This article by the New Yorker is going viral: DOOMSDAY PREP FOR THE SUPER-RICH (Some of the wealthiest people in America—in Silicon Valley, New York, and beyond—are getting ready for the crackup of civilization.) The article was shared hundreds of times on sites such as Reddit, and the same liberals who express outrage at finance… Continue reading Doomsday prep for the super-rich
Author: smartistone
The American Dream Still Exists–If You’re Smart Enough
From Freakanomics Radio: Is the American Dream Really Dead? It depends how you define it and for whom. The podcast defines the ‘American Dream’ in terms of upward mobility, or the percentage of people born in the bottom fifth of income who advance to the top 20%. Because the size of each bracket is always… Continue reading The American Dream Still Exists–If You’re Smart Enough
Stagnant Inflation-Adjusted US Wages: Putting Things in Perspective
Headlines about stagnant inflation-adjusted wages in the US, are becoming increasingly common. Real wages have not budged since the 60’s: However, WSJ had an article discussing how wages are higher when measured by a different inflation index, and also after accounting for increased employee benefits in the form of employer-subsidized healthcare. This trend is not… Continue reading Stagnant Inflation-Adjusted US Wages: Putting Things in Perspective
Why NRx is Popular on Reddit
Reddit’s users are predominantly millennials, and ideologically, the site tends to have an anti-authoritarian, anti-establishment, and contrarian bias, yet NRx and related ‘Dark Enlightenment’ views are surprisingly popular there despite reactionaries generally advocating ‘more power’, not less. When Moldbug in 2016 did an AMA it was very well-received, and judging by the up-votes, many Reddit… Continue reading Why NRx is Popular on Reddit
Trump Presidency: Sober Expectations
Trump’s inauguration speech was very ambitious….if he accomplishes just 10% of it (and assuming there are no negative economic consequences), his presidency will be a success. Of course, it’s very hard to predict how history will judge Trump, but I’m predicting he will surpass expectations, meaning that he’ll be a better president than many in… Continue reading Trump Presidency: Sober Expectations
A Skeptic’s View of Fred’s IQ Artilce
From Fred Reed; IQ: A Skeptic’s View As anyone who has read Fred Reed’s columns knows, he has a soft spot for Mexico, possibly stemming from the fact he lives there with his wife and children, ardently defending the country against so-called ‘IQ-ists’ who insist Mexico only has an IQ of around 85, which Mr.… Continue reading A Skeptic’s View of Fred’s IQ Artilce
The ‘New World Order’
From Unz: Risks and Opportunities for 2017 Russia is now the most powerful country on the planet. I know, I know, the Russian economy is relatively small, Russia has plenty of problems and just a year ago Obama dismissed Russia as a “regional power” while McCain referred to her as a “gas station masquerading as… Continue reading The ‘New World Order’
Debunking the 90% Eisenhower Income Tax Myth
From Unz: The Trump Bubble The author, Mike Whiney, cites a study that the US economy did better when income tax rates for top earners were at 80-90% during the Eisenhower administration, compared to around 34% today. “A study from the Congressional Research Service — the non-partisan research office for Congress — shows that “there… Continue reading Debunking the 90% Eisenhower Income Tax Myth
Why Choose Pacifism
Pacifism is not about giving up or conceding – it’s about perspective, in picking and choosing your battles wisely, as well as maximizing one’s present situation with the resources at his or her disposal. The failure of conservatism over the past 40 years to halt–let alone reverse–leftism, is evidence of the failure of activism as… Continue reading Why Choose Pacifism
Trump and the Alt-Right: A Return to ‘Localism’
The alt-right is new, but it’s intellectually descended from the John Birch Society and Pat Buchanan brand of conservatism, which failed to gained wide acceptance. It ended when Reagan, who promoted a message and policy of unity, won twice by significant margins, changing the course of American national politics from one of identity to one… Continue reading Trump and the Alt-Right: A Return to ‘Localism’