Category Archives: Ethics

Focus on Focusing

Posted on November 28, 2023 by admin

Like most poets, Robert Hass advises us to be wary of the “steady thoughtlessness / of human use.” For Hass, this admonition turns into praise for those who cook beloved, time-consuming recipies, or leave thoughtful notes of thanks to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Ethics | 10 Comments

Science vs. Pseudoscience vs. Religion

Posted on October 11, 2023 by admin

Last April, a parent group sued the state over vaccination requirements for school-aged children on the grounds that it violated their First Amendment rights. Last week, data showed that that chicken (pox) had come home to roost: the Mississippi Department … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Ethics, Politics | 8 Comments

Bon Voyage, Class of 2023

Posted on May 17, 2023 by admin

Thank you, seniors, for keeping discussions on the blog lively. Juniors and seniors, do humanity a favor and get your noses out of your phones this summer. A full life cannot be lived within the confines of a digital device. … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Environment, Ethics | Leave a comment

Hero or Villain?

Posted on April 14, 2023 by admin

Last week, Jack Teixira, a 21-year-old National Guardsman, leaked military secrets that could damage the efforts of Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression. It will certainly damage the reputation of the United States with its allies, and could help … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, National Politics | 28 Comments

A “New” Monster

Posted on February 22, 2023 by admin

Just over 50 people in Mississippi have tested positive to Candida auris, a fungus that causes bloodstream infections and has an extremely high mortality rate. All infections in Mississippi seem to originate in a long-term care facility (sound familiar?) in … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Science | 11 Comments

What’s Real?

Posted on February 6, 2023 by admin

Imagine a classroom where a student gets so sucked into Mech Arena that he doesn’t hear the teacher ask him a question. What’s more real to the student: the classroom, where he’s surrounded by other members of his own species, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Science, Social Media | 14 Comments

It’s Hell Getting Old

Posted on January 11, 2023 by admin

This academic year marks the end of my 19th year at MSMS. I almost certainly have more years behind me than ahead of me. I am not ready to retire, though I have occasionally thought about it. Speaking with similarly … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Politics | 11 Comments

And the Winners Are…

Posted on November 11, 2022 by admin

As you know, UComp sections get to select the topics they’ll study for their in-class essays at the end of the semester. The 10:00 section decided to study the ethics of gender affirmation surgery; the noon section will address capital … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Science | 20 Comments

Another Cost of Climate Change

Posted on October 3, 2022 by admin

Dozens of people died during Hurricane Ian last month. Estimates for the repairing the damage the storm did to Florida and South Carolina range from $30 to $65 billion. As Mississippi’s coastal residents know, it will take years for Floridians … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Science | 20 Comments

Banned Books Week

Posted on September 19, 2022 by admin

I read banned books. From the Epic of Gilgamesh to Huckleberry Finn, from Song of Solomon to The Things They Carried, I find something valuable in wresting with ideas and depictions that other people find dangerous. Library systems across the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Education, Ethics | 32 Comments