Jamesian Philosophy Refreshed

Disney World in Florida acquired political resonance late in 2023 and early 2024 when many people (some sensible folks among them) thought the host state's governor, Ron DeSantis a plausible candidate for President of the United States. DeSantis was against Disney in a very loud and litigious way. This is odd because a state's governor usually takes a rather positive view of that state's largest employer. But DeSantis needed an example of what he called the "woke corporations" of the United States. Ideally one that he could kick around a bit as Governor of Florida. Disney served as such.  Perhaps because it gives generous health insurance benefits to its employees and their domestic partners, whether or not the partners are lawful spouses, and whether or not they are of the same sex as the employees. Gasp.  Horrors.  Contemplating this recently, I became curious about Disney World's energy consumption and carbon footprint. Does the power involved merely come f...

  I recently encountered a tweet that said, "teachers should be able to tell a child simply, 'that's something you should discuss with your parents.'" This was intended to defend Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill. But ... seriously? Imagine a child (of any age) who brings a question about sex/gender orientation to a teacher. Isn't it a good guess that he (I'll say 'he' for convenience) has in fact tried to discuss it at home already and has been shut down there?   He's likely been treated to some version of "So long as you're under MY roof, Mister, you will not say such things ever again."  Or maybe, "You'll understand when you're older."  A teacher is not a confused child's first resort in such matters. Anyone who thinks he is going to benefit from "that's something you should discuss with your parents" is living in a fantasy world a lot stranger than the one DeSantis wants to pu...