Friday Cat Blogging (Whiskey Fire is well-known for this):
Also, here's a kitty, some bees, and the sky.
In other news, I believe this is my first published comment ever at the NYT on anything other than a Paul Krugman post. David Brooks attempts a lesson in morality for the real Americans.
Yes, it's rich.
The key job in the Good Person Construct is to manage your rationalizations and self-deceptions to keep them from getting egregious. Ariely suggests you reset your moral gauge from time to time. Your moral standards will gradually slip as you become more and more comfortable with your own rationalizations. So step back. Break your patterns and begin anew. This is what Yom Kippur and confessionals are for.
Next time you feel tempted by something, recite the Ten Commandments. A small triggering nudge at the moment of temptation, Ariely argues, is more effective than an epic sermon meant to permanently transform your whole soul.
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A final thought occurred to me. As we go about doing our Good Person moral calculations, it might be worth asking: Is this good enough? Is this life of minor transgressions refreshingly realistic, given our natures, or is it settling for mediocrity?
David Brooks wants to help the little people improve their morality. Of course, he makes his living writing propaganda for war-mongers and kleptocrats. Don't try this at home, little people. Settle for mediocrity.
P.S. David Brooks types his tripe twice a week. Visit driftglass for an expert take-down of Tuesday's nonsense.
(Posted by ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© and cross-posted at my place. Mouse over pics for captions, and click them for larger versions.)
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