Monthly Archives: January 2011

A true cultural topography

Posted on January 12, 2011 by David Hume

There are quite often two extreme reactions when it comes to cultural variation. – To assert that cultural differences are to a great extent incommensurable. The more extreme caricatures of this position fall into the class of cultural relativism. – … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, history | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Free Publicity

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Bradlaugh

Was the Tucson shooter inspired by the American Renaissance race-realist website/newsletter?  The Obamarrhoids planted a suggestion that he was; Fox News took the bait; American Renaissance denied and disproved the slur; now the accusers seem to have backed off.  This little … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments

No illusions, just reality

Posted on January 11, 2011 by David Hume

In Pakistan, the Shooter Is the Hero: The depressing public reaction to the assassination of Pakistani politician Salman Taseer: “Nowadays, he’s perfectly heroic,” says Imran Shiekh, the owner of a small jewelry store tucked away in the market’s depths. “Qadri … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 3 Comments

Thinking in black & white

Posted on January 10, 2011 by David Hume

Slippery insinuations about a “climate of hate”: People have been having a hard time holding two ideas in their head at the same time: 1. What Paul Krugman calls “eliminationist rhetoric” is bad. 2. Contrary to his suggestion, there is … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, politics | Tagged | 24 Comments

The Rise of Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox (Ctd.)

Posted on January 9, 2011 by Andrew Stuttaford

The Daily Telegraph reports on another dismal chapter in the rise of Israel’s ultra orthodox: An Israeli activist who defied orthodox Jewish custom by leading a group of women in open prayer at Jerusalem’s Wailing Wall has been told to … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, politics | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Salman Taseer

Posted on January 9, 2011 by Andrew Stuttaford

The tragic events in Arizona are a hideous conclusion to a week already scarred by the assassination in Pakistan of Punjab governor Salman Taseer. The ominous implications of Taseer’s killing have only been underlined by its aftermath. Writing in the … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Gabrielle Giffords

Posted on January 8, 2011 by David Hume

On this sad day I do want to observe that I am thankful we live in a nation where such tragedies of political violence are rare indeed.

Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments

If Only It Were About The Science

Posted on January 8, 2011 by Andrew Stuttaford

Cross-posted over at the Corner Britain‘s winter snows generate an interesting reaction from Spiked‘s Brendan O’Neill. Here’s an extract: …I’m not one of those people who believes snowfall necessarily disproves every claim made by warming-obsessed climatologists. Rather the snow crisis … Continue reading →

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Paranormal Activity

Posted on January 8, 2011 by Andrew Stuttaford

Via Entertainment Weekly: Discovery Channel is teaming with the Vatican for an unprecedented new series hunting the deadliest catch of all: Demons. The Exorcist Files will recreate stories of real-life hauntings and demonic possession, based on cases investigated by the … Continue reading →

Posted in culture | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ridiculous

Posted on January 7, 2011 by Andrew Stuttaford

Via the Daily Mail: One of [Britain’s] best-known charities has changed its name, losing the clearest link to its Christian roots. Bosses say the name was chosen to reflect the fact that 51 per cent of people are female and … Continue reading →

Posted in culture | Tagged , | 3 Comments