Author Archives: authorbengarrido
The Doomed Moralists
I recently had the opportunity to sample The Partially Examined Life’s Robert Nozick episode and IQsquared’s Karl Marx discussion. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become less and less amenable to both Nozick’s libertarianism and Marx’s, well, Marxism. It might just be early onset curmudgeon, perhaps blind prejudice but I’m going to at least try to […]
Harems
Dear Readers, I’m writing the next novel and it’s going to be heavy on issues of femininity and masculinity. I’m interested in how masculinity changes shape with each step up the social ladder, particularly the idea that one of the most woman-friendly things a king or powerful man can do is doink everything that moves […]
Explaining Donald Trump
I had initially dismissed Donald Trump as the random crazy person that Republicans rapidly fall in love with and then out of love with during some stage of every election cycle. Pat Robertson, Sarah Palin and Rick Perry, please step up to the podium, in other words. This still might be true, but I now […]
Rocinante Gets Sharper Teeth
Crappy econo-box racecars, versions 1.0 and 2.0 The great and legendary Rocinante, my 2002 Hyundai Avante (Elantra), spent an entirely unacceptable 12 months in stock configuration. How I bowed my head in disgrace as beloved ancestors sneered at my pathetically stock ride. “Bah,” my mother said. “These springs sag like your spirit. Your Rocinante rocks […]
Devil’s Advocate Exercises
How good are you at playing Devil’s Advocate? I believe that the hardest part of being a good Devil’s Advocate is overcoming your own moral beliefs and prejudices. As such, I’ve created a list of positions you are very unlikely to accept, but which have all been accepted at one time or another. In other […]
Bill Nye vs. Ken Ham and the Limits of Logic in Persuasion
On February 4th, 2014, respected scientist, inventor and TV presenter Bill Nye debated religious museum operator Ken Ham. Mr. Nye was arguing that the biological theory of evolution is real. He had thousands of pages of data on fossils, genetics and the weight of virtually all of the scientific community. Mr. Ham was arguing that […]
How to Persuade People Who Don’t Want to Be Persuaded
Based on an article by Nathaniel Claiborne If you want to persuade people, there are several steps you need to take if you hope to succeed. According to the fine folks at Freaknomics, these are some good general practices. Understand How Hard Persuasion Will Be Especially if you are having a discussion with people who […]
An Open Letter to the World’s Missionaries
Dear Missionaries, I’d like to say that, generally, I like you guys. I invite you guys into my house because I like to talk to you, I like to talk about theology and I even like talking about the Bible. And honestly, every time you stop me on the street or corner me at a […]
Theories of Punishment
Governments have several theories to support the use of punishment to maintain order in society. Theories of punishment can be divided into two general philosophies: utilitarian and retributive. The utilitarian theory of punishment seeks to punish offenders to discourage, or “deter,” future wrongdoing. The retributive theory seeks to punish offenders because they deserve to be […]
French And Raven on Power
French and Raven’s Five Forms of Power Understanding Where Power Comes From in the Workplace By James Manktelow What’s the source of your power? Leadership and power are closely linked. People tend to follow those who are powerful. And because others follow, the person with power leads. But leaders have power for different reasons. Some […]
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