Join or Die: Why You Should Join a Club

...most family households to have jobs and how this drastically cuts down on time available for joining groups. That said, I do wonder if the particularly insidious form of capitalism we’re enmeshed in, variously called “neo-liberalism” or “late stage capitalism” has more to do with the decline of organizations than people simply not wanting to join groups. One of qualities of neoliberalism, is a capitalism that has penetrated every single social re...

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Hot Colonoscopy Summer

...ever, is the fact that a colonoscopy can prevent some terrible cancers that the home test kits can’t detect. Both times I’ve had a colonoscopy the doctor found and removed polyps. The gunk you have to drink and the time by the toilet during the prep time is a small price to pay for the peace of mind you get once you’ve checked off this important task. If your doctor wants you to get one make that appointment today....

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Disaster Nationalism: A Politics of Cleansing Violence

...I think about as I, and I’m sure many of you, struggle with the amount of time we are captured by the algorithms. Seymour has a new book out, Disaster Nationalism: The Downfall of Liberal Civilization that grapples with our present confusing moment. In the book Seymour analyses the international rise of authoritarian leaders in the U.S., Brazil, The Philippines, Hungary and elsewhere and how these emerging movements create compelling, though fals...

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Grief is the pathway to action

...y just to feel the cool, wet air on my skin one last time, yet at the same time feeling angry and frustrated and sad. And as I sat there, I thought of conversations I’ve had with people who’ve confessed that they are grieving for what is being lost all around us, or they are grieving for a world their children will never know. Often they feel alone, as if no one else cares, or is much bothered at all. I don’t think we like to acknowledge this grie...

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A Note

...rtic dissection that happened four years ago. It’s not an emergency surgery this time so we’re optimistic for a good outcome. We are thankful to have insurance and a good surgeon. I need to take some time off blog posting until after the surgery. I promise to post updates and be back to this blog soon. In the meantime your thoughts and prayers are appreciated. Best, Erik...

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