In order to grasp the concept of the evolution of political ideas, let me consider a concrete case. The accelerationist case, from University of Cambridge. I was a centrist Liberal Democrat in my school years. Then I studied philosophy largely on my own, and became a left-wing Labour supporter in my undergraduate years, studying politics. … Continue reading The evolution of political positions
Tag: Economics
Fear: Why everyone downplays the China crisis
It puzzles me that almost every conversation I have with people about China involves people downplaying a number of aspects of the threat this growing great power poses to world peace: 1. China’s power, 2. The possibility or probability of war between America and China, 3. The potential danger of that war, 4. The ability … Continue reading Fear: Why everyone downplays the China crisis
Fire in the water: ‘Pacific Rim’ and tectonic geopolitics
Guillermo del Toro is a remarkable film director. From Pan’s Labyrinth to The Shape of Water del Toro has delighted viewers and critics alike with spectacle, intrigue, and (for want of a more precise word) humanity. So when he made a science fiction blockbuster about great big beasts (Kaiju, from the Japanese, ‘giant beast’) emerging … Continue reading Fire in the water: ‘Pacific Rim’ and tectonic geopolitics
The China crisis, the motte-and-bailey fallacy, and the war between Russia and the West in Ukraine
There is a bizarre to-and-fro that goes on in debates about the war in Ukraine, in particular imitating the ‘motte-and-bailey’ medieval castle with outer and inner fortifications. These arguments go from one leg to another, refusing to endorse any particular truth and entertaining a contradiction that demonstrates the falsity of their fundamental claim: that it … Continue reading The China crisis, the motte-and-bailey fallacy, and the war between Russia and the West in Ukraine
Game of Thrones, Daenerys Targaryen, and the War to End Slavery
The televisual series Game of Thrones is striking for none other than its main character’s quest east of Westeros to end the ancient slave system and enlist the free slaves in a war to reconquer Westeros and return power to the people. Game of Thrones and the war to end slavery. The idea is striking … Continue reading Game of Thrones, Daenerys Targaryen, and the War to End Slavery
#FreeBritney — Britney’s truth: Abuse will lose, and humanity will win
Britney Spears’ latest audio revelations of her years-long abuse at the hands of her father, assisted by her mother and sister, are striking and terrifying. One night, the helicopters flew in, and Britney’s life began to end — or so it seemed. Compelled to continue releasing album after album, Britney’s musical maturation went hand-in-hand with … Continue reading #FreeBritney — Britney’s truth: Abuse will lose, and humanity will win
Churchill, the Devil, and Hitler: An analogy for our own time
‘If Hitler invaded Hell, I would make at least a favourable reference of the Devil.’ — Winston Churchill, in a speech to the House of Commons. ‘Churchill allied with Stalin,’ notes the Churchill Project in a timely piece. I myself have been confronted with controversy in my call for renewing a strategic alliance with Russia … Continue reading Churchill, the Devil, and Hitler: An analogy for our own time
The medieval mysteries of ‘Attack of the Clones’
‘Impossible to see, the future is,’ notes Yoda in political discussions with the Chancellor of the Republic, reasoning, ‘the dark side clouds everything’ — an ironic admission in front of the secret Sith lord who had already seized the reigns of democratic power. The Chancellor’s next steps involved translating political power into military might — … Continue reading The medieval mysteries of ‘Attack of the Clones’
Voices of Capital II: In the shadow of coronavirus
This week on Voices of Capital: The Economist deepens its new-found love of crisis spending, The Financial Times contemplates debt and capital markets, and The Wall Street Journal gets hyped about vaccines and stocks. Welcome to Voices of Capital, Volume II. Voices of Capital–in the shadow of coronavirus (to be specific: SARS-CoV-2). In the Economist this … Continue reading Voices of Capital II: In the shadow of coronavirus
Voices of Capital I: Welcome!
Welcome to this series of essays on three ‘voices of capital’: The Economist, The Financial Times, and The Wall Street Journal. What do I mean my ‘voices of capital’? To answer that question, let’s get more specific. By capital, I mean the interests, or the needs, of two social entities: The market system (capitalism); and The … Continue reading Voices of Capital I: Welcome!
Edmund Wilson 