Monday Never Comes / Joseph Dunphy

Some discussion of history, political theory, ... from a pragmatic, independent, generally centrist with rightward and some lingering Libertarian leanings, but with an awareness of how often Lassez Faire has failed to produce civilized or even rational results.

I am interested in Mathematics (esp. Probability,Statistics,and Applied Mathematics),Physics,Electrical Engineering,History,Philosophy,Art,Centrist Politics,Judaism,Science in general (especially the Physical Sciences and their applications) and other subjects which don't seem to produce links on this profile,raising the question of why Diigo is asking us this. I've studied Mathematics and Electrical Engineering in graduate school,the first of these two in a PhD program,so I can write about that subject with some degree of expertise. Physics,I have an undergraduate degree in,so I know something about that,but not as much.

Centrist politics is more a matter of survival instinct than it is one of love. The drama of present day politics is tedious,and has been for years,but so much has happened that one would never have imagined possible,that one dares not ignore the subject,any more. Here in the United States,we've just had a national debate over the merits of using torture as a means of interrogation,and of holding suspects without charge,indefinitely,as many are still held,even now,during the term of a president (Obama) who spoke out against these practices during his own candidacy. Even if one didn't care about one's fellow man,as I know that many people don't,a mere instinct of self-preservation would force one to sit up and take notice,after that. If such treatment of others is accepted,who can say who will be next,or how weak a pretext for such treatment will be accepted by the authorities and by the ever hungrier people who they supposedly serve?

History,you'll be seeing on this page in part because I enjoy the subject,but also because having a little historical perspective can allow one to see how questionable the trends of one's own era can be. The interests I've specifically listed are some of the subjects that you're going to see links for and discussion of on my pages - see "navigational links" for a link to my homegroup - in a blending of concerns and personal delights.

One other thing - yes,I really am Jewish and no,I don't want to convert. Please respect that,and understand that while anti-semitism might be making a popular comeback online,it won't get a warm reception from me.

Member since Sep 21, 2009, follows 1 people, 80 public groups, 40 public bookmarks (40 total).