prior probability

I was on the verge of deleting my Facebook account again, but to paraphrase Michael Corleone in The Godfather: just when I thought I was out, Day 1 of the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour has pulled me back in! #ChessChamps #FacebookLive (On another note, I will begin my review of Ryan Patrick Hanley’s beautiful new book on Adam Smith’s moral philosophy on Monday.)

Among many other things (essays, articles, blogs, etc.), I am reading–or am about to start reading–the following books (presented alphabetically):

Ryan Patrick Hanley, Our great purpose: Adam Smith on living a better life (Princeton, 2019). I have just finished reading this short but surprisingly comprehensive tome and will be blogging about it soon.

Zena Hitz, Lost in thought: the hidden pleasures of an intellectual life (Princeton, 2020). The cover of this beautiful book is pictured below. As of today, I have read up to p. 80.

Erik Larson, The splendid and the vile: a saga of Churchill, family, and defiance during the Blitz (Crown, 2020). I ordered this book on the strength of Alex Tabarrok’s short review (available here; see the fourth paragraph), opened it last night, and am up to p. 31.

Stephanie Murphy-Lupo, All aboard! A history of Florida’s railroads (Globe Pequot, 2016). I love trains, and I love history, so I was lucky enough to have found a copy of this perfect book in one of the “free little libraries” that now dot the urban Orlando landscape.

James Otteson, editor, What Adam Smith knew: moral lessons on capitalism from its greatest champions and fiercest opponents (Encounter Books, 2014). I received a copy of this excellent collection of essays when I became a member of The Adam Smith Society last December.

Adam Smith, The theory of moral sentiments (Glasgow edition, Liberty Fund). I have decided to bite the proverbial bullet and read the damn thing for myself!

Six tiny AAAA batteries! More details here, via Chad Upton.

Alternative title: That was then, this is now

I confess I really love (pun intended) the melody and rhythm of the new Ariana remix, but don’t the lyrics violate YouTube’s “community standards”? Yes, they probably do …

With apologies to German dadaist/surrealist Max Ernst. Hat tip: Craig Collins. (Also, check out Craig’s blog The 100 Billionth Person; you will be amply rewarded.)

Today (February 2nd) is Candlemas, commemorating the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ at the Temple, and the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. More details about the meaning and history Candlemas are available here.