine and politics don't mix. Well Mrs. BD and I were dutiful about vaccines (so we could travel). She had a bad case, I never had any problem. Anecdotal. Canceled professor got $500,000 payout after forced resignation from medical journal Stuart's Saturday Miscellany Elon Musk hires 'profoundly gifted' 14-year-old to work on satellite team at SpaceX as 'youngest employed software engineer on the planet' Cool. What about child labor laws? Inside the war tearing psychoanalysis apart: 'The most hatred I’ve ever witnessed' Medicine and politics don't mix Dem Expert Witness Couldn’t Cite Evidence of Benefits of Trans Procedures for Children Politicians In Our Major Cities Have Decided The Solution To The Crime Wave Is To Help Criminals Commit More Crimes Empty Stadium as LA Dodgers Honor Anti-Catholic Group 'Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence' Amid Protests Duh Why We Find Ourselves Unable to Look Away From the Hysterical News Cycle/There’s absolutely nothing we can do about these news events, anyway. I do not use a TV Friday, June 16. 2023Baby CornYou always wondered what those baby corncobs were, mostly in Asian foods in the US. You never bothered finding out. Baby corn is real baby corn. Mainly imported from Thailand. Corn (maize) of course spread around the world from Central America after Columbus. Like so many things we consume, baby corn is crunchy and fun to eat but has no nutritional value. Who cares? I like them.
Friday morning linksGrand Canyon Visitor Dies Attempting Ambitious Day Hike. Indiana woman was found without a pulse along Bright Angel Trail The economics of extortion: Theory and the case of the Sicilian Mafia The Sicilian Mafia is just a government IBM quantum computer passes calculation milestone. ‘Benchmark’ experiment suggests quantum computers could have useful real-world applications within two years. Men and Women at Work Springfield College tells students to avoid using terms 'mother' and 'father' Portland Sobers Up. After years of disorder and misgovernance, the City of Roses is taking steps to reverse its decline. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN COLLEGES GET CAUGHT ‘Can dissenters survive’? Princeton panel explores effect of wokeness on professors Anatomy of a Scientific Scandal - Under pressure, a journal once notable for its courage retracts a major paper on the social roots of gender-related distress—all over a minor, inconsistently applied technicality. That's been happening. Politics meets science Jake is a trans man. He froze his eggs. Then he met Hannah, a trans woman. Now they have two children Public education is collapsing in blue cities After two years, Berkeley turns over documents which show faculty hiring was based on commitment to DEI TGIF: Fortune Does Not Favor the Brave. Trump’s indicted, but ignited. Lesbians love ‘non-men.’ Modelo Especial is the new King of Beers. Plus: crypto scams, $200 for brains, and much more. The CDC Wears No Clothes Covid planners gave ‘potentially massive’ lockdown impact ‘very little thought’ Some real pushback: Former Starbucks employee, fired to give Starbucks a white scapegoat, wins $25 million in lawsuit Critics and AI fearmongers can’t escape one ineluctable fact: there is no way to put the AI gini back in its bottle. Trump dangerously thinks he can get justice in this milieu. DeSantis Derangement Syndrome At the same time, the opponents of aid to Ukraine do make valid points. Anger Grows Across Europe Over EU's Mandatory Migrant Quotas Thursday, June 15. 2023Interview with Robert Greene about integrating your dark sideEverybody has a dark side, or a "shadow self." Often, civilization and socialization buries it to varying degrees but do not underestimate its existence. As usual, Jordan Peterson has trouble shutting up but Robert Greene has been an interesting and successful author. I did read his book about power, but only looked at his Seduction book because I do not need to think about that these days.
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Thursday morning linksWhy are there 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour ? Layers: How women dressed in 1896 Modelo now #1 in US beer sales. Of course, Anheuser-Busch owns a lot of Modelo Missouri man dies after eating raw oysters and contracting flesh-eating bacteria Bummer, but I will not be scared Princeton issues guidelines for ‘Consent on the Dance Floor’ What? AMA Doubles Down on Gender-Affirming Care for Kids "Care" McMaster’s Imaginary Sex Ring - In 2020, a Canadian university tore up its psychology department in search of a non-existent network of sexual predators. Documents obtained by Quillette reveal how administrators allowed it to happen. It's about dangerous people Queering Jesus: How It's Going Mainstream at Progressive Churches and Top Divinity Schools When LGBT Activists Flood Target With Bomb Threats, Media Pretend Conservatives Did It Eat, Pray, Cringe: Elizabeth Gilbert Cancels Herself The Back to the Office Movement The work-from-home fanatics owe the rest of us an apology The reactionary turn against the sexual revolution THE DAILY CHART: BLACK SHOOTINGS Wednesday, June 14. 2023QQQ“No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden.” Thomas Jefferson
The Great Gene KellyWhy do we use a 24-hour day?And why do a few countries (like the US except the military) use a 12-hour cycle instead of 24? Blame the Mesopotamians.
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Wednesday morning links
Cormac McCarthy, among America’s greatest authors, dies at 89 I read everything he wrote. It's all intense. America’s Love Affair with Adderall, And what happened when we were forced to live without it. I have ADD. Adderal is good, but I never used any stimulants though I'm certain I'd do better with them. Well, that's not entirely true because some stimulant (speed) sped me through learning German in college. How to Clean an Over and Under Shotgun The White House Isn't So Proud of What Happened at Its Pride Party Trust the science? Prestigious Johns Hopkins University erases women from woke new inclusive language guide that describes lesbians as 'non-men attracted to non-men,' - but still refers to male gays as 'men' "Non-men"? First People Sickened By COVID-19 Were Chinese Scientists At Wuhan Institute Of Virology, Say US Government Sources. The three scientists were engaged in “gain-of-function” research on SARS-like coronaviruses when they fell ill Mainstream media is wrong about affirmative action. The 'life support' narrative is intended to throw people into a crazy whirlpool of believing that Black Americans are not going to get into college because conservative justices sit on the Supreme Court. Tucker Carlson reveals the 'precise moment' Washington decided to 'send Donald Trump to prison' in third Twitter show - as he claims former president has made a 'blood enemy' of the Federal Government and slams charges How Not to Conduct Foreign Policy The case against morality. The world will never be like the US - and the US is not always so pure anyway Tuesday, June 13. 2023Two termsTwo terms I've found valuable via Scott Adams: Talent stack and most recently, "Recreational beliefs."
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Birthdays are good for your healthScience: Statistics prove that the more of them you have, the longer you're alive.
Tuesday morning linksSunday Times reveals that COVID-19 developed by military at Wuhan lab We are assured, on the best scientific authority, that we can best deal with the nation’s mental health crisis by increasing public awareness of our mental health crisis... A Canadian Firefighter Sheds Light on the Smoke in the East A failing grade for using "biological women" in proposal England's health service says it won't give puberty blockers to children at gender clinics California Bill Would Punish Parents For Misgendering Children "Linguistics No Longer Loves Me.” with John McWhorter Urbanism’s Newest Controversy - Why the “15-minute city” has sparked protests The Neuroscience of Trust - Management behaviors that foster employee engagement
QQQ"Shakespeare didn't write all those plays. It was somebody else named Shakespeare." Woody Allen (h/t AVI)
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