The family—with its repetitious, socially invisible, physical tasks—is a necessary part of life, but allows fewer opportunities for full human flourishing than public spheres like the market or the government. Although child rearing, unlike housework, is important and can be difficult, it does not take well-developed political skills to rule over creatures smaller than you are, weaker than you are, and completely dependent upon you for survival or thriving.

Linda Hirshman

That last bit is kinda funny, but NOT responsible scholarship.

Neil Gilbert responds:

“Many people would no doubt find unpaid household chores less interesting than Professor Hirshman’s job … But walking up and down the super­market aisle selecting food for a family dinner is a job that has more variety and autonomy than the paid work being done by the supermarket employees who stack the same shelves with the same food day after day, and those who stand in a narrow corner at the checkout counter all day tallying up the costs of purchases, and the workers next to them who pack the purchases into paper or plastic bags. That space in the market is a bit cramped for human flourishing.”

This week's horoscope

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free,” said the sculptor Michelangelo about a statue he made. Let that approach be your guide in the coming weeks, Leo. Proceed according to the hypothesis that the beautiful thing you want to create is embedded in stuff that’s hiding its true nature, and your job is simply to liberate it from what’s extraneous.

Excellent.

Pay attention to irrelevant details and follow intriguing but useless connections.

Howard Rheingold

Gordon - Mutant Cyborg

“Gordon is a very responsible cyborg. He always goes grocery shopping on Wednesdays. He also exclusively fights crime on Wednesday. Most of the time he reviews movies and teaches seventh grade science.”

Gordon - Mutant Cyborg

“Gordon is a very responsible cyborg. He always goes grocery shopping on Wednesdays. He also exclusively fights crime on Wednesday. Most of the time he reviews movies and teaches seventh grade science.”

Dynamic Pete

“Dynamic Pete just wants to be left alone. He has enough problems as it is, without having to worry about justice and saving humanity.”

Dynamic Pete

“Dynamic Pete just wants to be left alone. He has enough problems as it is, without having to worry about justice and saving humanity.”

Broadcast Man

“Channel and reception determine his super-prowess. He’s at full potential during prime-time. During the afternoon, when all the soaps are on, that’s a whole other story.”

via drawn!

Broadcast Man

“Channel and reception determine his super-prowess. He’s at full potential during prime-time. During the afternoon, when all the soaps are on, that’s a whole other story.”

via drawn!

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