Category Archives: Character

What Intelligence Tests Miss

Posted on July 7, 2013 by jackpelham

These are my notes for: What Intelligence Tests Miss:  The Psychology of Rational Thought by Keith E. Stanovich This book is profoundly important as it highlights a crucial deficit in the American awareness of its own cognitive health.  I found … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Dysrationalia, Logic, Reading, Science | Leave a comment

What is My “World View”?

Posted on July 6, 2013 by jackpelham

Every once in a while, someone inquires about my “world view”.   Here it is: There is nothing unreal in the entire known Universe, with the one exception of what happens in the imaginations of humans. Humans often get trapped in … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Character, Consumerism, Dysrationalia, Economy, Ethics, Fallacy, History, Logic, Paradigms, Pelham's Laws, Philosophy, Politics, Religion, Science | 1 Comment

30-Year Class Reunion: Finally Ready for High School!

Posted on July 5, 2013 by jackpelham

I hate that I’m missing my 30-year reunion today, it being 2,136 miles away and coming at a time when I just can’t break away from work.   But it’s had me thinking for several weeks now: How was high school?  … Continue reading →

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Where Lies the Bulk of Human Evils

Posted on June 30, 2013 by jackpelham

It is my observation that the bulk of human evils lies in the taking of that which does not really belong to the taker.  Let me count the ways: Taking conclusions, opinions, or beliefs that are not fairly derived from … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Dysrationalia, Logic, Paradigms, Philosophy, Religion | Leave a comment

How I Beat Advanced Spider Solitaire a Bajillion Times and What It Means for the Rest of My Life

Posted on June 22, 2013 by jackpelham

Whooda thunkit, but I learned some invaluable life lessons from a solitaire card game that came preloaded on my computer! The game is Spider Solitaire (advanced 4-suit version) and if you don’t know it, don’t worry; I won’t bore you … Continue reading →

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Six Sayings That Are Likely Indicators of Personal Inauthenicity

Posted on March 5, 2013 by jackpelham

I’ve learned through experience that people who say the following are not likely to be highly-authentic people. “To be honest…” or “To tell the truth…”  Whenever I hear this, I always wonder why it is at that particular point in … Continue reading →

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“What do you suggest (to save America)?”

Posted on January 6, 2013 by jackpelham

A Facebook friend invited me to like the Facebook page of the Republican Liberty Caucus.  I took the time to send a considered reply (below), to which she responded by asking what I think should be done.  Here is that … Continue reading →

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The Gold Bar Metaphor

Posted on November 18, 2012 by jackpelham

See this gold bar? Chances are, you’ve never seen one laying on a neighbor’s lawn.  Likewise, I’d say that chances are pretty good that if you had one, you wouldn’t keep it out our your lawn, either. And why not?

Posted in Character, History, Logic, Philosophy, Politics, Religion, Science, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

“Not Yours to Give” by David Crocket

Posted on November 11, 2012 by jackpelham

NOTE:  The following piece is in the public domain, so I host it here without hesitation as one of the most poignant and powerful witnesses against the injustice of providing charity (whether personal or corporate) from the public treasury.  WARNING: … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Politics | 2 Comments

New Definition of “Liberalism”

Posted on November 9, 2012 by jackpelham

I don’t normally like to get into discussions about “conservatism” or “liberalism” because not only do I find those words troublingly undefined, but I find those who use them to be far too cavalier for my taste—bantering about without really … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Politics | 3 Comments