Well, I agree that a lot of climate change projections are uncertain, but one resolution mentioned in the article denies CO2 is a pollutant. That's just wrong.
As I said above, I don't mean to diminish the impact of environmental factors or the complicated nature of human sexuality. The title of the post may not have conveyed this, but my larger point is that it's quite possible that certain aspects of human sexuality are inherited or otherwise innate, even if they've been mediated or influenced by different cultural institutions throughout human history.
But that's would be a pretty suggestive finding, right? Wouldn't that at least imply that a certain subset of the population had, throughout human history, experienced consistent desires for the same sex, even if they didn't act on them? Those feelings may have been mediated or suppressed by certain cultural practices, but that doesn't disprove the existence of innate sexual preferences.
Yeah, I don't want to totally dismiss the way culture shapes our sexual identities. But the idea that certain sexual preferences are related to innate, scientifically-discernible traits does not strike me as outlandish.
Right, but plenty of correct ideas have a very short provenance. I mean, it's possible that everyone was just wrong about human sexuality until very recently.
One other point: I do try to respond to comments when I get the chance, but keep in mind that we all have day jobs, which can limit our ability to write posts and keep up with feedback from our readers. I hope everyone understands that this doesn't mean we don't appreciate input from the commentariat. At the very least, I try to read every comment on my threads.
Op Ivy and the Bad Brains are good picks. As a DC partisan, I'll throw in Rites of Spring - given the rise of emo, I think they're the most quietly influential band on this list.
I think that's right, although Malkmus is lying when he says he could never write a chorus or whatever. But he was smart enough to be a little more selective in displaying his pop music chops, which keeps Pavement a lot more interesting than, say, Weezer.
In my defense, that was meant to be good-natured joshing, not a dispositive statement on the quality of "Lost." The show's never done it for me, but I certainly understand why it appeals to people.
I've been on the Andy McCarthy conspiracy beat for some time (see, for example, this post: http://www.ordinary-gentlemen.com/2009/11/andy-mccarthy-just-askin-questions/), and I certainly agree that Republicans who flirt with birther-ism are an embarrassment and should be ostracized. But I think that same standard should apply to liberal organizations.
On “The Lobbiest.”
Good stuff, Scott. Look forward to reading your new site.
On “The Next Culture War”
Well, I agree that a lot of climate change projections are uncertain, but one resolution mentioned in the article denies CO2 is a pollutant. That's just wrong.
On “Sexuality à la carte?”
As I said above, I don't mean to diminish the impact of environmental factors or the complicated nature of human sexuality. The title of the post may not have conveyed this, but my larger point is that it's quite possible that certain aspects of human sexuality are inherited or otherwise innate, even if they've been mediated or influenced by different cultural institutions throughout human history.
"
But that's would be a pretty suggestive finding, right? Wouldn't that at least imply that a certain subset of the population had, throughout human history, experienced consistent desires for the same sex, even if they didn't act on them? Those feelings may have been mediated or suppressed by certain cultural practices, but that doesn't disprove the existence of innate sexual preferences.
"
Genetics?
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Yeah, I don't want to totally dismiss the way culture shapes our sexual identities. But the idea that certain sexual preferences are related to innate, scientifically-discernible traits does not strike me as outlandish.
"
Right, but plenty of correct ideas have a very short provenance. I mean, it's possible that everyone was just wrong about human sexuality until very recently.
On “Getting Steamed”
I'm afraid I have no idea. I wasn't aware the genre existed until very recently.
On “On Blogging”
One other point: I do try to respond to comments when I get the chance, but keep in mind that we all have day jobs, which can limit our ability to write posts and keep up with feedback from our readers. I hope everyone understands that this doesn't mean we don't appreciate input from the commentariat. At the very least, I try to read every comment on my threads.
On “The Coffee Party”
Where'd you go in VA, Rufus?
On “2-1”
WHY THE FUCK IS THIS BLOG CELEBRATING CANUCKISTAN?
On “The Coffee Party”
Hahahahaha that would be the PBR and bongs party, Sam. Either way, I'm in like Flynn.
On “Essential Albums of the 1980s”
Op Ivy and the Bad Brains are good picks. As a DC partisan, I'll throw in Rites of Spring - given the rise of emo, I think they're the most quietly influential band on this list.
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Ha! If you do, I'll retire from blogging a happy man.
On “Wowee Zowee”
I think that's right, although Malkmus is lying when he says he could never write a chorus or whatever. But he was smart enough to be a little more selective in displaying his pop music chops, which keeps Pavement a lot more interesting than, say, Weezer.
"
I really haven't read enough of Klosterman's stuff to render judgment, but I think this article (at least) is pretty good.
On “Lost blogging – ‘Lighthouse’”
In my defense, that was meant to be good-natured joshing, not a dispositive statement on the quality of "Lost." The show's never done it for me, but I certainly understand why it appeals to people.
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I veto this idea. Lost is lame.
On “Why I Hate Politics”
Carlos the Dwarf -
This is totally unrelated, but is your name a "Freaks and Geeks" reference? Because that would be awesome.
On “Paul Mulshine is a State Treasure”
Whoa. This dude sounds awesome.
On “Van Jones gets a new job”
Whoops. Here's the correct post: http://www.ordinary-gentlemen.com/2009/11/andy-mccarthy-just-askin-questions/
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Zach -
I've been on the Andy McCarthy conspiracy beat for some time (see, for example, this post: http://www.ordinary-gentlemen.com/2009/11/andy-mccarthy-just-askin-questions/), and I certainly agree that Republicans who flirt with birther-ism are an embarrassment and should be ostracized. But I think that same standard should apply to liberal organizations.
"
Jayzus. I look forward to Orly Taitz's appointment as a visiting lecturer on constitutional law.
On “The Cult of Alex Jones”
I suspect the magazine threw up a paywall to cash-in on the all-important League of Ordinary Gentlemen traffic.
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Whoa, that's totally weird. It was free when I first put it up, and now it's stuck behind a paywall. My apologies, because it's a great article.
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.