No, we shouldn’t be theorizing about the sexual lives of children for the sake of intersectionality even as the experts keep getting more and more insane

“Methodologies in sexuality research must evolve to ensure more participatory and child-centered methods,” claims the American Sociological Association in one of the most disturbing articles ever, complete with calls for children to draw pictures and film their sexual experiences. “Sexualities scholarship marginalizes childhood sexual pleasure, positioning children as vulnerable subjects. This article repositions childhood sexualities… Continue reading No, we shouldn’t be theorizing about the sexual lives of children for the sake of intersectionality even as the experts keep getting more and more insane

The Edge of Sentience and the beauty of being wrong

Can octopuses feel pain and pleasure?  What about crabs, shrimp, insects, and spiders?  The phrase “thought provoking” is frequently overused, but Professor Jonathan Birch’s new book on animal sentience and what we can do about it deserves the accolade and then some.   When I was asked to review an advance copy of Professor Jonathan… Continue reading The Edge of Sentience and the beauty of being wrong

The dogs we love, the emotions they might or might not experience, and what it means for ourselves

Is your beloved dog really excited about a treat or is looking excited simply an evolutionary strategy to get more treats? How about our own emotions, can they be as selfish or even more so? Our greyhound, Rosie, is by all outward appearances a very happy dog most of the time, literally hopping with excitement… Continue reading The dogs we love, the emotions they might or might not experience, and what it means for ourselves

Joe Biden, an ethical indictment of his family’s influence peddling scheme

The media may choose to focus purely on the legal ramifications of potential influence peddling, but the ethical case is much more damning at this point, especially in regards to Biden’s dealings with Ukraine and Burisma.  We must begin by acknowledging that whether something is legal or ethical are actually two different questions.  The law… Continue reading Joe Biden, an ethical indictment of his family’s influence peddling scheme