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
An economic consensus on public research funding?
In the European IGM economic experts panel, 35% of surveyed economists agree or strongly agree that: "Europeans would benefit more from an extra €1 billion of public R&D spent through existing (public) channels than from an extra €1 billion of private R&D spent through existing (private) channels, all else equal." While only 6% disagree and … Continue reading An economic consensus on public research funding?
Why doesn’t Australia raise its job seeker welfare allowance rate? A political science mystery.
EDIT: There's a glaring mistake here. It doesn't really change the analysis though. As of July 23 this year apparently Labour announced that it would support a raise to Newstart, but refused to confirm a figure. I follow this stuff pretty closely and thought I would have known had any such announcement been made, I was … Continue reading Why doesn’t Australia raise its job seeker welfare allowance rate? A political science mystery.
What’s the appropriate attitude towards unpaid mentorship as a writer?
Recently there has been a discussion in a Facebook group I'm in about requests for mentorship from established professionals- mostly writers. One tendency takes the view that, unless you know someone well (and even then...) it's generally inappropriate to ask for mentorship- e.g. a read of a writing sample. As an alternative, they suggest that … Continue reading What’s the appropriate attitude towards unpaid mentorship as a writer?
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
