Random Thoughts – Page 38

Proof That Climate Change Is Real

Maybe you’re one of the disbelievers who argue that the whole climate change thing is a hoax. Global warming is just a conspiracy of scientists who want to scare us so they’ll continue to receive government grants for their purported research.

Well, see what happens to your smug disbelief when you can’t find your favorite Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream flavor in the grocer’s freezer. That’s right, your need for Chubby Hubby may be unfulfilled because of drought in nut-growing regions. Think you can get along without Cherry Garcia when no chocolate is available?

Life as you know it could be ending soon.

How To Win Every Argument

If you find yourself ill at ease in a discussion because your argument and its supporting facts are weak, the answer is to fake it. If you present your case forcefully and with conviction, your opponent may begin to question his/her facts. For example, use an anecdote. Relate a personal experience or make up a story about a relative of a friend who had an experience that backs up your argument. This can obscure the fact that statistics still do not support your position.

For a concise guide to ad hominem, strawmen, loaded question, begging the question, and many others, click here. There is even a downloadable poster. Who knows, with a little practice, you could become a successful politician.

High School Was Never Like This!

Steven Van Zandt, aka Little Steven, aka Miami Steve, is probably best known as the character Silvio Dante in The Sopranos; or as long-time guitarist in the E Street Band; or host of Little Steven’s Underground Garage radio show; or Artists United Against Apartheid’s “Sun City Project.”

Van Zandt is also the founder of the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation and its “Rock and Roll High School.” The Foundations offers its curriculum to educators at no charge. If you want to get lost for a few minutes or hours or days, click here.

Here’s a teaser

Internet Privacy… just kidding!

In case you still have a delusion about your privacy on the Internet:

WhatsApp declares itself a staunch defender of users’ privacy.
Facebook buys WhatsApp.
Ha Ha!

Read about it here.

Labor Day Update

So-called “Right-to-Work” laws and the vilification of unions by conservatives are having their intended effect. The declining percentage of workers belonging to unions has resulted in lower wages, not just for union members, but for non-union workers as well.

“…private-sector union decline since the late 1970s has contributed to substantial wage losses among workers who do not belong to a union. This is especially true for men. And most hurt by the decades-long decline in the nation’s labor movement are those nonunion men who did not complete college, or go beyond high school—groups with the largest erosion of union membership over the last few decades.”

A study by the Economic Policy Institute, a left-leaning think tank, reports that non-union wages would be five percent higher if union participation had remained at 1979 levels. The percentage is higher for those lacking college educations; even higher for those without high-school diplomas.

Older and Wiser… and Happier

From the Los Angeles Times:

“In a recent survey… researchers report that people in their 20s were the most stressed out and depressed, while those in their 90s were the most content.”

… and

“The older people were, the happier they felt… People who were in older life were happier, more satisfied, less depressed, had less anxiety and less perceived stress than younger respondents.”