Category Archives: Sustainability

Another Marshmallow Test

Posted on April 24, 2021 by hessd

Many years ago, psychologist Walter Mischel devised a test of the ability to defer rewards. For experimental subjects, he used students at his daughter’s grade school. For rewards, he used whatever kind of treat a child might choose. Some years … Continue reading →

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Abraham Lincoln to the Rescue. Again.

Posted on March 9, 2021 by hessd

I have been thinking, especially during the Trump era, about our democratic political institutions.  Trump and “Trumpism” put a great deal of pressure on these institutions.  Trump offered an alternative model: the authoritarian leader.  To followers of such a leader, … Continue reading →

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Civic Capitalism

Posted on December 5, 2020 by hessd

“Socialism” doesn’t work Socialism does work, of course.  All you have to do is look at the bloc of democratic socialist countries in northern Europe and you can see it for yourself.  In fact, even “socialism”—i.e., the word “socialism” works … Continue reading →

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Trying to understand vigilantes. Failing.

Posted on November 21, 2020 by hessd

Amber Elliott, currently director of the St. Francois County public health department in Missouri, resigns today, November 20.  She and her family are being harassed by angry citizens. Kelly Vollmar is director of the Jefferson County Health Department and has … Continue reading →

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That government is best…

Posted on July 23, 2020 by hessd

It’s always the dots that get you, isn’t it? What was there, you wonder? That’s where we are going. Please be patient. You have often heard the half-maxim [1] “That government is best that governs least.” I have seen it … Continue reading →

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Racial defensiveness

Posted on July 12, 2020 by hessd

The topic for today is “racial defensiveness.”  I’m against it.  The Russian spy (Mark Rylance)  who was captured and tried in the movie “A Bridge of Spies” had a recurring line that made me like him immediately.  In the first … Continue reading →

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July 4 Virus Thoughts

Posted on July 5, 2020 by hessd

We are celebrating, today, the independence of the North American colonies of Great Britain from the rest of the British Empire. We had devised, here, the beginnings of a single political system and we proclaimed that it “was, and of … Continue reading →

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A Klan of “Karens”

Posted on July 2, 2020 by hessd

You may have heard about the fuss kicked up by Amber Lynn Gilles at the Starbucks in San Diego. The short version is that she didn’t wear a mask, as store rules required her to do, and was not served. … Continue reading →

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And he lies scarcely at all…

Posted on June 22, 2020 by hessd

Scene 1: Saint Peter and a few angels are performing the daily ritual with some dice and a chart of the cardinal sins. They throw an 11, look at the chart and see what vice is on special today. Scene … Continue reading →

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Juneteenth, 2020

Posted on June 20, 2020 by hessd

I think I’d like to pay some attention to Juneteenth this year. I remember hearing about it before, but only from a distance. Since last June, I have been thinking about the increasingly wide divisions in this country and how … Continue reading →

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