El Dirko

There seems to be something in many conservatives' psyche that values selfishness over altruism, tribalism over internationalism, fear over empathy and belief over rational thinking. Fun, if you're part of that mindset, unbelievably frustrating if you're not.

"We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long but bends toward justices." (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)

Senate means Council of Old Men. Same root as senile...

I very rarely have trouble falling asleep, but when I do (like right now), it is always fascinating. My current earworm? Nessun Dorma!

"You do your worst – and we will do our best." (Winston Churchill, 1941)

Still haven't finished reading it, so can't comment on its conclusion....

I don't remember us having all these problems back when Pluto was a planet. Just saying.

It's easy to forget that just because people agree with our opinions on certain matters does not automatically make them decent human beings. Affinity bias wants us to believe that if someone shares a viewpoint, it means that they must be smart and nice, just because we are.

“What the world needs is more geniuses with humility; there are so few of us left." (Oscar Levant)

Just read an interesting description of someone who was (most likely) suffering from tertiary syphilis: "Constantly making contradictory claims, mood between euphoria and apathy, emotional instability, delusions of grandeur, extreme paranoia." Sound familiar? Anyway, this was about Hitler...

Just discovered this great German band. Hope they'll go far! www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOG2...

From the German satirical magazine Der Postillon: "That was quick: Saxony-Anhalt invades Poland." www.der-postillon.com/2026/09/sach...

This is just the first prognosis after the polling stations closed, but it's ridiculous. Let's give Saxony-Anhalt back to the Russians if they love authoritarianism so much: #saxony-anhalt #sachsen-anhalt #afdsucks

From "Der Postillon" www.der-postillon.com/2026/08/plan...

I just read an article on the effectiveness of placebos and I have always wondered why you can't buy placebos in a store. After all, they are often 50-70% as effective as the "real" drugs. So just take 2 to get the same results... And if they don't work anymore? Just publish Placebo+ !

I usually don't fall in love with gadgets, but I have been using a little device that not only records, but transcribes, summarises, creates mind maps and actions points from conversations. I only tried it with 2 languages, but apparently, it works with 120 Highly recommended: heypocket.com/12115686

I think that like Cato with his "Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam", Democrats should have a snappy ending to all their speeches. How about "And to conclude, I think that Donald Trump and his whole cabinet should be imprisoned!" ?

Been reading a lot by Judith Shklar. Her political philosophy posits that the primary purpose of government is not to enforce lofty moral virtues or utopian ideals, but to prevent the abuse of power and protect citizens from fear and public cruelty. I definitely agree with her on the cruelty bit.

Shame that the unfunny joke candidate won in Clacton. www.theguardian.com/politics/liv... #clacton #farage

Anytime anyone starts a sentence with "It's plain to see" or "It's obvious", they probably have not really thought it through and are just rationalising their gut feelings.

There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands. You seek problems, because you need their gifts. (Richard Bach, Illusions)

"I hate almost all rich people, but I think I'd be darling at it." (Dorothy Parker)

"But the fact that some geniuses were laughed at does not imply that all who are laughed at are geniuses. They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown." (Carl Sagan)

Just got told off by my partner for not seeing something that was right in front of my face. My apology was that as a hunter, I only notice things when they are moving. That's correct, evolutionarily speaking, right? Right?

⭐⭐☆☆☆ "Captain ignored every warning. Crew deceased. Would not recommend." How they all die during the Odyssey: www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte... #odyssey #nolan

I am a bit worried that UEFA threatening to boycott FIFA tournaments will eventually lead to a Fifa vs UEFA Superbowl of Soccer extravaganza.

Off to Germany to deliver a "Coach yourself to confidence" event. First lesson: How to confidently place your towel to claim your own personal space.

Currently reading "How to Be Perfect" by the amazing Michael Schur. I think it's working!

I have written this really good (according to people who have read it) booklet about imposter syndrome. It's about 40 pages, but a publisher I talked to told me I would need to fluff it up to at least 180 pages. Why isn't there a market for short, but information-dense booklets?

Many people are good at taking everything personally, but they never go: "Oh, what a beautiful rainbow. Is that for me? Thank you!"

People who exude certainty and confidence in their opinions are seen as more believable than those who say "yes, but..". It is a major problem when those who offer simple solutions to complex problems are praised while those who know that there are no simple answers anymore are seen as wishy-washy.

Love this cartoon. We'll be watching the movie tomorrow and I will call it Troy Story 2 from now on!

You are not to blame for the world being the way it is. You are to blame if it stays that way.

I do appreciate someone being able to look for the positive and hoping for a better future. (Especially since I was ready to post a snarky comment about Graham.)

Study shows that people who view Trump favorably are more likely to score higher on measures of malevolent traits and lower on empathy and compassion. www.zmescience.com/science/news... #trump #fightfascism #empathy #resist

Sports stars keep forgetting how privileged they are and not standing up to the person who has made the world such a shittier place is not covered by their right to have an opinion or a private life.

Here is an idea for a new US National Anthem: "No one likes us, I don't know why We may not be perfect, but heaven knows we try And all around, even our old friends put us down Let's drop the big one and see what happens" (Randy Newman - Political Science)

Happy Birthday, USA! You are like an ex who I still love, but don't want to see anymore. #independenceday #Happy250th #4thjuly

1. I will mute every account that shares sad news about pets. 2. I will block every account that posts AI generated videos about pets.

Dear @wikipedia.org , I think you are doing a great job and I have donated in the past, but your behavioural economics approach to getting more donations simply sucks! I want to give once a year and don't want to receive emails, that's it! Don't try to push me towards monthly payments. Bad form!

#ObamaAppreciationDay

I just read an article on the effectiveness of placebos and I have always wondered why you can't buy placebos in a store. After all, they are often 50-70% as effective as the "real" drugs. So just take 2 to get the same results... And if they don't work anymore? Just publish Placebo+ !