Society Archives - Page 32 of 42

Random Observations on the World at Large

By Bill Clontz July 23, 2019 July 23, 2019 Leave a Comment

The Last Few Days Give One Pause to Ask: “Really?”

Almost any week seems surreal these days, especially in the world of politics, but recent days seem even more so.

A Few Examples to Ponder

What possible goal does Iran achieve in seizing a British ship? We get it they are not happy about their ship being seized in Gibraltar, but their actions of late seem designed to play into Trump’s hands. They are busily alienating those in the West most interested in salvaging the nuclear deal and all that could flow from that foundation.

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What Do Your Small Preferences Say About Your Large Traits?

By Bill Clontz July 12, 2019 July 12, 2019 Leave a Comment

“Mustard or Ketchup?” This May be a Bigger Question Than You Thought

Personal Peculiarities

I have been developing a theory of human behavior and I am curious as to what you think. My theory is based on zero scientific process or any compelling logic, but it feels right to me.

Ever since I can remember, even as a very young child, I have preferred mustard over ketchup. Tart over sweet; savory over mild. I have always preferred ice cream with nuts or fruit in it rather than artificial colors or flavors. My preference is for odd numbers,

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Reframing the 4th of July

By Bill Clontz July 9, 2019 July 9, 2019 3 Comments

A Brief Reflection on A Better Way to Think about the 4th

Every July 4 we have a replay of the same opposing dramas. Some of us celebrate everything American. Others find it a time of anger and frustration over how we fall short as a nation.

I would like to suggest that those two groups might have more in common than they realize.

A lot of us follow what could be considered a third choice, and in this choice, I think we have the makings of greater national unity.

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What Else Could Possibly Be Said About Those Debates?

By Bill Clontz June 30, 2019 July 2, 2019 2 Comments

Well, a few things of interest, actually.

Looking for Meaning in Every Line

Pretty well everyone has weighed in on the first round of Democratic presidential debates. Sometimes, the analysis felt like the old days of Soviet watching. Remember how analysts would pour over photos of Kremlin officials on top of Lenin’s tomb? They were trying to figure out who was in and who was out, based on where they stood in the review stand. Sometimes it got downright silly.

So, too, on these debates. Some important stuff happened, but it is possible to read too much into these.

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What Does the Immigration Fight Say About Us, America?

By Bill Clontz June 25, 2019 June 28, 2019 Leave a Comment

Sometimes Events Call Out Who We Are. This is One of Those.

Framing the Issue

Reasonable people can disagree on a lot of important issues. There are many components to what is happening on our Southern border. People can argue about them, with good points all around.

To be clear up front, I am not an open borders fan. The slogan “no person is illegal” has always struck me as naïve at best. I find it inaccurate from both a practical and moral perspective. Should we not be concerned about terrorists or criminals who wish to cross the border?

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Cryptocurrency is a Singularly Bad Idea

By Bill Clontz June 21, 2019 June 21, 2019 Leave a Comment

Unregulated, No Standards Currency. What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

A Bad Idea Goes Global .

I have watched with some fascination, and concern, the spread of cryptocurrencies. Once the purview of financial oddballs and anarchists, cryptocurrency has become much more mainstream in recent years. Some large banks are dealing in this domain now and use of this currency has become global. Just this week Facebook announced its own cryptocurrency. This latest entry may be somewhat different – it feels almost as much like a bank as a currency – but time will tell.

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A Different Way to Look at Impeachment

By Bill Clontz June 18, 2019 June 18, 2019 6 Comments

Look at this Through Three Lenses for a Clearer View

To Impeach or Not to Impeach?

You may have heard the occasional comment these days on the subject of impeach or don’t impeach. It is increasingly the topic du jour, and not only among political types.

It is useful to consider all this through three different, but interrelated, “lenses.” This analysis could work with either pro or anti Trump types, if they are willing to be honest about the process. I know, that is a dubious start point right there,

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Time for Some Amazing Science. News You Should Know About

By Bill Clontz June 13, 2019 June 14, 2019 Leave a Comment

Part of our “Hey! Look at That!” Series.

It’s Friday. Let’s take a short break from you-know-who’s latest Twitter temper tantrum. Let’s ignore from political gridlock for a day. Be gone, gloom and doom news. Heck, if we take an hour or so off, we might find we have gained a couple more presidential candidates!

Today I offer short summaries and hot links to some amazing stories in science and medicine. Some fascinating and encouraging things are happening all around us folks. Let’s take a look, shall we?

First, a Few Health Notes

A Blockbuster Gene Therapy: A harbinger of things to come (with a price).

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Is Nature Striking Back? Are We Getting a Message?

By Bill Clontz June 11, 2019 June 11, 2019 2 Comments

Some Interesting Things are Happening on This Planet.

Those of a certain age will remember a very popular TV commercial some years ago. In that commercial, a man offers Mother Nature a taste of something. She tries it and says, “Ah, yes, that is my natural, sweet butter.” To which the man replies, “Fooled you, Mother Nature. It’s [Brand X] margarine.” An angry Mother Nature says, “It’s not nice to fool with Mother Nature,” as a terrible storm begins.

A Warning?

Sometimes it seems like we are living in that commercial.

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