"By violence and the sword, men's controversies are now decided"

How the successor to a popular Roman reformist brought norm-breaking further into the mainstream.

Aug 12 • Michael Markarian

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Scatterbrained Saturday: The New ChatGPT

GPT-5, vibe-coding, and why I feel (slightly) more optimistic that AI won't take our jobs anytime soon

Aug 9 • Michael Markarian

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Scatterbrained Saturday: Watching my beloved Patriots

Reporting from an exciting Friday at Gillette Stadium. My analysis of where the New England Patriots currently stand as they head into the preseason.

Aug 2 • Michael Markarian

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July 2025

"So may all those perish who attempt such crimes"

A doomed reformer, informal norms, and the beginning of the Roman Republic's end. The first chapter of The Unwritten Rules Break First, a series…

Jul 29 • Michael Markarian

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The Unwritten Rules Break First

A series exploring the Roman Republic’s lengthy collapse and its modern-day parallels.

Jul 15 • Michael Markarian

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A Note About Sources

The Unwritten Rules Break First - Ancient Sources

Jul 15 • Michael Markarian

A Guide to the Roman Republic

The Unwritten Rules Break First - Introduction

Jul 15 • Michael Markarian

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January 2025

The Danger of Preemptive Pardons

How blanket pardons may undermine future attempts to hold people accountable.

Jan 21 • Michael Markarian

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December 2024

How Realistic Is Musk's Budget Plan?

Analyzing DOGE's prospects and the realities of government spending.

Dec 20, 2024 • Michael Markarian

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November 2024

Your Post-Election Briefing

What happened?

Nov 9, 2024 • Michael Markarian

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Where Did It All Go Wrong For Democrats?

How Democrats blew the 2024 election, and what happens now.

Nov 6, 2024 • Michael Markarian

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