Bastiat's Window

Bastiat's Window, authored by Robert Graboyes, delves into the intersections of economics, health, technology, culture, and ethics, presenting critical viewpoints on free speech, historical and contemporary genocides, equity vs equality, the nature of antisemitism in academia, the complexities of healthcare, and the significance of innovation and skepticism in society.

Free Speech and Censorship Historical and Contemporary Genocides Equity and Equality Antisemitism in Academia Healthcare Policy and Ethics Economic Perspectives and Human Behavior Innovation and Technological Evolution Educational Ideologies and Practices Political Polarization and Discourse Literature and Media Evolution

The hottest Substack posts of Bastiat's Window

And their main takeaways

The Hollowness of Holocaust Remembrance

727 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics History Ideology War Ethics Education
  1. Holocaust Remembrance can be a failure if it diverts attention from current dangers.
  2. Respectable movements like eugenics and equitism have led to atrocities when groups are seen as more important than individuals.
  3. The corrosion leading to genocide starts small, and equitism today is compared to the eugenics of the past.

Antisemitism and Universities

452 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Antisemitism Universities
  1. Antisemitism at universities may not be prevalent in the general population, but it can be more virulent and impactful on campus.
  2. There is a distinction between off-campus and on-campus antisemitism, with universities potentially harboring the most extreme forms.
  3. Prevalence alone does not define the impact of antisemitism, but rather the intensity of the variants matters, particularly in university settings.
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Bicker, Battle, Broil, and Brawl

373 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Polarization Election Social media Political Discourse Bipartisanship
  1. 2024 political discourse appears to be heading towards more conflict and controversy.
  2. The polarization in American politics has deepened over the years, impacting relationships and societal cohesion.
  3. Factors contributing to political polarization include historic events like Roe v. Wade, the contentious 2000 election, precision redistricting, and the rise of social media.

Nobel Prize for Gilligan and Simon?

373 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Literature TV shows Cinematography Characters Awards
  1. The Swedish Academy could award the Nobel Prize in Literature to TV writers/producers Vince Gilligan and David Simon for their exceptional storytelling.
  2. Television has evolved from a 'vast wasteland' to a medium producing significant literary works, raising questions about the enduring legacy of modern TV series.
  3. Gilligan and Simon's works like 'Breaking Bad' and 'The Wire' have profound impact, deep ethical questions, and memorable characters that rival classic literature.

Equity-toonz

648 implied HN points • 08 May 23
  1. There is a push to replace America's goal of equality with 'equity' to ensure equal outcomes by experts.
  2. Historically, attempts to allocate exact resources for equal outcomes have not been successful.
  3. Redistribution efforts may have unintended consequences, like making the tall guy leave or creating more inequality.

Whence Fall Snowflakes

511 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Education Society History Childhood Urban planning
  1. Toxic fragility in universities may stem from lack of confrontation, mentorship, and intellectual exploration among students.
  2. Past educational practices like age-segregated schooling and urban designs have impacted critical thinking and creativity in children.
  3. Restrictions on children's time and space lead to a generation dependent on constant supervision, impacting their ability to explore and think independently.

Woodrow the Terrible, Warren the Good

393 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidents Race relations Civil Liberties Foreign Policy Government
  1. Presidential historians tend to rate Woodrow Wilson highly and Warren Harding poorly, but recent perspectives are starting to shift.
  2. Woodrow Wilson's racist tendencies and damaging actions have overshadowed his accomplishments.
  3. Warren Harding, despite being perceived as in over his head, managed to achieve significant positive outcomes during his presidency.

A Father's Day Salute

275 implied HN points • 16 Jun 23
💾 History World War II Military Personal Story Culture Education
  1. Lt. Harold Graboyes had unique experiences and stories from his time in the Army during World War II.
  2. Despite challenges and misunderstandings, Lt. Harold Graboyes remained loyal to the Army and valued the opportunities it provided him.
  3. Lt. Harold Graboyes was a brilliant individual with a deep love for learning, even though circumstances limited his formal education.

When Sterilization Was Dogma: Why the Eugenics Movement is Relevant Today

275 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
💾 History Eugenics Public Health Progressivism Opposition Legacy
  1. More than 70,000 Americans were victimized by America's eugenics movement, which peaked in the 1920s but lingered into the 2010s.
  2. Eugenics movement was supported by powerful people, based on the idea of improving the human species.
  3. Guard against destructive groupthink by fostering skepticism and questioning everything, to prevent falling prey to dangerous ideologies.

Advancing Health Obsequity

294 implied HN points • 16 May 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Policy Medical Ethics
  1. Advocating for health equity can sometimes hinder open discourse in the medical field.
  2. Scientific inquiry can be stifled by overcomplicated and rigid language guidelines.
  3. Encouraging individualized patient care and broad scientific exploration is essential for progress in healthcare.

Memorial Day: Of Time and Tommy

275 implied HN points • 27 May 23
🎭️ Culture Music History Vietnam War
  1. Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor those who sacrificed their lives for their country.
  2. Personal acts of kindness and generosity can have a lasting impact on others, even if it may seem small at the time.
  3. Music and art can be powerful ways to memorialize and honor those who have served and sacrificed in wars.

Miraculous to Mundane

294 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
🕹 Technology History Communication Innovation Internet Entertainment
  1. The essay reflects on past cultural and technological firsts, highlighting how amazement over innovations shifts over time.
  2. Personal anecdotes from different decades show the evolution of technology, from fax machines to personal computers to internet access.
  3. The narrative showcases how advancements in communication, like email and video calls, have transformed interactions and access to information over the years.

No, I'm Not a Eugenicist

255 implied HN points • 26 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ethics History Law Society Culture
  1. The article discusses the controversial topic of eugenics and its historical impact.
  2. It criticizes the idea of resurrecting the term 'eugenics' due to its dark history and associations.
  3. The author argues against labeling modern practices as 'eugenics' and highlights the atrocities committed under that ideology.

Medical Heretics from Rome to COVID

235 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Medical education COVID-19 Response
  1. Western medicine has a history of stifling dissent and vilifying those who question medical orthodoxy.
  2. The intertwining of social action projects and medical practice has led to harmful consequences in history and is a growing concern, especially since COVID.
  3. Trends in medical education and public health are increasingly influenced by politics and ideology, posing threats to medical care quality and civil society norms.