Matt Guthrie
@thesophist.bsky.social
Sophist, chess player, proud Scot and Montanan. Yes, that is Gandalf's staff I'm holding.
The article begs the question of whether kids actually do read the books they are assigned. Anecdata, definitely, but when I taught LOTR to seniors I would have kids tell me "this is the first time I've actually finished an assigned book since like fifth grade".
December 12, 2025 at 2:05 PM
The article begs the question of whether kids actually do read the books they are assigned. Anecdata, definitely, but when I taught LOTR to seniors I would have kids tell me "this is the first time I've actually finished an assigned book since like fifth grade".
Drug War Over: Drugs Win
December 5, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Drug War Over: Drugs Win
But yet in those 18 hours a day he has no time to find out about anything that's happening.
December 5, 2025 at 2:31 PM
But yet in those 18 hours a day he has no time to find out about anything that's happening.
Think about the Black ladies in MAGA hats cheering on the military in Chicago. He talked about that video multiple times, but has anybody ever seen it?
November 26, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Think about the Black ladies in MAGA hats cheering on the military in Chicago. He talked about that video multiple times, but has anybody ever seen it?
Does some poor soul have to teach French History at the University of Kentucky?
November 25, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Does some poor soul have to teach French History at the University of Kentucky?
And I would add to that a lot of "this worked for me, therefore it is the best way".
November 19, 2025 at 4:23 PM
And I would add to that a lot of "this worked for me, therefore it is the best way".
It's a very weak argument, but I suppose "the Senate enhances the power of small states, the filibuster enhances the power of the Senate, therefore..." works.
November 9, 2025 at 12:21 PM
It's a very weak argument, but I suppose "the Senate enhances the power of small states, the filibuster enhances the power of the Senate, therefore..." works.
Is this Ozymandias?
Is this just statuary?
Caught in the desert
No escaping the history
Is this just statuary?
Caught in the desert
No escaping the history
October 31, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Is this Ozymandias?
Is this just statuary?
Caught in the desert
No escaping the history
Is this just statuary?
Caught in the desert
No escaping the history
That is a literal deep cut. Well played, sir.
October 31, 2025 at 1:09 AM
That is a literal deep cut. Well played, sir.
"... and answer me these questions three..." now, where have I heard that before?
October 28, 2025 at 11:03 PM
"... and answer me these questions three..." now, where have I heard that before?
I think that's fair (although in the US the intro survey courses are 100-level, not 1000, hence the phrase "an econ 101 understanding").
October 23, 2025 at 2:37 PM
I think that's fair (although in the US the intro survey courses are 100-level, not 1000, hence the phrase "an econ 101 understanding").
While AP classes are the closest generally available equivalent to A-levels, I'd contend that A-levels are much harder and that AP is maybe (content wise) a closer fit with GCSEs in most subjects).
October 23, 2025 at 2:10 PM
While AP classes are the closest generally available equivalent to A-levels, I'd contend that A-levels are much harder and that AP is maybe (content wise) a closer fit with GCSEs in most subjects).
Usually: K-4th grade = Elementary School, 5-8 = Middle School (or sometimes Junior High), and 9-12 = High School. Grade School is a term for K-8 that dates from the days when all pre-high school grades would be in the same building.
October 23, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Usually: K-4th grade = Elementary School, 5-8 = Middle School (or sometimes Junior High), and 9-12 = High School. Grade School is a term for K-8 that dates from the days when all pre-high school grades would be in the same building.
For how much of that was Trump awake?
October 16, 2025 at 5:20 PM
For how much of that was Trump awake?
I think he's just making a snarky comment when he learns he's speaking to someone with a law degree.
October 15, 2025 at 2:17 PM
I think he's just making a snarky comment when he learns he's speaking to someone with a law degree.
$10 says he wasn't actually thinking of Lenin, he was thinking of "let's kill all the lawyers", which was (checks notes) Shakespeare.
October 15, 2025 at 2:02 PM
$10 says he wasn't actually thinking of Lenin, he was thinking of "let's kill all the lawyers", which was (checks notes) Shakespeare.
And the printer paper that came in one looooong sheet
October 13, 2025 at 11:47 PM
And the printer paper that came in one looooong sheet
Do you have Navis McNavifacies?
October 9, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Do you have Navis McNavifacies?
Also literally Soviet - dissent is a sign of mental illness.
October 3, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Also literally Soviet - dissent is a sign of mental illness.
It's a novel because the stuff in it ain't true, duh. /s
September 15, 2025 at 12:57 AM
It's a novel because the stuff in it ain't true, duh. /s
It's worse than that - if the Seahawks had scored as many as the Mariners, they'd have won.
September 7, 2025 at 11:50 PM
It's worse than that - if the Seahawks had scored as many as the Mariners, they'd have won.
Please lie in the FACE of THE NATION
September 5, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Please lie in the FACE of THE NATION
If you had a third kid, you'd have to rename the first two so that you had R, P, and S.
September 2, 2025 at 11:18 PM
If you had a third kid, you'd have to rename the first two so that you had R, P, and S.