EdenicFaithful

Dark Wizard of Ravenclaw

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User ID: 78

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Small-Scale Question Sunday for July 26, 2026

EdenicFaithful Dark Wizard of Ravenclaw 1d ago

So, what are you reading?

Going through Felix Cohen's The Legal Conscience, though I've skipped the first section for now. My interest was rekindled after reading a Tablet article which argued that "Israel is best understood not as an apartheid state, but as a protected tribal reserve." Not sure how coherent that argument is, and I don't know if Cohen would make it, but I feel that he is nevertheless someone who can't be ignored.

Two factors now, as then, are involved: a native [American Indian] population in possession of areas rich in natural resources but without the techniques, or without the incentives, needed for the full development of these resources, and, on the other hand, a population with the desire and techniques to exploit these material resources. The problem now, as then, is to preserve the rights and liberties of native groups while permitting the fullest development of the world's resources. In seeking a modus vivendi for racial groups of varying cultures, those who will build a better postwar world can well afford to ponder the legal relationship of American Indians to the Federal Government, which, after three centuries of experience and experimentation, often bitter, conforms more closely today than ever before to the humane legal ideals first formulated by the theological jurisprudence of sixteenth century Spain.

Also picking up Slezkine's The Jewish Century, which seems like an overdue read.

There was another book thread in the Fun Thread. Posting here because the Fun Thread has a no-culture-war rule.

Context

Small-Scale Question Sunday for July 19, 2026

EdenicFaithful Dark Wizard of Ravenclaw 8d ago

So, what are you reading?

Reread Campbell's Dauntless. The writing could use a lot of work, but the basic idea works: the legendary Black Jack Geary wakes up to a universe where military discipline has been forgotten, and he has to work to restore it while saving the fleet. Despite the many problems with the writing, it has a quality that makes one want to read it again. Perhaps it is the authenticity of the military aspects combined with Geary's leadership style.

Not much progress on Taylor's A Secular Age.