Wandering the world, one idea at a time.

Welcome to The Modern Flaneur by me, Joel Bowman, incurable peripatetic and shameless, self-appointed panjandrum of the realm.

In this obscure little corner of the deep, dark, digital space, we’ll explore the world of ideas - both laudable and regrettable - and consider how they map onto our modest quest to enjoy a free and meaningful existence.

If, as Socrates contended, knowledge is indeed virtue, then our aim here will be to grow a little more knowledgable with each and every word, a little more virtuous with each and every step along the journey. Beginning, of course, with the humble supposition that we could be wrong about it all… and probably are.

When we can travel in space, we will… taking our little family on the road to study the ways of the world, walkabout style. And when we must remain stationary, we will travel instead in time, combing through our dusty bookshelves to contemplate the lessons of those mighty minds that have gone before us.

We will endeavor to always engage in good faith dialectic and will be quick both to admit our mistakes and forgive those of others. Oh, and we will be relentless in our attack on those who peddle in unreason, anti-truth and harmful dogma.

For now, let us begin by observing that 2+2=4 and that opinions here held are 100% me/my/mine.

Tally-ho!