The Take (by Jon Miltimore)

The Take by Jon Miltimore explores societal and political issues, focusing on the consequences of government actions, individual rights, censorship, and manipulation. It critically examines historical and contemporary events, advocating for skepticism, liberty, and the dangers of centralized power and political correctness.

Societal and Political Issues Government Actions and Individual Rights Censorship and Information Control Historical Analyses Economic Observations and Critiques Media and Cultural Criticism Science and Skepticism

The hottest Substack posts of The Take (by Jon Miltimore)

And their main takeaways

Aldous Huxley's Letter to George Orwell

337 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
  1. Aldous Huxley believed his book, Brave New World, more accurately predicted the future compared to George Orwell's 1984.
  2. Huxley's letter to Orwell discussed the concept of ultimate revolution that goes beyond politics and economics.
  3. Huxley's letter hinted at a future where control is achieved through pleasure, contrasting with Orwell's vision of control through pain.

The WikiLeaks Video That Made Julian Assange a Marked Man

237 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
  1. A video released by WikiLeaks in 2007 exposed a war crime by the US government.
  2. Julian Assange faced repercussions for exposing the truth about the war crime.
  3. Assange's actions in releasing the 'Collateral Murder' video led to his imprisonment and extradition attempts.

A New AI Hit Reveals Just How Far Pop Music Has Fallen

178 implied HN points • 30 Nov 23
  1. The AI-generated pop song 'Betrayed By This Town' reveals a dark and depressing trend in modern pop music.
  2. AI artists are not a genuine threat to human artists because they lack soul and genuine emotion.
  3. The shift in tone of pop music reflects a troubling trend towards dark, desperate, and isolating themes.
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The 14 Early Warning Signs of Fascism

277 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
  1. The US economic system is identified as fascistic, with an antidote being capitalism.
  2. The 14 early signs of fascism include nationalism, human rights disdain, and military supremacy.
  3. Fascism is described as socialism disguised with a capitalist appearance.

Stephen King's Best Writing Tips

138 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
  1. Be brief and remove all unnecessary elements in your writing.
  2. Embrace rejection and keep persevering with your writing.
  3. Don't wait for inspiration, actively seek out and recognize good story ideas around you.

The Anti-Democratic Attack on Trump, Explained

158 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
  1. Social democracy is collapsing and resorting to illiberal means to protect institutions.
  2. Colorado's Supreme Court ruled Trump ineligible to be on ballot due to insurrection allegations.
  3. Institutions of social democracy have faced discreditation, leading to growing tensions and a need for reevaluation.

'The Man Who Was Thursday': G.K. Chesterton's Greatest Novel

118 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
  1. The novel 'The Man Who Was Thursday' by G.K. Chesterton deals with the themes of loneliness and struggle with the universe
  2. The book is an allegory that contrasts order and faith with relativism and anarchism
  3. Chesterton's novel explores the fear of moral anarchism in a postmodern world

What Ten Lepers in the Book of Luke Can Teach Us about Gratitude

178 implied HN points • 23 Nov 23
  1. Gratitude is a quality that's difficult for humans to embrace.
  2. Research shows that gratitude makes people happier, more successful, and better leaders.
  3. The story of Jesus and the ten lepers illustrates the struggle humans have with gratitude.

C.S. Lewis's Warning to Christians Who See Sexual Sin as 'the Supreme Vice'

257 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
  1. C.S. Lewis emphasized that sins of the spirit are more destructive than sins of the flesh.
  2. Jesus focused more on teachings of love and forgiveness rather than sexual sin.
  3. Lewis highlighted that sins like hatred and power hunger are worse than sins of the flesh.

'The Executioner’s Song': The Best Nonfiction Novel Ever Written

138 implied HN points • 01 Jan 24
  1. The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer is considered the best nonfiction novel ever written.
  2. The book tells the story of Gary Gilmore, a convict who commits two murders and demands to die.
  3. The writing in The Executioner's Song captures the beauty and ugliness of life with great restraint.

How J.R.R. Tolkien Responded to News of the Atomic Bomb

277 implied HN points • 09 Aug 23
  1. Tolkien believed the atomic bomb would shatter Japan's resolve to continue fighting.
  2. Tolkien expressed horror at the creation of such destructive technology.
  3. There are concerns about the potential misuse and uncontrollable nature of nuclear weapons.

In Norway, Atlas Shrugs

297 implied HN points • 19 Jul 23
  1. Norway's wealth tax led to a massive exodus of rich individuals.
  2. Economic modelers failed to predict the consequences of hiking the wealth tax.
  3. The late economist Robert Lucas' insights on rational behavior explain why the wealth tax backfired.

Why the FBI Opened a Case File on John Denver in the 1970s

257 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
  1. John Denver came under FBI scrutiny for attending an antiwar rally in 1971.
  2. The FBI kept an extensive file on John Denver from 1977 to 1990.
  3. Questioning the appropriateness of federal agencies monitoring citizens' exercise of constitutional rights.

Wikipedia Declares Inflation a 'Right Wing Talking Point' on Page of Oliver Anthony's Hit Song

257 implied HN points • 23 Aug 23
  1. Wikipedia labeled inflation as a right-wing talking point, but inflation affects everyone, not just one political side.
  2. Inflation has historically caused economic turmoil and has been criticized by intellectuals from various backgrounds.
  3. Criticism of federal systems should not be automatically deemed as right-wing, and labeling inflation as partisan can be dangerous.

When Cheers Exposed the Sheer Stupidity of American Politics

178 implied HN points • 08 Nov 23
  1. Frasier Crane in Cheers showcased the banal nature of American politics by running Woody for city council.
  2. The episode revealed the easily manipulated nature of voters through meaningless platitudes and rhetorical gimmicks.
  3. Cheers cleverly highlighted that both the right and left in politics can be susceptible to similar rhetorical games.

5 Charts That Explain the Student Debt Mess

237 implied HN points • 02 Sep 23
  1. College degrees are still valued for higher earnings despite rising costs.
  2. The federal government's student loan program is a major contributor to the student debt crisis.
  3. Student loan delinquency is increasing, especially affecting lower-income and minority borrowers.

The FBI Is Flying a Flag Favored by Violent Extremists, according to the FBI's Domestic Terrorism Guide

237 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
  1. The FBI is flying a flag that is favored by violent extremists, according to their own Domestic Terrorism Guide.
  2. The FBI lists symbols like the Gadsden flag as favored by dangerous anti-government groups alongside the Betsy Ross flag and others.
  3. The FBI is facing criticism for lumping anti-government groups with violent extremists and for flying symbols they have identified as extremist in nature.

Why a Third of Americans Making $150k a Year Are 'Living Paycheck to Paycheck'

198 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
  1. Around 32% of Americans making $150,000 a year are living paycheck to paycheck.
  2. Inflation can erode wealth significantly, impacting people's ability to maintain their standard of living.
  3. Central bankers and monetary expansion play a role in why high-income households struggle financially.

Child Speech Issues Highest Level 'Ever Recorded' in UK

218 implied HN points • 17 Sep 23
  1. Child speech issues are at an all-time high in the UK.
  2. Government responses to the pandemic may have worsened children's language development.
  3. There is a lack of consideration of tradeoffs in government policies and responses.

Why Elon Musk Was 100% Right to Allow Alex Jones to Return to Twitter (X)

138 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
  1. Elon Musk's decision to allow Alex Jones back on Twitter was the right call.
  2. Banning Alex Jones on Twitter in 2018 led to further restrictions on free speech.
  3. The censorship on social media platforms has escalated to include various individuals who oppose government policies.

13 Thoughts on Culture and Decline From Jacques Barzun

198 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
  1. Philosophers now write only for their colleagues, not for the general public.
  2. We don't find ourselves, we create who we are.
  3. Teaching is not just about imparting knowledge, it's about teaching students how to learn.

Proof That Venezuela's Economic Collapse Was Caused by Socialism

178 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
  1. Venezuela's economic collapse is attributed to socialism by nationalizing industries and companies.
  2. Chavez nationalized various sectors like steel, agriculture, banking, and gold mining, leading to dire consequences.
  3. The nationalization of key industries in Venezuela caused decline in production, rampant inflation, and other economic hardships.

George Orwell on What Separates Patriotism and Nationalism

198 implied HN points • 01 Oct 23
  1. George Orwell distinguishes between patriotism and nationalism.
  2. Patriotism is about devotion to a place and a way of life without imposing it on others.
  3. Nationalism is driven by the desire for power and prestige.

12 Truth-Bombs Courtesy of Milton Friedman

237 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
  1. Milton Friedman emphasized the importance of economic freedom for political freedom.
  2. Friedman advocated for the legalization of drugs based on individual rights.
  3. He highlighted the distinction between being pro free enterprise and pro business.

Yes, Biden's Vehicle 'Kill Switch' Is as Dystopian as It Sounds

158 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
  1. Massie and Ocasio-Cortez oppose Biden's vehicle 'kill switch' mandate due to civil liberty concerns.
  2. The mandate requires new vehicles to have technology that can turn off vehicles if impairment is detected.
  3. The provision slipped into a $1 trillion spending bill without public discussion or debate.

The FDR Pearl Harbor Question That People Are Afraid to Ask

138 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
  1. FDR may have known about the Pearl Harbor attack beforehand and wanted the US to enter World War II.
  2. Declassified documents and testimonies reveal evidence suggesting forewarning of Japan's intentions.
  3. Despite warnings, FDR did not take definitive action to bolster defenses at Pearl Harbor, leading to a devastating attack.

Covid Vaccines Are Getting (WAY) More Expensive. Here's Why

178 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
  1. Pfizer is increasing the price of their COVID vaccines as demand decreases and government coercion subsides.
  2. Critics find the pricing of COVID vaccines problematic due to the government-driven market and lack of negotiation on prices.
  3. The situation around COVID vaccine pricing highlights issues with crony capitalism and explains the significant price increases.

Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter Have a Similar Moral Lesson on Power

118 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
  1. Both Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter share a similar moral lesson on the corrupting influence of power.
  2. The stories highlight the importance of understanding the dangers of power and the ability to walk away from it.
  3. The Founders of the American system, like Tolkien and Rowling, recognized the susceptibility of power to abuse and implemented checks and balances to limit it.

Leo Tolstoy's Philosophy, in His Own Words

118 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
  1. Leo Tolstoy's philosophy reflects Christian pacifism, asceticism, and anarchism.
  2. Tolstoy's philosophical works are as significant as his fiction, with over 50 pieces exploring various themes.
  3. Tolstoy's quotes on truth, violence, and government remain relevant and thought-provoking today.

'I Wanted [Biden] to Win:' Former CIA Deputy Director on Why He Orchestrated 'Russian Disinformation' Letter

337 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
  1. Former CIA officials admitted orchestrating false story about Russia being behind Hunter Biden's laptop to help Biden win the election
  2. Former CIA Deputy Director confirmed orchestrating 'Russian disinformation' letter with intent to influence the election in favor of Biden
  3. Former CIA officials openly communicating with the Biden campaign is a shocking revelation