We are taking advantage of more time inside by exploring the courses that Tom Woods developed for the Ron Paul Homeschool Curriculum.
Historical Journey
Up For Debate
Jay Bhattacharya and Sten Vermund are passionate, intelligent friends who vehemently disagree on Covid Lockdowns.
In this Soho Forum debate, they respectfully put forth their best arguments. I think the debate is over when Vermund concedes that the Lockdowns were a “desperation measure,” but you may disagree.
After the debate, Bhattacharya went on The Tom Woods Show to break down his performance.
Don’t Teach What You Know
An important realization I had was that I was much better at teaching subjects I was less knowledgeable about. I brought more curiosity to those subjects, while I was (am) more likely to trust my own knowledge too much in the fields I have historically enjoyed.
You may be unaware of the damage done by schooling, I certainly was.
Have a Happy New Year. Please.
I don’t always know where I end and other people begin.
Everyone has personal shit to deal with, not everyone is engaging with it. I have a friend who is wrestling with weight and motivation issues. He’s a sweet guy who uses humor to cover his hurt. I also see him breaking that pattern and opening up and being vulnerable. He’s honest about his struggles.
I could feel his pain today and tried to help. I tried to encourage him as I see the effort he is putting into self improvement and how the back slides feel like failure.
I concluded with a handshake and reassurance of my presence in helping his journey. I said, “Have a happy New Year,” but I saw his face and knew that it was a big ask. “Please,” I added. Maybe it wasn’t the right word, but I do want that for him and I know that happiness can come in unexpected packages, just as it leaves without notice.
I think I’ll send him a note. “Don’t feel pressure to have a happy anytime. That doesn’t make anything better. Feel your feels. Continue being genuine. You’re wrestling with big demons, they won’t let you enjoy it. Do not forget that you are fighting while others are slaves to their demons.”
The only advice I can give is that which I need to attend to. It’s frustrating to always feel like there are more demons to dredge up from the past, near and far. It’s also the call I have been given from God. I’m blessed with purpose in this life. It’s uncomfortable and painful when empathizing leaves me near tears that don’t feel like my own. It’s the strangest part of me to re-emerge since widowhood. I kind of hate it, but I am more grateful that my true self is being revealed.
God bless you. Have a happy New Year. Please.
Always Learning
Someone tried to tell me that adults aren’t as good at learning as children.
I’m convinced that 13+ years of schooling distorts the way our brains naturally work. We are trained to learn on a regular, 8am-3pm, Monday-Friday schedule. Then we are released into the world as fully formed adults who have been coveted away from the way the world actually operates. We collapse into regular, 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday jobs because they are familiar.
It doesn’t have to happen like that. There has never been a better time to learn in human history.
Today I learned some fascinating things about Thomas Paine on the great Tom Woods Show.
Disclosure: The links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
I don’t know if I’ll read David Benner’s book on the subject, but it will go on my long list of possible reads.
I do know I’ll be listening to a collection of writings by influential anarchists from a variety of standpoints. The Anarchist Handbook is a collection of essays organized by Michael Malice and I just borrowed the audiobook from the library.
We limit ourselves in so many ways. Physically, mentally, and spiritually we see doors closing. We fail to see how many doors of possibility open everyday. Home education and the learning lifestyle have taught me these things.
Now go learn something.
Stop It
As reported on Alex Berenson’s Substack, a new study has disturbing news about the effect of Covid-19 mRNA vaccine boosters.
From the study:
However, the large number of breakthrough infections caused by the Omicron variant indicates that current vaccination regimens do not confer sterilizing protection.
Japan is one of the most boosted countries in the world and is now suffering some of their worst covid outcomes.
In light of these data, it only seems reasonable to put a halt to vaccinations as we gather more information about their impact.
Short of that, we must demand that all mandates are dissolved immediately. It is unconscionable to force people into taking a potentially deleterious drug.
Parkday Family
Today felt like a family gathering. We had homemade cookies and nachos and someone brought hot chocolate. We huddled around the fire and caught up with loved ones we haven’t seen in too long.
Disclosure: The links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Christmas music played and Isaac and I slow danced to Elvis’s “(There’ll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me).”
The sun shined on our faces and the children seemed totally content without parental interference for hours. I’m not sure it could have been a better day.
Build the Alternative
When there isn’t a soccer team, start one. When your groups close up for Lockdown, establish a new one. When fellow homeschoolers won’t respect your values of inclusiveness, go elsewhere and build an alternative community.
This is why Delaware Homeschool Buy/Sell/Free Homeschool Stuff was established. I’m not involved in the founding or administration of this new marketplace, but I am a huge proponent of creating spaces where adults can treat each other as such and trust that commerce can happen without a heavy hand of guidance.
Go check it out. Unload some of those educational materials that have been sitting around. Make some money or bless a family with new resources. Find your next favorite science experiment.
Too Dang Cold
I got a cold shower between a midday roll at Elevated Studios and an evening game of indoor soccer.
It was awful, but I have little doubt that it helped me do two of my favorite things in the same day (the first time I’ve attempted this).
I rolled for nearly an hour and played a full 40-minute game. It felt great to give each my full effort.
Scenes of Christmas
