Conspicuous Blame

Conspicuous Blame

As I recently lamented, the hard part of managing the COVID-19 pandemic lies in the easing of restrictions and lockdowns. We were originally told we had to “flatten the curve,” which makes for a nice catchy bit of motivation. As is inevitable with...
Solution Pachinko

Solution Pachinko

As the crisis of the Coronavirus threat tests our system, it’s useful to look at the efficacy of our last “Black Swan” crisis: the response to the events of September 11th. The look is depressing. We invaded Iraq in an effort to make them like us:...
Get Off My Side!

Get Off My Side!

The COVID-19 lockdown has driven many of us into the waiting arms of Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and other streaming services, as we seek replacements for our social gathering habits. My current binge is the new season of Bosch on Amazon Prime, which premiered this...
COVID Calculus

COVID Calculus

Thomas Mann, writer, philanthropist, social critic, and Nobel Laureate, told us, nearly a century ago, that “everything is politics.” COVID-19 and the response to it are no exception. I have little doubt that every action taken in response to the pandemic...
The Humanistic Ethic

The Humanistic Ethic

Freeman Dyson, physicist, polymath, and intellect of such a towering magnitude that “genius” feels somehow inadequate, recently passed away at the age of 96. Obituary writers in the usual places chose, predictably and disappointingly, to highlight one...