Category Archives: Character

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 →

Posted in Character, Dysrationalia, Paradigms, Philosophy, Politics, Religion | 1 Comment

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

Entitlement is Unnatural

Posted on November 8, 2012 by jackpelham

If we were to observe nature at work, and if we were willing to anthropomorphize the cosmos, as if it had human qualities, what might we say that the cosmos “owes” to new humans who are born into it? For … Continue reading →

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On the Quarrelling in the Ron Paul / Liberty Movement

Posted on November 4, 2012 by jackpelham

What follows is an essay I posted in response to a participant’s complaint at DailyPaul.com.  The complaint was about quarreling amongst Liberty Movement people.

Posted in Character, Politics, Ron Paul | Leave a comment

The Irony of Solving Puzzles About Which Hardly Anyone Cares

Posted on November 3, 2012 by jackpelham

“Eureka!  I’ve got it!” “Ah, so that’s the answer!” “Holy Cow!  We’ve been wrong all along!” “OK, I think I’ve finally got it figured out.” These kinds of moments are fairly common in my house.  Between Kay’s studies and my … Continue reading →

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Pelham’s Law of Cognitive Error

Posted on October 14, 2012 by jackpelham

Pelham’s Law of Cognitive Error:  “I am most likely wrong about many things.” Cognitive science has solidly identified certain traits of human behavior by which people operate habitually at a sub-optimal level.  We make frequent cognitive errors, some of which … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Pelham's Laws, Philosophy, Politics, Religion, Science | Leave a comment