Pariser mentioned in passing that the Internet’s “founding mythology” promised a world of people who were more connected to one another, but he complained that this hasn’t actually happened. It hasn’t happened because that’s only what people publicly say they want. What they privately, or subconsciously, desire is what these companies are giving them: new ways to separate themselves from others and form competing identity groups. Marketing people are better psychologists than psychologists.
Like Patrick Bateman, people say they care about “ending hunger” and genocide and so forth, but they don’t really care about people dying in Africa. Not in any personal, emotionally connected way. The concern they express is a social affectation. If Robin Dunbar is to be believed, we can’t care about people in Africa. Not really. It’s been found that, even on Facebook, most of us can only maintain a meaningful friendship with 150 or so people. Everyone else is a virtual friend—or a virtual stranger. Our brains are wired for small communities, not “one world tribe.”
We seek out ways to create in-groups and out-groups. Sometimes we do this playfully, as with sporting rivalries, though it is not unusual for sports fans to become violent or angry on behalf of their teams. Often we do it politically, ideologically, socially, racially, nationally. We form philosophical cliques and movements. East coast vs. West coast, South side vs. North side, Greeks vs.Trojans, boys against the girls, Democrats vs. Republicans, MoveOn vs. The Tea Party, Christians vs. Muslims vs. Jews, hip-hop vs. punk rock vs. emo, dog lovers vs. cat lovers, Ford vs. Chevy, and Mac vs. PC.
Online social networks have also created a pathway for otherwise average people to separate themselves from the social norms of their geographical location.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Jack Donovan, The Tribal Bubble
Why not just humanure?
Japanese scientist creates edible meat alternative made from recycled human waste
Japanese Scientists Create Meat From Poop: "Because Tokyo Sewage asked him to. Tokyo is swimming in sewage mud, it seems, and there's only one way it can save itself and that's eat it."
Really? There is no other way to recycle the "waste"? Tokyo needs to take bigger steps towards sustainability. How much energy is required by the process of creating this "food product"?
The Humanure Handbook (Joseph Jenkins, Inc.)
Starting a New Humanure Compost Pile
Humanure: the end of sewage as we know it?
Related:
Breaking Down the Bones: How to Compost Meat and Other Animal Products
Japanese Scientists Create Meat From Poop: "Because Tokyo Sewage asked him to. Tokyo is swimming in sewage mud, it seems, and there's only one way it can save itself and that's eat it."
Really? There is no other way to recycle the "waste"? Tokyo needs to take bigger steps towards sustainability. How much energy is required by the process of creating this "food product"?
The Humanure Handbook (Joseph Jenkins, Inc.)
Starting a New Humanure Compost Pile
Humanure: the end of sewage as we know it?
Related:
Breaking Down the Bones: How to Compost Meat and Other Animal Products
Diane Sanfilippo interviews Erwan Le Corre
Underground Wellness: MovNat with Erwan Le Corre (mp3)
Skip forward to 3:00 since the first 3 minutes of the program was botched.
(The director of Farmageddon will be on the radio program on Monday.)
Erwan Le Corre and MovNat
Fitness to Survive in the Wild
Wild Fitness
More on MovNat.
Related:
How to Build a Local Primal / Paleo Community (by Someone Who's Done It)
Fluoride depletes iodine in the body, causing hypothyroidism and immune deficiency
Skip forward to 3:00 since the first 3 minutes of the program was botched.
(The director of Farmageddon will be on the radio program on Monday.)
Erwan Le Corre and MovNat
Fitness to Survive in the Wild
Wild Fitness
More on MovNat.
Related:
How to Build a Local Primal / Paleo Community (by Someone Who's Done It)
Fluoride depletes iodine in the body, causing hypothyroidism and immune deficiency
Fr. Z: About Fr. John Corapi with observations about our times
Well, it's too late for me to heed Father's advice. And I have some additional thoughts from me: Fr. Corapi may be thinking that he doing the work of God and helping others. I do not think that it is a question of making a living for himself, since despite his suspension, he is being supported by his religious community? Or am I wrong about that, and he is without any means of support? Would his vows prevent him from taking a "normal" job? And is he truly in a canonical limbo without any redress under canonical law?
I don't think Fr. Corapi or anyone associated with him will be reading this. I hope, though, he will reconsider his decision, as it seems to be a cause for scandal.
The Curt Jester
Well, it's too late for me to heed Father's advice. And I have some additional thoughts from me: Fr. Corapi may be thinking that he doing the work of God and helping others. I do not think that it is a question of making a living for himself, since despite his suspension, he is being supported by his religious community? Or am I wrong about that, and he is without any means of support? Would his vows prevent him from taking a "normal" job? And is he truly in a canonical limbo without any redress under canonical law?
I don't think Fr. Corapi or anyone associated with him will be reading this. I hope, though, he will reconsider his decision, as it seems to be a cause for scandal.
The Curt Jester
Information about special Masses for the feast day of St. Josemaría Escrivá this June. (The local celebration is today, at the Cathedral of the Assumption in San Francisco at 10 A.M.)
An oldie in the debate between CST and the Austrian school
On FB, John Médaille posts a link to Rupert J. Ederer's review of The Church and the Market: A Catholic Defense of the Free Economy by Thomas E. Woods Jr.
Paul Gottfried, How the Left Conquered the Right
pfs-2011 Paul Gottfried, How the Left Conquered the Right from Sean Gabb on Vimeo.
Via a comment to this post at Unqualified Reservations, in which the author talks about "slow history."
Fiddling and more...
Sierra Hull, Brittany Haas, Courtney Hartman, Road to Columbus, Grey Fox 2010
The Girl I Left Behind
Lauren Rioux and Brittany Haas play old-time tunes
Brittney and Natalie Haas play a favourite Scottish tune
another; Brittany and Natalie
Brittany Haas, Tashina Clarridge and Abigail Washburn - Shady Grove
Fiddler Vid has more. See also Mike Block String Camp.
Lauren Rioux (MS)
Brittany Haas
The Girl I Left Behind
Lauren Rioux and Brittany Haas play old-time tunes
Brittney and Natalie Haas play a favourite Scottish tune
another; Brittany and Natalie
Brittany Haas, Tashina Clarridge and Abigail Washburn - Shady Grove
Fiddler Vid has more. See also Mike Block String Camp.
Lauren Rioux (MS)
Brittany Haas
Friday, June 17, 2011
Are we to have no heroes?
Read some disturbing allegations against Fr. Marie-Dominique Philippe, O.P. Having seen no evidence to back up the charge or heard the testimony of supposed witnesses, how can I not be skeptical? Was an investigation launched by the local ordinary, his Dominican superiors, or Rome? Those who came out against Fr. Maciel approached various authorities. (And remember, he was also investigated in the 50s.) Is this true of former members of the Community of St. John?
Association Vie Religieuse et Familles
Misc.
Richard Chonak, A diagnosis of the West, 33 years ago
Association Vie Religieuse et Familles
Misc.
Richard Chonak, A diagnosis of the West, 33 years ago
What is there to be said about the Vancouver riot?
I thought Canada was more civilized? What a bunch of spoiled kids.
Steve Sailer; on the idiocy of the narcissists who record their participation in such acts
Vancouver chief to civilians: ‘I’m sorry we could not back you up’
Nearly 150 hurt in Vancouver riot following hockey loss
Vancouver riots: The shame and the blame spread online
Time
The police chief is Chinese. At least he's from the department. Don't know about his qualifications. Were they prepared for another riot?
A website for identifying rioters.
Steve Sailer; on the idiocy of the narcissists who record their participation in such acts
Vancouver chief to civilians: ‘I’m sorry we could not back you up’
Nearly 150 hurt in Vancouver riot following hockey loss
Vancouver riots: The shame and the blame spread online
Time
The police chief is Chinese. At least he's from the department. Don't know about his qualifications. Were they prepared for another riot?
A website for identifying rioters.
The Myth of the Rational Customer
Mercator: I feel, therefore I buy
Neuroscience has put the last nail in the coffin of the rational consumer.
Neuroscience has put the last nail in the coffin of the rational consumer.
What the Frack? Obama Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer on Peak Oil + Energy Policy (via the Post Carbon Institute FB page)
Fr. Corapi's announcement
I've written very little about the accusations against Fr. Corapi at this point -- if you want you can find the info online. Fr. Corapi has released a statement as to his plans for the future.
The announcement on the blog.
Many who have benefited from his preaching are shocked and saddened by what is going on. Some have expressed dismay and disappointment, either with the bishop or with Fr. Corapi (sometimes it isn't clear). My own thoughts -- I find his decision to become an underground minister baffling. It is understandable that he cannot exercise public duties as a priest because of his suspension. But it would seem that no one is so important that God cannot do without him. If Fr. Corapi is a victim of injustice, cannot he appeal it to Rome? If that is not fruitful, or if he has no other course of action to take with respect to the Church, then maybe he is being called to suffer as a victim of injustice. Wouldn't this be the opportunity for him to just be a hermit? (I thought he had professed this desire often.)
God's saving action is greater than one man (or ego). Can it truly be the case that God wants someone to operate outside the bounds of the Church? Should not a minister always be under ecclesial authority, no matter how unjust a bishop is acting, and if he is unjustly deprived of his office should he not resign him to the fact? It seems to me that this is the preferred course of action for the saints of the Church?
Baffling. Let us pray for him.
The announcement on the blog.
Many who have benefited from his preaching are shocked and saddened by what is going on. Some have expressed dismay and disappointment, either with the bishop or with Fr. Corapi (sometimes it isn't clear). My own thoughts -- I find his decision to become an underground minister baffling. It is understandable that he cannot exercise public duties as a priest because of his suspension. But it would seem that no one is so important that God cannot do without him. If Fr. Corapi is a victim of injustice, cannot he appeal it to Rome? If that is not fruitful, or if he has no other course of action to take with respect to the Church, then maybe he is being called to suffer as a victim of injustice. Wouldn't this be the opportunity for him to just be a hermit? (I thought he had professed this desire often.)
God's saving action is greater than one man (or ego). Can it truly be the case that God wants someone to operate outside the bounds of the Church? Should not a minister always be under ecclesial authority, no matter how unjust a bishop is acting, and if he is unjustly deprived of his office should he not resign him to the fact? It seems to me that this is the preferred course of action for the saints of the Church?
Baffling. Let us pray for him.
It's pathetic
that being a consumer and doing some shopping counts for being "productive" for me. Went to Korea House for lunch, the quality of the kalbi was very bad today, bad enough to make me not want to go again. Has the restaurant changed owners again? Afterwards, I dropped by Nikaku in San Jose's Japantown. How long before the neighborhood becomes a relic of the past and of interest only for tourists and office workers in the area who want Japanese food for lunch? How many Japanese(-Americans) actually live within the vicinity of Japantown? How long before the demographic crush of the area north of downtown San Jose overtakes Japantown?
Nikaku hasn't changed much since I last visited (2 or 3 years ago?). But the store seems to have reduced its inventory and isn't purchasing many new items? The online catalog hasn't been updated for some time. Will the anime store eventually be phased out?
I dropped by Kinokuniya SJ afterward to see what was new. (It didn't have the items I was looking for, so I'll have to go to the one in SF again.) The Mitsuwa shopping plaza is being renovated -- I can't tell if they're expanding Mitsuwa. (I still remember when it was Yaohan.) Someone did a vlog of the shopping center last year.
Nikaku hasn't changed much since I last visited (2 or 3 years ago?). But the store seems to have reduced its inventory and isn't purchasing many new items? The online catalog hasn't been updated for some time. Will the anime store eventually be phased out?
I dropped by Kinokuniya SJ afterward to see what was new. (It didn't have the items I was looking for, so I'll have to go to the one in SF again.) The Mitsuwa shopping plaza is being renovated -- I can't tell if they're expanding Mitsuwa. (I still remember when it was Yaohan.) Someone did a vlog of the shopping center last year.
Northern California Regional Showcase 2011
'Slow Money' Keeps Food, Economy Local
The principles around 'Slow Money' are sustainability and long-term thinking about how and what we buy.
More info about the Northern California Regional Showcase (taking place on Sunday from 12:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the Conference Center at Fort Mason, San Francisco).
The principles around 'Slow Money' are sustainability and long-term thinking about how and what we buy.
More info about the Northern California Regional Showcase (taking place on Sunday from 12:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the Conference Center at Fort Mason, San Francisco).
Thursday, June 16, 2011
The High School Reunion
Tickets are $85 each until a certain date, later in July, after which they will be $100 each. I haven't decided if I'll be going or not. Most of my friends will not be there, so what's the point. Of the rest of my graduating class, I do not think there would be many who'd be all that interested in catching up.
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