2021 archive
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
When making a purchase, be polite to others waiting in the checkout line.
It’s All about the Eyeballs 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Susan A. Nolan and Michael Kimball cite research that persons care more about eyeballs than accuracy when they “share” stuff on “social” media. Here are their main points; follow the link for a discussion of each.
- New U.S.-based research finds that we’re good at spotting inaccurate social media headlines, but if they are in line with our politics, we often share them anyway.
- When deciding what to share, we value getting likes and demonstrating our political allegiances more than we value accuracy.
- The pattern of sharing inaccurate posts occurs among both Republicans and Democrats.
And Now for a Musical Interlude 0
Via the 1920’s Radio Network (which I am fortunate enough to be able to receive on my FM dial, as I live in their over-the-air broadcast area).
Scars 0
At the San Francisco Chronicle, Cynthia Lin Sugiyama writes powerfully of her experiences with anti-Asian racism and bigotry as she grew up in the United States. Here’s how she starts her tale:
I remember the day I was targeted just because I was Asian.
I was 7, maybe 8? It was sunny. I was outdoors, happy and carefree. A group of much bigger, older Caucasian boys started walking toward me. That alone scared me. When they then proceeded to poke fun at me, saying, “Ching ching, chong chong,” laughing hysterically as they walked off, that then scarred me.
Follow the link for the rest.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
And, as we are continually reminded, politeness takes practice.
We are also again reminded that “responsible gun owner” is an oxymoron.
Echoes of the Fall 0
Yet another sign of the impending collapse of civilization. . . .
Recommended Reading 0
Wolfram Eberhard’s A History of China.
Understanding China’s past gives some context to China’s present.
“Turn a Blind Eye” 0
The Des Moines Register’s Rekha Basu excoriates a proposed bill in the Iowa state legislature designed to protect bigots and racists from having their sensitive ‘ittle fee-fees hurt.
No excerpt or summary–just read her article.