Author Archives: hessd

Unknown's avatar

About hessd

Here is all you need to know to follow this blog. I am an old man and I love to think about why we say the things we do. I've taught at the elementary, secondary, collegiate, and doctoral levels. I don't think one is easier than another. They are hard in different ways. I have taught political science for a long time and have practiced politics in and around the Oregon Legislature. I don't think one is easier than another. They are hard in different ways. You'll be seeing a lot about my favorite topics here. There will be religious reflections (I'm a Christian) and political reflections (I'm a Democrat) and a good deal of whimsy. I'm a dilettante.

Sex with Machines

Posted on November 3, 2021 by hessd

This picture appears in the Netflix series HUMANS (with the A upside down) to advertise a whorehouse that has no whores in it. All the erotic services are provided by robots who, in this series are called “Synths.” It’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Robot Servants and Friends (and Lovers)

Posted on October 31, 2021 by hessd

Laura Hawkins, the mother, stands in the upstairs hallway, looking into the middle distance. Her teenage daughter Mattie, says, “Mom? What are you doing?” Her mother responds, “Just standing here being a shit mother.” That seems harsh. Here is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Are we entitled to our own facts?

Posted on October 27, 2021 by hessd

On balance, yes. It isn’t as easy a question as Sen. Moynihan seemed to think when he admonished his colleagues that they were entitled to their own views, but they were not entitled to their own facts. There is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Real Religion

Posted on October 19, 2021 by hessd

I want to wind up talking with you about the current series, “Manifest.” [1] I would like to start, however, with a line from Pay It Forward. The line is, “We’re not allowed to pay it back.” I am counting … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Sticky Discrepancies

Posted on October 15, 2021 by hessd

There are so many different ways something can be funny. I have been blessed with kids who wonder just why it is that something is funny. That’s a good thing for me because it means I have someone to talk … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Reminding ourselves (again) of authoritarian populism

Posted on October 12, 2021 by hessd

I will not surprise anyone by observing that authoritarian populism has taken hold in the United States. Donald Trump never made the slightest pretense of valuing democracy as a system of choosing leaders. There were other things that were much … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

“Our Vision”

Posted on October 7, 2021 by hessd

It is early in the morning at Starbucks. Customers have drifted in and have left. I am the only one here at the moment. The store manager, Geoffrey Mlady, takes that moment to assemble the baristas. He wants to check … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A New Trick

Posted on October 6, 2021 by hessd

I have been watching a British cop show called New Tricks. [1] There has been a nearly total (one holdover) substitution of new actors for old. That may be the difference I am noticing. But I also think the writing … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Paying Attention to Hitler: Some Centennials

Posted on September 19, 2021 by hessd

September 18, 2021 I will not surprise anyone by observing that authoritarian populism has taken hold in the United States. Donald Trump never made the slightest pretense of valuing democracy as a system of choosing leaders. There were other things … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Opprobrium Entrepreneurs

Posted on September 9, 2021 by hessd

September 9, 2021 People who like to write about or think about or argue about American politics (overlapping, but not identical categories) owe a debt of thanks to Cass R. Sunstein for the term, “opprobrium entrepreneur.” Opprobrium is the imputation … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment