Category Archives: America

An Empire Wilderness: Wonder and Contempt

Posted on March 17, 2022 by Joel D. Hirst

This book was enlightening, not only about America but to the perspective of Robert D. Kaplan. Watching somebody describe themselves, you get a feel for what they think is noteworthy and important. You understand better the lens through which they … Continue reading →

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The Signs Are Everywhere

Posted on February 19, 2022 by Joel D. Hirst

The Metro in Washington DC has recently installed fancy new turnstiles. Shiny metal and bright green or red electronic notices flashing. Forget that underneath, trains are operating on a delayed schedule – resembling more the Trans-Siberian Railway than the artery … Continue reading →

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To Talk of Many Things… (Vol. #13 – Afghanistan)

Posted on January 29, 2022 by Joel D. Hirst

“Now if you’re ready, Oysters dear,We can begin to feed.’But not on us!’ the Oysters cried,Turning a little blue.After such kindness, that would beA dismal thing to do!” I still deal with Afghanistan almost every day. Today it was a … Continue reading →

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Sleepy Hollow

Posted on October 30, 2021 by Joel D. Hirst

I went to Sleepy Hollow with my little boy this year. Washington Irving’s ancient home, nestled beside the great Hudson River where he wrote his legend two hundred years ago. We walked the ancient paths where once the old horse … Continue reading →

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His World Now

Posted on September 29, 2021 by Joel D. Hirst

The future will be nothing like the past. The trick is, the future is now. That is one of the rules of life. We all know of somebody, a cancer patient or a diabetic in our midst who was fine, … Continue reading →

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The Return of Entropy

Posted on September 19, 2021 by Joel D. Hirst

The power takes longer to return after the storm. Grids built in antiquity and faithfully maintained for too long show their wear, new technologies now become ancient – we still burn dead dinosaurs for energy to power our cars that … Continue reading →

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The Good American

Posted on September 18, 2021 by Joel D. Hirst

I’ve never met Bob Gersony. That probably doesn’t seem strange to you. But it is to me. Gersony was a humanitarian, and “The Good American” is his story. It is not an epic story, despite the title. There was nothing … Continue reading →

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The Future is American

Posted on September 4, 2021 by Joel D. Hirst

The future will be nothing like the past. That is the contention of “The Great Reversal” by Charles Goodheart. Demographic decline and the drying up of the great surge of labor product of the urbanization in China and the freeing … Continue reading →

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The New America?

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Joel D. Hirst

“Go see the new America,” I was advised by a not-altogether-well-meaning friend. “See how America has changed.” “America has changed a lot in the last nine years,” said another friend, “and not all for the better.” And yet again, “America … Continue reading →

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It Came From a Lab…

Posted on June 6, 2021 by Joel D. Hirst

I’m not really accustomed to quick posts on current events, my writing being focused mostly on culture and politics and art and travel – civilizational writings meant to inspire wonder. However Vanity Fair just published the most extraordinary piece of … Continue reading →

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