To understand how and why this happened — a classic “natural experiment in history” — check out @Fatassinari in @NoemaMag four months ago https://t.co/qcQoSJBmLN https://t.co/4xyZQmNW08

— Nils Gilman (@nils_gilman) March 25, 2021

I thought this, too. The problem, though, is that Norway, Sweden and Finland are not the same and lockdown was not the only factor that differed. I bet lack of facemask use in Sweden mattered a lot more. That was a crucial mistake, and it makes using that country as a natural experiment for anything nearly impossible.

Everyone uses Sweden as some sort of example: lower death rate than most of the rest of Europe, despite lack of lockdowns, so that somehow vindicates the anti-lockdown view. But, higher death rate than their near-peers, so that means lockdown is completely worthwhile and the obvious policy.

Both sides are wrong, and wrong for more than one reason.

The first reason both sides err is as I’ve stated above: you can’t directly compare “peer” countries who were not doing the same things. Or to other countries! There are just too many pertinent differences. It just makes no sense. We don’t know how to control for lack of mask use because though we know they work, we don’t know how well or even how to measure compliance. Etc.

The second reason both sides have flawed arguments is that arguments over policy are attempting to use science to determine what’s best for humans and the governments thereof. Science cannot do this. If a society wishes to accept a higher death rate for more freedom, why can they not do this? Why should they not? I’ve seen no one develop a real argument for or against this proposition because most people don’t have nearly enough grounding in ethics or philosophy to argue this either way, and the polemics I see from either side are laughably weak and pitiful.

So, Sweden: an example of not much in the end, despite everyone wanting it to be their little pet data point.

Seven in 10 UK Covid patients still affected months after leaving hospital.

It’s mystifying that anyone can believe this is “just the flu.” I’ve had the flu. It sucked, but I was all better in a week. Going to be a whole lot more permanently disabled people out there post-Covid.

Just realized I actually use 10 different web browsers now, to do what Firefox used to do singularly. I had miscounted before because I forgot about a VM I use from time to time.

Clown world is just the world forevermore I guess.

I was thinking about the liberal terror of sex this morning and I wonder how much of that just comes about as a marker for wanting to join the PMC? Had not thought about that angle before but I think I am onto something there.

Now, I do think it is real terror. They’re not faking anything. But I think this fear is instantiated and activated by the desire to signal that they are serious, robotic, neoliberal- and capital-friendly people, always ready and even happy to comply with the strictures of Human Resources, ever prepared to toady up to the nearest VC or C-level exec.

The license and licentiousness of sex gets in the way of all that, and thus it must be shunned and not just publicly but everywhere, even in their own minds and hearts, until it becomes in fact who they really are.

My verdict after reading my e-book for an hour: I need a much, much bigger screen so I'm not turning the page every five seconds

— bletchley punk (@alicegoldfuss) March 18, 2021

Fuck yes. Getting an e-reader with not a pitifully tiny screen was so very much worth it. On the small e-readers, I have to turn the page every 7-10 seconds. That sucks so much.

So You Want to ‘Save Women’s Sports’?

What a load of hooey. Another variant of the “false choice,” just this one by someone slightly more educated so she covers it up well.

Unfortunately in this universe, there are biological facts. And no, 1 out of 2,000 people being intersex and there being variation doesn’t negate those biological facts. One of those facts is that, on average, male humans are stronger than female humans — in upper body strength particularly.

For instance, it took my partner two years of working out to get as strong as I was just being a schlubby lump. But don’t believe the anecdote. As they say, believe science. Yes, some of that can be explained by men being more active than women in general, but by no means all of it. No matter what, men are going to be on average about 10-30% stronger and faster in most areas.

Even years of estrogen do not erase those strength and speed advantages.

Biological facts. Might suck, but still true. Ideology won’t erase them. Liberal tears won’t negate them. Must be dealt with as they are.

Hmm, where’s that prophesied apocalyptic mega-surge of DOOOOOOM?

Just wait till the weather warms up a bit more. Then those numbers will really start crashing.

God forbid anyone have fun anymore https://t.co/UxCtKDHyZo

— Doctor Strangemind (@nihil_ode_am) March 24, 2021

Fun? Get thee to the pod!

I love those car clubs. Seriously, walk up and ask the scariest gangsta-looking motherfucker about his car, he’ll gush about it like a 10-year-old about her first pony.

I think a lot of white liberals just hate any community-building in general, no matter the color of the participants.