Preparing for the Unexpected

When do "unexpected" things happen?

Walter Kirn is an author and theater guy who currently lives in Montana. He has been doing some things with Matt Taibbi lately because he is worried about the country.

What few people know about me: I drive around with supplies and gear sufficient not only to survive a terrible upheaval, but to endure for weeks afterwards and then restart civilization
No kidding: I carry an emergency library of essential world literature
In my car
Literally

There are questions and answers in the Twitter/X thread about what is included in his emergency supplies, but not much about what prompted him to decide to carry them with him.

Do you have any preparations along these lines? If you had a set of civilization restarting books, would they be different from his?

What conditions might lead people to think that they might have to restart civilization? I'm not a big fan of Ayn Rand's philosophy, but she was perceptive about certain things. This is the Old Books Guy:

Only Ayn Rand was smart enough to predict that incompetence and an ENVY for excellence will lead to dystopian social outcomes. Orwell thought we'd need total mind control, Huxley thought we'd need a permanently drugged populace, but Rand knew: all you need is resentment

From the thread:

Ayn Rand's villains are "second-handers" - they live not by truth but by consensus. They are the crabs of crab mentality. They look up only to see who they have to pull down. They love to do their evil from behind sweet sounding words like democracy and equality. . .

Ayn Rand's BIG intellectual achievement was embodying Nietzschean ideas. Atlas Shrugged is the story of how the world ends when slave morality becomes the dominant ethic of an era

What do you think?

The two links above remind me of Ed Driscoll's current post on modern art, Why Modern Art Isn't Right:

The strange new official portrait of Charles III is an occasion for conservatives to ask once more, "What's wrong with modern art?" And is there any alternative to it, if this painting is the best that even a king can get?
Portraiture and monarchy have little place in today's world--neither is extinct, though each has been largely deprived of function. The king reigns but does not rule. Portraits have prestige but are no longer necessary for memorializing or promoting anyone's appearance. Democracy and photography have taken over the work of the old forms.
So the king's portrait evokes dilution. . .

In his 2002 review of C.P. Snow's 1959 book, The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution, Orrin Judd of the Brothers Judd blog wrote:

As Snow notes, as late as say the 1850s, any reasonably well-educated, well-read, inquisitive man could speak knowledgeably about both science and the arts. . .
Like priests of some ancient cult, scientists were separated out from the mass of men, elevated above them by their access to secret knowledge. Even more annoying was the fact that even though they had moved beyond what the rest of us could readily understand, they could still listen to Bach or read Shakespeare and discuss it intelligently. The reaction of their peers in the arts, or those who had been their peers, was to make their own fields of expertise as obscure as possible. If Picasso couldn't understand particle physics, he sure as hell wasn't going to paint anything comprehensible, and if Joyce couldn't pick up a scientific journal and read it, then no one was going to be able to read his books either. And so grew the two cultures, the one real, the other manufactured, but both with elaborate and often counterintuitive theories, requiring years of study.

And thus we we end up with the formulation of Tom Wolfe's 1975 book, The Painted Word, where modern art exists almost solely to justify the theory behind it, and as Wolfe wrote, "In short: frankly, these days, without a theory to go with it, I can't see a painting."

This probably explains a lot of the massive output of useless "peer reviewed literature" in our universities today, too. Can you identify other developments that might prompt Walter Kirn to carry a civilization-restarting kit in his car?

* * * * *

The End of Everything

One of the reasons Victor Davis Hanson is resented is that a lot of ordinary people understand what he says and writes. He has just released a new book.

I heard part of this interview with VDH about the book while driving. It starts at about two and a half minutes and ends at 18 minutes. The calmness with which VDH discusses how wars descend into annihilation is a reason to listen to him speak. A couple of lessons he took from putting this book together:

Being "cultured" didn't keep destroyers from destroying. Alexander the Great was cultured (taught by Aristotle). That didn't keep him from taking Thebes to the ground.
Culture didn't help Thebes much, either. A poet's home was saved, and I read and discussed Antigone in the 8th grade (or 9th?), but Thebes was destroyed.
The civilizations targeted for destruction could not count on their allies.

Here's a more formal interview about the book, with some discussions about current conditions. He seems to see Greece and Armenia as possible targets for destruction. The discussion of the destruction of the Aztec empire is interesting. He hints at some things we might consider doing to keep our culture and civilization from falling apart, too.

Aren't you glad that it's the weekend?

* * * * *

Music

2024 is the two hundredth anniversary of the writing of Beethoven's Ode to Joy. To celebrate that and Leeds for Europe's visit to Dortmund over the weekend here is the original Ode to Joy flashmob, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Nuremberg and the Hans-Sachs-Choir in front of the St. Lorenz Church in Nuremberg, Germany.

* * * * *

Hope you have something nice planned for this weekend.

This is the Thread before the Gardening Thread.

Serving your mid-day open thread needs

* * * * *

Last week's thread, May 11, Liberty Leading the People

Comments are closed so you won't ban yourself by trying to comment on a week-old thread. But don't try it anyway.

Posted by: K.T. at 11:16 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good morning KT

Posted by: Skip at May 18, 2024 11:17 AM (fwDg9)

2 Hi, Skip!

Posted by: KT at May 18, 2024 11:19 AM (rrtZS)

3 "Shit dude, why do you have 20 five gallon gas cans in your garage?"

Posted by: pawn at May 18, 2024 11:19 AM (QB+5g)

4 Yonder Horde

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 18, 2024 11:20 AM (Q4IgG)

5 Suspected Illegal Alien Accused of Multiple Rapes, Officials Haven’t Clarified Whether He Faces Immigration Detainer

-
So he colors outside the lines, that's no reason to expel this spark of divinity.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I've Been Through the Desert On a Horse With No Shame at May 18, 2024 11:21 AM (L/fGl)

6 Why Johnny can't read.

Colorado Middle School Requires Teachers to Show LGBTQ+ "Day of Silence" Video to Students

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I've Been Through the Desert On a Horse With No Shame at May 18, 2024 11:23 AM (L/fGl)

7 Watched VDH interview on "The End of Everything". Somebody should tell the producers that people pay attention to hear VDH, not the preening simp that asked the questions.

Posted by: Ray Van Dune at May 18, 2024 11:24 AM (fvaUq)

8 ACQUIRE AND COLLATE!
ACQUIRE AND COLLATE!
ACQUIRE AND COLLATE!

Posted by: The Librarian Dalek at May 18, 2024 11:24 AM (JZwYQ)

9 They're on the warpath!

India Refuses Trade With China, Compares Beijing to Burglar Who Makes “a Mess of Your House”

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I've Been Through the Desert On a Horse With No Shame at May 18, 2024 11:26 AM (L/fGl)

10 Suspected Illegal Alien Accused of Multiple Rapes, Officials Haven’t Clarified Whether He Faces Immigration Detainer

-
So he colors outside the lines, that's no reason to expel this spark of divinity.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I've Been Through the Desert On a Horse With No Shame at May 18, 2024 11:21 AM (L/fGl)

People think suicide is putting a gun in your mouth and pulling the trigger.

It can also be not enforcing laws.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 18, 2024 11:26 AM (26sd+)

11 2024 is the two hundredth anniversary of the writing of Beethoven's Ode to Joy. To celebrate that and Leeds for Europe's visit to Dortmund over the weekend here is the original Ode to Joy flashmob, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Nuremberg and the Hans-Sachs-Choir in front of the St. Lorenz Church in Nuremberg, Germany.
_____

Beautiful. I was half expecting to see mobs of muslim migrants bust it up. Europe isn't gone yet, but in a few short decades they endangered centuries of what their civilization built up.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 18, 2024 11:26 AM (fs1hN)

12 Ive seen Kirn on Gutfeld a few times. Interesting guy, thoughtful, not a jokester but has a good sense of humor.

Posted by: Ex GOP at May 18, 2024 11:27 AM (GpUII)

13 >> Only Ayn Rand was smart enough to predict that incompetence and an ENVY for excellence will lead to dystopian social outcomes. Orwell thought we'd need total mind control, Huxley thought we'd need a permanently drugged populace, but Rand knew: all you need is resentment

I’m not sure this is the whole picture. All you need is resentment… but I think these days the resentment flows from what? Answer: misplaced expectations combined with old fashioned laziness. People, for whatever reason, expect to roll out of bed and have success handed to them on a silver platter. The notion of a work ethic is passe…. Their laziness leads to, naturally, a lack of success…. That leads to resentment.

And BTW… we have lots of examples in modern society of people living the good life who really didn’t work that hard: actors, rock stars, politicians, athletes….. I think a lot of young males in the last 20 years wondered why they can’t be like Michael Jordan or Tom Brady or Tiger Woods.

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at May 18, 2024 11:28 AM (xT8gx)

14 There are questions and answers in the Twitter/X thread about what is included in his emergency supplies, but not much about what prompted him to decide to carry them with him.

-------------

We used to call those people bums, the ones who drove around with all their shit in their car.

Now, nobody asks because nobody needs to ask.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 18, 2024 11:28 AM (26sd+)

15 Hate speech!

Wife Of Chiefs Owner Says Praising Motherhood “Is Not Bigoted” After Harrison Butker Graduation Speech

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I've Been Through the Desert On a Horse With No Shame at May 18, 2024 11:29 AM (L/fGl)

16 Only Ayn Rand was smart enough to predict that incompetence and an ENVY for excellence will lead to dystopian social outcomes. Orwell thought we'd need total mind control, Huxley thought we'd need a permanently drugged populace, but Rand knew: all you need is resentment
---------
I’m not sure this is the whole picture. All you need is resentment…
Posted by: LinusVanPelt at May 18, 2024 11:28 AM (xT8gx)

It's not.

In fact, it misses the picture by focusing on the wrong thing. Resentment is GENERATED by the powers that be, to keep people fighting with each other, rather than fighting the autocrats and oligarchs and intellectuals who rule us.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 18, 2024 11:31 AM (26sd+)

17 So called "intellectual life" today has allowed itself to be trapped in the same cul de sac that medieval monasticism did. It's become so ingrown that they put all of their time and energy into debating topics that are absolutely incomprehensible to anyone outside their closed circle. They can exist this way for a while, but at a time of stress society will realize they are non essential and dump them completely.

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 18, 2024 11:32 AM (qort2)

18 I guess he slapped hot iron to it.

Stars' Chris Tanev Has Tooth Pulled Mid-Game, Returns To Action

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I've Been Through the Desert On a Horse With No Shame at May 18, 2024 11:32 AM (L/fGl)

19 We I wonder what to do I check in with Bill Quick.

Posted by: lonetown at May 18, 2024 11:32 AM (3DQGy)

20 Europe has seriously endangered their civilization a multitude of times in the past, I could have added.

But I don't see they get out of the death spiral, unless they man up, and kick the alien invaders/guests out, probably with much bloodshed.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 18, 2024 11:33 AM (fs1hN)

21 Reuters: Australians stranded in New Caledonia 'running out of food' amid civil unrest

"The riots have been sparked by anger among indigenous Kanak people over a constitutional amendment approved by lawmakers in Paris that would allow French people who have lived in New Caledonia for at least 10 years to vote in provincial elections, which some local leaders fear will dilute the Kanak vote."

Posted by: L - If they do it with you, they'll do it to you, too at May 18, 2024 11:33 AM (NFX2v)

22 Never read Atlas Shrugged, seen many say its a bit of a mess to read

Posted by: Skip at May 18, 2024 11:33 AM (fwDg9)

23 So called "intellectual life" today has allowed itself to be trapped in the same cul de sac that medieval monasticism did. It's become so ingrown that they put all of their time and energy into debating topics that are absolutely incomprehensible to anyone outside their closed circle. They can exist this way for a while, but at a time of stress society will realize they are non essential and dump them completely.
Posted by: Tom Servo

How many grannies can dance on their pinheads?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I've Been Through the Desert On a Horse With No Shame at May 18, 2024 11:34 AM (L/fGl)

24 15 Hate speech!

Wife Of Chiefs Owner Says Praising Motherhood “Is Not Bigoted” After Harrison Butker Graduation Speech
____

Uh oh. Kelce/Swift might be tempted or urged to weigh in. Maybe I should grab some popcorn.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 18, 2024 11:35 AM (fs1hN)

25

22 Never read Atlas Shrugged, seen many say its a bit of a mess to read
Posted by: Skip at May 18, 2024 11:33 AM (fwDg9)

Ayn Rand really, really needed an editor.

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 18, 2024 11:36 AM (qort2)

26 Even more annoying was the fact that even though they had moved beyond what the rest of us could readily understand, they could still listen to Bach or read Shakespeare and discuss it intelligently. The reaction of their peers in the arts, or those who had been their peers, was to make their own fields of expertise as obscure as possible. If Picasso couldn't understand particle physics, he sure as hell wasn't going to paint anything comprehensible, and if Joyce couldn't pick up a scientific journal and read it, then no one was going to be able to read his books either. And so grew the two cultures, the one real, the other manufactured, but both with elaborate and often counterintuitive theories, requiring years of study.

When I read this this morning, I mentally marked it as worthy of posting here. It explains so much about modern culture. I don't think today's people are fundamentally different than those a thousand years ago, but modern media puts the disparity in people's lives and outcomes in their faces 24/7.

Envy is an extremely powerful force, which explains why it occupies so prominent a place in the Ten Commandments.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 18, 2024 11:36 AM (CsUN+)

27 So called "intellectual life" today has allowed itself to be trapped in the same cul de sac that medieval monasticism did. It's become so ingrown that they put all of their time and energy into debating topics that are absolutely incomprehensible to anyone outside their closed circle. They can exist this way for a while, but at a time of stress society will realize they are non essential and dump them completely.
Posted by: Tom Servo at May 18, 2024 11:32 AM (qort2)

We tend to see that in wartime. All the arguments before the shooting starts (such as the slavery question before the War of Unpleasantness, or the questions of total war before WWII), the people who make those arguments, regardless of which side they're on, they become rather unimportant.

If anything, a momentary pause and a nod, then everyone gets back to the blood spilling.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 18, 2024 11:37 AM (26sd+)

28 How many grannies can dance on their pinhead?

-
Trannies! Trannies! Damn autocucumber!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I've Been Through the Desert On a Horse With No Shame at May 18, 2024 11:37 AM (L/fGl)

29 So called "intellectual life" today has allowed itself to be trapped in the same cul de sac that medieval monasticism did. It's become so ingrown that they put all of their time and energy into debating topics that are absolutely incomprehensible to anyone outside their closed circle.

In truth, they don't understand it either, because it's just rank nonsense. They pretend they do because it boosts their social status.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 18, 2024 11:38 AM (CsUN+)

30 Guys, don’t store Reboot Civ 2.1 in your vehicle, okay? Because by now you should know how the world works - when my prototype Thingy That Flips Up launches backwards in an uncontrollable spirall towards the convoy, we all know what vehicle is going to be incinerated, right?

Posted by: Fen at May 18, 2024 11:38 AM (7Ygbv)

31 And my thinking on this Chuck the III paint dumpster is the painter's political feelings is what is the main object. Wonder if he is a Satanist, but sure a Cultural Marxist

Posted by: Skip at May 18, 2024 11:38 AM (fwDg9)

32 Alright! UPS asshole just lied that ...

05/18/2024
10:15 A.M. Delivery Attempted
We tried to deliver the package, but were unable to receive payment. A second attempt will be made the next business day

I asked UPS's AI Chatbot why the ups driver lied that delivery was attempted, but it said more or less that "it wasn't programmed to reply to my request."

Posted by: andycanuck (ZdexC) at May 18, 2024 11:38 AM (ZdexC)

33 The organizers of that street musician video aren't hitting their diversity targets.

Posted by: DEI Karen at May 18, 2024 11:39 AM (dg+HA)

34 Yesterday wasn't too bad. Tomorrow is not looking too shabby either.

Paul McCartney Named Britain’s First Billionaire Musician

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I've Been Through the Desert On a Horse With No Shame at May 18, 2024 11:41 AM (L/fGl)

35 33 The organizers of that street musician video aren't hitting their diversity targets.
Posted by: DEI Karen
___

We can fix that.

Posted by: Mobs of Muslim Migrants at May 18, 2024 11:41 AM (FFIq9)

36 I tried reading Atlas Shrugged on two separate occasions. Couldn’t get through it… not one character is likeable. It’s very rare for me to not finish a book I start. I read a bio of Ayn Rand once… she was one nasty lady

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at May 18, 2024 11:41 AM (xT8gx)

37 Socialism: even Germans couldn't make it work.

Posted by: So why should anyone else? at May 18, 2024 11:41 AM (dg+HA)

38 Grannies, trannies, lol!

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 18, 2024 11:42 AM (qort2)

39 I guess he slapped hot iron to it.

Stars' Chris Tanev Has Tooth Pulled Mid-Game, Returns To Action
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I've Been Through the Desert On a Horse With No Shame at May 18, 2024 11:32 AM (L/fGl)

Meh. I watched a game, eons ago, Keith Tkachuk used his stick to knock a few teeth out of Brendan Shanahan's mouth. Shanny had to leave the game... for a while. When he came back in the third period, the Blues were leading, and... who was Tkachuk playing for then, Hartford? I don't remember. Anyhoo, the Blues were leading by one or two, and Tkachuk's team had pulled their goalie. At that point, they're both on the ice, Shanny gets the puck around mid-ice, spins, shoots, scores, then drops the gloves and beats the shit out of Tkachuk.

Not that's a hat trick: Lose teeth, score, beat the snot out of the guy who knocked out your teeth.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 18, 2024 11:42 AM (26sd+)

40 "I think a lot of young males in the last 20 years wondered why they can’t be like Michael Jordan or Tom Brady or Tiger Woods."

But a lot of them can be like Trayvon, Brown, or George Floyd ... that is, into drugs, probably selling and carrying a weapon. None of those carried a gun (at the time of their demise) but that is part of the drug culture, which seems dominant in a lot of "black neighborhoods".

And with the cartel importing millions, those bosses also carry weapons. Joining the gangs is the easy path .. but does not lead where they hope. The early and often sex is another part of the problem culture.

Posted by: illiniwek at May 18, 2024 11:42 AM (Cus5s)

41 In fact, it misses the picture by focusing on the wrong thing. Resentment is GENERATED by the powers that be, to keep people fighting with each other, rather than fighting the autocrats and oligarchs and intellectuals who rule us.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 18, 2024 11:31 AM

The government wants everybody fighting with their neighbors
'Cause they know that if we get along, we'll probably go against 'em

https://bit.ly/3G1glh5

Posted by: Tom MacDonald - Brainwashed at May 18, 2024 11:43 AM (P5BPp)

42 The organizers of that street musician video aren't hitting their diversity targets.

I loved that there were Asian women among the musicians. Classical music is part of humanity's heritage.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 18, 2024 11:44 AM (CsUN+)

43 Thanks KT for Ode to Joy.
I have such an emotional response to music like that. I have to hold back tears. It is like I can feel the music against my skin. Anyone else get that sensation?

Posted by: sharon(willow's apprentice) at May 18, 2024 11:44 AM (t/2Uw)

44 >Never read Atlas Shrugged, seen many say its a bit of a mess to read

Posted by: Skip

---

it's about 500 pages too long
she should have hired a ruthless editor
Moby Dick unabridged was an easier read

Posted by: Don Black at May 18, 2024 11:44 AM (/7KEl)

45 Archimedes at May 18, 2024 11:36 AM

Great point about the Ten Commandments. We are commanded there not to covet. Elsewhere advised not to be greedy, which gets a lot of attention today.

Posted by: KT at May 18, 2024 11:45 AM (rrtZS)

46 Dual U.S.-Swiss citizenship would be my own preference for catastrophe planning. I don't have it, of course, but maybe my kids &/or grandkids might.

Former Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) & her husband acquired dual U.S.-Swiss citizenship decades ago. They established a very successful accounting firm in MN-- that helped.

It's very difficult to qualify for Swiss citizenship-- would require a decade of planning. Attending a Swiss university, even for just a year or two, would be very helpful.

Posted by: mnw at May 18, 2024 11:46 AM (NLIak)

47 And my thinking on this Chuck the III paint dumpster is the painter's political feelings is what is the main object. Wonder if he is a Satanist, but sure a Cultural Marxist
Posted by: Skip at May 18, 2024 11:38 AM (fwDg9)

It's like what your mother told you when you were young: "Don't drink too much cherry koolaid, you'll throw it up, and everyone will think it's blood."

Posted by: BurtTC at May 18, 2024 11:46 AM (26sd+)

48 does anyone here have satellite internet

Posted by: Don Black at May 18, 2024 11:46 AM (/7KEl)

49 I have such an emotional response to music like that. I have to hold back tears. It is like I can feel the music against my skin. Anyone else get that sensation?

My church has a really good organist and choir. They sing well above their weight. My favorite part of every service is simply to close my eyes and let the music wash over me.

You can keep the guitars and drums.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 18, 2024 11:46 AM (CsUN+)

50 Posted by: BurtTC at May 18, 2024 11:31 AM

The government wants everybody fighting with their neighbors
'Cause they know that if we get along, we'll probably go against 'em

https://bit.ly/3G1glh5
Posted by: Tom MacDonald - Brainwashed at May 18, 2024 11:43 AM (P5BPp)

Yes, and it begs the question: For what purpose?

This is where we get back to the Georgia Guidestones.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 18, 2024 11:47 AM (26sd+)

51 We went to VDH's favorite restaurant again the day before I heard the radio interview. It really is a working class joint. More pleasant when it's not at capacity, full of noisy people trying to talk loud enough to hear each other over the noise. So, nice this time.

Posted by: KT at May 18, 2024 11:48 AM (rrtZS)

52 Never read Atlas Shrugged, seen many say its a bit of a mess to read
Posted by: Skip at May 18, 2024 11:33 AM (fwDg9)

Ayn Rand really, really needed an editor.
Posted by: Tom Servo at May 18, 2024 11:36 AM (qort2)
***

Better yet, two.

Posted by: Diogenes at May 18, 2024 11:49 AM (W/lyH)

53 You can keep the guitars and drums.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 18, 2024 11:46 AM (CsUN+)

Amen to that! I love the organ and traditional choir at our church. I did for years but I’d no longer attend a church with a “rock band” on the stage…

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at May 18, 2024 11:49 AM (xT8gx)

54
There once was a playful young boy
With twenty two bucks to deploy
Since he was feeling Merry
He bought a drink for Sherry
And the rest of it he owed to Joy!

Posted by: Muldoon at May 18, 2024 11:50 AM (991eG)

55 Another sign of the collapse of civilization, profiting from your bad behavior.

Jasmine Crockett
@JasmineForUS
So we are going to drop “A Crockett Clapback Collection.” This collection will feature various swag that includes random things I’ve said. The money will go to ensuring that we have a Democratic House! Give me a little time to really get the swag online etc., but B6 will drop first.
If you have things you want to see come to life let me know. Post graphics or just phrases that you want to see.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I've Been Through the Desert On a Horse With No Shame at May 18, 2024 11:50 AM (L/fGl)

56 I'll pass on the new VDH book. He has developed into a complete "pattern of history" guy, like Marx. And I don't buy it. That inevitably entails creating the patterns you see. I recommend J H Hexter, and C S Lewis, as antidotes.

I noticed this some time ago, e.g., The Second World Wars. He was stuffing interpretation into the narrative, rather than the opposite. (He was also not really up on the war at sea, making some rookie errors.)

His early stuff is excellent, though.

Posted by: Eeyore at May 18, 2024 11:51 AM (1bNHn)

57 Paul McCartney Named Britain’s First Billionaire Musician
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I've Been Through the Desert On a Horse With No Shame at May 18, 2024 11:41 AM (L/fGl)

McCartney always struck me as a mediocre man, with marginal talent, who happened along at the right time, with the right guy next to him, and rode toward international prominence and wealth and adulation in ways that demonstrate as clearly as anything, this world ain't fair.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 18, 2024 11:52 AM (26sd+)

58 I enjoyed "We the Living" by Ayn Rand.

I was always amazed at the part where the commie militia would search the peasants from the country side who were bringing hams and other food stuffs into the City thru the train station even though the City was starving but of course you can't sell food for a profit in the worker's paradise. You had to use the Party coupons to get your stale loaf of bread and some dust.

Soon to be reenacted in New York City and other democrat slums.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at May 18, 2024 11:52 AM (R/m4+)

59 "Atlas Shrugged is the story of how the world ends when slave morality becomes the dominant ethic of an era"

And about dirty sex on the floor of a railway tunnel.

Posted by: Guy who only read the good parts at May 18, 2024 11:52 AM (vFG9F)

60 Ayn Rand was not unique amongst writers having a mess of a private life. Hemingway’s life was a mess…. And most writers lead boring lives (that’s good BTW). I watched a Shelby Foote interview recently (fascinating)…. When asked he said something like: well you wouldn’t want to hang out with me…. I’m a creature of habit and do the same thing every day (write) and you’d be bored…. I’m amazed my wife puts up with me! His point is it’s not all that glamorous

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at May 18, 2024 11:52 AM (xT8gx)

61 No kidding: I carry an emergency library of essential world literature

In my car

Literally

Do you have any preparations along these lines? If you had a set of civilization restarting books, would they be different from his?
***

*looks at library*
I guess I'd throw out the Ford F-150 owners manual.

Posted by: Diogenes at May 18, 2024 11:53 AM (W/lyH)

62 Socialism: even Germans couldn't make it work.
Posted by: So why should anyone else? at May 18, 2024 11:41 AM (dg+HA)

It's been often said, socialism (or communism, or any form of collectivism) is an attempt apply the human concept of the family, to society at large.

In other words, I feed and protect my children and my mother and my brothers and sisters, because I love them.

You want me to do the same for strangers.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 18, 2024 11:55 AM (26sd+)

63 RE: Trump's speech in MN last night:

He called on for Biden to take a pre-debate drug test. Hoe does THAT benefit Trump in any way whatsoever?

What he SHOULD'VE announced is that he won't debate Biden unless RFK, Jr. is included. Now THAT would've been shrewd in multiple ways.

Posted by: mnw at May 18, 2024 11:55 AM (NLIak)

64 I always look to CNN for my trickier moral questions.

Curtis Houck
@CurtisHouck
CNN’s @MJ_Lee: “Given his recent comments, is he [Harrison Butker] specifically welcome at this White House?”

KJP: “We invite the team. We invite the team. It's an invitation that goes to the team. And so, it's up to the team who comes and who doesn't come. That’s the way it usually works.”

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I've Been Through the Desert On a Horse With No Shame at May 18, 2024 11:56 AM (L/fGl)

65 What he SHOULD'VE announced is that he won't debate Biden unless RFK, Jr. is included. Now THAT would've been shrewd in multiple ways.

I disagree. Trump wants the stage to be a stark contrast between himself and the shambling husk. RFKJ, whatever his other faults, can at least string a sentence together and defend a position. That would dilute the impact of the T vs B comparison.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 18, 2024 11:58 AM (CsUN+)

66 I read a bio of Ayn Rand once… she was one nasty lady
Posted by: LinusVanPelt at May 18, 2024 11:41 AM (xT8gx)

I guess she had to be after watching her family, her friends, her lovers and her whole society destroyed by murderous baboons who the whole world cheered and applauded instead of exterminating them when they had the chance. Also, she was a sex maniac, so she had that going for her.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at May 18, 2024 11:58 AM (R/m4+)

67 All of the wackos come to Montana. There was a guy carrying around the fingers of a woman he murdered in his shirt pocket. The guy was from out of state.

Montana will be a high value target in Putin's and Xi's nuclear war because of all of the silos. Good luck with the preppers' fantasy.

Posted by: Dr. Bone at May 18, 2024 11:59 AM (3hI7Q)

68 Shelby Foote interview

-
During WWII, he was an officer. He went AWOL stateside to visit a young lady and was busted to the ranks. NTTAWWT.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I've Been Through the Desert On a Horse With No Shame at May 18, 2024 12:00 PM (L/fGl)

69 Atlas Shrugged and 1984 should be required reading NLT 10th grade. And Starship Troopers.

Posted by: Eromero at May 18, 2024 12:01 PM (o2ZRX)

70 Do does carrying clean underwear in the glove compartment count as essential supplies? Asking for a friend.

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy now with twice the crazy at May 18, 2024 12:01 PM (iODuv)

71 Atlas Shrugged and 1984 should be required reading NLT 10th grade.

We read 1984 in HS, but I can't remember which year. Atlas Shrugged should be required in a heavily edited "Cliff Notes" version. It really is just too bloody long.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 18, 2024 12:03 PM (CsUN+)

72 Ayn Rand was not unique amongst writers having a mess of a private life...
Posted by: LinusVanPelt at May 18, 2024 11:52 AM (xT8gx)

I think a lot of the criticism she gets (aside from those who disagree with her) is due to being kind of manly, operating in a man's world.

Because yeah, writers are collectively, not very interesting people, and they shouldn't be. They should be focusing on what's going on in their heads.

But then I think of guys like Hemingway and H.S. Thompson and D.F. Wallace (or even Kurt Cobain). You blew your head off, guy. To a very large extent, that negates much of what you had to say.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 18, 2024 12:03 PM (QEJzX)

73 And Starship Troopers.

I watched the shower scene in the movie. Does that count?

Posted by: Archimedes at May 18, 2024 12:04 PM (CsUN+)

74 *looks at library*
I guess I'd throw out the Ford F-150 owners manual.
Posted by: Diogenes at May 18, 2024 11:53 AM (W/lyH)

Doesn't that sorta make you like Noah? We only have so much room on this ark, let's leave the dinosaurs and the dodo off.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 18, 2024 12:05 PM (QEJzX)

75 "I carry an emergency library of essential world literature In my car"

Now I know where to go for toilet paper after the Zombie apocalypse.

Posted by: Next2Nothing at May 18, 2024 12:07 PM (tA1/w)

76 He called on for Biden to take a pre-debate drug test. Hoe does THAT benefit Trump in any way whatsoever?

What he SHOULD'VE announced is that he won't debate Biden unless RFK, Jr. is included. Now THAT would've been shrewd in multiple ways.

Posted by: mnw at May 18, 2024 11:55 AM (NLIak)

You mean, how does it help Trump (or the rest of us) that he's bringing up what everyone knows? Or suspects? That Biden is a drugged up senile old Alzheimer's patient?

Sorta like Trump making Obama come up with a fake birth certificate, or getting Pocanatas Warren to take a DNA test.

He's in their heads. In ways that nobody else can be. That's why they hate him so much.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 18, 2024 12:08 PM (QEJzX)

77 CNN’s @MJ_Lee: “Given his recent comments, is he [Harrison Butker] specifically welcome at this White House?”

KJP: “We invite the team. We invite the team. It's an invitation that goes to the team. And so, it's up to the team who comes and who doesn't come. That’s the way it usually works.”

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I've Been Through the Desert On a Horse With No Shame at May 18, 2024 11:56 AM

Yet no concern or questions regarding whether Rashee Rice is welcome. Interesting.

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at May 18, 2024 12:08 PM (P5BPp)

78 I read today that Biden turned down a 4th debate. But I could have sworn I saw yesterday that Biden only agreed to one debate, CNN.

Posted by: sharon(willow's apprentice) at May 18, 2024 12:08 PM (t/2Uw)

79 If it comes down to having to start a civilization again? I don’t want any part of it. It’s like with a nookoolar war, I don’t want to survive that shit.

Posted by: Montec at May 18, 2024 12:09 PM (tpjlM)

80 My opinion is that envy is built into the mammalian brain. It takes huge efforts to control it. Doing any kind of research into non- or pre-Christian cultures, one of the constants of human beings anywhere ever is the belief in The Evil Eye, a *look* of envy, resentment, coveting.
It's part of the mammalian in-group and out-group competition. It doesn't have to be created it's inherent. It most certainly can be magnified and exploited, and so-called Leftism has refined that to a Fine Art.

Posted by: LenNeal at May 18, 2024 12:09 PM (43xH1)

81 But I don't see they get out of the death spiral, unless they man up, and kick the alien invaders/guests out, probably with much bloodshed.
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 18, 2024 11:33 AM (fs1hN)

----------

A+ for fitting combination of comment and nic

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at May 18, 2024 12:09 PM (bo7UB)

82 In the 1960 film of Wells' The Time Machine screenwriter David Duncan has the time traveller return to 802,701 to rebuild civilization, taking with him three books which are not identified; the film finishes with "Which three books would you have taken?" I don't recall that scene being in the novel.

If we had to rebuild from scratch, maybe it would be worth identifying which books should be left out of consideration too.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at May 18, 2024 12:10 PM (q3u5l)

83 called on for Biden to take a pre-debate drug test. Hoe does THAT benefit Trump in any way whatsoever?

What he SHOULD'VE announced is that he won't debate Biden unless RFK, Jr. is included. Now THAT would've been shrewd in multiple ways.

Posted by: mnw

Uh oh. You’re questioning Trump’s 21-d chess
Moves. The cult will be angry.

Posted by: Montec at May 18, 2024 12:10 PM (tpjlM)

84 "I carry an emergency library of essential world literature In my car"

Now I know where to go for toilet paper after the Zombie apocalypse.
Posted by: Next2Nothing'

HAHAHAHA!

Threadwinner

Posted by: LenNeal at May 18, 2024 12:10 PM (43xH1)

85 My opinion is that envy is built into the mammalian brain. It takes huge efforts to control it.

Not to worry. The New Soviet Man will be free of such imperfections.
*rolls eyes*

Posted by: Archimedes at May 18, 2024 12:10 PM (CsUN+)

86 Chiefs OTs Wanya Morris, Chukwuebuka Godrick arrested on marijuana possession charges
Published: May 17, 2024 at 10:14 PM; Grant Gordon, Digital Content Editor

Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackles Wanya Morris and Chukwuebuka Jason Godrick were arrested Thursday night on misdemeanor marijuana possession charges and released on bond Friday, according to Johnson County (Kansas) Sheriff reports.

Morris, 23, and Godrick, 23, were arrested at 11:44 p.m. CT Thursday, booked at 1:51 a.m. Friday morning and released shortly after 4 p.m. Friday following the posting of a $2,500 bond. Possession of marijuana is illegal in Kansas.

Posted by: andycanuck (ZdexC) at May 18, 2024 12:11 PM (ZdexC)

87 70 Do does carrying clean underwear in the glove compartment count as essential supplies? Asking for a friend.
Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy now with twice the crazy at May 18, 2024 12:01 PM (iODuv)

------------

You know that briefcase called the Football that follows Potatohead everywhere he goes? It isn't full of nuclear codes.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at May 18, 2024 12:11 PM (bo7UB)

88 What books to restart a civilization? Probably nothing more complex than a high-school sciences collection. If we're at the point of having to restart the whole schmear all over again, the more esoteric stuff isn't going to have much application for quite a while.

There's also that whole "How Things Work" collection.
And the Bible.

Posted by: LCMS Rulz! at May 18, 2024 12:11 PM (TOe+Q)

89 All of the wackos come to Montana. There was a guy carrying around the fingers of a woman he murdered in his shirt pocket. The guy was from out of state.
Montana will be a high value target in Putin's and Xi's nuclear war because of all of the silos. Good luck with the preppers' fantasy.
Posted by: Dr. Bone at May 18, 2024 11:59 AM (3hI7Q)

Damn! Too bad that guy doesn't have a video. Needs a nickname.

Shirt Pocket Full Of Dead Fingers Guy...

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at May 18, 2024 12:11 PM (R/m4+)

90 People still get arrested for marijuana? In 2024?

Posted by: Montec at May 18, 2024 12:12 PM (tpjlM)

91 KJP: “We invite the team. We invite the team. It's an invitation that goes to the team. And so, it's up to the team who comes and who doesn't come. That’s the way it usually works.”
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I've Been Through the Desert On a Horse With No Shame at May 18, 2024 11:56 AM (L/fGl)

We invite social media corp. We invite social medial corp. It's an invitation that goes to social media corp. And so, it's up to social media corp who they do and don't allow on their platforms. That's the way it (government) usually works.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 18, 2024 12:12 PM (QEJzX)

92 Chuck the III paint dumpster

-
Compare and contrast.

https://shorturl.at/rNU1N

More C&C

https://shorturl.at/Ba0Cx

https://shorturl.at/prkDs

https://shorturl.at/ki7pz

https://shorturl.at/9TQ6V

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I've Been Through the Desert On a Horse With No Shame at May 18, 2024 12:12 PM (L/fGl)

93 I regret not having a whole house generator like we did in OH. We are in semi-rural MT and depend on well water, which depends on electricity. With a 1000 gallon propane tank we could survive for a bit. We do have a cistern that we could pull water from manually, after that 2400 gallons is gone, we'd be screwed. I do own a book on small batch preserving and have 3 dozen or so jars. Still won't survive long since hubby and I are old farts. But we'll try!

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at May 18, 2024 12:13 PM (2NHgQ)

94 Do you have any preparations along these lines? If you had a set of civilization restarting books, would they be different from his?

===============

Foxfire still published?

Big azz volumns with everything pioneer.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at May 18, 2024 12:14 PM (cOq4q)

95 People still get arrested for marijuana? In 2024?
Posted by: Montec at May 18, 2024 12:12 PM

We need the money!

Posted by: Local Sheriff's Office at May 18, 2024 12:14 PM (R/m4+)

96 I'm BAAAACH.

Posted by: andycanuck (ZdexC) at May 18, 2024 06:43 PM (ZdexC)

97 Is this thing working now???

Posted by: lin-duh at May 18, 2024 06:43 PM (PZo5T)

98 Are we back?

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at May 18, 2024 06:43 PM (O7YUW)

99 We're back!

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at May 18, 2024 06:43 PM (O7YUW)

100 Testing 123

Posted by: t-dubya-d at May 18, 2024 06:44 PM (RjlXJ)

101 Weird. I was just doing everything on my end, on the chance the problem was here and not there.

But here we are. The bastards didn't get us.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 18, 2024 06:45 PM (GtZ7X)

102 oh hai

Posted by: antisocial justice beatnik at May 18, 2024 06:45 PM (DTX3h)

103 Oh, cool.

I had horrible visions of a Sunday morning without the book thread. (Not that the other threads are chopped liver, I should add).

Posted by: Just Some Guy at May 18, 2024 06:46 PM (q3u5l)

104 .

NOOD Pixy with emergency server update post

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at May 18, 2024 06:47 PM (O7YUW)

105
Pixy said something about servers this weekend. First migrated comments then the front page. Prolly took an hour for the new IP addresses to be addressed by Internet Providers.

If this process caused difficulty to you, bring out your dead.

My cart is hooked up. Except for Paul.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at May 18, 2024 06:48 PM (RKVpM)

106 My cart is hooked up. Except for Paul.
---------
Coo-coo-ca-choo!

Posted by: andycanuck (ZdexC) at May 18, 2024 06:51 PM (ZdexC)

107 Blasted the blog again.

Last time it went down I was the last post.

This time, second to last.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at May 18, 2024 07:03 PM (zI6G3)

108 eh, la, my "restart Western Civ" libary is on the shelves at home.

I could probably live out of my car for a week or so (food&blankets), and I carry some fairly heavy tools, heavy first aid, ... . Never let the tank go below half-full.

what? stuff happens. you never know.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at May 18, 2024 07:08 PM (tQtDb)

109 I waited all day to make some incredibly pithy and insightful comment on this thread, but now I forgot what it was. It was really good, though.

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 18, 2024 07:11 PM (S6gqv)

110 Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" is the pinnacle expression of Western civilization. I can't listen to it without it getting dusty in here. First, because of its beauty. Second, because those in charge seem to be determined to destroy Western Civilization.

Posted by: butch at May 18, 2024 07:20 PM (ukTia)

111 I've considered the EMP trashcan project cause it would be hard to go without some electronics

Posted by: wodun at May 18, 2024 07:21 PM (kmNtT)

112 Should have been a good thread but it got the EMP Stomp.
Maybe it can rebooted on another Saturday?

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at May 18, 2024 07:26 PM (cOq4q)

113 65 Archi

I submit that RFKJ* hurts BIDEN, not Trump. As evidence, please look at the RCP avg of polls.

These are never completely in accord, but on balance 80% of them show Trump doing better in the 5-way than in the H2H with Biden. That is true at both the national level, & in most of the swing states.

If Trump insisted that RFKJ be included in the debates, some of K's soft support (which is most of it) might migrate to Team Orange.

It's clear to me that K simply detests Biden! He just loathes the man. I've seen no similar animus from K toward Trump.

I suggest that Trump not only insists that K be included in the debates, & but that Trump simultaneously cuts Biden a new one for denying K Secret Service protection.

There are political GAINZ to be had if Trump treats K with respect & courtesy, and insists that he be treated fairly.

*I like "RFKJ," btw. It's easier to type than "RFK, Jr."

Posted by: mnw at May 18, 2024 07:26 PM (NLIak)

114 But Wait, there's More!
you can sing the words of O My Darlin' Clementine to the tune of the Ode To Joy, if you need a little added diversion.

not snarking, I love it in the original version too

"even a worm can know contentment
and the cherub stands by G-d ! "

so many bits in there that stand up the hair on the back of my neck

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at May 18, 2024 07:27 PM (tQtDb)

115 try it!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at May 18, 2024 07:27 PM (tQtDb)

116 The problem with "Ode to Joy," for me anyway, is that it's been co-opted by the gd EU. It's their f*ng national anthem.

Posted by: mnw at May 18, 2024 07:31 PM (NLIak)

117 stan tries to eff up the innocent joy in everything good and beautiful.

don't let him do that to you with the Ode to Joy

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at May 18, 2024 07:35 PM (tQtDb)

118 Ayn Rand certainly captured the arrogance and the ignorance of the elites. Then, as now, they will learn that an orderly, civil society does not run on autopilot. It can be turned upside down in a matter of a few years of stupid, self-destructive policy.

Posted by: JM in Ill -- Behold the Manchurian Candidate at May 18, 2024 07:37 PM (sXnPJ)

119 emp trashcan?

my version of that, grounded steel box, inside a grounded steel box, in the basement, has an ft-817, a (tr)uSDX, 2 Baofengs, 2 HP calculators. someday maybe a Minux Lint laptop.

got some tube radio gear too, that will probably survive any old way.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at May 18, 2024 07:40 PM (tQtDb)

120 https://shorturl.at/9TQ6V
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I've Been Through the Desert On a Horse With No Shame at May 18, 2024 12:12 PM (L/fGl

Great collection!

Posted by: JM in Ill -- Behold the Manchurian Candidate at May 18, 2024 07:41 PM (sXnPJ)

121 The Knowledge: How to Rebuild Civilization in the Aftermath of a Cataclysm
Lewis Dartnell

An excellent book about the basic stuff needed to actually get back to some semblance of where we are. It's not a survivalist book. Just a book of "Well, you're going to have to understand this if you want these things in civilization, and here's the basics. Go learn the rest of what you need."

Posted by: GWB at May 18, 2024 07:46 PM (zUT35)

122 Beethoven didn't write "Ode to Joy". Schiller did. Beethoven wrote a "Symphony No. 9".

And I prepped by digitizing my entire record/tape/CD collection to mp3. Only 39G for over 500 albums on a flash drive and backed up in multiple locations.

Posted by: go get your fuckin shine box at May 18, 2024 07:59 PM (kvDvI)

123 @122

o happy man!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at May 18, 2024 08:23 PM (tQtDb)

124 Nanny Nanny Nooo Nooo ggyfsb
80 GB including digitized vinyl

I don’t usually travel any farther from home than I can walk/hike and though I do keep a modest portable hospital, water and edibles in the truck, so I keep my library at home. Never let the gas tank go under 1/8th tank. Know at least 2 routes off road to get home from most places I go in town. (Lots of drainage gullies in desert).

Posted by: epador at May 18, 2024 08:31 PM (TRnzq)

125 epador

*fistbump!*

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at May 18, 2024 08:40 PM (tQtDb)

126 I figure it's like a game of Go. Prepare yourself enough to take your adjacent spaces, stay connected, and then cut off.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at May 18, 2024 09:15 PM (0FoWg)

127 "In his 2002 review of C.P. Snow's 1959 book, The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution, Orrin Judd of the Brothers Judd blog wrote:..."

Twenty years ago, the Brothers Judd Blog was essential reading for me. Sometime around when Trump became the GOP nominee in 2016, OJ went over the bend and became an absolute Never Trumper.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at May 18, 2024 09:50 PM (3Hm/H)

128 I still have my college copy of the CRC. I call it the internet before the internet. It is a compilation of all mathematical, engineering, chemistry, and physics equations and principals. In case of Armageddon I figured this book could come in handy getting us back up and running again.

Posted by: JTSmith at May 18, 2024 09:58 PM (FxdZx)

129 Two of my favorite listens: Peter Robinson and VDH.

Posted by: DWags at May 19, 2024 04:29 PM (wX5h4)

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