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Jake:

Plato was the godfather of totalitarianism, and his Republic was an inspiration for Christian Theocratic, Fascist, Nazi, and Communist tyrannies, none of which were Cool for Katz or any other name. Sir Karl Popper had many awful things to say about Plato’s Utopian vision.

Yes, sense of urgency can help innovation, but is not in itself…[Read more]

Jake:

That lake is so beautiful. I bet those books have really cool pics. And that science center is pretty cool. Been there half a dozen times or so. I would take 7 to 2 they have a copy of Spring on Squam. Sad thing is that squam Lake had the cleanest water in NH from memory. I remember drinking it from faucet. I don’t know how long it is b…

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I have been thinking how AI might be employed to counteract the sleep of reason. All over the globe the somnambulence of reason is in perpetual season. Peaks its head out from time to time before it is whack-a-moled into its interstices where it is in semi-hibernation.

The level of ignorance and stupidity is mind numbing. It might be excused…[Read more]

Good argument against the lefty isolationists:

https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-890457

The more advanced broken window opens door equation is apparent with Israel and its military defense. (How does one measure prosperity? For my money it is not reducible to economics and monetary scales.)

“And all of those innovations would be needed in peacetime, and can be and are created in peacetime, and the material they require would be far…[Read more]

Jake:

Broken window net prosperity equation is not easily calculated.

It’s quite easy to calculate. Things that are destroyed are not wealth and cannot create more wealth. So destruction is loss on top of loss, and loss is not net prosperity.

Israel’s ongoing security challenges have fostered rapid, war-driven innovations, particularly in m…

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Broken window net prosperity equation is not easily calculated.

Israel’s ongoing security challenges have fostered rapid, war-driven innovations, particularly in medical technology and defense. Key developments include
AI-driven battlefield triage (Aidoc), specialized vascular surgeries, 3D-printed prosthetics, and advanced wound treatments.…[Read more]

Jake:

Enco, the oft-cited extraordinary claims requirement is a logical one. Not sure this is an extraordinary claim however. Has anyone defined it satisfactorily? On the other hand your skepticism is sensible. Memories are fallible. Sometimes the speaker intends to deceive.

Nothing too extraordinary about misattribution of quotes. There is info…

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Thanks Reg.

That lake is so beautiful. I bet those books have really cool pics. And that science center is pretty cool. Been there half a dozen times or so. I would take 7 to 2 they have a copy of Spring on Squam. Sad thing is that squam Lake had the cleanest water in NH from memory. I remember drinking it from faucet. I don’t know how long it…[Read more]

Enco, the oft-cited extraordinary claims requirement is a logical one. Not sure this is an extraordinary claim however. Has anyone defined it satisfactorily? On the other hand your skepticism is sensible. Memories are fallible. Sometimes the speaker intends to deceive.

Nothing too extraordinary about misattribution of quotes. There is info…[Read more]

@Jakelafort…I know it is not these but you might be interested….

Book One

Book Two

I wonder if any members here would be able to help?

Jake:

I acknowledge your affirmation. And I equally say that extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof. So, whenever and if ever you find the proof of another author for the quote attributed to JFK, I will say I was mistaken about the author. Until then, I’ll just say whoever said the quote was wrong.

The Israelis manage to be…

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I affirm the truth of the matter asserted. My ass read that shit in an old obscure book. It stuck with me because it came as surprise. There were so many old books at my grandparents house yeah on the Jewish side of course. Unless i am reading some well known author or classical author i don’t pay any attention to the author or title. Book i am…[Read more]

Reg:

Even if “the wisdom of the wise and the experience of ages may be preserved by quotation.” Issac D’Israeli….who also wrote that:

“The literary treasures of antiquity have suffered from the malice of Men as well as that of Time. It is remarkable that conquerors, in the moment of victory, or in the unsparing devastation of their rage, h…

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Enco: – I can’t find a reference to any similar rhetorical phrasing from the 18th century.

Even if “the wisdom of the wise and the experience of ages may be preserved by quotation.” Issac D’Israeli....who also wrote that:

“The literary treasures of antiquity have suffered from the malice of Men as well as that of Time. It is remarkable that con…[Read more]

Jake:

You were saying earlier, in a state of sleep deprivation:

Under ordinary circumstances i agree conscription is a prescription for loss of freedom. Really it is fucking risky and no fun if your heart is not in it.

Israel, however, requires it and it is existential. It doesn’t end. Not yet. Constantly under siege. And being under siege h…

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Reg:

“what the country has done for each of us, and… what we can do for the country”….source

And….citizens should be “less concerned about what the government can do… and more… what it can do for the nation”…..Warren G. Harding.

Alas, this doesn’t give the Eighteenth Century origin of the quote, it just shows how pernicious it’s influence is.

“what the country has done for each of us, and… what we can do for the country”….source

And….citizens should be “less concerned about what the government can do… and more… what it can do for the nation”…..Warren G. Harding.

Jake:

Now that you’ve got your rest, I can address quotes and our previous topic.

Good walk spoiled? Thought it was Harvey Penick. Wa’nt. Wa’nt Twain either. Mark that and fathom that. John Feinstein wrote a book of that title but wa’nt his quote not by a mile. Hittin a ball. Hittin it foul. Hittin it long and straight wipes off that scowl…

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What happened to the Forums space? I wanted to post in Small Talk and I get “Page Not Found.”

WTH?!!!