"Only a crisis - actual or perceived - produces real change. When that crisis occurs, the actions that are taken depend on the ideas that are lying around. That, I believe, is our basic function: to develop alternatives to existing policies, to keep them alive and available until the politically impossible becomes the politically inevitable." … Continue reading A very important quote
Author: deponysum
I don’t know how to tell you that politics is about murder
There have been numerous blow-ups during the Democratic primary about words and behaviour. The interminable debates about Joe Rogan. Elizabeth Warren partially attributing her non-endorsement of Sanders to snake emojis. Endless tone policing of Bernie surrogates like Briahna Joy Gray. The details have been stripped like desert bones and are, in any case, irrelevant. I'm … Continue reading I don’t know how to tell you that politics is about murder
Something to read in Quarantine: Essays 2018 to 2020
Something to read in Quarantine- Essays 2018 to 2020 v3- Click here. While you're here if you came from Slate Star Codex you may also enjoy my long autopsychographical poem, Deadwater which you can find here.
The Economic Solution (After Bertol Brecht)
After the quarantining of the 17th of March President Donald J. Trump Had programming distributed on Fox and Friends Stating that the people Had forfeited the confidence of the stock market And could only win it back By increased work quotas And the sacrifice of the old But Would it not in that case be … Continue reading The Economic Solution (After Bertol Brecht)
Welcome to de Pony Sum: We’ve now moved to Substack and changed name to Philosophy Bear
EDIT: We've now moved to Substack. You can find our free Substack here: https://philosophybear.substack.com/ Thanks for visiting my blog. About the top third of what I write goes into the "Above average quality" category, so that's a good place to start browsing. I have a book form PDF of my best essays titled "Something to … Continue reading Welcome to de Pony Sum: We’ve now moved to Substack and changed name to Philosophy Bear
We know exactly what is going to happen
The growth of Coronavirus is unpredictable, right? Wrong. The growth of an uncontrolled Coronavirus epidemic within a country is very predictable, it follows a clear exponential trend. We know what will happen if things continue as they are, and the government has all the statisticians and epidemiologists in the world to tell them this. There … Continue reading We know exactly what is going to happen
Institutions, democrats and the left: What has to be done
The same problem dooms both the Democrats and the leftwing insurgency within the Democrats: Democrats love and trust America's institutions. This love of institutions makes it impossible for the Democrats to consistently do well- because trust in American institutions is at an all-time low in the electorate generally. Any party which says American institutions are … Continue reading Institutions, democrats and the left: What has to be done
Coronavirus: demands the left should make
I wrote these demands for an Australian context, but it could easily be adapted to other countries. Demands the left should make during the Coronavirus crisis: 1. The priority must be people before profits. 2. Massive investment in medical essentials now. 3. Be proactive- shut down what can be shut down now, before waiting for … Continue reading Coronavirus: demands the left should make
#SHUTDOWNEVERYTHING
The flatten the curve movement has been really inspiring- a global, spontaneous public health movement filling in for states which seem unwilling or unable to protect their citizens. The determination, goodwill and willingness to take responsibility inherent in #flattenthecurve should give hope to anyone who dreams of a better world. I think #flattenthecurve may yet … Continue reading #SHUTDOWNEVERYTHING
Question for anthropologists and scholars of religion
Quite a few religions, ranging from the Norse religion to Christianity imagine an apocalypse (often including war, famine and pestilence) followed by a new world in which a reduced number of people enjoy plenty. Has anyone looked at the idea that this may represent a cultural memory or understanding of the kind of plenty which … Continue reading Question for anthropologists and scholars of religion
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