Discussing the Moment When America “Jumped the Shark”

The following correspondence originally took place upon the Facebook wall of an acquaintance, after he shared a Twitter screenshot, located here, and tagged me in his post…

Matthew A.: So let’s nominate the moment when America jumped the shark.
(tagged) Bobby B., Jason L., Bobby B., Jason L., Starr O., Eric R., Angel S., Amanda R., Lauren P., Nickie A., Violet E., Teague W., Alexander C., Jesse G., Genaire, Rayn, Danilo C., Andy C., Mike D., Drew L., Evan I., Andrew E., Anne F., Casey H., LaPointe, John S., Lisa R., Mike A., Nathan S., Geoffrey P., J.P.M., Matthew S., Cynthia S., Don T., Robert W., Jacob Y., & Anthony Z.

"Jake Flores @feraljokes 'I'm starting to think that this is the last season of America and the writers are just going nuts.' 2/13/16, 3:11 PM"

“Jake Flores, @feraljokes
‘I’m starting to think that this is the last season of America and the writers are just going nuts.’ 2/13/16, 3:11 PM”

Jason L.: I’d say ratification of the Constitution, but that’s just me.

Matthew A.: KA-BOOM!

Nickie A.: Give that man a trophy!

Rayn: Indeed, Jason! Since 2003, I always say: “Ever since the institution of the Constitution, revolution’s been the only solution to fight the mind-pollution.”

Matthew A.: Rayn, LOL! (Click Here to Continue Reading This Post)

Questioning Steve Pinker’s Video, “Why Violence Has Declined”

The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined:

I tend to disagree with the view that violence is on the decline, because state-sponsored violence is on the rise, and slavery is at an all-time HIGH. Don’t get me wrong, though: while I can support his notion of “the better angels of our nature,” I still find Steven Pinker’s conclusions about violence trends questionable. In summary, his evidence is circumstantial,  there are large gaps in his data, and he vastly oversimplifies the social, political and technological dynamics at work throughout human history in order to reach his hypothesis.

(Click Here to Continue Reading This Post)