2023 archive
Courting Disaster 0
If the truth hurts, just (try to) edit your Wikipedia entry.
“But It’s the Only Possible Explanation” 0
Writing at Psychology Today Blogs, sociology professor Jeffrey Carl explores recent research that indicates clinical narcissists may be particularly susceptible to conspiracy theories. Here’s a bit; follow the link and read the whole thing, then check whether his piece reminds you of anyone in the news (emphasis added).
It’s also easy to see how collective narcissism could promote conspiratorial thinking in addition to individual-level narcissism. Here, similar factors are conducive to being receptive to conspiracy claims, but they operate at the group level instead of a strictly individual one. In this case, someone believes that their group is special, superior to other groups, and deserving of particular privilege or recognition. If they perceive that their group is not experiencing the preferential status it deserves, it is easier to blame a conspiracy than to question their belief in its superiority.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Another case of neighborly politeness:
The woman was taken to hospital but ultimately died.
(snip)
No charges were filed. Police said the shooting appears to be a tragic accident at this time.
How shall I put it?
Any “responsible gun owner” who cleans a firearm without first making sure it’s unloaded is not in any way “responsible.” He or she is negligent.
I suspect that, if police would stop calling these events “accidents” and start calling them what they truly are–negligence–well, it couldn’t hurt and it might help.
Speaking of Questions . . . . 0
May it be that persons who loudly pat themselves on the back while proclaiming their patriotism, wear American flag do-rags while waving the Stars and Bars, and call for the imprisonment of those who do not look or think like them, may it be that those persons do mot fully embrace the concept expressed by the Founders that, in the phrasing of their day, “all men are created equal”?
Real Big Men 0
At the Portland Press-Herald, David Salvail is just asking a question.
Precedented 0
Al.com’s John Archibald considers the current kerfuffle over books and libraries and suggests that it’s a case of life imitating art. Here’s a bit of his article:
Trouble. With a capital T and that rhymes with P and that stands for pool.
Forgive me if you don’t know the reference from “The Music Man.” It’s not just a show for the ages. Turns out it’s one for the aged.
In it the music man realizes that if he is to gain the trust of the townspeople of River City he must manufacture a threat, stoke fear and lather up loathing for a common foe. In his case, the perfect foe was a pool hall.
And today, Archibald goes on to argue, it’s libraries.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
In NRA Paradise, there is no place you’re safe.
Republican Family Values 0
Texas Republicans bring new meaning to ride-sharing.
Freedom of Suppress, Updated 0
Read more from Wichita, Kansas, NPR station KMUW.
Addendum:
And here’s an update from the Kansas City Star.
It’s All about the Algorithm 0
Speaking of “social” media, Dr. Michael Birnbaum, writing at Psychology Today Blogs, points out that more and more young people are turning to Dr. TikTok (emphasis added):
(snip)
Social media-based algorithms may impact and influence help-seeking in ways that were previously impossible and unimaginable (both for the better and for the worse). As a mental health professional working with young people, who are nearly constantly connected to the Internet, my job is often to help them navigate the wealth of information available online to determine what’s good and what’s bad. A critical question for me and many others in this field is how might a person’s social media feed change or evolve as a result of their online activity and if that change can influence important decisions, like the decision to seek mental health care.
Given that “social” media companies seem to act without considering the implications of their actions and that persons seem willing to believe anything they read on a screen (and the more dubious the source, the more credence they give it), I agree with him that more research is needed. And I think his article is well worth a read in the light of the current state of dis coarse discourse.
________________
*Methinks he might have found a more appropriate word than “exciting.” Maybe “compelling” or “urgent.”
Twits Own Twitter 0
Self-proclaimed “free speech absolutist” Elon Musk demonstrates that actions proclaim louder than words:
(snip)
On Tuesday afternoon, hours after this story was first published, X began reversing the throttling on some of the sites, dropping the delay times back to zero. It was unknown if all the throttled websites had normal service restored.
Details at the link.
And, in case you needed more evidence that “social” media isn’t . . . .