Friday, March 14, 2008
Mark your calendar ...
... at least if you're in the Philadelphia area: DON'T MISS THIS READING! MARCH 16TH: VARRONE, SIEGELL, MARTIN!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
The tall and the short of it ...
... Short men are the jealous type. (Hat tip, Maxine Clarke.)
Thanks to a herniated disc I'm not as tall as I once was, but I'm still not the jealous type. "
Thanks to a herniated disc I'm not as tall as I once was, but I'm still not the jealous type. "
E'en then would be some stooping; and I chooseGuess pride is my problem
Never to stoop.
Plus ça change …
... Empires remain, but with a new name.
I think America as an imperial entity has more in common with ancient Greece than ancient Rome. Its hegemony has as much to do with jeans and pop music as with ships and planes.
I think America as an imperial entity has more in common with ancient Greece than ancient Rome. Its hegemony has as much to do with jeans and pop music as with ships and planes.
Once again Nige scores ...
... on a matter of style: Stubble? Beard? What Is It?
I opted for a beard decades ago. I think it's the Victorian in me.
I opted for a beard decades ago. I think it's the Victorian in me.
I wonder ...
... Frost’s prose makes a case for his self-conscious craftsmanship. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
What I wonder about isn;t the self-conscious craftsmanship, or the rightness of Jarrell's judgment, but this lead: "People think of Robert Frost these days, if they think of him at all, as the kind of old-fashioned, well-behaved New England poet who could safely be chosen to read at a presidential inauguration—a chronicler of rural beauties, family values, and snowy trips to Grandmother’s house, much anthologized by educational authorities and often quoted by people who know little about poetry, but not really very good." Is that so?
Give us this day ...
... our daily bread: Physicist-priest wins $1.7 million prize. (Hat tip, Maxine Clarke)
I hope no one will be offended by my irreverent lead-in.
I hope no one will be offended by my irreverent lead-in.
Life with narrowing options ...
... Paul Theroux on Georges Simenon, the existential hack. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Master at work ...
... Last night, Debbie and I attended a painting demonstration by Nelson Shanks at Studio Incamminati. If you click on the Articles link on the Shanks website, you can read a piece I wrote about Nelson Shanks some years ago. So I have watched him paint before. But never from the very beginning. And I must say it was almost uncanny how the image of the model emerged on the canvas, starting with some broad slashes of grisaille. One particularly interesting thing was that, at times, it seemed to me Nelson had not got a detail quite right. Invariably it turned out he saw the detail better than I had, and by the end of the evening - the demonstration took three hours - I was seeing the model more clearly than I had at the start.
Someone really should make a documentary of one of these demonstrations. This isn't one of those TV painters tossing off a generic landscape. This is a major artist showing how you can vividly represent with paint on canvas something or someone "out there." It is a truly magical experience.
Someone really should make a documentary of one of these demonstrations. This isn't one of those TV painters tossing off a generic landscape. This is a major artist showing how you can vividly represent with paint on canvas something or someone "out there." It is a truly magical experience.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
There is life ...
... after copyediting: Man Travels Country to Fixe Typo's. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
That's good headline on that link. I remember once, I was driving with my stepdaughter Jen, and she remarked, "My God, Frank, you're proofreading the billboards."
That's good headline on that link. I remember once, I was driving with my stepdaughter Jen, and she remarked, "My God, Frank, you're proofreading the billboards."
Count your blessings ...
... More demands from Islam. (Hat tip, Roger Miller, who sagely comments, "Marvelous. Absolutely. Bloody. Marvelous.")
Smoke detector ...
... Adam Kirsch really finds Nicholson Baker's Human Smoke underwhelming: War Games.
A book that can adduce Goebbels as an authority in order to vilify Churchill has clearly lost touch with all moral and intellectual bearings.
That sounds about right.
A book that can adduce Goebbels as an authority in order to vilify Churchill has clearly lost touch with all moral and intellectual bearings.
That sounds about right.
Sorting things out ...
... On Blasphemy.
This problem arises from the failure to differentiate between blasphemy and irreverence. The ad for the hair styler is irreverent, not blasphemous. Genuine blasphemy can only be committed by someone who genuinely believes. Really to desecrate a consecrated host requires that you accept that it is the body and blood of Jesus. Otherwise it's just an act of gross irreverence. Also, blasphemy is directed at God, not those who believe in God, however much they may take offense.To break into a church and do grievous irreverence therein is surely a crime - breaking and entering, vandalism, etc. But the failure to show reverence to what others revere, while rude, ought not to be. And if it is genuine blasphemy, it's between the blasphemer and God. And God can take of himself.
Sour notes ...
... this piece on Joyce Hatto and Pianistic Plagiarism (hat tip, Dave Lull) makes reference to this piece by David Stearns: Ears don't deceive - the CD covers do.
I think David's piece benefits from being less hysterical. Perhaps records should be sent to critics minus their labels and liner notes. Maybe books should be sent to critics minus their authors' names. That would level the playing field.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
A likely story ...
... CaptainB Unmasked. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
"The picture shows CaptainB and me being uncomfortable and trying not to be recognised in the rear facing seats of somebody's car."
They look to me like they're up to no good.
"The picture shows CaptainB and me being uncomfortable and trying not to be recognised in the rear facing seats of somebody's car."
They look to me like they're up to no good.
In the meantime, though ...
... get ready for Wednesday 12 March : launch of Online Free Expression Day plus repeat of last year’s "24-hour online demo."
(Hat tip, Rus Bowden.)
(Hat tip, Rus Bowden.)
Blogging will resume later ...
... I have various errands to run (retirement is starting to seem busier than employment).
Shallowness is the answer ...
... Human Enhancement Project in Deep Trouble.
Yesterday morning I suddenly found myself feeling depressed. It was, of course, an unpleasant feeling. As I do not like unpleasant feelings, I immediately began distracting myself with various trivialities and in a very short while my feeling of depression was gone. I know this won't work for everyone. You have to have significant depths of shallowness to draw on.
The future of reviewing ...
... well, maybe not that exactly, but a very interesting twist on it, to which I have just made a contribution that I presume will eventually appear. In the meantime: Human Smoke — Part One.
And here is Human Smoke — Part Two.
And here is Human Smoke — Part Two.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Better than Dawkins ....
... So potent was religion in persuading . . . (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
There's a nobility in Lucretius that is absent in Dawkins.
There's a nobility in Lucretius that is absent in Dawkins.
Well, what do you know ...
... The Literary Internet. (Hat tip, Maxine Clarke.)
The Inquirer had been looking into this, but the reigning honchos failed to see the point.
The Inquirer had been looking into this, but the reigning honchos failed to see the point.
The Lord will remember, Tom ...
... The church Thomas Hardy helped to restore. (Hat tip, Maxine Clarke.)
A writer reads ...
... in this case George Pelecanos, with whom I had a very pleasant email exchange shortly before I retired. He's a cool guy. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Potential news ...
... HarperCollins buys The Friday Project (Apparently). (Hat tip, Maxine Clarke.)
Maud's back ...
... though Illicit pharmaceuticals take a toll on MaudNewton.com. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Cool it ...
... Don't hit the panic button. (Hat tip, Vikram Johri.)
No wonder we are scared. If we make the wrong choices, if we eat the wrong food or take the wrong alleyway home, and something awful happens, we have only ourselves to blame.
Well, I'm not scared. But then, I have a high fear threshold, and I can't ever remember panicking in my life. On the other hand, I don't do bungee-jumping or rock-climbing, because I don't like taking gratuitous risks, either.
I suggest that today's worrywarts read Barbara Tuchman's A Distant Mirror. Then they might have some idea of how well off they are.
"Evolution has taught us to prioritise anecdotal evidence ..." No it hasn't. Evolution hasn't taught us anything. Evolution describes a process that has - and presumably still is - taking place. It isn't a something or a someone teaching anybody.
No wonder we are scared. If we make the wrong choices, if we eat the wrong food or take the wrong alleyway home, and something awful happens, we have only ourselves to blame.
Well, I'm not scared. But then, I have a high fear threshold, and I can't ever remember panicking in my life. On the other hand, I don't do bungee-jumping or rock-climbing, because I don't like taking gratuitous risks, either.
I suggest that today's worrywarts read Barbara Tuchman's A Distant Mirror. Then they might have some idea of how well off they are.
Thank, Nige ...
... I'm pleased to have learned of this fellow: Crazy Name, Crazy Guy.
I find the part about Fifi Greywhiskers completely plausible. And whatever happened to Tuesday Weld?
I find the part about Fifi Greywhiskers completely plausible. And whatever happened to Tuesday Weld?
Pretty funny ...
... Heere Bigynneth the Tale of the Asse-Hatte. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Of course, we all know that, were he alive today, Chaucer would be, as I am, an Old Tory.
Of course, we all know that, were he alive today, Chaucer would be, as I am, an Old Tory.
Not sure ...
... if I get the point: A Bug’s Life. Really. (Hat tip, Roger Miller.)
I mean, we all know that fiction, however fantastic, is grounded in real life. I'm not sure what this has to do with claiming as factually true something that is entirely made up. Especially since, in fact, Kafka did make up Gregor Samsa. Weird.
I mean, we all know that fiction, however fantastic, is grounded in real life. I'm not sure what this has to do with claiming as factually true something that is entirely made up. Especially since, in fact, Kafka did make up Gregor Samsa. Weird.
The art of publishing ...
... The Design and Lithography of Books (part 1). (Hat tip, Maxine Clarke.)
A look at ...
... Light and colour - the paintings of Rachel Sharp. (Hat tip, Maxine Clarke.)
If you collect art, as we do, the inevitably shrinking wall space does prove to be problem eventually.
If you collect art, as we do, the inevitably shrinking wall space does prove to be problem eventually.
Today's Inquirer reviews ...
... William Blair is impressed with Drew Gilpin Faust look at an aspect of the Civil War: A turning point in how we deal with death.
... John Freeman looks at Elias Khoury's latest: Language and time confound a prisoner's memory.
... Karen Heller rather likes Denise Mina's new one: Paddy has a new mystery to go with her changing life.
... Len Boasberg delights in a classic political scandal: A president in their pocket.
... John Freeman looks at Elias Khoury's latest: Language and time confound a prisoner's memory.
... Karen Heller rather likes Denise Mina's new one: Paddy has a new mystery to go with her changing life.
... Len Boasberg delights in a classic political scandal: A president in their pocket.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Take a look ...
... at LIFE ON DIGITAL GRUB STREET.
In particular, look at Bach’s face. Is it Bruno Walter he reminds me of, or someone else? He does look familiar.
But yes, it could be Bryan in years to come!
In particular, look at Bach’s face. Is it Bruno Walter he reminds me of, or someone else? He does look familiar.
But yes, it could be Bryan in years to come!
I'm intrigued ...
... Memoirist of a Companionable Prairie Home. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
I've not read Larry Woiwode, but this makes me want to. And now that I'm retired, I can!
I've not read Larry Woiwode, but this makes me want to. And now that I'm retired, I can!
Dear Ernest ...
... Penn State Libraries acquire Ernest Hemingway correspondence. (Hat tip, Paul Davis.)
Bon voyage ...
... Welcome to Haikugirl.
I just noticed that Dave Lull sent me a link to this yesterday, which I missed.
I just noticed that Dave Lull sent me a link to this yesterday, which I missed.
A nice mix ...
... Forums, Angels, India and Candle Wax.
I just noticed that Dave Lull sent me a link to this yesterday, which I missed.
I just noticed that Dave Lull sent me a link to this yesterday, which I missed.
Once upon a time ...
... though not for very long, I lived at North Avenue and Lake Shore Drive: By the lake.
I used to pass this every day ...
... on my way to work: CHEZ MONDRIAN.
Don't stop there, though. Take a look around Eric's site. Some great shots there.
Don't stop there, though. Take a look around Eric's site. Some great shots there.
A wondrous void ...
... is cited in this post: What LibDems are For.
It is the Gordon Brown quote: 'post neo-classical endogenous growth theory.' How wonderfully vacuous. It sounds like speculation about contemporary obesity to me.
It is the Gordon Brown quote: 'post neo-classical endogenous growth theory.' How wonderfully vacuous. It sounds like speculation about contemporary obesity to me.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Enough for now ...
... I have much to do today, so blogging will be light until later. In the meantime, here's something from Dailyzen. (Hat tip, Judith Fitzgerald.)
In case you doubted ...
... Why poetry still matters, by Boyd Tonkin. (Hat tip, Rus Bowden.)
Newspapers don't get it, but paying more attention to poetry would be to their advantage. People who read poetry do not only read poetry. They read, period. And there is an immense number of such people. For a newspaper to acknowledge that would signal to those people that it was a publication worth taking seriously.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
The biology of skepticism ...
... The certainty epidemic. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
I confess I am not sure that "certainty and similar states of 'knowing what we know' arise out of primary brain mechanisms that, like love or anger, function independently of rationality or reason."
I confess I am not sure that "certainty and similar states of 'knowing what we know' arise out of primary brain mechanisms that, like love or anger, function independently of rationality or reason."
(Italics mine.) For note that "Proust's taste of a madeleine triggered a memory that involved visual, auditory, olfactory and gustatory cortices -- the multisensory cortical representations of a complex memory." The madeleine works as a catalyst and the memories are of what really happened. My point is that the experience cannot be reduced to biochemistry, though biochemistry obviously figures in it.
The future of publishing (cont'd.) ...
... Subterranean Online — New Thomas Disch Novelette. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Suppress that grammar checker ...
... Why you should not let Redmond proofread your writing. (Hat tip, Maxine Clarke.)
Pretty timeless ...
... the creed for a new age. (Hat tip, Maxine Clarke.)
Oh, I know the orthodox will quibble, but it is worth reminding ourselves that, indeed, "the letter killeth but the spirit giveth life."
Oh, I know the orthodox will quibble, but it is worth reminding ourselves that, indeed, "the letter killeth but the spirit giveth life."
Something I regret ...
... not discovering this guy while he was still with us: John O'Donohue.
Here's a page devoted to him: The Inner Landscape of Beauty.
Do listen.
Here's something else: John O’Donohue (1954-2008).
Here's a page devoted to him: The Inner Landscape of Beauty.
Do listen.
Here's something else: John O’Donohue (1954-2008).
Fakery (cont'd.) ...
... Love & Consequences: Not the First Example of a Hoaxter- Author. (Hat tip, Roger Miller.)
Peter Stothard ...
... on The Never-ending Stories. (Hat tip, Judith Fitzgerald.)
Peter is right about the 1911 Britannica - the great edition. I suppose if I were to pick "a single book at the start of everything," it would be the Tao te ching.
Update: Here's a beautiful Tao te ching poster.
(Post has been bumped up.)
Peter is right about the 1911 Britannica - the great edition. I suppose if I were to pick "a single book at the start of everything," it would be the Tao te ching.
Update: Here's a beautiful Tao te ching poster.
(Post has been bumped up.)
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