What's wrong with the world

In which the nonstandard mind of Scott Alexander ponders the nonstandard mind of G.K. Chesterton.

At its worst, I worry Chesterton has actually lost, through atrophy, the ability to think in a straight line. Like, there must be at least one thing which is approximately the way it appears, and I’m not convinced Chesterton will be able to notice it. Ask him whether we should drown puppies, and he will come up with an extremely convincing argument that we should drown puppies precisely because we abhor cruelty to animals.

Jonathan Swift was right

For some reason Firefox has decided to approach the network named after shit-flinging monkeys with a firm grip on its own ankles, and it no longer defaults to Google for searches. Fortunately, we have a computer self-defense professional in the household, and he will fix it.

ETA: I figured out how to switch it back myself, but I'm still pissed off.

Today's crankiness

The Web is full of cartoonists who should have competent people draw for them, just as Leonard Cohen's songs should be sung by actual singers, and someone should novelize Frank Herbert.

Tidings of Comfort

Paul Krugman finds reasons to be cheerful.