Monthly Archives: December 2017

The Descent of Scientific American

Posted on December 30, 2017 by Fenster

Fenster writes: There has been a dust-up over a Scientific American column about evolution and male-female behavioral differences. The author, John Horgan, drew first blood by arguing that “evolutionary psychology, a modern instantiation of Darwinian theory, still provides justification for … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | Tagged Darwin, evolution, John Horgan, natural selection, Scientific American | 4 Comments

Wither Representative Democracy?

Posted on December 30, 2017 by Fenster

Fenster writes: Quillette magazine is always thought provoking and what good would a thought provoking publication be if you didn’t disagree with it from time to time? Here’s a piece from Quillette defending representative democracy and criticizing the populist urge … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Economics, Uncategorized | Tagged Direct Democracy, Direct Democracy and Its Discontents, Oliver Conolly, Quillette, Representative Democracy | 2 Comments

Grammar and Culture

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Fenster

Fenster writes: Thaddeus Kozinski asks the perennial question: Can Studying Grammar Save Our Culture? Hint, he is writing for The Imaginative Conservative so I think his answer will be yes, don’t you? And I think I agree with him. Don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | 2 Comments

Our Favorite Things in 2017

Posted on December 15, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: As you will quickly notice, we’re a grouchy, grumpy lot, all of whom are too old to keep up with new things, so this list consists of our favorite things we encountered this year whether or not … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Bitcoin, Books Publishing and Writing, Commercial art, Food and health, History, Linkathons, Media, Movies, Music, Performers, Television, The Good Life, Theater, Trends | Tagged Abel Ferrara, Adam Sandler, Alberto Lattuada, Apple, Arthur Fremantle, Ashley Judd, Aziz Ansari, BBC, bitcoin, Bob Odenkirk, carla bruni-sarkozy, Chairlift, Chantal Delsol, Christopher Nolan, Claude Barras, Cluster, CNN, Confederate statues, Cooper Hewitt, Courtney Barnett, Curtis Harding, David Attenborough, david lynch, Derren Brown, Don Miguel Gascon, Donald Trump, Douglas Murray, Eataly NYC Flatiron, Edgar Allan Poe, fake news, Filmstruck, Francois Ozon, Harvey Weinstein, Holt McCallany, Joe Rogan, Jonathan Groff, Keri Russell, Kurt Vile, Larry David, Louis C.K., M. Night Shyamalan, Maison Pickle, Matthew Rhys, michel houellebecq, Moses Sumney, Nadia Reid, Nathan Fielder, Noah Van Sciver, Pere Ubu, Radiohead, Raphael Semmes, Russia, Seth MacFarlane, Slowdive, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Tacitus, Taylor Swift, The Civil War, The Duffer Brothers, Thomas Fleming, Tim Hortons, Tom Scioli, VCV Rack, Wonder Woman, Yeoman Colt, Yumi Zouma | 10 Comments

Couldn’t Do It Today

Posted on December 13, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: The lyrics, just in case you didn’t know: Gold Coast slave ship bound for cotton fields Sold in the market down in New Orleans Scarred old slaver knows he’s doin’ all right Hear him whip the women … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged The Rolling Stones | 4 Comments

Reflections on the Revolution in Hollywood

Posted on December 9, 2017 by Fenster

Fenster writes: We have serious excesses of male power and energy on display. And we have a pushback in which can be seen some of the wisdom of Madame du Deffand when she told Voltaire that women are never stronger … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Personal reflections, Politics and Economics, The Good Life, Uncategorized | Tagged Gender roles, Weinstein | 2 Comments

Notes on “The Shape of Water” (2017)

Posted on December 8, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: In this interview with Matt Zoller Seitz, writer-director Guillermo del Toro says, “Every film is a political film.” After the rock-’em-sock-’em robots of PACIFIC RIM and the Gothic reverie of CRIMSON PEAK, del Toro (along with co-writer … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Guillermo del Toro, progressives | 2 Comments

Couldn’t Do It Today

Posted on December 4, 2017 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: Wonder’s the neatest way to trap a boy since…well, apples. Try tempting him with his favorite Wonder sandwich. He’ll bite. And…ZAP!…you’ve got him.