Let us discourse for a moment on the high perils of popular democracy. A recent example of this was what happened when British authorities decided to allow an entity called “the Internet” to name a newly built polar research vessel. The returns were overwhelming — the name, if the public’s wisdom was to be consulted, …
The Extraordinary Ordinary
“To the dullard all things are dull . . . The simpleton thinks that ordinary things are ordinary . . . only a healthy soul can see how remarkable every unremarkable thing actually is. When you consider how many magnificent things can be done with a potato, you recognize the absolute sovereignty of God, and …
The Footings of the World
It is a shame, certainly, when you call in the carpet guy because you think the carpet he sold you last year has gotten kind of spongy, and he informs you that the actual problem is that your floor joists have been eaten clean through by progressive termites. Don’t you hate that? In the meantime, …
Conservatism Is Not a Flash Mob
“Look. I like Ronald Reagan. But defending the right wing of your civilization from Reagan on down is like appealing to the ancient lineage of Gondor — you know, way back to Denethor’s grandfather. Three stewards in a row” (Rules, p. 230).
A Crash Course in Crashes
As everything comes unraveled more rapidly than you thought it could, perhaps your thoughts have turned to the prospect of coming to a greater understanding of stuff. The airplane is nose down ten thousand feet above the ocean, and you have now begun to reflect on where, exactly, the flight attendant said the life preservers …
It Gets Creepier
On the back of this month’s Sports Illustrated, we have as fine an example of agitprop as can be imagined.
Babylonian Exceptionalism or, Insanity Explained
Over time Nebuchadnezzar drifted into a belief in Babylonian exceptionalism. “The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?” (Dan. 4:30). Because of his hubris, because of his conceit, he was …
On the Attempted Defenestration of Mablog Through the Overton Window
So then first, what is this Overton Window? That window, named after Joseph “Wiki” Overton — who coined the phrase — refers to the range of ideas that are palatable, thinkable, acceptable, or otherwise within the pale, when it comes to public discourse. Outside the window, you’re just a hate-filled weirdo. In the area of …
This Crimson Carnage
I begin by saying that I think of the American flag with affection, respect and sorrow. I think of what it used to represent, what it ought to represent, and what it periodically still represents. The sorrow has to do with what our ruling elites are insisting that it must come to represent, and the …
Audio Reading of Post
Tolle, Leg It
In the aftermath of the Obergefell decision by the Supreme Court, a lot of Christian parents are reeling. They know they must do something, but what can they do? The decision was so high-handed, so arbitrary, so insolently rendered, that it would be easy to assume that there is nothing we can do about it …