Been getting TONS of great guest submissions lately. This one on pharmaceutical reform by @MichaelBurrisJr, CEO of @SCPolicyCouncil, is an especially insightful piece. Thanks for sharing this with our audience, Michael. Our open microphone is always "on." https://t.co/IG4ZOtOpFI
Heard a great comment while listening to @david_perell interview @johnnywharris for "How I Write": We tend to overestimate our audience members' grasp of context and underestimate their intelligence. Great to keep in mind as a writer and content creator.
@kalezelden@X I often wonder what will be going through my children’s minds when they sift through the photo library and are confronted by thousands of saved memes.
@kalezelden Gates is going to need all the Republican support he can get to pass nomination and be confirmed. Should be interesting to watch this play out. Would be amazing to have a reformer in the AG seat (assuming that's what Gates will be).
@aaron_renn Free trade is a liberal idea, not conservative. And, is it really free trade? The issue should be more with Capitalism than with free trade. But, alas, this is a nuanced issue.
Every time I read a book that talks about historic Protestantism, like James Davison Hunter's Democracy and Solidarity, it strikes me how alien that Protestant culture is to today's evangelical culture.
Historic Protestant culture, particularly of the Calvinist variety that so shaped America, was ascetic, shunning excess consumption, with an ethic of hard work and a very disciplined, productive life. It was individualist, but shaped towards the public good. It valued higher education and accomplishment.
Today's evangelicalism is aligned with American consumer culture, prizes leisure as much as work. It's more purely populist and sectarian. It's skeptical of higher learning and elite accomplishment. It's not contiguous with even mainline Protestantism, much less classic Protestantism.
While religion will always reflect the culture and folkways of the time, this should be an indication that evangelicalism is off base in some key ways. It's worth reflecting on that.
No one is obliged to take part in the spiritual crisis of a society; on the contrary, everyone is obliged to avoid this folly and live his life in order.
— Eric Voegelin, 1968 in “Science, Politics and Gnosticism”
@christophermust ITM! I’ve got housekeeping to do. Left Masto when NAS fell apart. Podcast is on and off. Have been reorganizing my work in order for it to have more coherence. Will be active here soon. YT is main platform ATM. My content will become more consistent over next few months. 🙏🏼
@An3rchy@kalezelden I suspect he means "This Little Corner" of the internet; a phrase used by folks associated with @PaulVanderKlay's community. However, I'm on the fringes so could be wrong.
Have spent the last two days in Croatia—Dubrovnik and Split. I’m struck by how proud the people are of their country and their culture, and how even younger people see the value in protecting it. They’re happy to share it, but not relinquish it. It’s encouraging.
Intellectually, pride is the father of aberrations and of artificial and pretentious production; humility is the eye which reads in the book of life and in the book of the universe.
—A.G. Sertillanges, "The Intellectual Life"
@elBenb0 He knows how to leave quietly. Reply guy has an overrated, inflated sense that you care what he thinks. He’s gotta let you know how terrible he you are in his little universe. 🤡