Day: August 24, 2024, 6:20 PM

Wee Frill

Chill Gutter Philosophy

Just because a defined (and definable) series of events led to an action, does not mean that free will was not exercised or not present. It also doesn’t mean that free will was present. In this universe at the macro level at least, it tends to be causative agents all the way back. That says nothing about free will, but rather that time exists.

I believe this all stems from is a problem with our definition and understanding of “free will,” rather than telling us anything about will qua will at all, free or otherwise. The common definition of “free will” is “can do anything at any time.” But not even Superman1 can do that. For all his power, he is still constrained by his physical location, his past decisions, his still-limited attention span, the fact that he does not possess infinite intelligence, or that he might get tangled in his cape, etc.

There is no complete definition of free will, but the colloquial understanding of that it is just some ill-defined ability to make any decision or to take any action at any time seems to be more limiting than the alternative to me. I don’t have a complete answer, either, though I am quite sure the colloquial understanding of this all is very wrong. If I had to attempt to pin myself down on this intellectually, I’d say that I am Compatibilist, though I don’t quite hew to any of the existing Compatibilist positions. I have my own thing going there. But it’d take far too long to write about and would in fact be quite a bit more involved than the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy article on that topic itself.

So, another time then.

  1. Yes, the dual meaning with Nietzsche is deliberate.

Coupcoup People

Chill Politics, Prediction

Democracy Needs the Loser. The observance of defeat, especially in an election, is often all that keeps a state from tipping into violence.

I say 75% chance of a coup attempt in 2024/2025, and 30% chance of a successful coup by the fascist Republicans1 (not all the Republicans are fascist, but nearly all the fascists are Republicans).

It’ll be better-organized and run than the pitiful January 6 effort. I hope there are some back-end preparations brewing. I don’t expect civil war or anything like that, but perhaps some scattered violence.

  1. Assuming Kamala wins.

Pressing It

Chill War

Satellite images show Ukraine’s expanding attacks inside Russia.

This is very good. This is all about supply disruption. The Russians can’t even use their pitiful fighting style if they have nothing to do it with — if the Ukrainians do enough of this, Russian forces will have no way to get to the battlefield and nothing to fight with once they get there.

My guess is there’s a probably a combination of factors allowing these sort of attacks to succeed now: A de facto backing off by the United States (which the article mentions) on not allowing long-range weapons to be used inside Russia and the arrival of better, less-jammable long-range drones en masse.

Either way, this is great. Not only do I want Ukraine to win and survive, I want to prevent 100,000 American KIAs in Poland in ~2030 when we’re already fighting China, or about to (at that time).

Name and Shame

Chill Trynabe Funny

It’s probably better that I did not have kids. Because if I’d had a boy, I would’ve named him “Ptoughneigh.” That’s “Tony” to normies.

And if a girl, I would’ve named her “Moniker.” I’d tell people that it was the name of her name, which is also “Moniker.” Her middle name, of course, would be “Appellation.”

My kids would certainly have loved me. I can feel it.

Sonic

Chill Music

I’ve listened to all or part of 382 new songs today so far. Time to read for a bit. But not a “smart” book. Some Jack McDevitt, see what Hutch is up to. Probably flying a spaceship combined with some dangerous hijinks. Her usual deal.

No Offense Possible

Chill Rant

One of the main problems with modern feminism is that even a lot of women have bought into the idea that they (and all women) are divine creatures of pure light who can do no no wrong. Of course, as anyone with an ounce of sense knows, women are human and thus are just as capable of evil, cupidity and vanity as anyone.

Perhaps that belief in women’s innate goodness is fading a bit lately, but still there’s too much of the assumption that if a woman did something horrible she must have had a good reason for it (therefore, it is excused) but if a man did anything questionable, he’s detestable by nature and irredeemable — no matter if what the man did was to glance at a woman for 0.00001 of a second in a gym, while the woman raped an actual minor.

Feminism is really shooting itself in the face with this crap.

Chill Links

Why I Want Apple to Bring Back The Glowing Logo (We Have the Technology). Me too. That and MagSafe should come right on back.

As cars and trucks get bigger and taller, lawmakers look to protect pedestrians. Can protect them by requiring commercial licenses to operate huge vehicles.

The United States has emerged as the largest importer of Indian defence products, accounting for nearly 50% of India’s total defence exports.

The Democratic Party Has Finally Gone YIMBY.

My Company Bragged about how Much Money Employee Deaths Saved Them.

In a world of infinite automation and infinite surveillance, survival is going to depend on being the least boring person. Sounds like hell, but she might be right.

Confessions of a Theoretical Physicist. My life among the elementary particles has made me question whether reality exists at all.