"Summer Unfolded Like A Tapestry" Edition

Hello,

As summer fades and the autumn chill sets in, Poles across my region drive into the forests to pick mushrooms. Some of them will spend all day poking around the undergrowth in search of toothsome toadstools. Some years are better than others. (This year is too dry.) But the dedicated forager is rarely disappointed.

In the same spirit, once a week I venture into the dark corners of the Internet and hunt for news and commentary to recommend to you. Just be careful that it is not poisonous.

Obligatory shilling. This week I wrote for my paid subscribers about Keith Raniere and his quasi-corporate cult NXIVM. If that interests you, subscribe!

Due to some hard times, and a lot of work at my day job, I have not done as much writing as usual. But if you're at a loose end and want a fix of Six(smith) you could check out my old articles on subjects like deathmatch wrestling, shock jocks, Poland, eating disorders, Orwell, Jackass, Polish poetry and more.

Brahmin privilege. Razib Khan writes a mischievous, insightful column about Indians and identity politics.

The professor. Aris Roussinos reflects on the immoderate genius of Enoch Powell: Then seen as quixotic obsessions, Powell’s overriding concerns with Britain’s strategic autonomy, with the nation’s relationship with both Europe and the United States and with the threat to the union posed by devolution are now the central problems roiling Westminster. 

Cancellers cancelled. Louise Perry defends JK Rowling from “cancellation”. Kevin Myers reminds Rowling of when she helped to “cancel” him. Hopefully lessons are learned.

Me & ventilators. It’s important to hold yourself to account. One clear mistake I made over COVID-19 was excitedly advocating the construction of ventilators (even chiding Elon Musk for not creating them). It looks like there was no shortage of the things - and, indeed, it is possible that they did little good and perhaps some harm. I assumed their value had been proven and was wrong to do so. I regret this error.

No solid ground. Kaja Kowynia-Pietraszek observes that the naturalness with which Catholicism comes in Poland can lead it to be taken for granted.

Soft in spirit. Edward Feser reminds the modern world of some of the warnings of Aquinas.

Identity blues. It has come to my attention that many of my followers assume I am the child of the author and diplomat Martin Sixsmith. We're not related at all. Still, perhaps I have got work on the assumption that we are so I'll keep quiet and drop references like “as my dad said of Putin…” into my pitches.

Maverick philosophy. The philosopher and blogger Bill Vallicella always has something worth reading. I enjoyed his eloquent defence of philosophical arguments over God's existence and cheeky comment on leftists and patriotism.

Hating men. Pauline Harmange, a French author, was threatened with prosecution for writing a book called I Hate Men. Of course, leftists rallying against censoriousness is a bit hollow when a book called I Hate [Literally Any Other Demographic Except “Men” or “White People”] would have got someone prosecuted but she should still be allowed to say it. Actually, I prefer the steely absolutism of outright hating men to the sickly opportunism of feminists who feign concern towards the male sex (see, for example, my review of Liz Plank's For the Love of Men).

Normielisation. The very funny and insightful Jeremy Driver has a newsletter.

Have a lovely week,

Ben