Tag Archive for AtThePrecipice

The Word of Dog(matists)

In these sad and dangerous times—when if we’re not completely numbed to the tragedies of the world around us, then we’re reflexively reaching for our default (and too often shallow) responses—it’s tough to imagine anyone other than the privileged having the luxury of reading the works of David Hume. Or even about the works of…

Help for the Gun Crazies

It happened again. We wrote about one massacre, oh, way back in 2017. The spikes in thoughts and prayers that follow every suicide and murder materialized again, predictably, but not one of those fervently uttered entreaties did squat for the families and friends of the deceased. And especially nothing for the ones with the bullet…

Our Lazy Relationship with Reality

This week Roy Scranton — combat veteran, author, and Notre Dame professor — published what is in essence a manifesto explaining why, in the face of nearly-assured ecological doom, he chose life. It reminded me of Samuel Beckett’s closing to The Unnamable: “…where am I, I don’t know, I’ll never know, in the silence you…

Last Second Shot

If you’re lucky enough to get out for a snorkel or a scuba dive, it’s obvious from the get go. The coral graveyard below the surface, that is. And unless you’re a purposeful ignoramus, your own part in that devastation hits home quickly. But even if you’re trapped in in a world of emails, tweets,…

You Elected Him, and Now You’re Surprised?

Only if you’ve never seen his highlight reel.. Here’s how he deals with criticism:   Here’s how he deals with personnel decisions:   Here’s how he treats women:   Here’s how he treats diplomacy:   Here’s how he treats contractors:   Here’s how he deals with policy making:   Here’s how he treats golf scorecards:  …

This Is Happening

The message from scientists studying the effects of climate change: “climate change needs to be addressed as an issue now playing out, not something that could happen in the future.” The proof: “a survey of studies has determined that climate change has had a particularly dire effect on mammals and birds on the endangered species list.”…

Hole in the Heart

The Washington Post reports that “Americans are dying from a rash of pathologies, sicknesses and addictions that experts call “diseases of despair.”” But don’t believe for a moment that this collection of disease is limited to the U.S. It’s a global thing. The question is, what’s at the source? What are so many people missing…