The Wrong Kind of Meritocracy

Recently at Chicago Boyz, The Costs of Formalism and Credentialism [https://chicagoboyz.net/archives/58607.html]: > I’m reminded of an interchange that took place between Picasso and Monet as the German Army advanced through France in 1940. Monet was shocked to learn that the enemy had already reached Reims. “But what about our generals?” asked Monet. “What are they doing.” Picasso’s response: “Well, there you have it, my friend. It’s the Ecole des Beaux-Arts” …ie, formalists who had learned…

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No. Boundaries.

No. Boundaries.

One thought that had bounced through my head and been hiding at the edge of my awareness for writing is this: The left doesn't believe in boundaries. But, says the pedantic, annoying, brainy-smurf knowitalls, some of them nominally "conservative", of course they believe in boundaries! They like safe spaces! They are hypocrites who live in gated communities! They're trying to push conservatives out of supposedly liberal spaces, and converging companies and hobbies! Yeah, about that. Who. Whom.…

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No Future Orientation

No Future Orientation

Over at the Economist they ask the question of "What explains America's mysterious baby bust?" [http://archive.is/kzqwF]. Immediately under the headline they note "Hispanic Americans are having fewer babies, as are city-dwellers". You don't say? For example, they observe: > The fertility rate has fallen more sharply in large cities than in smaller cities or rural areas (see chart 2). Then immediately try to explain it as follows: > Rents and prices have soared, making it harder to afford a…

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Reflecting the Mid-Terms

Reflecting the Mid-Terms

It's been interesting seeing the reactions since the election, especially on election night proper. Sure, a few people utter rhetoric about coming together, etc. As I noted in a previous post there certainly are Democrats out there talking like they're moderates tone-wise while being anything but when you actually look at their policies. More there later. Nevertheless, the platitudes of coming together are easily proven to be a lie. Pelosi within the same speech promises to do anything and eve…

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The Bell Tolls

The Bell Tolls

Since the Mexican chain everyone loves to hate came up recently, I figured I'd share this. According to the Harris Poll, Taco Bell is the best Mexican restaurant in the country [http://www.azfamily.com/story/39063348/taco-bell-voted-best-mexican-restaurant-in-the-country] . Also known as "why we have an electoral college".…

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