This is dePonySum, a blog about assorted topics in the humanities and social sciences- with the broad idea being to focus on writing that might be useful to someone who wants to make a difference. It's best to read dePonySum selectively because, unwisely. I've made it both a blog and a conceptual sketchpad, so there … Continue reading Pinned: dePonySum, an intro & index
On the Bolivian coup
I. The new de facto interim president of Bolivia, Jeanine Áñez, tweeted: "I dream of a Bolivia free of indigenous satanic rituals, the city is not for Indians. They need to go to Altiplano or Chaco." She is of course totally democratically illegitimate. If there are new and fair elections she will not win, Morales … Continue reading On the Bolivian coup
The optimistic induction: the argument that helps me grapple with OCD
(This is a distillation of one of the practical upshots of this prior essay) I. I am a near lifelong sufferer from OCD ranging in severity from mild to very. What works for sufferers of mental illness will vary greatly from person to person. For me five things have worked in terms of therapy : … Continue reading The optimistic induction: the argument that helps me grapple with OCD
Philosophical minigame: How much do different activities lose through the experience machine?
Here's a fun little philosophy mini-game. Nozick imagines an experience machine, capable of generating experiences, just as vivid, rich and pleasurable as the real thing- for the whole range of desirable human experiences. Nozick argues that experiences had in such a machine would be inherently less meaningful than their real world equivalents. It seems to me … Continue reading Philosophical minigame: How much do different activities lose through the experience machine?
The how and why of writing a heartfelt pro-Corbyn or Bernie Facebook post
Posting on Facebook about politics is often considered a bit low rent, and the more respectable sorts post their political thoughts to Twitter or whatever. However, Facebook has an advantage over Twitter when it comes to spreading political messages- there will be people who read your post who respect you for reasons other than your political … Continue reading The how and why of writing a heartfelt pro-Corbyn or Bernie Facebook post
I want to live in a boring economy and I’m proud of it
I am tired of risk. I would prefer a job that I know will be there in 5 years to "an exciting opportunity for career progression". I would rather a genie grant me a 100% chance of not being impoverished than even a 50% chance of being a billionaire. I want a career that supports … Continue reading I want to live in a boring economy and I’m proud of it
Whenever I feel down about the fact that this blog only gets about 20 unique visitors a day, I reread this
"An average academic journal article is read in its entirety by about 10 people." https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/prof-no-one-is-reading-you (I should add that I strongly disagree with the "solutions" proposed by the article in question, but the headline figure certainly puts things in perspective).
