The Enemies of Truth

"Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies."

- Nietzsche, Aphorism 483 from 'Human, All Too Human'

Adam Smith: actually not fuch a fan of felfifhneff

Hey, Republicans - listen up:

And hence it is, that to feel much for others and little for ourselves, that to restrain our selfish, and to indulge our benevolent affections, constitutes the perfection of human nature; and can alone produce among mankind that harmony of sentiments and passions in which consists their whole grace and propriety. As to love our neighbour as we love ourselves is the great law of Christianity, so it is the great precept of nature to love ourselves only as we love our neighbour, or what comes to the same thing, as our neighbour is capable of loving us.

- Adam Smith, from 'The Theory of Moral Sentiments' (1759) Part I, Chapter V

(via the estimable Scott Horton's No Comment blog)

America: where tawny is blue and pale, pale yellow is deep, deep red

"Human Development Index" map from The Human Development Project

This eye opening interactive map measures levels of education, health, and income throughout the United States.  It also includes demographic information and details about political representation for each state.

The fifteen most developed states (including the District of Columbia) are all deeply 'Blue' states, with the exception of Virginia (#12), which is marginally more blue than red.

Some interesting findings, in no particular order

Gerbils in Israel are more cautious than those in Jordan. People tend to believe that God believes what they believe. California has too many Chihuahuas.

more here

source: Harper's magazine (where else?)

One horse-laugh is worth ten thousand syllogisms.

Such is H.L. Mencken's math.

"The liberation of the human mind has best been furthered by gay fellows who heaved dead cats into sanctuaries and then went roistering down the highways of the world, proving to all men that doubt, after all, was safe - that the god in the sanctuary was a fraud.  One horse-laugh is worth ten thousand syllogisms."