Mark R. Kelly
» Founder in 1997 and site-runner for 20 years of Locus Online (Hugo Award winner in 2002). Founder in 2012 and still site-runner of sfadb.com (Science Fiction Awards Database). Retired in 2012 after 30 years as a software engineer for a certain rocket engine factory.
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- So What Then, Next?
- Jared Huffman: NO PROPHETS
- The 2026 Blue Wave
- David Pakman: THE ECHO MACHINE
- Life Is About Uncertainty
- The Trashing of America, Intellectually and Civilly, under Trump and MAGA
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- Patrick Stewart and Two Notes About Narrative
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- Religion and Aliens
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Meta
Category Archives: Conservative Resistance
The Limitations of Human Cognition
Anti-Vaxxers and how it’s not about evidence; Paul Krugman on Trump’s incoherent war on drugs; Short takes on how Trump is elevating Sen. Mark Kelly; how Maga’s idea of Christianity implies a “cold-hearted Jesus”; and why a Bible-based essay on … Continue reading
Posted in Conservative Resistance, Human Nature, Psychology
Comments Off on The Limitations of Human Cognition
Because It’s There, and Because We Can
Big Think, Ethan Siegel, 28 Nov 2025: Ask Ethan: What’s the point of exploring the Universe?, subtitled “There are so many problems, all across planet Earth, that harm and threaten humanity. Why invest in researching the Universe?” (My first comment, … Continue reading
Posted in Astronomy, Conservative Resistance, Cosmology, Science
Comments Off on Because It’s There, and Because We Can
False Equivalences
Frank Bruni on people who excuse Trump’s outrageous behavior for the relatively minor sins of the previous administration, unable to tell the difference in magnitude; Briefly noted items about Mark Kelly and Benedict Arnold; NYT on Trump’s fatigue and Trump’s … Continue reading
Posted in Conservative Resistance, Human Nature, Lunacy, Politics, Psychology
Comments Off on False Equivalences
Be Careful What You Wish For
What a no-immigration economy looks like; A profound psychological question: why is RFK Jr. so convinced he’s right? A thought for the day about childhood religion; Briefly noted items about an administration of liars; how MAGA is tearing apart following … Continue reading
Posted in Conservative Resistance, Psychology
Comments Off on Be Careful What You Wish For
Getting the Joke
Family in town this weekend, a pre-Thanksgiving get-together to avoid busier plans next weekend. Michael and Honey and baby here; trips to Alameda and Foster City and Berkeley; I put 100 miles on my car in three days, driving back … Continue reading
Posted in Conservative Resistance, Morality, Politics
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The Retreat from the Enlightenment
The key theme of our age, at least in the US: the retreat from the aspirations of the Enlightenment, both political and scientific. Reverting to tribalism and intuitive superstitions. Actually, these forces have probably never gone away. The difference now … Continue reading
Posted in Conservative Resistance, conservatives, Decline, Lunacy, Politics
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MAGA Doesn’t Understand What Makes America Great
Nicholas Kristof on the three fundamental ingredients of America’s greatness that Trump and MAGA are undoing. Short items about Elon Musk, D&D, and racism; Christian presumption about church and state; how easily Nick Fuentes has been endorsed by many Republicans; … Continue reading
Posted in Conservative Resistance, History, Politics
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Conservative Principles vs. Reality
Paul Krugman on the decline and fall of the conservative Heritage Foundation, and how it’s always been a fraud; Heather Cox Richardson on how the ideology of MAGA is smashing against reality; Short items about Republicans destroying the safety net, … Continue reading
Posted in Conservative Resistance, Politics, Social Progress
Comments Off on Conservative Principles vs. Reality
Cruelty, Nonsense, and Reality-Checks
Paul Krugman says Trump knew full well how his Great Gatsby-themed party looked just as millions of Americans were about to lose federal food assistance — the cruelty is the point; Short items about church/state separation; how “God’s authority” is … Continue reading
Posted in Conservative Resistance, Politics, Psychology
Comments Off on Cruelty, Nonsense, and Reality-Checks
Troubled Children, Cognitive Collapse, Cave Man Morality
Paul Krugman about how Trump has ceded the future to China; Tom Nichols on how the Trump administration resembles a bunch of toddlers, and what Americans who care about democracy should do. Salon’s Sophia A. McClennen on how the Trump … Continue reading
Posted in Conservative Resistance, Politics, Psychology
Comments Off on Troubled Children, Cognitive Collapse, Cave Man Morality
