There are two general types of leftism:

1. The old-fashioned class consciousness / class solidarity leftism. The response to issues is based on asking, “Is there a class conflict here? Is anybody getting exploited?”

2. The consumerist leftism. The response to issues is based on asking, “Are any individual choices being thwarted here? Are any individuals prevented from doing what they want to do?” 

I’m obviously in group 1 and feel sad that it’s so successfully marginalized by group 2. 

Lord Christ, even the Spanish press is featuring stories about this Milo Shitopoulos or whatever he’s called. 

People are legitimately and apologetically nuts. 

A representative of Spain’s Podemos said, a propos surrogacy, “Not every desire should turn into a right.” I’m extremely impressed because that’s a direct challenge to consumerism. Will I live to see the day when a progressive party will arise here that will be ready to reject consumerism as an almost religious experience and the greatest good?

A debate is going on in Spain about legalizing surrogate motherhood. Shockingly, the leftist parties are not unanimously in favor of placing consumerism above all and legalizing it. This is a welcome surprise because here in the US I’ve never seen anybody on the Left with any interest in questioning consumerism as the highest good. 

As usual, I 😍 Spain.

N has left for a conference. As usual, his professional community is smarter than mine and is holding the conference on a beach in Florida. Academics are too mean-spirited to hold conferences anywhere where people might enjoy the sun and the ocean. People in the industry, on the other hand, don’t mind enjoying life and letting colleagues do the same. 

This is the first time I’m left to take care of Klara on my own.