Why Women Are Attracted to Bad Boys Missing The Mark 2023-04-08 | In this video (with a surprise appearance by my superdwarf reticulated python, Aristotle) I talked about why it is that some women are attracted to "bad boys".
Whats Wrong With Niceness Missing The Mark 2023-04-02 | A discussion of niceness and the problems that it comes with if it's not treated as the highly subordinate good that it is.
Lord, Have Mercy on Me, a Sinner Missing The Mark 2023-03-28 | In which I discuss that referring to myself as a sinner is simply true and not rhetorical, as well as draw some lessons to when others (such as Bishop Barron) refer to themselves as sinners and how that should be taken seriously (but without speculating as to the specifics).The title of the video is a reference to one of my favorite prayers, the Jesus prayer, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." (This prayer is, itself, a reference to the publican in the story of the pharisee and the publican.)
How to Get a Girlfriend Missing The Mark 2023-02-28 | Admittedly very similar ground to my video "Advice for Men on Dating and Finding a Wife", but considerably shorter. Only 1 hour instead of 2! And it covers the useful subject of how to keep an acquaintanceship ambiguous to create space for the two people to get to know each other without having to make rush judgements. At some point I'm going to break this up into several shorter videos by individual subject...
Stupid Things Atheists Say: Its Someone Elses Fault Missing The Mark 2023-01-25 | This one is about the whole, "I'm not Christian because some Christian is a sinner" excuse. You also see it from Christians, usually in the form "how can you expect people to be Christian if there are Christians who sin?" Of course Christians should be perfect, but the existence of bad Christians is a terrible excuse for ignoring the truth of Christianity.The shirt is from Jonathan Pageau's merch store for The Symbolic World.
Were The Three Wise Men Real? The Mystery of the Magi with Fr Dwight Longenecker Missing The Mark 2023-01-09 | A discussion with Fr. Dwight Longenecker about his book The Mystery of the Magi. It's an interesting book which goes into the historicity of Magi ("The Three Wise Men", "We Three Kings of Orient Are", "The Wise Men", etc—did they exist, who were they really, where did they actually come from, how did they follow the star, and related questions.Fr. Longenecker's books:The Mystery of the Magi: dwightlongenecker.com/shop/the-mystery-of-the-magiThe Secrets of the Bethlehem Shepherds: dwightlongenecker.com/shop/the-secret-of-the-bethlehem-shepherdsBookstore: dwightlongenecker.com/shopFr. Longenecker's blog: dwightlongenecker.com/blogFr. Longenecker's website: dwightlongenecker.com
How To Enjoy the Same Old Thing Missing The Mark 2022-12-07 | In this video I talk about how to enjoy things that one has already enjoyed, without the need for novelty.The video on psychelics: youtube.com/watch?v=g8xmF7tUKxgThe t-shirt is a depiction of Saint Christopher in the style of an icon from Jonathan Pageau's merch store: https://www.thesymbolicworld.store/
Stupid Things Atheists Say: For Good People To Do Evil Takes Religion Missing The Mark 2022-12-03 | In this video I take a look at a really stupid quote from Steven Weinberg.The t-shirt is a depiction of Saint Christopher in the style of an icon from Jonathan Pageau's merch store: https://www.thesymbolicworld.store/
Psychedelic Drugs and Religious Experience Missing The Mark 2022-11-12 | Some thoughts on psychedelic drugs and their relationship to religious experience.Videos referenced in this video:God loves beetles: youtube.com/watch?v=ajxHJjOQ1MkHIstory of Psychedelia: youtube.com/watch?v=Q7gJGMeTz2Q&list=PLkCOIGR7V_pVynkay8GvlmRmdAjjTFl4oFour Horsemen of Meaning: youtu.be/FCvQsqSCWjAThe shirt is from Jonathan Pageau's Symbolic World merch store.
When To Give Up In Order To Succeed Missing The Mark 2022-10-31 | A discussion about periodically evaluating ones means relative to one's goals, as it's overly possible in this world to work so long at our means that we forget that they're just means and take them to be goals.
Welp. Im an Atheist Now (Satire) Missing The Mark 2022-10-23 | A satirical look at some really dumb comments I got to help people separate out confidence from substance.I'm sorry it's taken so long to get this out. Part of it is just that it's a very busy time of year for me, and part if it is that scripted videos just take me a really long time to make—that's why I've been doing unscripted videos so much lately. Videos should be more regular, soon.
The Sunk Costs Fallacy Isnt a Fallacy Missing The Mark 2022-08-29 | In this video I talk about the "sunk costs fallacy" and how it isn't a fallacy and what it's missing. I also look at some specific (mis)applications of it, such as in ending a long-term relationship.
It Isnt Certainty Thats Responsible For Atrocities Missing The Mark 2022-07-30 | In a talk with Jonathan Pageau, Jordan Peterson said that Sam Harris conflated the religious impulse with totalitarian certainty of the kind that led to atrocities. Peterson remarked, with dry humor, that this is not a very differentiated analysis. He's right, but I think it's also worth noting that even apart from that, it is not certainty which leads to atrocities. That's a modern myth.
Stupid Things Atheists Say: If You Need Religion To Be Good, Youre Bad Missing The Mark 2022-07-27 | In this episode of "Stupid Things Atheists Say" we look at "If you need religion to be a good person, then you're a bad person." Because, of course, you're only a good person if you are irrationally driven to do whatever the atheist in question considers is good. If you need a rational reason to be good, then clearly you're a bad person. Obviously.
About The Wrath of God Missing The Mark 2022-07-18 | A video discussing what people have meant by the wrath of God, and how this is another way of describing the justice of God. Also a look into how the crucifixion of Christ relates to the wrath of God, so God's mercy can be just.The t-shirt is from the Symbolic World merch shop, and has an iconographic depiction of Saint Christopher (who was a "dog-headed cannibal", i.e. from an ethnicity which looks strange and hairy). Because this is the internet: this is an iconographic depiction of Saint Christopher and is meant to be symbolic. It is not meant as a physical description, in the manner of what a photograph might provide.
Stupid Things Atheists Say: You Cant Prove a Negative Missing The Mark 2022-07-11 | In this episode of Stupid Things Atheists Say, I take a look at "you can't prove a negative", which is the misapplication to the question of God of the true (but irrelevant) point that one cannot prove the universal non-existence of a (possible) local phenomenon.
There Is No Scientific Method Missing The Mark 2022-07-01 | Taking a look at the "scientific method" that people are frequently taught in high school of making observations forming a hypothesis, experimenting to test it, refining it, etc. This either doesn't really exist or is just a description of how human beings think about anything and has been how people have operated for as long as human beings have been sapient.
Advice for Finding a Career Missing The Mark 2022-06-28 | I was asked by viewer Whist if I had advice for young men for finding a career, so here's my advice!
Stupid Things Atheists Say: Lack of Belief Missing The Mark 2022-06-25 | The first in a series looking at the stupid things atheists (mostly on the internet) say. Not all atheists, of course. This first episode is about "lack of belief".For a more serious take, consider this video on a logic lesson for lack of belief atheists: youtube.com/watch?v=fF_613_6csU
A Shockingly Christian Theme in Disneys Encanto Missing The Mark 2022-06-01 | A look at the theme about losing and keeping a miracle in Encanto, and how shockingly Christian this theme is.
Why People Dont Listen To Experts Missing The Mark 2022-05-27 | I saw this question in the comments to my video on the Dunning Kruger effect, and decided to answer it in a video.Dunning Kruger video: youtube.com/watch?v=fiyGwtuY0mg
Decisions and Freedom Missing The Mark 2022-04-28 | A look into the nature of decisions and freedom, and how long-term decisions, like marrying, having children, becoming a priest, etc. do not really reduce your freedom.
Emergent Properties Arent Real Missing The Mark 2022-04-07 | In this video I take a look at the concept of "emergent properties" (which is just a more recent name for "epiphenomena", what they are and what they aren't, and how they don't mean what internet atheists claim they mean.thumbnail photo credit: By Beojan Stanislaus, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8862246
Explaining Transubstantiation Missing The Mark 2022-04-01 | In this video I explain what the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation (i.e. the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist) is, what the doctrine isn't, give an analogy that we can use to approach understanding it, and also explain how no one who believes in the Real Presence in the Eucharist can actually disagree with the doctrine of transubstantiation.
Conversation With Zerse of @BASSFZz Missing The Mark 2022-03-29 | A conversation with Zerse about the sorts of philosophies on offer to young men today, including red pill, dating coaches, black pill, and others.@BASSFZz: youtube.com/c/BASSFZzMy response video to Zerse's, which he referred to: youtube.com/watch?v=R3kIBfEoohI
Should Highschoolers Date Missing The Mark 2022-03-12 | On my video with advice about dating and marriage I was asked whether people in high school should date, so I answered it.
A Funny Thing About People Who Deny Free Will Missing The Mark 2022-03-08 | A quick discussion of how funny it is that determinists (people who deny free will) so frequently base their morality upon consent, since according to their theory, it is impossible for anyone to consent to anything. They are literally basing their morality on something which they deny can exist.
Ash Wednesday, 2022 Missing The Mark 2022-03-03 | Just sharing some thoughts on Ash Wednesday (the beginning of the penitential season of Lent, preceding Easter) and the words spoken with the anointing with ashes, "Remember, O man, you are dust, and to dust you will return."0:09 - End of Intro0:30 - Brief explanation of Ash Wednesday3:20 - Main thoughts12:18 - Closing requests
Dating and Marrying Outside the Faith Missing The Mark 2022-02-25 | I answer a question about how advisable it is to date outside the faith. The original question was about atheists, but I broadened it a little bit since the same considerations apply to dating protestants, etc.
Miracles Arent Gods Only Actions Missing The Mark 2022-02-24 | In this video I talk about God's actions, and how miracles—direct interference within creation—are not God's only actions; how God very frequently works through creation so that creation cooperates with His purposes, but that these are no less God's actions for God having given it to creation to co-operate with His purposes.
Advice for Men on Dating and Finding a Wife Missing The Mark 2022-02-19 | Some advice for men on dating and finding a wife. To paraphrase Winston Churchill: this video, by its very length, defends itself against ever being watched. Still, I hope some of it might be helpful. It contains some thoughts on dating, courtship, being friends with women, how acquaintanceship differs from being friends, how to go about trying to maximize one's attractiveness to women, and other subjects.(I intend to make a video with advice for women on dating and finding a husband, but it's going to take me a bit to finalize what I want to say on the subject and record that video.)
Not All religions Look Like Christianity Missing The Mark 2022-02-16 | In this video I discuss how the various major religions of the world don't all look like Christianity, and so newer religions, like environmentalism, progressivism, animal rights, etc. are religions despite not looking like Christianity, too.God of the Gaps Creation Myth for Religion: youtu.be/ioC_Yxwq4jw
Book Clubs Missing The Mark 2022-02-10 | Answering a question from viewer Whist with advice about how to run a book discussion club (actually, a bible study, but I generalized a bit, since there's a lot of commonality).
Usury And Lending at Interest Missing The Mark 2022-02-07 | In this video I talk about usury, lending money at interest, the development and refinement of economies, investment, and lending money, as well as how the modern understanding of lending at interest does not contradict ancient views on usury as sinful because of a change in context, and what things within the modern context are still sinful because they are the same thing as what was prohibited in former times.
Authenticity is Overrated Missing The Mark 2022-02-03 | In this video I talk about how authenticity is overrated—just pick a worthwhile goal, pursue it because it's good, and hey presto you're authentic, but if you're doing it right, you won't notice because you'll be focused on your worthwhile goal.
Channel Update January 31, 2022 Missing The Mark 2022-02-01 | A quick update about how things are going for the channel.
Attracting Women With Purpose, A Response to @BASSFZz Missing The Mark 2022-01-12 | The two BASSFZz videos that most prompted this were"It's Your Purpose, Not Hers" - youtube.com/watch?v=uCr_rl33-zY"This is Where Nice Guys Come From" - youtube.com/watch?v=NY3F0JvrUJ4
Do You Need Money To Be Happy? Missing The Mark 2021-12-11 | I look at the question of whether you need money to be happy, as Aristotle would have said, and as Ed Latimore recently (on a historical scale) suggested.Ed's tweet: twitter.com/EdLatimore/status/1180864129780899840
Why Meaning Matters Missing The Mark 2021-11-27 | Some thoughts on why meaning matters, why Dawkins' statement that "why is a stupid question" is stupid, why "life has the meaning you give it" is worthless, and related subjects.
Thoughts On The Soul, While Hunting Missing The Mark 2021-11-24 | Some thoughts on the soul and where people go wrong thinking of it as a ghost-in-the-machine or some sort of quasi-physical energy-body.
Proofs for Gods Intelligence and Why Atheists Deny It Missing The Mark 2021-10-28 | A look at some proofs for God's intelligence as well as why they won't be accepted by atheists.
Why Talk About the Downsides of Atheism Missing The Mark 2021-09-18 | In this video I talk about why it's good to talk about the downsides of atheism, despite it generally being more attractive to be positive rather than negative; to make the case for something and not to merely make the case against one of its alternatives. That reason is that people often take the "cheese pizza" approach. If they think that there's a common denominator, they will pick that to avoid conflict. By talking about the problems with atheism, it can help people to realize that there is no plain cheese pizza; that there is no common denominator.
Big Tech Censorship: A Conversation with Ron Coleman Missing The Mark 2021-09-09 | Famous First Amendment & trademark lawyer Ron Coleman discusses big tech censorship and the law with me, as well as the morality of big tech censorship which the law would ideally capture. We talk about promissory estoppel, misrepresentation, contract law and terms of service, and the possibility of consumer protection laws.Ron Coleman's YouTube Channel: youtube.com/c/RonColeman-LawyerRon Coleman's blog (IP Law focused): likelihoodofconfusion.comJane Coleman's article on the Salem Witch Trials: humanevents.com/2020/07/21/the-specter-of-systemic-racism
Determinism, Free Will, and Predestination Missing The Mark 2021-08-31 | In this video I answer a question about (atheistic, materialistic) determinism, free will, and Calvinism-style predestination.That last part is important to point out because there is a Catholic doctrine of predestination, but it only means that God has a plan (being outside of time) and in no way contradicts human free will. I also talk about how Martin Luther denied free will as well as John Calvin, though I don't go into great depth.Photo credits:Pool table:User:Evdcoldeportes, CC BY-SA 2.5 CO creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/co/deed.en, via Wikimedia Commons
What To Do if the News Has Gotten You Down Missing The Mark 2021-08-25 | In this video I answer a question about what to do if one read the news, or commentary on the news, or saw social media about the news, and it's gotten you down.
Can Men and Women Be Best Friends Missing The Mark 2021-08-06 | I answer a question from Blake about a Twitter exchange where one person characterized marriage as raising a beautiful family with your best friend and "Charles Mayne" quoted this saying that men and women can never be best friends, and that it's a modern and degenerate idea that they can.
The Incoherence of Subjective Morality Missing The Mark 2021-07-30 | In this video I take a look at the problem with subjective morality—a thing espoused by most western atheists—and how it's incoherent.
The Fake Simplicity of Atheism Missing The Mark 2021-07-14 | In this video I look at the idea that atheism (or materialism, or naturalism) is more simply than theism, and therefore is to be preferred.
Everything Has Been Refuted Missing The Mark 2021-07-09 | In this video I look at how everything has been refuted—included everything true—so it doesn't really mean anything to say "that's been refuted."
Theistic Evolution and the Book of Genesis Missing The Mark 2021-07-02 | In response to a question to go into the specifics of how theistic evolution works, I do that. It's still a bit of an overview of the subject, but that's because going into true detail would take quite a lot longer than the hour and fourteen minutes this video ended up being. Still, I hope that this helps to get people started, at least.
