Chapter 1: The Sociological Imagination Section 1: What is Sociology?
A Course in Mad Sociology: Lecture 1
Collapse of the Rational Legal Order
Our current crisis is not one in which the application of the Constitution is uncertain. Rather, it's a question of whether or not the Constitution even matters in the face of a charismatic leader and party loyalty.
On Walls, Refugees and White Walkers
What if The Wall had never been built? What lessons might this teach us in the real world?
How Are We Going to Pay for This?
First, there's plenty of money for everyone to get the benefits that they want. There's absolutely no need to have debates about raising taxes, deficits or MMT. All such arguments are distractions. If we want to pay for things like Medicare for All, Free College, or the Green New Deal, we need look no further than the coffers of the Transnational Corporate Class.
My Tour of the Victims of Modern Capitalism: Part I Haiti
American pundits often bend over backward to equate Venezuela to the perils of socialism. By that metric, Haiti should certainly be a warning to the world about the perils of capitalism.
Implicit Bias, the Thomas Theorem and Police Violence
Fear and Prejudice in Police Decision Making Two articles that appeared in Vox, taken together, were very revealing with regard to the ongoing debate and protest on police violence. The first had to do with explaining the violent responses of police in the field. The second elaborated on a psychological phenomenon referred to as implicit... Continue Reading →
Discriminatory or Wanton Police Violence is Dangerous
To the Police Note: I was planning this post for a few days, but in light of the despicable murder of two police officers in New York I feel that a caveat is in order. Violence is only justified in terms of self-preservation or protection of the innocent. And this only if no other options... Continue Reading →
Ferguson and the Thomas Theorem
On Predefining the Ferguson Protests In 1928, sociologist W. I. Thomas (left) wrote, "If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences." This has come to be known as The Thomas Theorem. It is an invaluable maxim for understanding social forces and interactions. I fear that the Thomas Theorem may prove prophetic... Continue Reading →
Cass Sunstein and Ezra Klein on Conspiracy Theories
Why People Embrace Conspiracy Theories I'm of the belief that a big part of conspriacy theories is gaps in our information base, be it through secrecy or less devious means. The Kennedy Assassination comes to mind. Clearly, there is information that is missing from the history on that event. Human beings simply must try to... Continue Reading →
