I just realized the connection between two independent ideas, neither completely original, that have been bouncing around in my head for a while.

The first time I really thought about possible racial differences in intelligence was when I picked up my parents’ Newsweek and read the feature on “The Bell Curve,” which had just been released. My thoughts were 1) I wouldn’t really be too surprised if there were IQ differences between races, and 2) why rub it in? What could possibly be the benefit of pointing out such differences? (more…)

Elder Christofferson preached Sunday that the aim of the gospel is to draw down “perfect justice and infinite mercy” from heaven. The phrase stuck with me. Perfect justice and infinite mercy. (more…)

In a chapter called Knights and Squires, right after a chapter where Ishmael defended the dignity of whaling on the grounds that whale oil is used to anoint the kings of England, Melville has Ishmael praise democracy and equality. Ironic, no? (more…)

This made me want to cry. (more…)