Mr Kellie Strom

@kelliestrom.bsky.social

283 Followers 422 Following

Artist, writer, editor. https://www.kelliestrom.com

Tyrants hate knowledge, not only because of its consequences, but also because knowledge has authority above all authorities. The tyrant must despise himself every time he encounters someone who is more knowledgeable than himself. A tyrant does not like to see the face of anyone who is more knowledgeable or considered a better thinker, and if he needed a physician or an engineer, he selects the stupid, the insignificant and the hypocrite. This is the nature of all tyrants, even most people, that is why they praie the modest and those who are inconsiderable and good for nothing.
Image of the bill for the execution of Erich Knauf which Germany's Nazi regime presented to his widow Erna Knauf.
Colonel Blimp cartoon by David Low. Blimp is exercising in the gym and says to his companion, “Gad, sir, Garvin is right. There’s only one way to stop these bullying aggressors — find out what they want us to do and then do it.”
A table with three headings at the top which read: Friend-Enemy Politics, Pluralist Politics, and Technocratic Politics. The first row is titled "social ontology of politics (what is the political world made of?), the second is titled "task of politics (what do we think we're doing in politics?), the third is titled "goal of politics (what does politics generate?):" The social ontology of politics in friend-enemy politics is a "world made up of friends and enemies. No neutrality or fairness. Identity overriding," in pluralist politics it is a "world made up of innumerable groups who must find ways to live together. Identity is central," in technocratic politics, the "world [is] composed of individuals who experience common problems. No groups, no identity." The task of politics in the friend-enemy mode is "for the virtuous 'Us' to defeat the evil 'Them,'" in pluralist politics it is "conciliation of different groups and their competing interests," in technocratic politics it is "solving social problems." The goal of politics in friend-enemy politics is "public tokens of 'our' domination or of enemy's defeat;" in pluralist politics it is "fair compromise;" in technocratic politics it is "effective policy."
The book Dublin Phoenix by Olivia Robertson.
Screenshot of a post by Grok on X, via the Guardian report.
Under a grey sky and next to a Baltic port where giant wind turbines are being assembled, a young family holidays on a strip of beach.
Book: Structure and Change in Economic History, by Douglass C North.
Upon reference to the book, it appeared that the dozen secretaryships had dwindled down to one. Mr. Gregsbury, the great member of parliament, of Manchester Buildings, Westminster, wanted a young man, to keep his papers and correspondence in order; and Nicholas was exactly the sort of young man that Mr. Gregsbury wanted. "I don't know what the terms are, as he said he'd settle them himself with the party," observed the fat lady; "but they must be pretty good ones, because he's a member of parliament." Inexperienced as he was, Nicholas did not feel quite assured of the force of this reasoning, or the justice of this conclusion; but without troubling himself to question it, he took down the address, and resolved to wait upon Mr. Gregsbury without delay.
Paperback book, two plays by Tom Stoppard, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour & Professional Foul.
A photograph of two ceramic sculptures.
Cover of Syria Notes no. 30, spring 2025.
Dustjacket for the first edition of The Cowboy and the Cossack, a novel by Clair Huffaker, illustrated by Brad Holland.
Page of a book by Niccolo Machiavelli, Discourses on Livy, Chapter 26, Insults and Abuse Generate Hate Against Those Who Employ Them, Without Profit.
Panel from a Popeye colour Sunday comic strip by EC Segar. Popeye receives a visit in his new cafe from his tobacco-chewing sailor friends. First sailor: "Swell joint he's got here!" Second sailor: "Yeah!" Popeye: "Sure I likes it here okay, but me ol' heart's out there where the weather's rough an' the decks is wet."
Friends sharing a meal with Mazen al-Hamada in London, 22 March 2017.