Author Archives: Anton

the future of Latin

In the last chapter of A Canticle for Leibowitz, a priest makes a pun: “Onerem accipisne?” [Do you accept the burden?] “Honorem accipio.” [I accept the honor.] In classical Latin, onus ‘burden’ is neuter, so the accusative is onus not … Continue reading

Posted in language, prose | Leave a comment

thank heaven for macros

Google finds 36 thousand uses of the phrase searing indictment.

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bon mot

Selwyn Duke, a suspiciously white male, comments on the diversity police: It’s a bit like insisting that every can of paint contain equal amounts of every color, so as to ensure that every color has a place in every can. … Continue reading

Posted in medicine, race | 3 Comments

and keep your eye on the sparrow

Sean Haugh relays a list of Federal capital crimes. The list is so long, it’s somehow disappointing to look closer and find that nearly all are varieties of murder.

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“terrorism futures”

Robin Hanson reports: I just produced the following draft (PDF), which tries a new statistical approach on the question of which side is “right” in a media controversy. I applied it to the coverage of PAM, but it might also … Continue reading

Posted in economics, politics | Leave a comment

immunizing against immune response

Carol Moore passes along a column by Harvey Wasserman which contains this: Anti-Defamation League Director Abraham Foxman has played the holocaust card for the Republicans, saying “It is hideous, outrageous and offensive for Senator Byrd to suggest that the Republican … Continue reading

Posted in history, security theater | Leave a comment

yet another unscientific measurement

Posted in me!me!me! | Leave a comment