If the last few years have made you dizzy, with their bewildering top-down science, gaslighting media, and deceitful, stonewalling governments, you just might be a Reality-phile.
If you lament the dishonest jiggering of just about everything—algorithms, elections, women’s sports, immigration, medicine, markets, law, AI, and all species of critical data—you just might be a Reality-phile.
If you can’t fathom how your old Propaganda Studies professor could continue reading and reciting to The New York Times with the pious gullibility of a simple child, you just might be a Reality-phile.
If you think it’s a brain-dead move for a nation to progressively dumb down its education, discard the most basic testing for competence, and open up marijuana “dispensaries” on almost every other corner, you just might be a Reality-Phile.
If you continually blink at the latest shrill hallucinations of runaway delusion—junior high school kids claiming to be trans-species rabbits, say (and even worse, terrified principals bowing down to their bunny-hops and proliferating pronouns)—you just might be a Reality-phile. (While true gender dysphoria may indeed exist, the current super-trend is surely charged more by social contagion than by reality.)
If you instinctively reject other divisive and reality-rending cultural-Marxist assertions—e.g., that race is essential, immutable, and apparently the most important characteristic of a person (—the paradoxically racist claim of “anti-racists”), but that gender is fluid and self-willed (—regardless of the constraints of biology and sex), you just might be a Reality-phile.
If you look with astonishment at reckless currency-printing and stratospheric national debt—and know that unsustainable bubbles can never last—you just might be a Reality-phile.
And if some of your family looks upon you with vague condescension, coolly declining to open links you send them—national data on vaccine injury, say, or evidence of Deep State/Big Tech subversion of the First Amendment—while somberly intoning that they “don’t want to encourage your conspiratorial folly,” again, you just might be a Reality-phile.
Reality-Philia, a Rare Bird
It shouldn’t be so rare, Reality-philia, but these days it seems to have become as rare as a funny comedian or a liberal who believes in free speech. Or a judge who respects the law.
Reality-philia, or “love of reality”—a conceptual framework aligned with clear-sighted living—is the simplest and (one would think) most desirable way to be in the world—the best way to keep one’s feet firmly on the ground.
But it seems that good old terra firma is a bit too mundane for some people, a bit too musty and old-fashioned—the new Jacobins strive to stand reason on its head—if not trash it altogether. This wanton idiocy is what springs from too many delirious days at college barricading oneself inside buildings (in solidarity with Che Guevara)—but forgetting to pack a lunch for the Revolution.
Reality-philia assumes that the most competent way to live is in harmony with the data gathered by the senses and evaluated by the mind, and also—because we can’t figure out everything ourselves—by consulting other non-insane people and the accumulated experience of the human race. And our highest wisdom is spiritual wisdom. Nothing crazy about that.
Sanity also rejects inflexible ideology, especially utopian ideology, which invariably distorts reality into fantastic illusion—and when given too much state power, almost always leads to pyramids of skulls touching the sky.
Human progress has been proportional to our understanding of how things really are (e.g., the laws of nature, physics, economy, etc.) and our response to it. When we grasp these correctly, we climb the ladder of progress; when we lose our grip, we fall, often injuring or crippling ourselves for decades—or even generations and centuries.
Homo sapiens considers itself a clever animal—and it is, technically—but today a good number of our species has a less accurate map of the world than does the average barn swallow. The human being has almost always been more clever than wise.
The West in particular, softened by affluence, slovenly education, and runaway magical thinking, has an appointment with reality the same way that a watermelon dropped from an airplane has a gravitational rendezvous with the earth. It may be wonderful fun on the way down, but always ends badly.
No, We Are Not “–phobes,” but Reality-Philes
Here we’ve only just briefly touched upon Reality-Philia, a new name for an old and reliable mode of being—which millions will instantly recognize in this surreal and ridiculous time. These clear-headed millions benefit from the instinct towards truth. (Unlike tyrannosaurs from the Potomac swamp, who bewail the loss of “total control” if centralized state power can’t squash the citizens’ free exchange of information, opinion, and satire.)
Most truth-seekers presently slandered and slighted as “conspiracy theorists” and “—phobes” and “—ists” and “—deniers” are of course none of those things: they are just everyday people craving clarifying doses of correct and authentic thinking. These people are simply Reality-Philes.
In 1984, George Orwell wrote that “freedom is the freedom to say that two and two make four.” I recall the strangeness of that line when I first read it in 8th grade—why would anyone be prevented from uttering such simple math?
Now, though, we can feel Orwell’s point all too chillingly. A key demoralization strategy of totalitarianism is to alienate the individual not only from others but also from themselves—from their core sense of reality. With each ridiculous thing they can get us to accept—or to stay silent about—the more they can advance. Hence the need to push back, speak up, and mock the naked emperors amidst the dystopian confusion. All this broken thinking must be swiftly swept away because Reality has no mercy on fools.
The game’s not over—and Reality of course will win. The only question is who will be left in the stadium (or anywhere) when the final fool strikes out.
Executive Summary
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Chris and Paul discuss the current state of the financial markets, focusing on interest rates, government spending, and the behavior of retail investors. They highlight the unusual rise in interest rates following a Federal Reserve rate cut and the implications of massive government debt issuance. The conversation also touches on the potential risks in the market, including the possibility of a financial crisis and the importance of being prepared for economic volatility.
Interest Rates and Market Behavior
Paul notes the surprising increase in interest rates following a Federal Reserve rate cut, which is contrary to typical market expectations. This unusual behavior suggests that the market may be pricing in future inflation or other economic concerns. The discussion also highlights the significant amount of U.S. debt being issued, which could be influencing interest rates and market dynamics.
Retail Investor Sentiment
Paul observes a high level of speculative behavior and complacency among retail investors, reminiscent of the 2007 housing market peak. Despite professional investors being cautious, retail investors are heavily invested in technology stocks and seem to believe that the market will continue to rise indefinitely.
Key Data
- Interest rates have risen significantly since the Fed rate cut, with 30-year mortgage rates reaching 7.33%.
- The U.S. government issued $500 billion in new debt in a matter of weeks, with $150 billion in September alone.
- Serious auto loan delinquencies are at 2.88%, nearing levels seen during the Great Financial Crisis.
- The U.S. national debt increased by $2.3 trillion, with $467 billion unaccounted for in official reports.
- The MOVE index, a measure of bond market volatility, is at its second-highest level in 30 years.
Predictions
- There may be a significant market correction or financial crisis if current trends continue.
- Inflationary pressures could lead to higher interest rates and increased economic volatility.
- The U.S. government may continue to engage in undisclosed spending, impacting fiscal stability.
Implication
- Average listeners should be aware of the potential for increased economic volatility and the risks associated with high levels of government debt and speculative market behavior.
Recommendations
- Individuals should consider diversifying their investments and not exceed FDIC insurance limits on bank deposits.
- Investors may want to explore opportunities in commodities and other undervalued asset classes.
- Consider a risk-managed investment strategy to navigate potential market volatility.
Executive Summary
”
Chris and Paul discuss the current state of the financial markets, focusing on interest rates, government spending, and the behavior of retail investors. They highlight the unusual rise in interest rates following a Federal Reserve rate cut and the significant increase in U.S. debt. The conversation also touches on the potential risks in the market, including the high level of retail speculation and the divergence between retail and professional investors. They emphasize the importance of being cautious and managing risk in the current economic environment.
Interest Rate Movements
Paul highlights the surprising increase in interest rates across various treasury durations following a Federal Reserve rate cut. This unexpected rise suggests market volatility and potential inflation expectations, which could impact long-term yields and mortgage rates.
Retail Investor Behavior
Paul notes a significant level of speculation and greed among retail investors, reminiscent of the 2007 housing market peak. Despite professional investors being cautious, retail investors are heavily investing in technology stocks, indicating a potential market risk.
Government Spending and Debt
Chris discusses the massive increase in U.S. debt, with hundreds of billions of dollars being added in a short period. He raises concerns about undisclosed government spending and the potential implications for the economy and future generations.
Key Data
- Interest rates have risen significantly across all treasury durations since the Fed rate cut.
- The U.S. national debt increased by $2.3 trillion, with $467 billion unaccounted for in government spending.
- Retail investors are highly speculative, with a University of Michigan index showing unprecedented bullishness.
Predictions
- There may be a significant market correction as retail speculation reaches unsustainable levels.
- Interest rates could continue to rise, impacting housing and other sectors.
Implication
- Rising interest rates and increased government debt could lead to higher mortgage rates and economic instability.
- Retail investors may face significant losses if the market corrects.
Recommendations
- Individuals should diversify their investments and avoid exceeding FDIC insurance limits in bank accounts.
- Consider investing in short-term treasuries as a safer alternative to bank deposits.
- Be cautious with speculative investments and focus on risk management.
