An irregular round-up of interesting reads.  Most of these made me go "hmmmmm," none of them imply concurrence:
 
Quote of the Day:
“The reward for conformity was that everyone liked you except yourself.” – Rita Mae Brown

• Free Speech is always worth the fight. 
• More research notes the abysmal dysfunction of “nonprofit” boards.
• Estimates on fraud amongst publicly traded firms.
• A good primer on Lithium – which, of course, begs the question: Are we witnessing another unscientific herd mentality?  One thing is clear: Driving a lithium-fueled vehicle signals your lack of respect for the environment as conventionally defined.

By Edgar Albert Guest

Gettin’ together to smile an’ rejoice,
An’ eatin’ an’ laughin’ with folks of your choice;
An’ kissin’ the girls an’ declarin’ that they
Are growin’ more beautiful day after day;
Chattin’ an’ braggin’ a bit with the men,
Buildin’ the old family circle again;
Livin’ the wholesome an’ old-fashioned cheer,
Just for awhile at the end of the year.

Greetings fly fast as we crowd through the door
And under the old roof we gather once more
Just as we did when the youngsters were small;
Mother’s a little bit grayer, that’s all.
Father’s a little bit older, but still
Ready to romp an’ to laugh with a will.
Here we are back at the table again
Tellin’ our stories as women an’ men.

THE FINDING OF THE “MAYFLOWER” | Rendel Harris, Read & Co. (1920), 58p

"The Discovery of the Mayflower" by Rendel Harris is a captivating account of how the remains of the famous ship that transported the Pilgrims to America were discovered in a quiet corner of England. As a historian and lecturer, Harris weaves a fascinating tale of detection, intrigue, and revelation that keeps readers engaged until the end.

The book’s preface lifts an infamous essay from G.K. Chesterton titled “They Myth of the Mayflower,” where he notes that the Puritan Pilgrims were religiously intolerant and fled to American shores to establish a more rigid commune of intolerance.  Within short order, it clashed violently with the Quakers.

In 1920, Harris stumbled upon an old barn in Jordans, Buckinghamshire, which locals claimed contained timbers from the Mayflower. Intrigued, Harris began investigating the claim, using his extensive knowledge of maritime history and the Pilgrims' journey. His research led him to believe that parts of the barn were constructed using wood from the Mayflower.

"The Wisdom of the Bullfrog" is a unique and compelling guide to leadership that draws upon the lessons of the natural world to provide practical advice for leaders in any field. Author William H. McRaven is a retired Navy SEAL and former chancellor of the University of Texas system.

In the Navy SEAL tradition, a "bullfrog" refers to a senior enlisted member of a SEAL team, typically the Command Master Chief Petty Officer (CMC) or the Senior Enlisted Advisor (SEA). The term "bullfrog" is used to signify the individual's position as the leader of the enlisted personnel within the team, much like a bullfrog's role as the dominant male in a group of frogs.

The title of bullfrog is earned through experience, leadership ability, and dedication to duty and is considered a mark of distinction and respect within the Navy SEAL community. It is not uncommon for a bullfrog to have served multiple tours of duty and received numerous awards and decorations for their service.

An irregular round-up of interesting reads.  Most of these made me go "hmmmmm," none of them imply concurrence:
 
Quote of the Day:
"[H]is education had had the curious effect of making things that he read and wrote more real to him than the things he saw. Statistics about agricultural laborers were the substance: any real ditcher, plowman, or farmer’s boy was the shadow…he had a great reluctance, in his work, to ever use such words as “man” or “woman.” He preferred to write about “vocational groups,” “elements,” “classes,” and “populations” for, in his own way, he believed as firmly as any mystic in the superior reality of the things that are not seen." - C.S. Lewis. 

• Facts not spin on income inequality. 
• Another sign of India eclipsing China.
• Another state bar declines in stature, making the legal profession freer.
• More evidence that higher mandatory minimum wages hurt workers.

An irregular round-up of interesting reads.  Most of these made me go "hmmmmm," none of them imply concurrence:
 
Quote of the Day:
“How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortune of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though he derives nothing from it, except the pleasure of seeing it.”  Adam Smith, Theory of Moral Sentiments

• Fascinating review of 800 state-based public policies: Durable (long-lasting) policy appears to be those enacted via direct democracy.
• Intergenerational social mobility is directly correlated with economic freedom.  No surprise but always affirming to see the evidence match the worldview. 
• A primer on ESG “investing.”​ ​

HUNTER GATHER’S GUIDE TO THE 21st CENTURY | Heather Heying & Bret Weinstein, Swift Press, (2022), 301p.

Heather Heying and Bret Weinstein's "Hunter Gatherer's Guide to the 21st Century" offers a refreshing and insightful perspective on how humans can thrive in today's rapidly changing world. As evolutionary biologists, the authors bring a unique lens to the table, drawing upon our species' history to provide practical advice for navigating the complexities of modern life.

The book is divided into four parts, tackling a distinct aspect of human existence. Part One, "Understanding Ourselves," delves into the evolutionary roots of human behavior, shedding light on why we act the way we do. From the role of dopamine in motivation to the importance of community, the authors provide a compelling explanation of our innate drives and desires.

Part Two, "Navigating the World," applies the same evolutionary framework to explore how our surroundings shape our actions and decisions. Topics range from the impact of urbanization on mental health to the influence of social media on our relationships. Throughout this section, Heying and Weinstein challenge readers to question their assumptions about the world around them.

In Part Three, "Building Resilience," the authors focus on strategies for cultivating individual resilience in adversity. They advocate for physical exercise, mindfulness, and creativity, all of which help us adapt to an ever-changing environment. This section also includes valuable discussions on managing stress, building meaningful relationships, and finding purpose in life.

Finally, Part Four, "Rethinking Society," takes a step back to examine the larger structures that govern our society. Here, the authors critique contemporary institutions such as education, healthcare, and government while offering proposals for positive change. Their arguments are well-supported and thought-provoking, encouraging readers to rethink their assumptions about the systems that shape our lives.

An irregular round-up of exciting reads.  Most of these made me go "hmm," none of them imply concurrence:
 
Quote of the Day:
"The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more." - Jonas Salk 

• 2024 Tax Foundation ratings of the states.
• A converse relationship between state regulatory schemes and income inequality.
• Reviewing tax-funded book policies.
• The study suggests that revolts against the state tend to arise from urban areas.
• CCCP Communism contributed to a rise in patricide, apparently.
• More evidence that marginal tax rate reductions lift all boats.
• More evidence suggests that parental education correlates with more significant language development in children.
• The study suggests that U.S. foreign war involvement tends to increase domestic radicalization.
• As the U.N. passes resolutions, violence in the discussed nation increases, apparently.
• A study confirms a parliament of experts would be insufferable.

SIZE: How it Explains the World | Vaclav Smil, William Morrow Publishing (2023), 304p.

​In "Size: How It Explains the World," author Vaclav Smil embarks on an intriguing journey to explore the significance of scale in various aspects of our lives. From the nanoscale to the global level, this book delves into the impact of size on biology, technology, society, and the environment. As an energy and environmental science expert, Smil brings his unique perspective to reveal the profound effects of scaling on our world.

The book begins with an introduction to the concept of scale and its importance in understanding various phenomena. Smil effectively illustrates how size influences everything from materials’ strength to transportation systems’ efficiency. He presents fascinating examples, such as the fact that spider silk’s strength-to-weight ratio is more significant than steel’s, highlighting the remarkable properties of natural materials.

​An irregular round-up of interesting reads.  Most of these made me go "hmmmmm," none of them imply concurrence:
 
Quote of the Day:
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.”  - Henry Ford

• Does genetics account for intelligence?  This twin study suggests 70% of it does, or put another way, all that parenting and schooling effort packs a little less than a third of impact.
• Rings true:  We judge those we know more harshly than those we do not.
• Yikes, crime is indeed at adecade high.
• The DOD reports China is working toward 1,000 nuclear warheads, including 300 ICBMs today.
• Interesting data on the differences in personal savings in finances amongst religious groups.
• Does Paid Sick Leave policies lead to not more time off to raise families but to more abortions?  Odd evidence abounds.
• Fascinating observation:  Does subscribing to identity politics create a mental health well-being challenge?  Evidence suggests so.
• The illegality of forced (compelled speech) union dues revisited.
• On speech, has the rising generation been taught wrong?
• A meditation on trust and mistrust in medicine.
• George Will on why identity politics are toxic to the dignity of personhood.
• A riveting conversation between Stossel and Rand Paul on Fauci.
• Reconsidering Orwell’s 1984 – or realizing its shelf-life.
• A mediation and praise for more etiquette.
• A solid reflection on why free speech for thee means free speech for them.
• Lessons learned from a high-tech boarder failure.
• Long-term impacts of early exposure to air-pollution studied.
• Odd.  Some evidence that hospital closures had little impact on infant health.
• Looks like the Gulf States have done it – transformed their economies to be resilient against the loss of oil exports.
• Bill Mahar advises against college: