Benjamin Constant
Born on this day. benjamin constantfreedomLiberalismPolitical philosophy
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Fats, Dave and The Big Beat
Glad to hear that this documentary has come to full fruition. Below is the blurb from the film’s Kickstarter page. The early years (1949-62) of the Fats Domino / Dave Bartholomew collaboration and its roots in the culture and music of New Orleans. ….On the day in 1948 the unlikely paths of Antoine “Fats” Domino…
David Wiggins, philosophers’ philosopher
I chanced upon this old review of Essays for David Wiggins: Identity, Truth and Value and was pleased to find that others are aware what a treasure this man is, not only in terms of his philosophical writings, but as a person. Speaking of the former, one of my favorite reads of all time is his Sameness and…
A Confederacy of Dunces – quotes and extracts – 75
“Oh, my God!” Ignatius stared at what he saw. Once in high school someone had shown him a pornographic photograph, and he had collapsed against a water cooler, injuring his ear. This photograph was far superior. A nude woman was sitting on the edge of a desk next to a globe of the world. The…
Leonard Liggio (1933-2014)
A personal obit in Forbes. (I met Leonard in Portsmouth, NH) Leonard LiggioLiberty
How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life: An Unexpected Guide to Human Nature and Happiness
Russ Roberts’ latest getting some high-profile press, and endorsed by some top-notch names including the redoubtable Nassim Taleb. Here is an extended interview with Reason. On this general approach to Smith see this forthcoming collection. Adam Smith, didn’t think the pursuit of wealth was a very good idea, thought it was corrosive, thought it was bad…
Can Government Be Self-Organized?
A new co-authored paper by the very versatile Tom Froese. The model is in agreement with the traditional assumption that collective action is faced by serious problems without centralized hierarchical control, but it also clearly shows that spontaneous cooperation is feasible without it. At least in principle, there is no necessity to assume the existence…
The Moviegoer – quotes and extracts – 6
“I no longer pretend to understand the world.” She is shaking her head yet still smiling her sweet menacing smile. “The world I knew has come crashing down around my ears. The things we hold dear are reviled and spat upon.” She nods toward Prytania Street. “It’s an interesting age you will live in—though I…
A Confederacy of Dunces – quotes and extracts – 74
Unaware that he was being trailed, Ignatius pushed his cart against the traffic down St. Charles toward the Quarter. He had stayed up so late the night before working on his lecture for the kickoff rally that he hadn’t been able to move from his yellowed sheets until almost noon, and then it had only…
Classic Mint Julep Recipe
After the first long swallow — really a slow and noiseless suck, because the thick crushed ice comes against your teeth and the ice must be kept out and the liquor let in — Cap Mac would say: “Very fine, Camille, you make the best julep in the world.” She probably did. Certainly her juleps…
manwithoutqualities 