What did Epstein’s friends actually know about him? In chapter four of our series, an answer in a rare truth bomb from one of Epstein‘s kept scholars/"mind concierges"
Such an interesting piece about how even the most intellectual and academically recognized of humans can observe evil and support it for their own benefit. Thank you.
Yes, I really appreciate that you are willing to read and research the Epstein files, because who else is going to do it? And how will we ever know what really happened? And how will we deter people from supporting future (or current???) child rape networkers who happen to have something they need?
What a self-rationalizing jerk. For all of Bach's intelligence and cleverness, the student who refused his offer to help her get grants had a far deeper understanding of the value of personal integrity than Bach.
I've always said I'd rather hire an IT worker with common sense than a brilliant one. I lived 2 semesters in an honors dorm and some of these "bright" kids didn't have the sense God gave a goat.
Every new revelation from these files is like a kick in the teeth. Epstein's crimes are beyond the pale, but almost as disturbing is how easy it seems to be for people to rationalize truly terrible acts when there's something in it for them. And for Bach to cast himself as a victim when his relationship with Epstein was revealed? What a pompous ass.
The Epstein class seems to think that, if they remove themselves from their emotions and intellectually analyze the repugnant as an "objective outside experience", they are somehow detached from the immorality of the behavior and can "discuss" it as mere observers. Those of us outside their circle are, of course, judged by them to be incapable of such "high level" intellect.
Bach is right that society and culture are the arbiters of morality. I’m soooooo grateful I (so far still) live in a culture where child rape is immoral.
Thank you for this important information and analysis, Anand. It never ceases to amaze me how dense and well-defended these Epstein collaborators are. No wonder the world is so messed up.
“I am generally not interested in partisan culture war topics or in judging people from near or afar, which seems to be the main area of your reporting.”
He is afraid of what you do, Anand.
He sees the unusual insight you bring to anything you study.
Don’t think he’ll be able to ‘dance around’ those insights with his
‘intellectuality’.
He was entangled in one of Epstein’s many webs, the one of subsidy: so tempting to take a bite of the poisoned apple.
He’s rightly ashamed, and finding it philosophically difficult to extricate himself from the consequences of his choices.
Did he imagine a long Substack explanation of sorts would do the trick?
"Epstein wanted to be around women and girls, but didn’t actually like them. What he liked was to dominate them ... (Bach): your relationships to young women appear not to be on equal footing but dominant-submissive, with little apparent regard for hurt feelings."
Yes, the patriarchal mind in all its twisted glory. Rape is not about sexuality. It is about power - power to control, power to use, power to humiliate.
Another terrific analysis. I await and read each one as a great crime suspense (tragedy is that it is real and so many lives have been shattered) of who you aptly termed “Rich brains.” THANK YOU!
As I read Bach’s reasoning in his defense, I notice that he appears to have intentionally severed his ethical cortex from limbic to make lasting contributions to the field of cognitive psychology. I was reminded of another psychologist Dan Ariely, a prolific researcher who fudged data and his studies couldn’t be replicated. There is much written about his hypocritical research. As I was writing this comment I searched Ariely’s Wiki page, to verify a detail to add to this comment. Surprise… surprise… another buddy of Epstein.
Some odds: Chomsky, Pinker, Bach, Ariely, and who else will show up?
See my point above re: Ariely, with whom I collaborated on several books. It’s horrible. Ariely swears he never took money from Epstein, and I believe him. But he got close enough to spend time communicating with him, and that in itself bothers me a lot.
Thanks for sharing.. Goes to Anand’s observations and analysis. Again acting ethically and morally ever cross these minds who otherwise do research and write papers that are envy of academic world?
Two awful, amoral, full-of-themselves little men. Deep, deep therapy would be needed to make them human again instead of the monsters they chose to be. Anand, great work. I am grateful for all of the truly decent men who see pedophilia unambiguously and with clear eyes.
So many times I have to stop in the middle and comment. Not this time. Breathtaking report, Anand. Mind fuckers, they are everywhere. When one truly begins to see themselves after having been gaslit and accepted or justified the behavior of their “helper,” it is a complete inner dismantling of everything they believed surrounding that person who helped them. It is emotional agony, despair, physical sickness, heartbreak and anger. I think Bach should consider that his constant refusal to see and disengage from Epstein is the real reason for his current inability to breathe and other physical symptoms he mentioned. He doesn’t know it yet, but he also is victim. One who doesn’t care about other victims. He will blame everyone except Epstein and Epstein’s hold on his mind. Even though Epstein is dead, his thoughts and ideas live on in Bach’s mind.
Such an interesting piece about how even the most intellectual and academically recognized of humans can observe evil and support it for their own benefit. Thank you.
Terrific take down of hypocritical academic "experts."
I like your style, Anand: "Personally, I would donate to MIT to be removed from emails like these."
Thanks for taking on such a disgusting and depressing topic.
Yes, I really appreciate that you are willing to read and research the Epstein files, because who else is going to do it? And how will we ever know what really happened? And how will we deter people from supporting future (or current???) child rape networkers who happen to have something they need?
What a self-rationalizing jerk. For all of Bach's intelligence and cleverness, the student who refused his offer to help her get grants had a far deeper understanding of the value of personal integrity than Bach.
I've always said I'd rather hire an IT worker with common sense than a brilliant one. I lived 2 semesters in an honors dorm and some of these "bright" kids didn't have the sense God gave a goat.
I so agree.
Every new revelation from these files is like a kick in the teeth. Epstein's crimes are beyond the pale, but almost as disturbing is how easy it seems to be for people to rationalize truly terrible acts when there's something in it for them. And for Bach to cast himself as a victim when his relationship with Epstein was revealed? What a pompous ass.
The Epstein class seems to think that, if they remove themselves from their emotions and intellectually analyze the repugnant as an "objective outside experience", they are somehow detached from the immorality of the behavior and can "discuss" it as mere observers. Those of us outside their circle are, of course, judged by them to be incapable of such "high level" intellect.
Bach is right that society and culture are the arbiters of morality. I’m soooooo grateful I (so far still) live in a culture where child rape is immoral.
Thank you for this important information and analysis, Anand. It never ceases to amaze me how dense and well-defended these Epstein collaborators are. No wonder the world is so messed up.
“I am generally not interested in partisan culture war topics or in judging people from near or afar, which seems to be the main area of your reporting.”
He is afraid of what you do, Anand.
He sees the unusual insight you bring to anything you study.
Don’t think he’ll be able to ‘dance around’ those insights with his
‘intellectuality’.
He was entangled in one of Epstein’s many webs, the one of subsidy: so tempting to take a bite of the poisoned apple.
He’s rightly ashamed, and finding it philosophically difficult to extricate himself from the consequences of his choices.
Did he imagine a long Substack explanation of sorts would do the trick?
We are sadly human at times.
"Epstein wanted to be around women and girls, but didn’t actually like them. What he liked was to dominate them ... (Bach): your relationships to young women appear not to be on equal footing but dominant-submissive, with little apparent regard for hurt feelings."
Yes, the patriarchal mind in all its twisted glory. Rape is not about sexuality. It is about power - power to control, power to use, power to humiliate.
Great article. Thank you.
This was fascinating. Thank you, Anand. An example of how brilliance is no guarantee against moral blindness.
Another terrific analysis. I await and read each one as a great crime suspense (tragedy is that it is real and so many lives have been shattered) of who you aptly termed “Rich brains.” THANK YOU!
As I read Bach’s reasoning in his defense, I notice that he appears to have intentionally severed his ethical cortex from limbic to make lasting contributions to the field of cognitive psychology. I was reminded of another psychologist Dan Ariely, a prolific researcher who fudged data and his studies couldn’t be replicated. There is much written about his hypocritical research. As I was writing this comment I searched Ariely’s Wiki page, to verify a detail to add to this comment. Surprise… surprise… another buddy of Epstein.
Some odds: Chomsky, Pinker, Bach, Ariely, and who else will show up?
See my point above re: Ariely, with whom I collaborated on several books. It’s horrible. Ariely swears he never took money from Epstein, and I believe him. But he got close enough to spend time communicating with him, and that in itself bothers me a lot.
Thanks for sharing.. Goes to Anand’s observations and analysis. Again acting ethically and morally ever cross these minds who otherwise do research and write papers that are envy of academic world?
Two awful, amoral, full-of-themselves little men. Deep, deep therapy would be needed to make them human again instead of the monsters they chose to be. Anand, great work. I am grateful for all of the truly decent men who see pedophilia unambiguously and with clear eyes.
So, Bach’s opinion is: Everyone has a price.
"Everyone SHOULD have a price."
you have the BEST handle.
The messages seem to intentionally confuse victim and perpetrator.
Bach is more honest about who Epstein is, but then he sweeps it under the rug like a prostitite getting ready for a John.
“You’ll know them by which side their bread is buttered on”. - my mom
mom is often right!
Mine was ALWAYS right! lol
So many times I have to stop in the middle and comment. Not this time. Breathtaking report, Anand. Mind fuckers, they are everywhere. When one truly begins to see themselves after having been gaslit and accepted or justified the behavior of their “helper,” it is a complete inner dismantling of everything they believed surrounding that person who helped them. It is emotional agony, despair, physical sickness, heartbreak and anger. I think Bach should consider that his constant refusal to see and disengage from Epstein is the real reason for his current inability to breathe and other physical symptoms he mentioned. He doesn’t know it yet, but he also is victim. One who doesn’t care about other victims. He will blame everyone except Epstein and Epstein’s hold on his mind. Even though Epstein is dead, his thoughts and ideas live on in Bach’s mind.
Great writing here, thank you Anand.
Bach is a creep who puts an intellectual spin on his creepiness. Good job ferreting him out, Anand.