2024 archive
Alphabet Slop 0
As I zipped through drug commercials on the DVR–and there are sure lots of them since advertising prescription drugs to the public was allowed–I theorized that drug companies made up drug names by pouring letters into two big bins like the ones used for lottery numbers–one bin for vowels and one for consonants–then pulled out letters at random from each.
Now comes Roger Kreuz, writing at Psychology Today Blogs, to explain that there is indeed a system to the synthesis of multi-syllabic pharmaceutical gibberish. For example:
Follow the link for an insight to the psychology of branding.
Dis Coarse Discourse 0
Steve M. notes a disparity in the press coverage, which leads him to remark upon what he argues is a longstanding trend. I’m not sure I agree with all his conclusions, but, given that today’s reportage is sweating bullets over Biden’s being three years older than Trump while ignoring (or, at least, de-emphasizing) Trump’s raving falsehoods and fantastic fabrications, methinks his piece is worth a read.
Here’s a bit of his article:
What we have instead is a bias toward normalizing Republicans, a process that’s usually accompanied by an “othering” of Democrats. This has been going on for decades: Walter Mondale was a gloomy wimp, Michael Dukakis was an effete Ivy League weirdo, Al Gore was a prissy egghead, Hillary Clinton was a cackling ballbuster. Their opponents were Real Americans, fond of country music, pickup trucks, and plain-spoken common sense.
“When People Show You Who They Are, Believe Them the First Time”* 0
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gene Collier takes a close look at the implications of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. He finds it–er–less than attractive.
Indeed, he characterizes it as a “MAGA Manifesto.”
Follow the first link for 900 pages of secessionist propaganda said project.
Follow the second to learn why Collier sees it as a “MAGA Manifesto.”
Aside:
I not exactly sure what heritage the “Heritage” Foundation is celebrating, but it sounds not unlike the legacy of one of my late relatives.
_____________
*Maya Angelou.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
As we all know, politeness takes practice.
One more time, “responsible gun owner” is an oxymoron.
Denial Is Not Just a River in Egypt 0
According the Stephanie Hayes at the Tampa Bay Times, it’s also Florida’s approach to the reality of climate change.
A Tune for the Times 0
Mangy Fetlocks stands aghast marvels at right-wing evangelical they-call-themselves Christians embrace of Trump.
Misinformation Multiplication 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Robert N. McCauley takes a look at a recent book by Paul Thagard, Falsehoods Fly: Why Misinformation Spreads and How to Stop It. I commend his piece to your attention, especially now, when one can spout unsourced anything. A snippet (emphasis added):
Afterthought:
You can’t “consider the source” when you can’t identify the source.
A Notion of Immigrants 0
Robert Reich points out that immigrants have long been “America’s secret sauce for economic growth and prosperity,” while they long have also been targets for those who sow hate.
Or you can read the transcript.
Market Farces 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Douglas Van Praet explores how marketeers manipulate persons into paying why some folks are willing to pay $25,000 for a hoodie.
Facts vs. Fanaticism 0
Cliff delights in Pete Buttigieg’s use of facts to counter Republicans’ fictions about electric vehicles. (Not, of course, that facts matter the least bit to said Republicans.)
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Show politeness to your fellow party-goers.
Guns and stupid, guns and stupid.
They go together like love and Cupid.
Let me tell you brother,
You can’t have one without the other.