Very interesting, especially the part about agency. I lived in a country that was very repressed, that the vast majority of the population felt there was nothing they could do to change their plight. It affected their mindset and culture in profound ways.

We need a “Not the Beaverton” site.

I love the term, “self-directed excretion.”

I don’t know, but I like it this size. Feels homey. Except for the large communist presence.

It did originate in the “low” countries around the Netherlands and Germany. The Mennonites took it with them when they left the Netherlands in the 1500s and it traveled with them to Prussia, then to Ukraine, and then to the Americas. I imagine it changes a little during those 500 years.

In Plattdeutsch, it’s Johr ik bün veerten Johr oold

Never heard it.

I made a joke about a roof, but it was over everyone’s heads.

Medium is singular. Media is plural and so doesn’t need an s.

In what ways is it the worst time in the history of humanity?

I stay away from most news sites. I only skim CBC and BBC. I constantly look back in histroy for perspective. It helps me realize we are living in one of the best times in humanities’ existance.

Flashcards for new vocabulary and learning songs in the new language seems to work for me.

You said it so much better than I did.

Unless there’s some critic event like a civil war, I’m guessing it will be a slow decline of the U.S. I don’t think any country stands to replace it, at least not in the same amount of dominace that the United States had. I think two or three countries, including the U.S., will dominate economic and military power for quite a number of years with a great deal of shuffling between them.

Interesting. I think I’ll try it.

The real question is whether the buying power changed.

So, the National Basketball League of Australia could call their championship the World Cup of Basketball? It has two countries in it.

He’s absolutely right. And while we’re at it, can we rename the “World” Series?

Google or Goodreads reviews

I build quinzhees, a snow shelter that can be built at any temperature below freezing. Once the temperature gets below minus 5, snow no longer packs. Quinzhees can be built at any temperature.