Category Archives: Personal reflections

Rant Du Jour: Why Rob from “High Fidelity” Sucks

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: We’re all arts sophisticates around here, right? We love the good things in life like pro wrestling, Michael Bay movies, and Mickey Spillane novels. We cultivate our refined taste and enjoy bantering with like-minded aesthetes. Ergo, you’d think … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing, Movies, Personal reflections | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

The MSM Crackup

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: As a former MSM flunky, I spent much of the campaign marveling at how clueless and often plain wrong the establishment press coverage of the election was. The reporting was so out of touch with middle America, and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing, Personal reflections, Politics and Economics | Tagged , , , , | 27 Comments

Inflection Point

Posted on October 7, 2016 by Fenster

Fenster writes: According to The American Prospect the era of red-blue hyper-partisanship has its origins in the mid-90s.  Around that time American elections became significantly “less variable”. What happened between 1992 and 1996 to make presidential campaigns more stable? For … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal reflections, Politics and Economics | 5 Comments

I Can’t Help It

Posted on August 27, 2016 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: Netflix is currently streaming a documentary on the Carter family, called “The Winding Stream.” It includes so many fab songs and performances that it’s almost beyond criticism. So profound are the depths of the Carters’ talent, beauty, and influence … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Personal reflections, Sex, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Ideologies Are Bullshit. All of Them.

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Sir Barken Hyena

Sir Barken Hyena writes: Genesis of a Scoffer My ongoing journey to uncover the truth of everything — and maybe hook up with the occasional pretty lady along the way — has been a long one. I started as your typical lefty, if always … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Personal reflections, Politics and Economics | 14 Comments

Universal Culture

Posted on August 18, 2016 by Fenster

Fenster writes: Over at Slate Star Codex, Scott Alexander identifies what he refers to as “universal culture” as being a key factor in how the West was won.  His opening point is that there is nothing eternally Western about what … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal reflections, Politics and Economics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Letter from Benelux

Posted on March 20, 2016 by Fenster

Fenster writes: As I wrote here, I am in Ghent for a week, with a stop first in Amsterdam and with a side trip across the border to Germany. Nothing against the homeland but when I travel I prefer the … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal reflections, Politics and Economics, Travel | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

Franklin and Montaigne

Posted on January 10, 2016 by Fenster

Fenster writes: I don’t object to Bastiat being named as a patron saint of UR philosophy, such as it is.  It’s a big tent–not unlimited in size for sure, but capacious enough. Blowhard Esq. previously nominated Montaigne, and that fits … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Personal reflections, Philosophy and Religion | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Note to My Son in College

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Fenster

Fenster writes: Evvabuddy’s writin’ to their sons nowadays.  There’s Ta-Nehisi from the left and a guy named David Desrosiers from the rightish City Journal. My son is a Sanders supporter and here’s my note to him. It is kind of … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal reflections, Politics and Economics | Tagged | 1 Comment

Australian Hot Chocolate, Five Ways

Posted on September 20, 2015 by Eddie Pensier

Eddie Pensier writes: There might be more obvious candidates for the title of quintessentially Australian drink. VB, Penfold’s Grange, Bundy,  Sullivan’s Cove. But it cannot be denied that hot chocolate is big business here. Not “cocoa”, either, but real, serious, … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and health, Personal reflections | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments