1,070 words

The fall of Kabul was a serious and somber moment, one of those historic moments that great authors write about. But like real historic events, it was not without its moments of levity. Here’s a video of the newly-victorious Taliban playing around with the gym equipment in Kabul’s presidential palace. It even elicited responses from greatly esteemed Twitter users such as Nassim Nicholas Taleb, who criticized them for not trying to deadlift. This might be a good moment to look at the nature of physical fitness and our relationship to it. (more…)

Statue of Mars in the Forum Transitorium in Rome

1,017 words

We live in a time of artificial hysteria over many things, including the supposed murders of innocent black criminals by white “racists.” But a much more serious problem is obesity. In 1960, less than 15% of Americans were obese. Today that number is 42%, with a full two-thirds overweight. This is not simply because of high rates of obesity among blacks or Hispanics; according to CDC data from 2017-2018, 42% of non-Hispanic whites are obese. How did this happen, and how should we address the fat question? (more…)