@BCChase, Seriously. If a Berlusconi doppelganger emerged in Russia or Venezuela, we'd be screaming about electoral fraud and the death of free speech. But Italy seems to get a pass because, well, everyone knows it's a stable, modern democracy.
@North, I don't think you have to defend "corporate oligopolies" to recognize the current state of affairs isn't very satisfactory, either. The new distribution model may be OK for pop starlets, but I've read that we're literally not creating classical music anymore. However ill-defined, art is possessed of some intrinsic quality that isn't captured by what consumers are willing to spend. And I really don't think we should use market viability as a proxy for determining music's artistic or cultural value.
For what it's worth, Sweden and Canada have actually been pretty successful at cultural protectionism:
@Mike Farmer, Honestly, I think the conservative response to the Iraq War sets them apart from liberal obstinacy. I think you're right that epistemic closure is part of the human condition, but we're talking about a matter of degrees here.
Look you bloody Yankee, the nobility of the South will not be questioned on this website. More seriously, I think Mike's comment in the last email thread bears repeating.
@Dan Miller, As you say, these things are hard to quantify. But the Witherspoon Institute study the articles refer to does suggest that porn imposes certain social costs.
@Jason Kuznicki, Alarmism about the connection between porn and sexual violence is overstated, but the second article raises some real concerns. The idea that consuming a lot of porn deadens our erotic sensibilities and hurts adult relationships does not strike me as outlandish.
On “The Great State of Jefferson”
@Ian M., I think pot farmers are Jefferson's core demographic.
On ““The Hierarchy of Contempt””
@Mopey Duns, I think this is exactly right.
On “Berlusconi!”
@BCChase, Seriously. If a Berlusconi doppelganger emerged in Russia or Venezuela, we'd be screaming about electoral fraud and the death of free speech. But Italy seems to get a pass because, well, everyone knows it's a stable, modern democracy.
On “Kaus Oppo Research Project makes me want to donate to Mickey Kaus”
@Matthew Schmitz, Seriously.
On ““We are out of the eradication business””
@Mopey Duns, To put it crudely, I think the US can afford to simply out-bid the drug refiners indefinitely.
On “McWeed”
Hahaha that's brilliant, Chris.
On “Science Fiction Friday”
@Josh, Oof, I completely forgot about Dune. Definitely a worthy starting point.
On “And Francis Scott Key Wept”
@Joe Carter, HAHAHAHA. Well played, Carter.
On “It’s All About the Derivatives (Wait…What?)”
Dude, that Kitco link looks like a scam. Just sayin'
On “Protecting the music industry from those pesky consumers”
@North, I don't think you have to defend "corporate oligopolies" to recognize the current state of affairs isn't very satisfactory, either. The new distribution model may be OK for pop starlets, but I've read that we're literally not creating classical music anymore. However ill-defined, art is possessed of some intrinsic quality that isn't captured by what consumers are willing to spend. And I really don't think we should use market viability as a proxy for determining music's artistic or cultural value.
For what it's worth, Sweden and Canada have actually been pretty successful at cultural protectionism:
http://pitchfork.com/features/articles/7776-whats-the-matter-with-sweden/
On “Crowdsourcing My Gravatar”
http://img.moronail.net/img/6/5/1465.jpg
On “A few data points for Jonah Goldberg”
@Sam M, I'm not sure I understand this objection.
On “Bum’s Rush on the Bayou”
God Bless America.
On “A few data points for Jonah Goldberg”
@Mike Farmer, Honestly, I think the conservative response to the Iraq War sets them apart from liberal obstinacy. I think you're right that epistemic closure is part of the human condition, but we're talking about a matter of degrees here.
On “More on Confederate Apologia”
Look you bloody Yankee, the nobility of the South will not be questioned on this website. More seriously, I think Mike's comment in the last email thread bears repeating.
On ““The Ghost of Bobby Lee””
@Mike at The Big Stick, Well said, Mike.
"
Now if only the dude would spend more time cranking out stuff like this and less time posting random YouTube clips and open threads.
On “Beating the 10 Books Horse”
I've said this before, but the lack of overlap between everyone's lists is pretty funny to me.
"
Off the sidebar, Thompson. This is way too long for an off the cuff post.
On “Why Glee Should Only Be One Season”
Have yet to see the show, Chris, but this is a delightful review.
On “Porn, again”
@JosephFM, Haha yes. I remember the first time I clicked on his site, totally oblivious to what he did for a living. Nice Faint reference, by the way.
On “Why porn is bad for you”
@Dan Miller, As you say, these things are hard to quantify. But the Witherspoon Institute study the articles refer to does suggest that porn imposes certain social costs.
"
@Jason Kuznicki, Alarmism about the connection between porn and sexual violence is overstated, but the second article raises some real concerns. The idea that consuming a lot of porn deadens our erotic sensibilities and hurts adult relationships does not strike me as outlandish.
"
@Cascadian, Criticizing the study's methodology would be a lot more persuasive to me than guilt-by-association.
"
@Cascadian, Both articles refer to a study from the Witherspoon Institute, which I believe employs David and Matthew, two of my co-contributors.
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.