Monthly Archives: November 2015

Ben Carson and the range of human psychology; Michael Shermer and the perception of the real world

Posted on 7 November 2015 by Mark R. Kelly

This New Republic piece, The Truth About Ben Carson: Smart People Can Believe Crazy Things, addresses what I find most interesting about this Republican candidate who, though evidently a brilliant neurosurgeon, seems to have surrendered his intelligence in so many … Continue reading →

Posted in Psychology, Science | Comments Off on Ben Carson and the range of human psychology; Michael Shermer and the perception of the real world

Rereading Early Heinlein, part 2

Posted on 6 November 2015 by Mark R. Kelly

Heinlein burst upon the SF scene in 1939, the same year Asimov did, but much more forcefully. He published 28 stories, including four long enough to require serialization over multiple magazine issues, from 1939 to 1942, of which all but … Continue reading →

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Narrative vs Reality

Posted on 3 November 2015 by Mark R. Kelly

Another post about Republican politics — because, cf. Heinlein, this is currently the greatest threat to the advancement of American society. Trump is a buffoon; Carson a mild-mannered religious zealot; Cruz an megalomaniac, evangelical religious zealot; Christie a political clown; … Continue reading →

Posted in Narrative, Politics | Comments Off on Narrative vs Reality

The 2015 Republican Clown Circus

Posted on 3 November 2015 by Mark R. Kelly

I can’t help but thinking that the entire world, or at least the rational world of the advanced countries in Europe and Asia, are rolling their eyes at the current US Republican candidates for president. Perhaps they understand that history … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative Resistance, Lunacy, Politics | Comments Off on The 2015 Republican Clown Circus

The Bay Area and the California Dream

Posted on 1 November 2015 by Mark R. Kelly

It’s been especially lovely here in the Bay Area all this past week, with mild temperatures around 68 or 70 F (though a bit warmer in the Oakland Hills where we are), and sunny warm skies decorated with big fluffy … Continue reading →

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Infrastructure: New Pages

Posted on 1 November 2015 by Mark R. Kelly

Have initialized pages under ‘Provisional Conclusions’ for Links and Comments and Science Fictional Illustrations and Examples. Mostly outlines for now, to be filled in over coming weeks and months.

Posted in Website Issues | Comments Off on Infrastructure: New Pages

Links and Comments: Zuckerman on religion and violence; Islamic intolerance

Posted on 1 November 2015 by Mark R. Kelly

From today’s Los Angeles Times, an op-ed by Phil Zuckerman, Think religion makes society less violent? Think again. This echoes his book of last year, Living the Secular Life, which I blogged about here. The point in this essay is … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative Resistance, Religion | Comments Off on Links and Comments: Zuckerman on religion and violence; Islamic intolerance