I am here to give you back your future. Human flourishing in the coming post-liberal West. The hour is late, and Moloch is within the gates. Foundationalism. Reality-focused writings, often on history and politics.
Episodes
Jan 3, 2020
Jan 3, 2020
37 min
Václav Havel's famous essay, born of a specific time and place, resonates decades later in our own proto-totalitarian society. What should be done? Havel tells us. (The written version of this review was first published May 18, 2018. Written versions, in web and PDF formats, are available here.)
Dec 26, 2019
Dec 26, 2019
25 min
I thought this book was be good; I was wrong. Free market fundamentalism is bad, to be sure, but what Karl Polanyi offers isn't better, and his analysis is dated. (The written version of this review, in web, PDF, and ebook formats, can be found here.)
Dec 20, 2019
Dec 20, 2019
20 min
John Carreyrou's Bad Blood is unbelievably good. No recap of the book, though: rather thoughts on every on at Theranos behaving badly, including, especially, the lawyers. And my take on why Elizabeth Holmes was able to do what she did. Also why autonomous cars are BS. (The written version of this review was first published September 25, 2018. Written versions, in web and PDF formats, are available here.)
Dec 17, 2019
Dec 17, 2019
19 min
An examination of a fascinating work on the settlement of Polynesia, with a focus on human accomplishment. (The written version of this review, in web, PDF, and ebook formats, can be found here.)
Dec 16, 2019
Dec 16, 2019
15 min
On how conservatives hobble themselves with preemptive apologies that have been conditioned into them by the Left. (The written version of this review was first published September 19, 2018. Written versions, in web and PDF formats, can be found here.)
Dec 14, 2019
Dec 14, 2019
32 min
Just in time to explain the inevitable Left reaction to Boris Johnson's triumph, an analysis of the Left's hatred of actual democracy. (The written version of this review was first published September 25, 2018. Written versions, in web and PDF formats, are available here.)
Dec 12, 2019
Dec 12, 2019
16 min
A turn (mostly) away from current politics, to speak of eternal things. (The written version of this review, in web, PDF, and ebook formats, can be found here.)
Dec 10, 2019
Dec 10, 2019
21 min
The beginnings, through discussion tied to this mediocre book, of an attempt to understand the creation of value in society. (The written version of this review, in web, PDF, and ebook formats, can be found here.)
Dec 5, 2019
Dec 5, 2019
24 min
Yet another classic work that is, unfortunately, just as relevant today. (The written version of this review, in web, PDF, and ebook formats, can be found here.)
Dec 4, 2019
Dec 4, 2019
26 min
Some thoughts on how liberals view the world, derived in part from the New York Times's podcast, “The Argument.” (The written version of this review was first published November 4, 2018. Written versions, in web and PDF formats, are available here.)