Articles

Brownstone Journal Articles, News, Research, and Commentary on public health, science, economics, & social theory

The German Faith in Authority

SHARE | PRINT | EMAIL

Not only do media commentaries and politicians casually discuss discriminatory measures against unvaccinated people without being attacked for it by their peers, but ‘normal’ citizens, including highly accomplished academics, are doing so as well. The sudden switch of the political agenda from Covid-19 to the Ukraine illustrates that this is not Covid-exclusive behaviour.

The German Faith in Authority Read Journal Article

The Specter of Asymptomatic Spread

SHARE | PRINT | EMAIL

A society grounded on “social distancing” is a contradiction—it’s a kind of anti-society. Consider what happened to us, consider the human goods we sacrificed to preserve bare life at all costs: friendships, holidays with family, work, visiting the sick and dying, worshipping God, burying the dead.

The Specter of Asymptomatic Spread Read Journal Article

How Coercion Compromised the Vaccine 

SHARE | PRINT | EMAIL

The vaccine for this virus should never have been mandated. Having done so, public health has done itself deep harm. One wonders if the reputation of vaccines in general can recover. Free choice is the foundation of trust. Overriding that with a politically motivated regime of compulsion, backed by the threat to destroy lives, can never result in good outcomes for either individuals or society. 

How Coercion Compromised the Vaccine  Read Journal Article

Not Every Health Problem Needs a Social Solution

SHARE | PRINT | EMAIL

According to public-health paternalists, almost no decisions that affect individuals’ health are truly ‘individual.’ Nearly all such decisions are either heavily determined by the actions of third parties, or themselves affect the choices of unsuspecting third parties.

Not Every Health Problem Needs a Social Solution Read Journal Article

The White House is Now Your Doctor!

SHARE | PRINT | EMAIL

In short, the White House is not your doctor, yet they have decided they will act as such. This is a dangerous precedent. The American people will soon be participating in an uncontrolled clinical trial of 4th and 5th doses, possibly with coercive mandates. Not having an advisory committee is a threat to public health. This decision does not bode well.

The White House is Now Your Doctor! Read Journal Article

Covid Prediction: January 2020

SHARE | PRINT | EMAIL

Government power is not necessary. It is not likely to be effective, either. And when it is not effective, the tendency is to overreact in the opposite direction, clamping down and abusing, exactly as we’ve seen with the war on terror and China’s response to this virus, which might be as serious as bad seasonal flu outbreaks. Still, people assume that government is doing its job, government fails, and then government gets more power and does awful things with it. It’s the same story again and again.

Covid Prediction: January 2020 Read Journal Article

How Proximity Makes Progressives

SHARE | PRINT | EMAIL

Trust in government and its ability to solve problems has always tended to be higher in more urban areas. Government solutions tend to constrain individual action, and this too tends to be tolerated more in more populated areas. Across cultures and times, areas of higher population density have been associated with more politically and culturally progressive attitudes, manifested in a greater willingness to trust governmental power and to follow its lead.

How Proximity Makes Progressives Read Journal Article