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Eric Linus Kaplan

@ericlinuskaplan.bsky.social

1.1K followers 3.1K following 3.5K posts

Philosopher, writes on existentialism and Kierkegaard -- "Does Santa Exist?" is my book -- and tv writer -- Flight of the Conchords, Futurama, Big Bang Theory, Malcom in the Middle, Krapopolis &c.! blogs at ericlinuskaplan.wordpress.com He/Him

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Eric Linus Kaplan @ericlinuskaplan.bsky.social · 12h

far be it from me to describe the subtle distinctions
among apophasis prolepsis and praeteritio praecox
but know this: between the one and the other
angels are born from hot demons
and men's heads are cut off from their necks and rejoined

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Eric Linus Kaplan @ericlinuskaplan.bsky.social · 12h

they killed Buster Poindexter because society couldn't deal with his truth

Reposted by Eric Linus Kaplan

Philosophy Talk @philtalkradio.bsky.social · 13h

The late UC Berkeley #philosopher Hubert Dreyfus was born on this date in 1929. In 2010, for an episode on #Nihilism and Meaning, he became the first person other than our senior producer Devon Strolovitch to bring the #philosophy of Bob Dylan into the conversation.

#PhilSky #ItsAlrightMa

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Eric Linus Kaplan @ericlinuskaplan.bsky.social · 1d

The Vampire State Building

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Eric Linus Kaplan @ericlinuskaplan.bsky.social · 3d

ok - I can't name them and I won't claim to love

Eric Linus Kaplan @ericlinuskaplan.bsky.social · 4d

it was the tron-ares i the coal mine

Eric Linus Kaplan @ericlinuskaplan.bsky.social · 4d

do you think they think they are doing something responsible, or just whoring after readers who are cowardly and centrist?

Eric Linus Kaplan @ericlinuskaplan.bsky.social · 4d

I had the most common opening mistake in connections today. This is a worthwhile skill. In some contexts it is better than being correct. Is there a super skill that tells you when it is correct to be correct and when it is correct to be incorrect?
My answer: maybe.

Eric Linus Kaplan @ericlinuskaplan.bsky.social · 4d

at some point though if rich people are preying on poor people is it ok to fight? in other words to use language as a tool of fighting?

Eric Linus Kaplan @ericlinuskaplan.bsky.social · 4d

so let's say, for the sake of argument, the bad guys have a leader who they think is a perfect physical specimen and a paragon of the masculine virtues. And let's add, per impossibile, that he's actually grossly overweight, and kinda porcine. ok to mock his appearance or no?

Eric Linus Kaplan @ericlinuskaplan.bsky.social · 4d

what about mockery? it's a different speech act than pure assertion. I think in that case punching up is better than punching down, b/c the powerful stay powerful by seeming unmockable.