The secular has its origin in man's loss of spiritual vision or — what is the same thing — in the hard­ening of his heart; and the contraction of the world of nature to a self-contained entity, which is what happens when we ignore its sacred aspect, represents not so much a closing off of nature itself as a closing of our own eyes. We always have to remember that how we see the world about us is but a reflection of the state of our own inner world. Ultimately it is because we see ourselves as existing apart from God that we also see nature as existing apart from God.

This last statement is to the point here because what the modern scientific outlook and the building of our modern tech­nological and economic order demonstrate is the triumph of precisely the view in which the world is seen as a self-contained entity, existing in its own right, apart from God, and conse­quently as something that man is quite entitled to explore, organize and exploit without any reference to the divine. As we have seen, the modern secular world owes its immediate origin not so much to the Renaissance and Reformation or to Copernicus and Galileo as to the scientific revolution of the sev­enteenth century, with its ‘New Philosophy’, as the scientists of the seventeenth century themselves called it.

- Philip Sherrard, The Rape of Man And Nature

Their chief finding is a striking association between population density — the concentration of people in a given area — and happiness. When the researchers ranked all 1,215 communities by average happiness, they found that average population density in the 20 percent most miserable communities was more than eight times greater than in the happiest 20 percent of communities.

...

So what makes the happiest communities different from all the rest? Aside from fewer people, the authors found that the happiest communities had shorter commute times and less expensive housing, and that a smaller share of the population was foreign-born. They also found that people in the happiest communities are less transient than in the least happy communities, that they are more likely to attend church and that they are significantly more likely to feel a “sense of belonging” in their communities.

...

Perhaps even more surprising are the factors that don't appear to play a major role in community-level differences in happiness: average income levels and rates of unemployment and education. People may move to cities for good-paying jobs, but the Canadian study strongly suggests it's not making them any happier.

Who would have thought?

In the UP, our rappers have lines like:

And no, I ain't rich,
If you wanted to know
But I got big banks
And they're made of snow

And

Tryin'a get dat green,
Cuttin' trees, planting more of 'em.

Just found out about this today.

Not usually my type of music, but I admire his ability to rattle off approximately 10 Yooper references per second. Damn impressive.

I'm also reasonably confident this is the only rap song to ever mention the "Yooper Scooper"

Also, yes, apparently we have rap in the UP. Better not come here, it is ruined. You wouldn't like it here

Gn

Seasnon 2, Episode 4 - Joe Pera Guides You Through the Dark

Seattle gay pride March led by literal children.

Follow | Watch | Support | Prepare

"Smoke signals?!?! Keep your city slicker high tech nonsense outta here,eh... Fuggin guy"

We are in an era of rapid urbanization. More than 83% of Americans now live in Urbania, and the world’s urban population has grown from 30% of the total in 1950 to 55%, and is projected to continue growing to 68% by 2050. So, it's worth examining whether this trend aligns with human nature. Contrary to what we might expect based on the trend, the two prevailing metaphysical frameworks of Western thought—Christian theology and scientific materialism—both understand human nature in a manner which suggests that people would find greater fulfillment in less populated areas rather than urban centers.

Christian theology presents God's intention for humanity in the Genesis narrative. The Garden of Eden represents humanity's ideal habitat, where direct communion with God and nature was possible. The subsequent development of cities, epitomized by the Tower of Babel, is a departure from this divine plan. Thus, less populated settings offer a way to reconnect with God's original design for human flourishing.

Evolutionary science corroborates this view. According to modern scientific theories, humans evolved in natural, sparsely populated environments for the majority of our species' existence. Our physiology, psychology, and social structures were shaped by life in small groups within natural landscapes. Cities, with their high population densities and artificial environments, represent a significant deviation from the conditions that shaped our species. This mismatch contributes to the well documented lower life satisfaction among urban peoples.

Both perspectives converge on key points. Non-urban areas more closely resemble our natural habitat, resonating with our innate preferences and biological needs. Less populated regions also align better with our cognitive capacity for social interactions, as suggested by the theory of Dunbar's number—the idea that humans can comfortably maintain about 5 loved ones, 15 good friends, 50 friends, 150 stable relationships, 500 acquaintances, and 1,500 people they recognize. Our natural capacities are more closely aligned with life in small communities rather than the overwhelming social complexity of large cities.

Additionally, from both viewpoints, the slower pace of life in rural areas is more conducive to human well-being. Scientifically, it better suits our circadian rhythms and stress response systems, which evolved without constant artificial stimulation. Theologically, it allows for more contemplative time and a closer connection to the natural world, which is a means of communing with the divine.

The mass migration to cities in recent centuries raises questions about its underlying motivations. It's probable that many individuals moving to urban areas are not consciously engaging with questions of human nature or metaphysical frameworks. Economic opportunities and cultural attractions may overshadow deeper considerations about what environment truly suits human flourishing.

This disconnect between our metaphysical heritage—both religious and materialist—and contemporary urban living patterns challenges our notion of progress. What we often call "progress" in terms of urbanization is, in fact, at odds with our fundamental nature and well-being. The trend towards urbanization isn't progress, it's a march towards a degraded way of living that goes against and even violates our very nature as human beings.

Gn

Season 2, Episode 5 - Joe Pera Takes You to the Grocery Store

What cool footage!

UP rap videos are the best rap videos.

Gn

Season 2, Episode 6 - Joe Pera Goes to Dave Wojcek's Bachelor Party with You

But if I don't make six figures, how will I be able to afford...

*Checks notes*

Height boosting surgery that cripples you?

Gm

I fish because I love to; because I love the evirons where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful, and hate the environs where crowds of people are found, which are invariably ugly; because of all the television commercials, cocktail parties, and assorted social posturing I thus escape; because in a world where most men seem to spend their lives doing things they hate, my fishing is at once an endless source of delight and an act of small rebellion; because trout do not lie or cheat and cannot be bought or bribed or impressed by power, but respond only to quietude and humility and endless patience; because I suspect that men are going along this way for the last time, and I for one don't want to waste the trip; because mercifully there are no telephones on trout waters; because only in the woods can I find solitude without lonliness; because bourbon out of an old tin cup always tastes better out there; because maybe one day I'll catch a mermaid; and, finally, not because I regard fishing as being so terribly important but because I suspect that so many of the other concerns of men are eqally unimportant-and not nearly so much fun.

- Robert Traver