Author Archives: Blowhard, Esq.

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About Blowhard, Esq.

Amateur, dilettante, wannabe.

A Tour of the Santa Ana Civic Center

Posted on September 3, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: In the comments of my last post, Sir Barken Hyena said that, “SoCal is stupid nice.” Well, parts of it certainly are. On the other hand, some areas are architectural wastelands. This especially seems to be the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

City Sights: Claremont, CA

Posted on September 3, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: A few pics from the city’s lovely downtown.

Posted in Architecture, Photography | Tagged , | 8 Comments

More on Symbolism

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Last night I opened my copy of Taleb’s Fooled by Randomness and was greeted with this passage: At the cost of appearing biased, I have to say that the literary mind can be intentionally prone to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

What’s Wrong with White Boys Playing the Blues?

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: The L.A. Weekly recently ran a feature on the “20 Worst Hipster Bands.” Here’s the entry for No. 20: Fifty years after the Rolling Stones and we’re still upset about this? They “lack authenticity,” you see, b/c they aren’t black. … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Personal reflections | Tagged , , , , , | 22 Comments

Brushes with Greatness

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Comedy writer Ken Levine tells about the time he met John and Yoko for 20 seconds. He ends his anecdote with a question worthy of the Question Lady herself: “If you get to meet someone you idolize and you … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal reflections | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Brits Really Know How to Design a Book Cover

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: My copy of Nassim Taleb’s Fooled by Randomness arrived today to match my copy of The Black Swan. I specifically tracked down the UK editions b/c the covers are so wonderful. Bold, colorful, hazy, eye-catching. They have a visually consistent … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing, Commercial art | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Short Note on the Formation of the Western Legal Tradition

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: It’s quite easy to graduate from law school without learning much legal history. (It’s quite easy to graduate law school without learning how to be a lawyer, too, but that’s a rant for a different time.) OK, you … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Economics | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

City Sights: the Seal Beach Administration Building

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Designed by Gordon F. Powers in 1969. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he was thankfully not taken in by Brutalism. Compare to Boston City Hall at the Wikipedia link, also built in 1969. Which would you rather work … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Photography | Tagged | 4 Comments

The Black Swan and the Expert Problem

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Dear Sir Barken Hyena, For me, The Black Swan was a primer on skeptical empiricism. It gives the reader the intellectual tools to question and doubt experts. As you said, technocratic solutions have wreaked incredible havoc over the … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy and Religion | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Curiosity is one of the lowest of the human faculties. You will have noticed in daily life that when people are inquisitive they nearly always have bad memories and are usually stupid at bottom. The man who … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing | Tagged , | 5 Comments