Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

For years I have been a holdout against the new mobile devices, feeling ever more curmudgeonly as everyone around me has a “device” instead of just a phone. I’ve been ridiculed. My phone has been ridiculed. I admit, it is a relic. It is so old that the outside color (once black) has been worn…

So this is what ends up happening when law abiding gun owners fill out all the proper paperwork, go through background checks, and finally obtain a concealed carry license: So there the Filippidises were on New Year’s Eve eve, southbound on Interstate 95 — John; wife Kally (his Gulf High sweetheart); the 17-year-old twins Nasia…

The Sceptical Vegan takes a look at the issue. An issue in relation to genetic engineering of crops often brought up by other vegans and vegetarians is, “What about inserting animal genes into plants, doesn’t that make them no longer vegan/vegetarian?” The short answer is, no, absolutely not, and as pointed out before, the fear…

    I believe we have a one party system in this country, called the big-government party. There is a Republican branch that likes war and deficits and assaulting civil liberties. There is a Democratic branch that likes welfare and taxes and assaulting commercial liberties. Judge Andrew P. Napolitano     H/T Classical Liberal

Sumner on what fiscal policy really does: Fiscal policy can’t really do anything in the AD/NGDP area. So what do people like Larry Summers mean when they talk about a preference for using fiscal policy? They aren’t advocating the use of fiscal policy to get the right level of NGDP growth; you can do that…

In my recent post on Jews in the Marijuana Legalization movement I covered my former Rabbi, Jeffrey Kahn, extensively. Reason TV did an interview with him about the medical marijuana business. Rabbi Kahn closes the video with “ameliorating human suffering is more important than just about any law.” And it is not just his opinion.…

A mentality I saw reflected in a New York Times piece about middle class New Yorkers that just, well creeped me out: You wish for more; so many others seem to have it, after all — more space, nicer furniture, a greater number of things from Lululemon. But you also harbor a discomfort at possessing…

Jews are not the major force behind ending Marijuana Prohibition. But they are a significant force. I made a number of comments to this effect at my post Questions. I thought it might be a good idea (well it is something to write about) to turn them into a post. Eric also has a good…

An article about legal marijuana discusses the frustration of the rulers with the voters, and notes that change comes from the bottom up: Culture is not shaped from the top-down, but the bottom-up. Virtually every major legislative achievement — from civil rights to gay marriage — was precipitated by the people. The politicians had to…

Commenter Randy had this to say in a comment to I’m Against Forcing Change. Religions don’t help us answer questions. They only offer answers that can’t be questioned. Which is not to say that religions don’t offer answers. Don’t lie. Don’t cheat. Don’t steal. Don’t be violent towards others. However, Libertarians have the same creed…

In my previous article on the nature of homosexuality Sexually Oriented Fingers I had a short discussion of Neil Whitehead’s and Briar Whitehead’s book My Genes Made Me Do It – pdf. What I specifically want to discuss is his chapter Can sexual orientation change? I’m going to assume that he is honest and that…

At least we still have “freedom of the press.” Right? Until the anointed few who get to be called “the press” manage to have that freedom defined as belonging only to them. In response to this horror story, (about health insurance companies demanding a government bailout necessitated only by losses occasioned by Obamacare) a friend remarked: This…

It is about the BBC and Climate. The BBC has spent tens of thousands of pounds over six years trying to keep secret an extraordinary ‘eco’ conference which has shaped its coverage of global warming, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. The controversial seminar was run by a body set up by the BBC’s own…

Watts Up With That has a post on how to retrofit your toilet for lower water use. The retrofit is available at Amazon. It is dual flush. So it varies the total flow according to the button you push. The manufacturer MJSI, Inc., is headquartered in Shorewood, Illinois. Here is a simplified explanation of how…

Spengler on the affinity of the Chinese for the Jews. A Chinese friend explained it to me this way: If you suffer a setback, even if through no fault of your own, and even if through the malicious acts of malevolent people, you must not feel sorry for yourself or blame others for your troubles.…

I’m going to repost a review of Why Johnny Can’t Think in full. It is that good. ==== “Why Johnny Can’t Think” shows that leftism means, “Professors should rule the world.” It demonstrates why each totally inbred generation of professors chooses a new generation of professors that is even more inbred and leftist and what…

If you’re feeling hungry, here are two links that might offer perspective. First, some fascinating bug meal photos. And if that didn’t whet your appetite, here are some lovely vintage recipes for actual dishes which seem to dare anyone to eat them. Bon appetit!

They are re-fighting the First World War over at Samizdata. I’m going to post a few paragraphs to give you the flavor. You should go and read the whole thing. == As we stand here facing intellectual armageddon it worth pausing to consider the opposing forces. For many years the Donkeys have been considered invincible…

The reign of the Progressives is over. Providing the Conservatives don’t blow it too badly. H/T commenter Frank and Vanderleun

H/T commenter Frank and Vanderleun