HeyJaredKit Thornton
Philosopher and Essayist, Living the good life in Cuenca, Ecuador
- Indexed issues, last 90 days
- 11
- Latest publication
- Sep 24, 2026
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- Earliest in this view
- Aug 4, 2026
Latest issues
Rhetoric (opens the original)
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“Rhetoric” is often used as a pejorative, implying that what was said was deceptive or worthless. We desperately need to rehabilitate the concept of rhetoric, and the discipline that it once named. This neglect is at the root of our societal ills, and if we continue to forget how public persuasion should properly work, maintaining a free and open society will be impossible.In a society where the citizenry is expected to be involved in electing leaders, and has, at least for the moment, some righ
Salvation for the Stupid (opens the original)
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Is there any hope for a fool, secure in their folly? Is there salvation for the stupid?Sure there is. The odds are wildly against it, but understanding the mechanics of foolery, the hermeneutics of stupidity will reveal one thing to you that you must keep in mind:You won’t be the one to lift them out of it.Anything you say to them, any fact you reveal, any argument you make is already accounted for in the systemic, circular reasoning that stupidity builds around itself. You’re a “librul,” “woke,
Honesty and Politics (opens the original)
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He: The problems in politics would all go away if we had more honest people running for office.Me: Is honesty rewarded in those running for office, or is telling people what they want to hear more likely to win the election?He: It shouldn’t matter what the people want to hear. They should be told the truth.Me: I see. So it doesn’t matter whether your honest politician wins the election or not, so long as they are honest.He: I will vote for them, as long as they are honest.Me: That’s a fine resol
Power and Resistance (opens the original)
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Power is a necessity. There will always be a need, due to peril, or urgent need for some people to be able to force other people to do what they’d rather not do. But the use of power, rather than persuasion should be a last resort, and it should be used only for the common good. There must be rules, plainly stated and strictly observed, about when power can and cannot be used. And these rules must be enforced.Where there is a system that gives some power over others, it will be abused. Power dra
Which Martial Art is "Effective?" (opens the original)
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“What martial arts are really effective? I think most boxers can destroy most “martial arts.”I am a boxer, and have studied other martial arts for forty years. I taught close quarters combat in the military. I also made my spending money throwing drunks out of bars in many places for many years. What “works” in a self-defense situation is what you have practiced most thoroughly and with commitment. A great boxer will have an excellent chance of defeating a mediocre and poorly trained martial art
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