Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Liturgical Institute Conference on Sacred Architecture
The Glory of Catholic Architecture - October 25 and 26
Duncan Stroik will be one of the presenters, as well as Fr. Uwe Michael Lang, C.O.
Duncan Stroik will be one of the presenters, as well as Fr. Uwe Michael Lang, C.O.
Patrick Buchanan on the Resurgent Ethnonationalism
New World Disorder:
Book TV
GBTV
World Over, January 12, 2012
David Cooney, What is the Global Economy?
The NWO:
Vox: Free Trade and Undermining of Nations
That Weapon, Feminism:
A decade after Steven Pinker's The Blank Slate, why is human nature still taboo?
The John Scalzi debacle continues.
The bipolar world of the Cold War is history. The new world order, however, is not the One World dreamed of by Wilsonian idealists. It is a Balkanizing world where race, tribe, culture and creed matter most, and democracy is seen not as an end in itself but as a means to an end–the accretion of power by one’s own kind to achieve one’s own dreams. As Abraham Lincoln said in another time, when an old world was dying and a new world was being born, “As our situation is new, let us think and act anew.”I still haven't gotten his latest book, Suicide of a Superpower. Remainder books will probably be available with a huge discount next year, if not sooner, at various companies, like Edward R. Hamilton.
Book TV
GBTV
World Over, January 12, 2012
David Cooney, What is the Global Economy?
The NWO:
Vox: Free Trade and Undermining of Nations
That Weapon, Feminism:
A decade after Steven Pinker's The Blank Slate, why is human nature still taboo?
The John Scalzi debacle continues.
Whither Solidarity?
Is solidarity a thing of the past? by Kurt Cobb (EB)
I wasn't expecting Mr. Cobb to adopt Catton's analysis, though he may be making use of it as one explanation of our present situation. I don't think interdependence is, in se, the problem. It and (over-)specialization accompany wage slavery and a highly developed "capitalistic" system. It's not just economic competition that affects solidarity, but the lack of rootedness and the size of the "communities" that are involved. So Catton's analysis may be useful in looking at one factor, but it is incomplete. While those in France, for example, may be better able to unite for a common interest because of a social safety net which alleviates the risk of reprisals, aren't they stuck in a capitalistic paradigm? While seeking their economic good they, at the same time, cling to their form of political economy, from which they derive their government benefits. How can they wholly reform the system? It seems to me that such a thorough reform would be necessary if it is to be sustainable and to induce humane communities. Otherwise, we are stuck with wealth pumps and centralization and all that entails, as Damien Perrotin notes.
In Bottleneck Catton explains that the late 19th century French sociologist Emile Durkheim believed that the division of labor in society which resulted in heightened interdependence among humans also led inevitably to greater solidarity. Catton counters with the views of American sociologist E. A. Ross who believed that that same interdependence was leading to far more vulnerability among humans to predatory behavior from other humans. Catton leans toward Ross's view for a very important reason: Humans now labor in narrow occupational niches within our highly complex society in the same way that species occupy ecological niches in nature. This specialization leads to competition within each niche for the limited number of positions available.
Consequently, the harder the economic times, the more intense the competition for the reduced number of positions within each niche. This leads to anxiety among those already holding a job since they are often not skilled enough to find work in other niches. The employee often asks himself or herself, "What could I possibly do if I were no longer able to do this kind of work?" Naturally, this concern also creates anxiety among those who are unemployed and seeking jobs within a particular niche.
I wasn't expecting Mr. Cobb to adopt Catton's analysis, though he may be making use of it as one explanation of our present situation. I don't think interdependence is, in se, the problem. It and (over-)specialization accompany wage slavery and a highly developed "capitalistic" system. It's not just economic competition that affects solidarity, but the lack of rootedness and the size of the "communities" that are involved. So Catton's analysis may be useful in looking at one factor, but it is incomplete. While those in France, for example, may be better able to unite for a common interest because of a social safety net which alleviates the risk of reprisals, aren't they stuck in a capitalistic paradigm? While seeking their economic good they, at the same time, cling to their form of political economy, from which they derive their government benefits. How can they wholly reform the system? It seems to me that such a thorough reform would be necessary if it is to be sustainable and to induce humane communities. Otherwise, we are stuck with wealth pumps and centralization and all that entails, as Damien Perrotin notes.
Traditionalist Catholic Conference in West Virginia
Rorate Caeli: Catholic Identity Conference
September 28-30, 2012
This week - Rebuilding Christendom Conference (on Catholic Social Teaching).
September 28-30, 2012
This week - Rebuilding Christendom Conference (on Catholic Social Teaching).
Monday, August 20, 2012
Chuck Spinney on UAVs
How Drones Destroy Their Own OODA Loops by FRANKLIN C. SPINNEY
Without explicitly saying so, Porter has provided us a case study on how the entire strategic decision process has folded inward on itself, and in so doing, has disconnected the flow of decisions from the unfolding reality. But there is more. Porter describes how that disconnect has flowed out of the White House, the CIA, and Pentagon into the Orientation of the think tanks and the mass media, and by implication, into the collective mind of the population at large.
Vox on John Scalzi and Creepiness
Gammas resist Game
A friend is a fan of Scalzi's Red Shirts, and has recommended that I read it. He was a fan of sci-fi but hasn't done much reading recently. He did exemplify what one might consider to be the extreme sci-fi afficianado.
A friend is a fan of Scalzi's Red Shirts, and has recommended that I read it. He was a fan of sci-fi but hasn't done much reading recently. He did exemplify what one might consider to be the extreme sci-fi afficianado.
Two on American Political Origins
Was There an American Revolution? By ROBERT NISBET
The Declaration as the Constitution by Kevin Gutzman
The Declaration as the Constitution by Kevin Gutzman
A Movie with Diane Kruger
But it's in French - no wonder we haven't heard much about it here in the U.S. Sarge might be interested, it is a movie about French special forces.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Steve Sailer on the Latest with Robert Putnam
Goody Proctor, I hereby sentence you to be burned as a witch!
Putnam v. the Thernstroms
Related:
Better Together
Social Capital and Civic Community
Robert Putnam: Class Now Trumps Race as the Great Divide in America
Arthur Brooks, Robert Putnam, and the Opportunity Society
Bowling Alone: America's Declining Social Capital
Part 2
Robert Putnam - Manchester [1/5] - 2, 3, 4, 5
Putnam v. the Thernstroms
Related:
Better Together
Social Capital and Civic Community
Robert Putnam: Class Now Trumps Race as the Great Divide in America
Arthur Brooks, Robert Putnam, and the Opportunity Society
Bowling Alone: America's Declining Social Capital
Part 2
Robert Putnam - Manchester [1/5] - 2, 3, 4, 5
The Decline of the West
Meant to comment on these two trailers a couple of months ago--
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
British "Boomers" seeking to retire and live out their last years... in a foreign but exotic locale? No ties to family or friends at home? Although the hotel proves to be different than what was advertised, they learn some valuable "life lessons" there, all the while living a comfortable existence because of their relative wealth. Isn't that like Western stories nowadays -- eating one's cake and having it too, preserving a lifestyle of consumption and yet being able to strengthen their humanity nonetheless, even though it is our economics that has a detrimental impact on our well-being? Isn't that what SWPLs want, being able to enjoy their lives guilt-free?
The Intouchables: PC multiculturalism hits France? The French version of the "magical negro"?
In France, A Star Rises From An Oft-Neglected Place
Conveniently for the elite molders of culture and minds, the movie is based on a "true story." The movie did very well in France; people in the West love their sugar-coated fantasies when they are well-done.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
British "Boomers" seeking to retire and live out their last years... in a foreign but exotic locale? No ties to family or friends at home? Although the hotel proves to be different than what was advertised, they learn some valuable "life lessons" there, all the while living a comfortable existence because of their relative wealth. Isn't that like Western stories nowadays -- eating one's cake and having it too, preserving a lifestyle of consumption and yet being able to strengthen their humanity nonetheless, even though it is our economics that has a detrimental impact on our well-being? Isn't that what SWPLs want, being able to enjoy their lives guilt-free?
The Intouchables: PC multiculturalism hits France? The French version of the "magical negro"?
In France, A Star Rises From An Oft-Neglected Place
Conveniently for the elite molders of culture and minds, the movie is based on a "true story." The movie did very well in France; people in the West love their sugar-coated fantasies when they are well-done.
Premieres Tonight on BBC America
BBC America trying to compete with the other cable networks?
Another trailer
Extended trailer
Meet the Strong Women (COPPER Making Of)
Of course, there's PC casting...
Alan Sepinwall
Some More Great Stuff From Lake Effect This Weekend
A Musical Venture to Cape Breton (mp3)
Some Virtuosic Bluegrass In the Irish and American Tradition - mp3
The (Almost) Heartbreaking Harmonies of the Henry Girls - mp3
We Banjo 3 Bends the Irish Banjo Tradition - mp3
More:
Web exclusive: Ian Adamson
Mitch Teich
Lake Effect's Mitch Teich is joined by Dr. Ian Adamson - he's the former Lord Mayor, former High Sheriff, and former City Councilman from Belfast, Northern Ireland.
But in addition to all those official roles, he's also an expert in Scots-Irish and Appalachian music and poetry traditions - and he speaks ten languages, including Lakota Sioux and Swahili. He talks about the blending of cultures and the notion that Americans often don't know just what they don't know about forms of music like bluegrass.
(Audio not available yet)
Some Virtuosic Bluegrass In the Irish and American Tradition - mp3
The (Almost) Heartbreaking Harmonies of the Henry Girls - mp3
We Banjo 3 Bends the Irish Banjo Tradition - mp3
More:
Web exclusive: Ian Adamson
Mitch Teich
Lake Effect's Mitch Teich is joined by Dr. Ian Adamson - he's the former Lord Mayor, former High Sheriff, and former City Councilman from Belfast, Northern Ireland.
But in addition to all those official roles, he's also an expert in Scots-Irish and Appalachian music and poetry traditions - and he speaks ten languages, including Lakota Sioux and Swahili. He talks about the blending of cultures and the notion that Americans often don't know just what they don't know about forms of music like bluegrass.
(Audio not available yet)
Went to HIN San Mateo this afternoon; it'll probably be the last car show for a while - and I don't mean that solely because it's almost the end of summer. (There is a minor car meet in Dublin, which AK will be attending, but I don't think I'll go, unless I'm going to be in Dublin for other reasons.) I was not that impressed with HIN -- it seemed like there were less vendors and cars than at Spocom and that other auto show that took place at the San Mateo Event Center last year - Extreme Auto Fest.
There were several US Army recruiters; last year and the year before the USMC was present. If you hadn't already guessed, I affirm the Marine recruiters were in better shape. I didn't feel like chatting the Army recruiters up, even though I was wearing a SF hat, which they may have noticed. Even though the institution may have no choice but to go in the direction ordained by the civilian leadership, I am still rather disgusted by its embrace of the feminist and homosexual agendas.
The last time I saw ACUs (at the airport in Newark), they did look like pajamas. The women wearing them were Uhmerican (i.e. overweight) but the ACUs are very loose as well, and the change over to the new camo pattern hasn't fixed this problem. Contemporary US Army (lack of proper) sizing? Or is there a practical reason for this? I prefer the closer-fitting shirts of the 60s or the WW2 khakis, even I have doubts about their functionality.
Apparently there were some prints and posters being given away; missed out on those but with the crowd there, even if I had known about them I might not have been able to get one. C'est la vie.
Disney can't disappear quickly enough. Whiskey: Disney, Marvel, Ike Perlmutter, and the Return of Otto von Bismarck
There were several US Army recruiters; last year and the year before the USMC was present. If you hadn't already guessed, I affirm the Marine recruiters were in better shape. I didn't feel like chatting the Army recruiters up, even though I was wearing a SF hat, which they may have noticed. Even though the institution may have no choice but to go in the direction ordained by the civilian leadership, I am still rather disgusted by its embrace of the feminist and homosexual agendas.
The last time I saw ACUs (at the airport in Newark), they did look like pajamas. The women wearing them were Uhmerican (i.e. overweight) but the ACUs are very loose as well, and the change over to the new camo pattern hasn't fixed this problem. Contemporary US Army (lack of proper) sizing? Or is there a practical reason for this? I prefer the closer-fitting shirts of the 60s or the WW2 khakis, even I have doubts about their functionality.
Apparently there were some prints and posters being given away; missed out on those but with the crowd there, even if I had known about them I might not have been able to get one. C'est la vie.
Disney can't disappear quickly enough. Whiskey: Disney, Marvel, Ike Perlmutter, and the Return of Otto von Bismarck
Freight Fiddle Summit, August 23
Alasdair Fraser, of course! More info.
Brittany Haas will be there, too!
I don't think I'll be attending this year...
Brittany Haas will be there, too!
I don't think I'll be attending this year...
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