It’s All about the Algorithm 0
Susanna Newsonen takes a look at how “(S)ocial media hijacks your brain’s reward system, making it hard to log off” and how that erodes persons’ attention spans. A snippet:
Now, go read a book and, remember, “social” media isn’t.
Real Big Men 0
At the Hartford Courant, Rachel Marsden is fed up with the faux machismo of many of today’s Republican Party. She argues that “Trump’s foreign policy has turned into big act of manspreading.”
Follow the link for her evidence.
The Ballroom Dance 0
Seth finds himself somewhat taken aback by Donald Trump’s preoccupation with desecrating the White House building a Mar-a-Lago style ballroom, while not noticing what’s going on in the real world.
The Climates They Are a-Changing 0
At the Idaho State Journal, Leonard Hitchcock Donald notes that Trump denies the reality of climate change and is rolling back efforts to deal it. He wonders, “What motivates Trump to deny the reality of global warming?”
So he decided to follow the money.
A Notion of Immigrants 0
The Trump maladministration has another concentration camp in the works.
But, according to the local Republican state representative quoted in the report, it’s a boon to the local economy, because of all the jobs it will create.
Never mind that confining persons without due process violates the very notion of the rule of law.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
And another “responsible gun owner” exposes a portable phallus to a child.
QOTD 0
Gerard Horan, in the voice of Ray Butler:
Once you start with a lie, there’s somehow no going back, is there?
Recommended Reading 0
Anti-intellectualism in American Life by Richard Hofstadter.
I have had a copy of it on my bookshelf for (mumble) years. If anything, it’s more relevant now than when he wrote it.
“History Does Not Repeat Itself, but It Often Rhymes”* 0
At the Bangor Daily News, Mary Ann Larson hears a recent rhyme from across the sea.
Aside:
I know someone who has relatives in the land Larson refers to. What she says is quite correct.
__________________
*Mark Twain.
A Court that Even Kangaroos Would Be Ashamed of 0
Farron discusses Tulsi Gabbard’s Trumped up (you will pardon the expression) attempt to charge President Obama with treason.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
And, as we know, politeness takes practice.
(snip)
Three adult males were located on private property near the interstate. According to authorities, the men were shooting rifles at a target positioned in the direction of I-35. The bullet that struck the driver traveled an estimated 1,500 feet from the shooting location to the interstate.
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.
Lies and Lying Liars 0
At The Colorado Sun, Mike Littein argues, “There aren’t enough Pinocchios to capture Trump’s assault on the truth.”
Follow the link for a partical inventory of the incumbenr’s invidious inventions.
Vaccine Nation 0
Unfortunately, there does not seem to be aany inoculation to protect from the Trump maladministration’s cyclone of stupid.
Stray Question (and Answer) 0
Why do the announcers in ads for pick-up trucks always sound like they stepped out of bad 1940s western movies?
Because they want guys who think they are Real Big Men to buy I-am-an-inadequate-male pick-up trucks to drive to the 7-11.
Full Disclosure:
I used to a have pick-up truck, a GMC Sonoma. I was raised Ford, but, I must say, it was a darned fine piece of work that served me well for over a decade.
And I didn’t buy it to go to the 7-11. I bought to pull a boat, back when I had a boat.