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

Do Animals Go to Heaven? C.S. Lewis’s Answer Might Surprise You

99 implied HN points • 13 Aug 23
  1. C.S. Lewis did not discount the possibility of a hereafter for domestic animals.
  2. Lewis believed that certain animals may have an immortality through their masters.
  3. The idea of animals going to heaven is a topic that C.S. Lewis tackled openly, despite potential taboos in some Christian circles.

How Diocletian’s Persecution of Christians Began

118 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
  1. Before Emperor Diocletian, Christians in Rome faced limited persecution.
  2. Diocletian's Great Persecution started with laws purging Christians from public life.
  3. The martyrdom of Marcellus of Tangier played a role in initiating the persecution.

A Shocking Fact about Bobby Kennedy's Assassination You Probably Don't Know

118 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
  1. The official autopsy of Bobby Kennedy suggested the presence of a second gunman.
  2. Dr. Thomas Noguchi, the former Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner, stated in his memoir that he never said Sirhan Sirhan killed Kennedy.
  3. Eyewitness accounts and evidence pointed to the fatal shot being fired from behind Kennedy, challenging the narrative of Sirhan Sirhan as the lone gunman.

Signs You Might Be Living During a Revolution

138 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
  1. Revolution has a life of its own and leaders may lose control of it.
  2. Signs of a revolution include quick spread of news, electric atmosphere, defying social norms, and heated debates.
  3. During revolutions, people discuss new ideas, relationships are strained, and power dynamics shift.
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Why I Won’t Take My 12-Year-Old Daughter to See Barbie

99 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
  1. Author is hesitant to take their daughter to see Barbie due to concerns about the themes in the movie.
  2. The author is cautious about exposing their child to potentially complex topics in children's movies.
  3. Despite reservations, the author admits to having some curiosity about the movie.

The 11 Biggest Lies of the Covid-19 Pandemic

158 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
  1. SARS-CoV-2 has a higher fatality rate than the flu
  2. Not everyone is at significant risk of dying from COVID-19
  3. Global pandemics are not uniquely dangerous to modern man

6 Financial Tips I’d Give My 18-Year-Old Self

118 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
  1. Take out smaller student loans to avoid unnecessary debt.
  2. Always have a job in college to earn income and gain experience.
  3. Invest every year, even small amounts, to learn about financial markets and discipline.

Failing Government Schools and Fauci's Flip Flop

59 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
  1. Carl Sagan warned about issues in US schools years ago.
  2. Fauci has changed his stance on vaccine mandates, but some say it took too long.
  3. It's important for experts like Fauci to stick to the science and avoid public policy.

Why Taylor Lorenz Should Read This North Korean Defector's Best-Selling Book

158 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
  1. Yeonmi Park, a North Korean defector, escaped for a bowl of rice and shared her harrowing experience with human rights violations in North Korea.
  2. Park's story highlights the importance of appreciating freedom and capitalism, as she found a new life in America after escaping from North Korea.
  3. Capitalism has brought unprecedented prosperity, but many Americans, like Taylor Lorenz, may be blind to its benefits and take it for granted.

Stephen King's Favorite Stephen King Movies (and the One He Hated)

79 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
  1. Stephen King has specific favorite movies based on his books, like Stand by Me and Shawshank Redemption.
  2. King did not like the movie adaptation of The Shining, despite it being a favorite of many horror fans.
  3. October is a great time for horror movie marathons!

8 Signs of a Rational Soul

158 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
  1. The rational soul is self-reflective, self-reliant, and perseverant.
  2. It gazes outward with wonder and has perspective of its place in time and space.
  3. The rational soul values compassion, strives for truth, and is humble.

French President Charles de Gaulle’s Theory on the JFK Assassination

118 implied HN points • 08 Jun 23
  1. French President Charles de Gaulle believed JFK was killed by state security forces
  2. De Gaulle speculated that Oswald was used as a front to cover up a larger conspiracy
  3. De Gaulle's comments suggest a deliberate effort to conceal the truth about JFK's assassination

The Historical Origin of ‘Political Correctness’

198 implied HN points • 18 Dec 22
  1. Political correctness originated among Communists in the 1930s as a tool to prioritize party interests over truth.
  2. Progressives aim to achieve cultural hegemony using political correctness enforced by a small elite class.
  3. Political correctness is a political movement rooted in resentment and a tactic to vilify dissenters as perpetrators.

How Jon Stewart Destroyed the State's Narrative That the Lab Leak Theory Was a Crackpot Idea

158 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
  1. The lab leak theory of Covid-19 originating at the Wuhan Institute of Virology is now backed by government assessments.
  2. Dr. Anthony Fauci and the US government dismissed the lab leak theory publicly while privately acknowledging its plausibility.
  3. Jon Stewart helped break the stigma around the lab leak theory, questioning the origins of the pandemic and advocating for open discussion.

7 Reasons to Oppose 'Red Flag' Guns Laws

138 implied HN points • 12 Apr 23
  1. There's no clear evidence that 'Red Flag' gun laws reduce gun violence.
  2. Congress doesn't have the authority to regulate firearms as per the Constitution.
  3. States have the power to implement 'Red Flag' laws, and federal intervention may violate due process.

NYT: 'The Mask Mandates Did Nothing. Will Any Lessons Be Learned?'

158 implied HN points • 26 Feb 23
  1. New research shows mask mandates did not slow the spread of Covid-19.
  2. Ignoring the tradeoffs of masking and focusing on results over means were key mistakes.
  3. Lessons from the pandemic highlight the importance of examining the means we use, not just the ends we seek.

Milan Kundera's Greatest Lesson

99 implied HN points • 16 Jul 23
  1. Compassion is seen as the supreme human sentiment by Milan Kundera.
  2. Compassion may be innate in humans, but it can be lost or buried.
  3. Compassion is both a virtue and a curse, a burden that is necessary in a world full of suffering.

Mass Shootings Are on the Rise in the US. Why?

138 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
  1. Mass shootings in the US are increasing, despite a decrease in overall gun violence.
  2. The rise in mass shootings may be linked to a surge in bureaucratic structures that make individuals feel powerless.
  3. Arendt's theory suggests that violence stems from a lack of power, highlighting the importance of scrutinizing societal power dynamics.

Bud Light's Collapse in Beer Sales in One Chart

118 implied HN points • 23 May 23
  1. Beer companies are shifting their focus to controversial issues like transgenderism and feminism, rather than traditional funny commercials that appeal to their consumer base.
  2. The collapse in Bud Light's beer sales is attributed to angering and insulting its own consumer base by catering to environmental, social, and governance overlords.
  3. ESG (environmental, social, and governance) is a form of 'stakeholder capitalism' that is seen as anti-capitalist at its roots and needs to be dismantled.

Stephen King's Scariest Short Story

118 implied HN points • 20 May 23
  1. Stephen King's short story 'The Raft' is considered one of his scariest works.
  2. The characters in 'The Raft' face a terrifying situation on a wooden raft with a mysterious creature.
  3. The story explores deeper themes of darkness and malevolence that may be within us.

Why Karl Marx Supported Gun Rights—but Communist Leaders Didn't

118 implied HN points • 15 May 23
  1. Karl Marx supported gun rights as a means to revolution, but communist leaders rejected it as a threat to their power.
  2. Marxists, like Lenin, Castro, and Mao, utilized gun confiscation to maintain control once in power.
  3. Modern Marxists often do not support gun rights as armed citizens could challenge state authority.

The Philosopher Who Explained Spontaneous Order 2k Years Before Adam Smith

138 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
  1. Zhuangzi is credited with developing the concept of spontaneous order nearly 2,500 years before modern economists.
  2. Spontaneous order is the idea that societies can naturally prosper and be harmonious without government coercion.
  3. Zhuangzi's ideas on spontaneous order highlight a universal concept found in both Eastern and Western philosophy.

Huxley’s Dark Prophecy on Humanity's Future

138 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
  1. Aldous Huxley predicted that governments could become completely totalitarian, even before atomic energy was harnessed.
  2. Huxley believed that a large-scale movement towards decentralization and self-help was necessary to prevent totalitarianism.
  3. Huxley outlined steps to create a future totalitarian state, involving suggestion techniques, understanding human differences, new pleasure-inducing substances, and eugenics.

A Libertarian Approach to Gun Control—That Will Actually Reduce Gun Deaths

118 implied HN points • 04 May 23
  1. Donna's Law aims to save lives by allowing individuals to voluntarily suspend their own right to purchase firearms during emotional distress.
  2. Suicide accounts for the majority of gun deaths in the US, emphasizing the importance of measures like Donna's Law to prevent such tragedies.
  3. Donna's Law is a libertarian approach to gun control that prioritizes voluntary action over coercion to address the public health crisis of suicide.

The US Health Secretary 6 Times Refused to Answer if ‘Forcing 2-Year-Olds to Wear Masks Saved Lives’

99 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
  1. US Health Secretary refused to answer if 'forcing 2-year-olds to wear masks saved lives' when asked six times
  2. Discussion sparked when a vaccine expert declined a debate challenge from Joe Rogan regarding vaccination skepticism
  3. Billionaire investor Bill Ackman emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in public health to restore trust

No, Stalin's Legacy Was Not 'Mixed'

138 implied HN points • 12 Mar 23
  1. Stalin's reign was marked by major atrocities and the loss of millions of lives.
  2. Despite this, there are still debates about whether Stalin should be seen as a hero or a tyrant.
  3. Quotes attributed to Stalin shed light on his ruthless and authoritarian nature.

Why Ayn Rand Loved 'Charlie's Angels'

118 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
  1. Ayn Rand loved 'Charlie's Angels' for its portrayal of young girls as better than real life
  2. Rand preferred romanticism over realism in art
  3. Balancing realism and romanticism can create powerful works of art

Why the Slow Death of Cable News Is a Story Worth Celebrating

99 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
  1. The decline of cable news is good for consumers and content creators.
  2. The long decline in cable news may be reaching its end.
  3. Veteran media analyst suggests that cable TV news may disappear within the next decade.

German Author on Capitalism: 'It’s Under Attack Almost Everywhere'

118 implied HN points • 23 Apr 23
  1. Capitalism is facing challenges globally, with free markets in decline and under assault in many countries.
  2. There is a significant generational gap in attitudes towards capitalism, with younger people having a more negative perception.
  3. The rise of planned economies, forgetting the roots of success, and the influence of central banks pose major threats to capitalism.

No, Taylor Swift and Beyonce Are Not Responsible for Inflation

79 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
  1. Inflation is a policy, not caused by celebrities like Taylor Swift or Beyonce.
  2. Massive tours of celebrities like Beyonce and Taylor Swift can impact local prices and GDP.
  3. Economic impact of big events goes beyond the stadium, affecting hotel prices and local economies.

What Dr. Ian Malcolm Can Teach You about Earth Day

118 implied HN points • 22 Apr 23
  1. Dr. Ian Malcolm emphasizes that it's humans, not the planet, that are in danger.
  2. Michael Crichton's work, like Jurassic Park, highlights themes of unpredictability and unintended consequences.
  3. The lesson is about humility and recognizing the limits of human power over the planet.

The Secret to Learning Einstein Shared With His Son

118 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
  1. Einstein excelled in learning when he was passionate about the subject.
  2. Enjoyment in learning is key - if you're having fun, time flies by.
  3. Passion for learning can lead to unlocking significant discoveries.

Andrew Jackson's Dying Mother Gave Him This Advice on How to Be a Man

118 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
  1. Andrew Jackson's mother advised him to make friends by being honest and keep them by being steadfast.
  2. She emphasized the importance of respecting oneself, avoiding unnecessary conflicts, and defending honor calmly.
  3. Elizabeth Jackson's tough love and wisdom shaped Andrew Jackson's character and approach to life.