The WNBA And This Week’s Primaries

This is just a quick thought, not a detailed analysis.  Is identity tribalism now everything?

The WNBA erupted (again) this week surrounding a controversial play involving Caitlin Clark.  She was flagrantly fouled and the league only a day later assessed the foul.  During that 24 hour period the public discussion got immense, and all about identity groups.  Clark is white, heterosexual and has increased interest in the league exponentially.  Players in the league are largely African-American and frequently homosexual.  They foul Clark – a lot.  I have no idea if it is out of resentment towards her popularity and labels or if they are just trying desperately to shut down a player that is incredibly good at the game.  On the other hand Clark “flops” (exaggerates the effects of a hit) quite a bit in what is clearly an effort to draw the call.  I have no idea if she just likes to shoot free throws or if she is fed up with officials that seem to allow her to get hit more than other players in the league.  What I know is the debate is all about white and heterosexual against black and homosexual and only peripherally about basketball.  And that’s just sad.

Lots of people are looking to explain the electoral results of the past week.  Defiantly socialist, occasionally full-blown communist, unquestionably antisemitic candidates were chosen in Democratic primaries.  Ten years ago, such results were unthinkable.  The rise of social media and the pandemic response likely provided the mechanism for such a rapid and previously unthinkable shift.  But philosophically thinking in labels has played a huge role.  If we cannot focus on basketball in a professional basketball league, can we really expect people to vote based on actual and important issues in elections?

Here concludes the quick thought.

And now a quick movie review

“Supergirl” is a good and enjoyable movie.  It is quite different than its predecessor, “Superman” – darker in tone and with a central character consumed with grief instead of midwestern farm boy optimism.  But the grief plays a key role in building very human bonds of sacrificial love as we watch Kara Zor-el become a genuine heroine.  Good is never out-of-sight in the darkness of the film and grief never becomes self-focused despair as we were unpalatably forced to watch with the fat Thor of “Endgame.”

The movie departs in several notable locations from comic book canon, but this comic book nerd did not really care. Wonderfully, Jason Momoa’s portrayal of anti-hero cosmic biker and bounty-hunter Lobo is dead nuts on and a joy to watch.  To my mind the movie is a bit dark for those under around twelve years of age – the PG-13 rating being most appropriate.

If you are looking for a very good sci-fi/comic book film, by all means go.  It’ll be money well spent.

The Remainder Pile

This only means something if you think the war is over.  Besides, polling generally is being increasingly questioned. It kind of goes back to that whole labels thing.  Is this evidence of such?

When things get truly, completely out-of-hand.

Irony.

Really cool science geek stuff.

And finally, California where corruption breads lawsuits and further corruption.

Speaking of corruption and California, Gavin Newsom sits at the center of circle of corruption.  It is amazing how none of it seems to land on him.  But then as the rich and wealthy leave California is droves, he tries to have it both ways.  I don’t think James Carville in his prime could focus this guy.