The Addressee of Posturing

Why in English, though? Are these English-speaking refugees? I’m guess not, so who is the intended recipient of the statement? For whose sake is the posturing conducted? Who lives rent-free in the brains of these performatively welcoming Germans?

It’s mystifying.

Retakes

This semester I learned most of my freshmen had never taken an exam on which only one attempt was allowed.

I am… deeply frustrated with our education system.

High schools that offer students exam retakes are seriously impinging on students’ ability to succeed in college.

https://x.com/HKBradshaw/status/1870975068635054588?t=7YUeh8YU8DgwKajCJKd9rA&s=19

This explains a lot. I’ve been wondering why Freshmen expect to be able to rewrite the exam before even taking a look at the corrections. It makes no sense because if you don’t have a skill, you can rewrite a hundred times, and it won’t help.

But yes, it’s some sort of a new technique they are doing in high schools where you get endless retakes until you somehow stumble into a better grade.

Dear Parent

Dear parent, don’t be a weirdo creep.

Seriously, can the dude figure out his own sex life without mommy and daddy helicoptering around?

Panama Canal

I’ve been lecturing for years about the imminent threat of China effectively overtaking the Panama Canal. We will all be massively screwed when China and Russia control our number 1 trade route. I’m kind of shocked that finally somebody on route to the WH is taking notice.

People who are bleating excitedly about how horrible Trump’s statements are, please unveil your own plan. Forget who built what and when. What are we all going to do if China decides to cut us off from the canal it now largely owns?

I can’t believe this issue is finally getting raised, and I’m very glad.

Q&A about Living Apart Together

Everything around us is set up to prevent us from accumulating wealth. More and more people rent because they can’t buy a house. Families increasingly need two or even three cars. The practice of fixing appliances or shoes is gone, pushing people to buy new ones all the time.

In the midst of all that, there are incredible suckers who facilitate their own despoliation by foregoing the biggest financial benefit of being in a relationship. Not having to pay two sets of rent and utilities is one of the few remaining ways we have to shore up our financial situation. But it’s easier to profit off us if we are unattached and alone. We are exhorted to remain unattached and alone (under the guise of freedom and choice, as always) because this makes us easier to fleece. And as absolute dummies, we agree. 

Also, these people do not love each other because sharing the day-to-day life is one of the most enjoyable parts of being in love.

Down for the Count

I’m sick as a dog, people. Some nasty kid coughed in my face, and now I’m down for the count.

I still have to grade and respond to students and colleagues, which takes the form of me staring at each word I write veeeeeery carefully to avoid basic spelling errors. I misspelled my own first name twice in a row, so that you know what I’m talking about.

On a positive side, I received some nice anonymous questions and I’ll answer them later today.

Self-owned in Japan

I took Tanya and the boys to ride the train in Japan

What do you notice?

https://x.com/JackPosobiec/status/1870975093607940580?t=h_rkYvLWDYpba0s4hGnfQw&s=19

I notice that nobody except a rude American is sticking a camera into people’s faces. Of course, it’s too much to ask that a person Google the country he’s visiting to find out what behaviors are acceptable.

Diabetic Tourists

What can diabetic tourists have for breakfast in Mediterranean countries? Does anybody have any suggestions?

Rise in Psychosis

Yeah, hmm, what a mystery. How can this possibly be? It’s not like a psychosis-inducing substance has been legalized and made a staple of young people’s lives.

And for the fiftieth time, it’s not the same marijuana you consumed on 1973. It’s many, many times more potent. Also, if you used this drug in the past 3 months, your opinion on it is not valuable.

Bro Whisperers

At this point I have to ask, are they trying to be funny on purpose? Because there isn’t a single word of this headline that isn’t uproariously funny.

That poor little dude, why did he agree to be used for this piece? Why did he need to be humiliated in such a way?,