Author Archives: Mark R. Kelly

Math, Literature, and Maps

Posted on Friday 7 April 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Today’s topics: A curious new geometric shape; The connections between math and literature; A new perhaps better map projection of the world NY Times, Siobhan Roberts, 28 Mar 2023: Elusive ‘Einstein’ Solves a Longstanding Math Problem, subtitled “And it all … Continue reading →

Posted in Mathematics, Narrative | Comments Off on Math, Literature, and Maps

Theory of Mind, UFOs, and Music

Posted on Thursday 6 April 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Three items today. Do Chatbots have a “theory of mind”? Probably not. Why fascination about UFOs has lingered; my own brief fascination with them when I was 13; and David Brin’s current take on them; How music does not “mean” … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Science, Technology | Comments Off on Theory of Mind, UFOs, and Music

Rules of Law, and Gods, and Politicians

Posted on Wednesday 5 April 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Topics in this post: How MAGAites think their god (Trump) is above the law, with wise insights from John Scalzi; how Republicans want the dumbest parents to control school curricula; the link between white supremacy and anti-abortion politics; how owners … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Psychology, Religion | Comments Off on Rules of Law, and Gods, and Politicians

Trip Report: LA to Attend Michael & Honey’s Wedding

Posted on Tuesday 4 April 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

This past weekend Y and I drove down to Los Angeles to attend his younger son Michael’s wedding. (Thus the absence of daily posts here for five days.) It was our first trip out of town in 3 1/2 years, … Continue reading →

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Progressions

Posted on Wednesday 29 March 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Topics in this post: The success of wokeness. How the least religious nations are among the healthiest along many measures. Partha Dasgupta on how the GDP should account for the cost of what we use. Julian Baggini on philosophy and … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, Reviews, Science, Social Progress | Comments Off on Progressions

Regressions

Posted on Wednesday 29 March 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Topics in this post: Why do “parents’ rights” only seem to involve requests to suppress and ban? The power of a single conservative snowflake. Undermining democracy. An authoritarianism quiz. Phony scandals. Banning non-existent vaccine microchips. Religion as the solution to … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative Resistance, Politics, Religion | Comments Off on Regressions

Max Richter Deconstructs and Recomposes Antonio Vivaldi

Posted on Tuesday 28 March 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

On Sunday evening, March 26th, we went a concert on the UC Berkeley Campus, at Zellerbach Hall, to see the Zurich Chamber Orchestra. The concert included an extraordinary piece by contemporary composer Max Richter, a re-imagining of Vivaldi’s ever-popular The … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Comments Off on Max Richter Deconstructs and Recomposes Antonio Vivaldi

Five Planets Visible in the Sky

Posted on Monday 27 March 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

I missed seeing that greenish comet that was visible in the sky a few weeks ago. The latest sky event being discussed in the media — at least on TV and on websites — is a fairly rare conjunction of … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Science | Comments Off on Five Planets Visible in the Sky

Wokeness and History

Posted on Sunday 26 March 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Today: some better descriptions of wokeism; how wokeness undermines the idea of eternal conservative values; and if so many other books are banned from public schools, why not the Bible? Today’s NY Times website has this letter column: A Conservative’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative Resistance, Culture | Comments Off on Wokeness and History

Another Chatbot Shoe Drops

Posted on Saturday 25 March 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

The latest about chatbots, why they would be biased one way or another, and how there is now a conservative version of them; and recalling Conservapedia. Our story so far:

Posted in Conservative Resistance, Culture, Lunacy, Technology | Comments Off on Another Chatbot Shoe Drops