My debut fiddling with computers was about 20 years ago, in 1996. My dad bought us a Compaq Presario running DOS. My brothers and I were able to learn a few pivotal lines of code, allowing us to boot from the disk and play games like The Incredible Machine, Wolfenstein 3D, and Duke Nukem. After a few months, we were able to secure a CD-ROM…
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‘Iron Kingdom’ Reminds Me Why I’m Proud Of My Prussian Roots
When I was a young boy, I remember my grandfather telling me stories of the great emperors and statesmen of the Prussian Empire. He had moved to Canada after the war, but his glorification of Prussia never ceased. Its soldiers fought gallantly, its academics produced reams of important work invoked even today and its statesmen created what we now know as the modern state. It’s…
Book Review — Iron Kingdom: The Rise and Downfall of Prussia 1600-1947
It’s an unfortunate fact of the present that Germans must shudder at the mention of their history. Any conversation will reliably either end or begin loyal to Godwin’s law. There will be no discussion of the mature political and economic institutions which created a great civilization out of nothing for hundreds of years in central Europe. Of the empire which produced so much wealth, power, and…
The Innocents Abroad Podcast: Episode 6 — Something Kafkaesque
In yet another instance of changing location, Yaël has moved to Prague, Czech Republic. He shares his experiences in Czechia and Todor is already insanely jealous. From there, it’s all about great literature, Pan-Europeanism, bureaucracy, the legacy of great authors, abortion protests in Poland, and why you should never read Paulo Coelho. And a lot of absurdism. Recommendations: Stefan Zweig – The World of Yesterday, Beware…
Joyful Jaunt and a Life Divided
A joyful jaunt in Brussels. The bellows of our lungs swamped with Belgian beer. Now only a train and plane separates me and the fair streets of Vienna, where I will unite with my woman under the pillars constructed by the hands of ancient pious craftsmen. But the next day, a new partition of life begins in Prague, Czech Republic. Can a man remain whole…
Why We Need Students For Liberty
I’m using ink-stained hands to type on this keyboard today. I’ve been writing personal Thank You letters to the greatest supporters and contributors of Students For Liberty – a new fountain pen has twisted into exhaustion. Though the ink will fade, the work of SFL shall continue to thrive. I’ve worked as a volunteer and staff member for this organization for over 3 years, and…
The North Carolina That I Call Home
Without so much as a care, my family moved to North Carolina from the French-speaking Canadian province of Québec when I was a 5-year-old lad. The reason for our move was purely economic, and it has affected our lives for the better in innumerable ways. We learned all about the quirks of southern living and adapted quickly. Our family lived in relative financial security while…
L’exclusion de certaines nations
Lutte antitabac. Le sommet de l’OMS en Inde n’accueillera pas les pays qui ont un monopole même partiel dans cette industrie. de Yaël Ossowski | L’AGEFI Dans quelques mois, l’Inde accueillera à New Delhi les plus importantes administrations de santé mondiale pour réfléchir à de nouvelles réglementations sur le tabac. Ces nouvelles directives impacteront chaque pays du monde; pourtant, plusieurs douzaines d’États ne pourront pas…
The Innocents Abroad Episode 5: Mlungu in South Africa
Yaël interviews Todor on his recent move to South Africa and they compare notes on the society, the history of race and current controversies, the beauty of its people and landscapes, how to have a good life, economic empowerment, living beyond the law. Also, you should totally go there. It’s awesome. SHOWNOTES: Wayde van Niekerk ‘coloured win’ turns racialhttp://www.citizen.co.za/1251012/wayde-van-niekerk-coloured-win-turns-racial/ Idiocracy Director Says It’s ‘Scary’ How…
The Innocents Abroad Episode 4: Czech Your Privilege
Today I was joined by writer and journalist Anthony Hennen for his take on living and traveling in post-communist Europe. We met in Prague years ago, and we ponder the possibility of both returning to uncover more about this fascinating place. http://anthonyhennen.com Song: “Freak” by Shane Ó Fearghail Buy his latest album ‘They Might See Dolphins’ on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/they-might-see-dolphins/id1112270111 http://theinnocentsabroad.com