Disqus - Latest Comments for smashkan

Re: Until Republicans Fix This Problem, They Can't Fix Any Problems

smashkan — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 14:27:29 -0000

here's a little study i dug up on just how skewed people's (mis)perceptions of reality really are: nyhan-reifler (http://www.dartmouth.edu/~n.... now here's a little interesting tidbit i noticed in the appendix: if 0 is the baseline, notice the skew on all those graphs. maybe it's just a function of the questions they chose, but maybe not. i've long had a theory that between liberals and conservatives, conservatives tend to have more widely accepted misperceptions. it's been an unscientific theory of mine, (now nominally supported by an academic study,) but i've just consistently noticed that amongst all the polls i've seen, conservative's misperceptions consistently seem to have broader acceptance than those of liberals. (see: birther movement.)

maybe something about conservativism, be it a religion-induced relaxation of skepticism or just being outright dumber, more effectively lends itself to biases and irrationality. i suppose in deference to objectivity and airing of any of my own possible biases, i should mention that i identify most with libertarian, neither liberal or conservative, nor democrat or republican. (though i increasingly prefer the term "classical liberal" if you'd like to go with that.) that said, as an observer it still seems to me that compared to conservatives, liberals tend to have an objectivity bias (oxymoron intended). ironically, objectivity is a distinct disadvantage in a post-fact environment, which might explain why liberals can't seem to play hardball half as well.

Re: dreday

smashkan — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:17:37 -0000

interestingly enough the management philosophy at one of the worlds best healthcare institutions is centered around that idea...

http://healthcare-economist...

Re: dreday

smashkan — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:40:12 -0000

i really like this, but i still think genetic modification is wrong.

the only reason we even have food shortages in the first place is mcdonalds and starbucks and corporate fascism and greed. i think all the poor people would not need genetically modified food if we teach them to buy local, organic, and fair trade. these things are the only true hope for eradicating poverty.

still, since mcdonalds is probably going to be here until capitalism collapses under its own weight, (which it will,) i guess some temporary genetic modification is ok as long as its not done for profit, which is evil, and does not contribute to global warming, which is also bad.

Re: CAMEL SPIDER TAKEOVER

smashkan — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:12:31 -0000

i cant wait to show this to andre...

Re: dreday

smashkan — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:41:41 -0000

just because im bitter, doesnt make me worng. (aka... just because theyre biased, doesnt make them wrong.)

Re: Subway dance party in Toronto

smashkan — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:56:01 -0000

totally reblogging this. also... http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Re: Subway dance party in Toronto

smashkan — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:49:27 -0000

toronto toronto toronto toronto toronto toronto toronto toronto toronto toronto toronto toronto toronto toronto toronto toronto toronto toronto toronto toronto toronto toronto dhsauhgowifgh!

Re: BLOGOTEQUE

smashkan — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 01:32:48 -0000

♥♥♥

Re: Can't Wait for Tonight.

smashkan — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 23:50:49 -0000

oh wow i feel all squishy! holy fuck did i just poop myself? oh god...