Thursday, December 31, 2009
It's New Year's Eve, folks ...
... I won't be blogging, and you be able to find something better to do than visit here. Happy New Year!
A terrific roundup ...
... even if I am late linking to it: Sunday Smatterings Between the Holidays.
While we weren't looking ...
... Singularity Proponent Ray Kurzweil Reinvents the Book, Again. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
I see that Ray sent me the link also. I interviewed him a few years ago. He's about as bright as they come.
I see that Ray sent me the link also. I interviewed him a few years ago. He's about as bright as they come.
Thought for the day ...
Derive happiness in oneself from a good day's work, from illuminating the fog that surrounds us.- Henri Matisse, born on this date in 1869
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Thought for the day ...
The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.- L.P. Hartley, born on this date in 1895
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
In case you're interested ...
... Books You Can Live Without. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
The headline is misleading. These are books they can live without.
The headline is misleading. These are books they can live without.
Problems, problems ..
... As books go beyond printed page to multisensory experience, what about reading? (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Thought for the day ...
How some of the writers I come across get through their books without dying of boredom is beyond me.- William Gaddis, born on this date in 1922
Monday, December 28, 2009
Thought for the day ...
In the case of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you can get through, but how many can get through to you.- Mortimer Adler, born on this date in 1902
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Today's Inquirer reviews ...
... Judith Fitzgerald on Paul Auster's latest: 'Invisible' flaws too apparent.
... Finding the father within.
... A review of Malcolm Gladwell's latest book.
... A insider's look at N.Y. detective facing tough case.
... A portrait of the rebel Molly Ivins.
... Finding the father within.
... A review of Malcolm Gladwell's latest book.
... A insider's look at N.Y. detective facing tough case.
... A portrait of the rebel Molly Ivins.
Thought for the day ...
As soils are depleted, human health, vitality and intelligence go with them.- Louis Bromfield, born on this date in 1896
Saturday, December 26, 2009
The latest batch ...
... of TLS Letters: The 'prebiotic soup', Johnson biographies, Maxine Albro, and more.
Bearing doubt ...
... God is the question. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
I don't think we should underestimate the importantce of experience, of what Wordsworth calls "a sense sublime /Of something far more deeply interfused ... A motion and a spirit, that impels /All thinking things, all objects of all thought,/And rolls through all things."
I don't think we should underestimate the importantce of experience, of what Wordsworth calls "a sense sublime /Of something far more deeply interfused ... A motion and a spirit, that impels /All thinking things, all objects of all thought,/And rolls through all things."
Thought for the day ...
Art is only a means to life, to the life more abundant. It is not in itself the life more abundant. It merely points the way, something which is overlooked not only by the public, but very often by the artist himself. In becoming an end it defeats itself.- Henry Miller, born on this date in 1891
Friday, December 25, 2009
1688
"The Glorious Revolution of 1688 has long been consigned to the revolutionary B-list, dismissed as a bloodless back-room deal. A new history proves the event worthy of its name..."
Merry Christmas, Ebenezer ...
... In Defense of Scrooge. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
... Scrooge is not given to brooding and shows absolutely no sign of depression or conflict. Whether he wished to or not, Dickens has made Scrooge by far the most intelligent character in his fable, and Dickens credits his creation with having nothing "fancy" about him. So we conclude that, in his undemonstrative way, Scrooge is productive and satisfied with his lot, which is to say happy.
Thought for the day ...
There is a fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition.- Rod Serling, born on this date in 1924
Thursday, December 24, 2009
The Lull Report ...
... links from Dave:
Vatican Defends Status of WWII Pope .
The Maestro Was Miserable.
Sounds of Sorrow, Sounds of Hope: Classical Music for World AIDS Day.
Forgotten treasures of the last century, from 25 writers.
commonplacing & the modern longue durée.
A Tribute to Kim Peek (1951-2009).
Geoffrey Hill's The Peacock at Alderton.
Sensus Literalis.
Vatican Defends Status of WWII Pope .
The Maestro Was Miserable.
Sounds of Sorrow, Sounds of Hope: Classical Music for World AIDS Day.
Forgotten treasures of the last century, from 25 writers.
commonplacing & the modern longue durée.
A Tribute to Kim Peek (1951-2009).
Geoffrey Hill's The Peacock at Alderton.
Sensus Literalis.
Thought for the day ...
For the creation of a masterwork of literature two powers must concur, the power of the man and the power of the moment, and the man is not enough without the moment.- Matthew Arnold, born on this date in 1822
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Weariness ...
I spent a good part of the afternoon trekking about town with a backpack that grew increasingly heavy. Maneuvering among the crowds and around the patches of snow and ice didn't make it any easier. I am beat. And I have a column to finish.
Ho, ho, ho ...
... New York Ranks Last in Happiness Rating.
Pennsylvania didn't score too high (41), but that may be because Philadelphians like to complain. And I see that Dave's state (Wisconsin) didn't fare too badly (29).
Pennsylvania didn't score too high (41), but that may be because Philadelphians like to complain. And I see that Dave's state (Wisconsin) didn't fare too badly (29).
O wad some Power ...
... the giftie gie us /To see oursels as ithers see us! The Green Movement's People Problem.
The movement needs to break with the deep-seated misanthropy that dominates green politics and has brought it to this woeful state. Its leaders have defined our species as everything from a "cancer" to the "AIDs of the earth." They wail in horror at the thought that by the year 2050 there will likely be another 2 or 3 billion of these inconvenient bipeds. Leading green figures such as Britain's Jonathan Porritt, Richard Attenborough and Lester Brown even consider baby-making a grievous carbon crime--especially, notes Australian activist Robert Short, in those "highly consumptive, greenhouse-producing nations."
I think there more than just a people problem. As Glenn Reynolds says, "If you’re going to tell me that carbon dioxide is an unparalleled catastrophe for this planet, you’ve got to be willing to demonstrate your sincerity by, you know, endorsing other forms of energy. Otherwise, I’m inclined to think you’re a lying opportunist or something."
Loner for our time ...
... The Dark Side of Enlightenment . (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
There definitely is no one quite like Kleist. Frank Langella starred in The Prince Of Homburg back in the '70s, a performance available on DVD.
There definitely is no one quite like Kleist. Frank Langella starred in The Prince Of Homburg back in the '70s, a performance available on DVD.
Thought for the day ...
One is always of his age and especially he who least appears so.- Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve, born in this date in 1804
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Not to worry ...
... at least they didn't die from the heat (and we all know weather is not climate): European weather deaths pass 100.
Together at last ...
... The Rabbi and Frank Lloyd Wright. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
For five years, when I lived in Abington, I passed Beth Sholom every day to and from my job.
For five years, when I lived in Abington, I passed Beth Sholom every day to and from my job.
Two more ...
... from Rus:
After a decade of fear, we're connected to writing in new ways.
Who Wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls? (Come to think of it, who wrote The Book of Love?)
After a decade of fear, we're connected to writing in new ways.
Who Wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls? (Come to think of it, who wrote The Book of Love?)
Forgotten man ...
... Deems Taylor, the guy who narrated Fantasio, was born on this date in 1885: CD REVIEW: Deems Taylor – PETER IBBETSON (A.D. Griffey, L. Flanigan, R. Zeller, C.R. Austin, L. Summers, E. Lunde; NAXOS).
Also from Bryan ...
... Snow. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Our own back yard after the weekend's snowfall is less lovely than Norfolk, but lovely still. That's "The General", stalwart in the drift.
Our own back yard after the weekend's snowfall is less lovely than Norfolk, but lovely still. That's "The General", stalwart in the drift.
Bryan on Stewart Brand ...
... GROW UP, GREENS!
Climate change really means Mother Nature is preparing to rid herself of humans. If we are to survive, we can no longer worship her, we must fight back with smart weapons.
By Mother Nature I presume is meant the "single, finite system" that is the planet. I think that many greens would say, "No, we must not fight back. We must return to a simpler, non-technological life." Some others might say we have proved to be a mistake and the planet should be allowed to eliminate us.
Thought for the day ...
The basic line in any good verse is cadenced... building it around the natural breath structures of speech.- Kenneth Rexroth, born on this date in 1905
Monday, December 21, 2009
Inside information ...
... Inside the Secret World of Literary Scouts, Part II. (Via Sarah Weinman.)
Optimism ...
... Freelancer David Howell launches new magazine for publishing industry. (Hat tip, Paul Davis.)
Psst ...
... A Conspiracy-Theory Theory.
Score another one for the best and the brightest.This isn't new, of course. The Jewish Big Plan for world dominion was, in many ways, the first of the modern conspiracy theories. The "Protocols of the Elders of Zion" were widely believed and widely disseminated, particularly among the educated and professional classes in continental Europe after World War I
Literary endorsements ...
... Most retardedly cynical movie merchandise tie-in ever.
This could be fun. I'm trying to think of a Captain Ahab tie-in.
This could be fun. I'm trying to think of a Captain Ahab tie-in.
A poem ...
... for the moment.
Winter Solstice
Darkness, shadowing
From the start summer's sunlight,
Is coldly poised now
To make the most of night,
If only for a day.
Winter Solstice
Darkness, shadowing
From the start summer's sunlight,
Is coldly poised now
To make the most of night,
If only for a day.
Not much, apparently ...
... What do philosophers believe?
I have to say that academic philosophers impress me less and less the older I get.
I have to say that academic philosophers impress me less and less the older I get.
Well, maybe ...
... Pico Iyer on the tyranny of the moment. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Do I not see this because I have been a lifelong reader and, while plugging into the blogosphere, retain the practice of reading? On the other hand, old duffer that I am, those who bemoan what is happening strike me as old fogies.
Thought for the day ...
America is just the country that shows how all the written guarantees in the world for freedom are no protection against tyranny and oppression of the worst kind. There the politician has come to be looked upon as the very scum of society.- Peter Kropotkin, born on this date in 1842
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Oh, really ...
... OF GOD AND GARDENS.
I suppose Wisdom's parable of the garden is a reference to the Garden of Eden. But the point of that story is that man was created to be the gardener. Gottlieb goes on to say: "What is even more baffling is the idea that one can talk about a wholly indescribable God who cannot be said to 'exist' but who nevertheless in some sense 'is'." And he concludes thus: "One trenchant critic of the New Atheists is Terry Eagleton, a leading literary critic (and Catholic), who defines God as 'what sustains all things in being by his love, and...is the reason why there is something instead of nothing, the condition of possibility of any entity whatsoever.' Some find it comforting or inspiring to utter such statements. But unless they can explain what those ideas mean and how one might tell whether they are right (which Eagleton never does), this is a self-deluding comfort. A wiser response to the apparent inexpressibility of statements about God may be simply not to express them, and just get on with the gardening.
Well, let's consider the Big Bang, which, last time I checked, was still considered a scientific thesis in good standing. In 1989, John Maddox wrote a piece in the journal Nature called "Down With the Big Bang," in which he not only called the Big Bang "philosophically unacceptable," but also suggested "it is unlikely to survive the decade ahead." This was 23 years after the discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation provided powerful confirmation for the Big Bang, which, however philosophically unacceptable, is still with us. The basis for Maddox's distress is interesting: "For one thing, the implication is that there was an instant at which time literally began and, so, by extension, an instant before which there was no time. That in turn implies that even if the origin of the Universe may be successfully supposed to lie in the Big Bang, the origin of the Big Bang itself is not susceptible to discussion. It is an effect whose cause cannot be identified or even discussed."
Well, as I say, the Big Bang is still with us and is still, I believe, scientifically acceptable. So it would seem that science has it's own example of something "wholly indescribable." As Maddox put it, "an important issue, that of the ultimate origin of our world, cannot be discussed.”
By the way, in his article, Maddox comes off exactly as Maxine has described him: straightforward and forthright. No weasel-words from him. Would have been wonderful to discuss this with him.
I suppose Wisdom's parable of the garden is a reference to the Garden of Eden. But the point of that story is that man was created to be the gardener. Gottlieb goes on to say: "What is even more baffling is the idea that one can talk about a wholly indescribable God who cannot be said to 'exist' but who nevertheless in some sense 'is'." And he concludes thus: "One trenchant critic of the New Atheists is Terry Eagleton, a leading literary critic (and Catholic), who defines God as 'what sustains all things in being by his love, and...is the reason why there is something instead of nothing, the condition of possibility of any entity whatsoever.' Some find it comforting or inspiring to utter such statements. But unless they can explain what those ideas mean and how one might tell whether they are right (which Eagleton never does), this is a self-deluding comfort. A wiser response to the apparent inexpressibility of statements about God may be simply not to express them, and just get on with the gardening.
Well, let's consider the Big Bang, which, last time I checked, was still considered a scientific thesis in good standing. In 1989, John Maddox wrote a piece in the journal Nature called "Down With the Big Bang," in which he not only called the Big Bang "philosophically unacceptable," but also suggested "it is unlikely to survive the decade ahead." This was 23 years after the discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation provided powerful confirmation for the Big Bang, which, however philosophically unacceptable, is still with us. The basis for Maddox's distress is interesting: "For one thing, the implication is that there was an instant at which time literally began and, so, by extension, an instant before which there was no time. That in turn implies that even if the origin of the Universe may be successfully supposed to lie in the Big Bang, the origin of the Big Bang itself is not susceptible to discussion. It is an effect whose cause cannot be identified or even discussed."
Well, as I say, the Big Bang is still with us and is still, I believe, scientifically acceptable. So it would seem that science has it's own example of something "wholly indescribable." As Maddox put it, "an important issue, that of the ultimate origin of our world, cannot be discussed.”
By the way, in his article, Maddox comes off exactly as Maxine has described him: straightforward and forthright. No weasel-words from him. Would have been wonderful to discuss this with him.
A look at ...
... Cry of the Sloth by Sam Savage. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
If Andrew Whittaker's "closest literary analog is Ignatius J. Reilly," I'll take a pass.
If Andrew Whittaker's "closest literary analog is Ignatius J. Reilly," I'll take a pass.
Take a look ...
... at these Shards (revised Dec. 17).
I had the pleasure of chatting briefly with Blossom Dearie a number of years ago after a performance. Tough and classy.
I had the pleasure of chatting briefly with Blossom Dearie a number of years ago after a performance. Tough and classy.
Thought for the day ...
The principal rule of art is to please and to move. All the other rules were created to achieve this first one.- Jean Racine, born on this date in 1639
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Don't be so sure ...
... Being an Absolute Skeptic. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
... science is more than the sum of its hypotheses, its observations, and its experiments. From the point of view of rationality, science is above all its method--essentially the critical method of searching for errors.
Touched by a blazing coal ...
... Mystic Terror Revisited. (Hat tip, Dave Lull,)
Today we aren't used to novelists openly espousing such ardent religious belief. But faith in Christ formed the core of Dostoevsky's being and from it, as Mr. Frank shows, he confronted what he viewed as the ills and horrors—the demons—of his time. He took ideas personally, a friend once said, and actually "felt thought."
Problematic ...
... McGahern's Church. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
The faithful may assent to the doctrine that the Church is divinely instituted, but one would to a fool of world-class proportions would fail to notice that it is staffed - and must be - by all-too-human beings, often with grievous consequences. Most people do not reject government because politicians are often corrupt. We accept it in spite of that, as the faithful accept the Church and its doctrines in spite of the flaws of its ministers and adherents. McGahern's affection for the beauties of the Church is fine as far as it goes. But one would think that someone as smart as he would have realized that the beauty derives in no small part from the content it aims to express.
Dave also sends along What the Late Middle Ages Wrought.
Dave also sends along What the Late Middle Ages Wrought.
OK, Dave ...
... get me in trouble: How to Manufacture a Climate Consensus. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)Thanks, too, to Bill Peschel for help with the link.
Please, before anyone denounces this, cite what specific assertions in it are false, with references to demonstrate same. It is the least a former editor should demand.
See from Dave: Global Warming and an Odd Bull Moose.
Given Botkin's credentials I presume he is qualified to comment on the matter.
See from Dave: Global Warming and an Odd Bull Moose.
Given Botkin's credentials I presume he is qualified to comment on the matter.
A great way ...
... to start the day: `Old Masters'.
When I was first getting to know my wife, I told her that the author I most admired was Anonymous - he wrote a lot of good stuff and biographers can't do him any harm.
Thought for the day ...
God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.- Italo Svevo, born on this date in 1861God, what a lovely thought.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Check this out ...
... 20 Poems by Georg Trakl, translated by James Wright and Robert Bly.
Many years ago I spent a very pleasant afternoon with Robert Bly. A lot of the time was spent talking about his translation of Rilke.
Problems of communication ...
... Climate scientists could learn something from U.S. poet. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Implied throughout this piece is that the science is settled and the only problem is that things haven't been explained properly. But I would think that the notion of "settled science" is itself not very scientific Exactly how much science has been settled, and about what? Because once the science about something is settled there is obviously no need for continued research into it, right? Would Cokinos approve of this piece: Climate Change Is Nature's Way, which strikes me, as far as it goes, as clear and well-informed (I'm no scientist, but I'm not exactly scientifically illiterate, either)? Maybe there's another poet all scientists should pay attention to - Robinson Jeffers, whose poem "Science" concludes thus:
A little knowledge, a pebble from the shingle,
A drop from the oceans: who would have dreamed this infinitely little too much?
A chat ...
... with the former Poet Laureate: Whose Words These Are (19): Andrew Motion. (Hat tip, Daniel Pritchard.)
The art of reading ...
... Information,Please. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Incurable editor that I am (my stepdaughter Jennifer once pointed out when we were out driving that I was editing the billboards we passed), several phrases leaped out at me (I am not doubting what the article says, simply noting the nature of the locutions):
Most cognitive neuroscientists believe ... Well, as we all know, believing is not the same as knowing.
For certain long-standing problems of existence, evolution has had plenty of time to design a solution or two. Indeed, the original concept of brain modularity held that modules were innate—written into the genetic code. But reading is different: It was invented only 5,000 years ago, leaving evolution short of time to sculpt a modular set of circuits for the purpose.
This certainly suggests that evolution is not a term for a process of adaptation and selection that just happens to be going on, but rather an agent directing such a process. That cannot be what the author means, of course
Incurable editor that I am (my stepdaughter Jennifer once pointed out when we were out driving that I was editing the billboards we passed), several phrases leaped out at me (I am not doubting what the article says, simply noting the nature of the locutions):
Most cognitive neuroscientists believe ... Well, as we all know, believing is not the same as knowing.
For certain long-standing problems of existence, evolution has had plenty of time to design a solution or two. Indeed, the original concept of brain modularity held that modules were innate—written into the genetic code. But reading is different: It was invented only 5,000 years ago, leaving evolution short of time to sculpt a modular set of circuits for the purpose.
This certainly suggests that evolution is not a term for a process of adaptation and selection that just happens to be going on, but rather an agent directing such a process. That cannot be what the author means, of course
Mr. Dehaene also describes research on the similarities among the world's alphabets and shows how writing systems themselves evolved ... And, of course, now we have the writing systems themselves "evolving." But the word in this context obviously cannot mean what it does in the other contexts.
Writing about these things is not easy.
Writing about these things is not easy.
Keep your eyes peeled ...
... Crowdsourced list of what's to come.
And what's it mean to "keep your eyes peeled"? Here you are.
And what's it mean to "keep your eyes peeled"? Here you are.
Thought for the day ...
The cat of the slums and alleys, starved, outcast, harried,... still displays the self- reliant watchfulness which man has never taught it to lay aside.- Saki (H. H. Munro), born on this date in 1870
Thursday, December 17, 2009
RIP ...
... Jennifer Jones.
Portrait of Jenny may have flopped at the box office, but it was pretty good film.
Portrait of Jenny may have flopped at the box office, but it was pretty good film.
Happy birthday ...
... Ludwig van. Watch carefully and you can see why Monteux's baton technique was so highly thought of (this was the guy who premiered Le aacre du printemps). His Beethoven is balanced, classical, humane.
This week's batch ...
... of TLS Letters: The 'prebiotic soup', Johnson biographies, Maxine Albro, and more.
Predicting is difficult ...
... especially the future, as Niels Bohr said. But it can be fun, too: The 2110 Club.
If HUman Smoke continues to be read it will be as a curiosity.
If HUman Smoke continues to be read it will be as a curiosity.
A sad list ...
... Unread Books of the Decade.
I haven't read Julia Blackburn's The Three of Us, but I reviewed her novel The Leper's Companions, which was wonderful.
I haven't read Julia Blackburn's The Three of Us, but I reviewed her novel The Leper's Companions, which was wonderful.
Remembering ...
... An Acerbic Christmas Classic: Jean Shepherd’s A Christmas Story. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Put me down as another unduly influenced by Jean Shepherd ("There goes Captain Kidd - he never made Major.")
Put me down as another unduly influenced by Jean Shepherd ("There goes Captain Kidd - he never made Major.")
Not-so-good news ...
... Announcement: Leave of Absence.
Get well fast, R.T.
Oh, and here's something I missed: Reviews Revisited - Jane Eyre and Dracula.
Get well fast, R.T.
Oh, and here's something I missed: Reviews Revisited - Jane Eyre and Dracula.
Naughtiness ...
... Ancient Poem Focus Of Modern-Day Harassment Case (featuring Mary Beard). (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Property and teleology ...
... Secular Philosophy and the Religious Temperament: Essays 2002–2008 by Thomas Nagel. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Thought for the day ...
I think you must remember that a writer is a simple-minded person to begin with and go on that basis. He's not a great mind, he's not a great thinker, he's not a great philosopher, he's a story-teller.- Erskine Caldwell, born on this date in 1903
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Favorites yet again ...
... LJ Best Books 2009: 31 Titles, Plus Best Genres & How-To. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
A diary of the unsaid ...
... England Have My Bones. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
T.H. White also wrote a fine book called The Goshawk, which I discussed here: Two books go far beyond just looking at birds.
T.H. White also wrote a fine book called The Goshawk, which I discussed here: Two books go far beyond just looking at birds.
Two scientists agree ...
... with each other and with me: Climate change e-mail scandal underscores myth of pure science. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
We do not believe the East Anglia e-mails expose a conspiracy that invalidates the larger body of evidence demonstrating anthropogenic warming; nevertheless, the damage to public confidence in climate science ... may be enormous. The terrible danger -- one that has been brewing for years -- is that the invaluable role science should play in informing policy and politics will be irrevocably undermined, as citizens come to see science as nothing more than a tool for partisans of all stripes.Emphasis mine.
Check out this clip ...
... on a Terry Teachout Snapshot. (Phil, "the fat man with the broken heart," is Robert Benchley.)
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Isn't ...
... is: Writing is not for the old, says Amis. Yes it is, says James. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Rus Bowden sends along a link to the audio version.
Rus Bowden sends along a link to the audio version.
Yes, we should ...
... Fading From View: Was Thomas Wolfe a genuis? And should we care? (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Thought for the day ...
If you practice an art, be proud of it and make it proud of you It may break your heart, but it will fill your heart before it breaks it; it will make you a person in your own right.- Maxwell Andserson, born omn this date in 1888.
A mixed review ...
... The Play’s the Thing. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
OK. So organisms interact with a complex environment containing, among other things, a good many other organisms, some like, most unlike themselves. If I understand Mr. Darwin, he drew from this a plausible explanation of the origin and diversity of species. So it would seem that the point of knowing what neurons do what when one reads Moby Dick is not what such neuronal action has to do with the book and the reading of it, but rather what the effect of such interaction is having on the organism reading it. This might not help us to know much about literature, but it might tell us something about how such an organism evolves, which is what I thought Darwin had been looking into.
Monday, December 14, 2009
A pair of poems ...
... Abortion ---by Sean Singer.
... My Father's Closet ---by D. Nurkse.
(Hat tip, Rus Bowden.)
... My Father's Closet ---by D. Nurkse.
(Hat tip, Rus Bowden.)
Philly book scene ...
... Local Area Events (featuring an "erotic literary salon").
On a more sober note: Libraries hit by random closings. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
On a more sober note: Libraries hit by random closings. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Location, location, location ...
... Should the Rosetta Stone go back....where?
Seems to me it was stolen fair and square. Let it stay where it is.
Seems to me it was stolen fair and square. Let it stay where it is.
Late with this ...
... but there's always tme for Emily: Muse flashes. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
She was born on Hector Berlioz's 27th birthday.
She was born on Hector Berlioz's 27th birthday.
RIP ...
... Stephen Toulmin, a Philosopher and Educator, Dies at 87. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
“He argued that if we want to understand questions of ethics, science and logic, we have to inquire into the everyday situations in which they arise.”
Sounds a bit like casuistry, in the proper sense.
Sounds a bit like casuistry, in the proper sense.
Absolument ...
... one of the best snippets from a Brel interview. Often he seems evasive. Here he seems quite open - and quite correct.
Some exciting music...
... I grew up with Ormandy. I consider him vastly underrated. For 40 years, he got the orchestra to play as he wanted them to. How well has the orchestra done without him since? He also helped introduce me to classical music. I owe him a lot, and I remain a loyal fan.
Thought for today ...
Farewell sadness good day sadness you are inscribed in the lines of the ceiling.- Paul Éluard, born on this date in 1895.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Practical intelligence ...
... vs. The practical ignorance of conceptual art.
... the best ideas can't be detached from the effort to realise them.
Today's Inquirer review ...
... In story of poker and its players, writer has a winning hand.
... and, in case you're interested: Reading that the staff was wrapped up in.
... and, in case you're interested: Reading that the staff was wrapped up in.
Thought for the day ...
Wherever they burn books they will also, in the end, burn human beings.- Heinrich Heine, born on this date in 1797
Saturday, December 12, 2009
It isn't just us ...
... doofuses: Climategate and the American Physical Society.
Here, for anyone interested, is READ ME for Harry's work on the CRU TS2.1/3.0 datasets, 2006-2009.
Post bumped again, because a lively and, I think, intelligent conversation has been taking place (presuming we peons are allowed to weigh in). Anyaway, take a look at the comments.
Post bumped. By the way, my only take on this whole ClimateGate business is that it seems to offer prima facie evidence of a lack of transparency. And in many matters the mere appearance of impropriety can prove devastating. If there's really nothing there, it ought to very easy to clear up. As it is, the information is getting around, in whole and in part, leaving it open to all sorts of interpretation. If you act like you have something to hide, people are going to think you have something to hide. What I'm trying to get across is something a large segment of the scientific community doesn't seem to grasp - that it has a major public relations problem on its hands.
For a case in point, read this from the New York Times.
Here, for anyone interested, is READ ME for Harry's work on the CRU TS2.1/3.0 datasets, 2006-2009.
Post bumped again, because a lively and, I think, intelligent conversation has been taking place (presuming we peons are allowed to weigh in). Anyaway, take a look at the comments.
Post bumped. By the way, my only take on this whole ClimateGate business is that it seems to offer prima facie evidence of a lack of transparency. And in many matters the mere appearance of impropriety can prove devastating. If there's really nothing there, it ought to very easy to clear up. As it is, the information is getting around, in whole and in part, leaving it open to all sorts of interpretation. If you act like you have something to hide, people are going to think you have something to hide. What I'm trying to get across is something a large segment of the scientific community doesn't seem to grasp - that it has a major public relations problem on its hands.
For a case in point, read this from the New York Times.