What It Means to Be Human, O. Carter Snead
This book makes a fascinating - and, I think, correct - argument that our current laws governing abortion, assistive reproductive technology, and end-of-life decision-making are based on an impoverished vision of human nature that denies the unavoidable limits of our biology. The author points out that people are not - indeed, cannot - be fully autonomous, self-sufficient individuals throughout their entire life spans -- that, in fact, dependency is an indelible, universal feature of childhood, serious illness, and extreme old age. And he urges us to reconsider a jurisprudence that privileges the able, wholly-competent adult over everyone else.
In my view, Snead's observations regarding the truths of human existence have applications beyond what he covers in this volume. I couldn't help but think, for example, of the trans craze. Those who advocate for hasty "affirmative" therapy for gender dysphoria are also guilty of ignoring our embodiment -- and their extremism is likely causing life-long harm to thousands of vulnerable children. If this - and the consequences of our overall culture of death - concerns you as much as it concerns me, read What It Means to Be Human. Though Snead avoids making specific policy suggestions, he'll still provide you with the language necessary to combat the ideology that drives so much of our twisted bioethical discourse.
Those who are familiar with the works of Shelby Steele will find little in this documentary surprising. But this movie still stands as a useful, well-reasoned counterpoint to a dominant media narrative that seeks to relegate black Americans to the status of permanent victims and clients of the state. While acknowledging the tragedy of Michael Brown's death, Steele refuses to allow the "poetic truth" to obscure the facts: that Brown was not surrendering when he was shot; that, historically, black America made phenomenal strides despite the KKK and Jim Crow segregation; and that government "help" has generally done more harm than good.
Trust me: the professional critics are full of BS on this one. Ron Howard's directing here is beautifully economical, the cast puts in strong performances, and the story told is faithful to the intent of the book on which the movie is based (which I read years ago and found very enlightening). Also, please note: From what I can tell after some research on YouTube and social media, J.D. Vance himself - and his family - are happy with how this project turned out. Shouldn't that matter more than the opinions of pinhead blue checks looking for more ways to kick the Deplorables? I certainly think so! So go and watch if you're looking for a family drama that deliberately keeps its sociological implications subtle and backgrounded in favor of the human and intimate. If you're one of my regular readers - and if the audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes are anything to go by - you probably won't be disappointed.
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