May 16, 2024
Francis de Sales said something like, "The commitments of everyday life are a continuing martyrdom." Amen to that . . . I'm dying here. Family out-of-town travel all last week; medical out-of-town Monday; business out-of-town now. Whew. On top of that, TDE's website host partially crashed yesterday, killing my ability to update this (oh so) esteemed blog. Life rolls on!
And thankfully, the talented Joe Serwach has provided this essay about a singer that, quite frankly, I doubt I'd enjoy but am now going to try.
May 14, 2024
Another Great Mike Benz Interview
I checked out recent Russell Brand shows, hoping to hear about his baptism, but instead, I found yesterday's interview with Michael Benz. The story he tells is remarkable: lucid, believable, concise. And scary. I enjoyed his interview on Tucker Carlson so much, I summarized it here. His interview on Brand's show is just as good, and it addresses entire other areas (the rise of Google, Soros, etc.).
If you want to understand why we're in our current fixes, it appears Benz is the man.
Dalrymple on Replication
He just looks at one problem with scientific research: the results are very hard to replicate. The scientific community is jammed with competition and the need to produce papers and studies . . . results. Scientists can't take the time to replicate to confirm what others have done.
And that's just one problem.
I'd add that, in the medical industry, scientists are bought by the pharmaceutical companies to produce results that promote sales of their drugs, then tell their PR departments (a/k/a "the legacy media," like NYT, WaPo, USA Today, etc.) to promote the results. I have little proof, but little doubt, that's what happened when a study earlier this year said people who fast intermittently have a 91% increased chance of heart disease. Google searches for "intermittent fasting" brought pages of stories, blaring the results . . . and then we learned that the study hadn't even been released, but rather, only a synopsis was available, almost as though the folks who published the paper didn't want the details to emerge. An identical Google search this morning brought up none of the stories on the first page. It's like the pharmaceutical companies said, "Let's make a big splash with this synopsis, then let the story disappear because it's all bulls***." But the heck if I know.
I wish I could trust the medical establishment. I like my doctor. I think he's an honest guy who keeps up with the professional literature. The problem is, the literature is filled with bulls***, so even though I think he's trying his best, I never take his advice "straight." I put it in a blender with other factors and try to decide what's best for me . . . a dubious proposition, I'm afraid, but the only one available.
Aside: GLP-1
Ozepic appears to use GLP-1, a peptide found in Yerba Matte tea. Huberman for years has been promoting Yerba Matte for this reason. I drink it, though not as often as I should. I have found that it helps suppress my appetite. The first time I drank it, I was stunned at how much my appetite that day shrank. I haven't been able to, ahem, replicate the robust results of that first use, but overall, it definitely seems to help.
Don't, incidentally, get the smoked Yerba Matte. I guess it's carcinogenic.
Here's the kind I use (Amazon).
May 13, 2024
Russell Brand Becoming Catholic?
He, and quite a few others. A lot of "unorthodox folks" are converting to Christianity and many specifically to Catholicism. They're realizing that Christianity is the only thing keeping western civilization from falling into the abyss.
I hate to brag, but I came to that conclusion about Catholicism back in 1991, following a conversation with my highly intelligent, erudite, and conservative Lutheran father, who pretty much conceded that Protestantism played a huge role in the devolution of our civilization.
What I found especially charming about this piece: It's a paean to Mary (maybe it's no coincidence that the piece appeared in May, the month of Mary). From the conclusion:
"[I]n turning away from Catholicism, freethinkers and reformers together cut western culture off from the life-giving inspiration of the Blessed Virgin. And we’re surprised our civilization is running out of steam? The only surprise is that it’s lasted so long."
Aside: According to the article, St. Bartholomew the Great is "the only place in London where the Blessed Virgin is said to have appeared."
A Few Notes about the Discontent that Helps Fuel Gnosticism
"Member's Only" because it scarcely rises above the level of a notebook entry.
May 11, 2024
Iain has called this list of 30 books, “Works that were particularly important to me during the writing of my new book – some old friends and some new discoveries"
My essay at FPR generated a few comments and new TDE subscribers. It also generated a snarky comment, but I guess that's to be expected. The comment:
“Front Porch Republic is, in my opinion, the leading resistance movement on the web.”
Good grief, the average article here gets zero comments, let’s not lose our grip on reality.
I was picking up my daughter from Benedictine College and then touring the Ozarks, so my hands were cyber-tied for the week. I was finally able to respond this morning:
With respect to “leading.” Perhaps I should’ve used a different adjective, but I didn’t mean “biggest” or “most influential.” I meant that FPR is, by disposition, the leading resistance movement. I find its attitude, its approach, its worldview . . . whatever . . . to stand athwart everything our modern left-hemispheric culture pushes on us.
One slice of support for my belief: McGilchrist doesn’t make a lot of references to Wendell Berry, but he’s a fan. ‘Life is a Miracle” is included in “Iain’s Top 30 Books for ‘The Matter with Things.'” Given that The Matter with Things’ bibliography runs over 180 pages and contains over 4,000 entries, it’s a high honor. I’ve provided the link to the list below, but I’m afraid you must be a paid McGilchrist Channel subscriber to see the list.
https://members.channelmcgilchrist.com/iains-top-30-books/
Sweden Says, "Slow Down, Everyone!"
May 9, 2024
Man! Front Porch Republic is Publishing the Best Essays on the Internet These Days!
May 8, 2024
I'm Reminded that Borges Used to Re-Write Shakespeare as a Writing Exercise
Why Are Germans So Prone to Ideological Hell?
euconedit
May 7, 2024
Slow blogging winds ahead.
May 6, 2024
First-Time College Student! First-Time College Student!
Two years ago, my daughter mentioned that a friend was excited about her sister's upcoming college graduation from the University of Michigan. It wasn't just an ordinary college graduation, the friend said (a few times). Her sister was a "first-time college student."
I then started hearing that drum getting pounded constantly.
I then realized it was just a ploy by the University of Michigan to get around the end of affirmative action.
Sure enough, it is, and other people are beginning to realize it.
The thing I hate the most about people getting giddy about a "first time college student"? They're just showing themselves to be pawns of propaganda.
Of course, propaganda only works on those who are pawns (if you're aware that it's propaganda, the propaganda isn't working, at least on you). Still, every person at least needs to be aware that they're susceptible to propaganda. The awareness ought to curb your enthusiasm at every turn, especially if large institutions share and promote your enthusiasm.
May 4, 2024
Saturday Morning BYCU
A different sort of brews you can use.
May 3, 2024
BYCU: Yuengling
I don't often drink beer, but when I do, I think I'll have to make it Yuengling. The company clings to tradition. Its workers were allowed to drink beer on shift until the 1990s. The oil lamps that lit the tunnels that led to the spring water needed to brew the beer weren't replaced with electricity until 2004. And the Yuengling family, despite being billionaires, try to stay humble
The business has always been family-owned and operated, and our tour guide tells us the billionaire Yuenglings are humble people. They all still live in Pottsville and Dick Yuengling Jr. (fifth generation), in particular, is known for trying to learn all his employees’ names and generally trying to make everyone feel welcome. It’s a testament to the company that their brewmaster has held his position for forty years . . .
May 2, 2024
Pieper Sighting
I always smile when I see someone appreciate the great German neo-Thomist.
May 1, 2024
Brawl at UCLA
I was pro-Palestinian a few months ago. I'm not now. If violent morons like this support 'em, I can't.
Leftists have a tendency to hijack the causes of other movements as a way to elevate their own agendas, and this is exactly what is happening in the west with the Gaza issue. It is rather revealing that these protesters aren't amassing on Joe Biden's doorstep or the halls of Congress. The people most directly responsible for the funding of Israel for some reason get a pass while US colleges with no power to change anything in the Middle East are overrun.
Tyler Durden
