Breezin’ on through.
Since rejecting theism it took me quite awhile to warm up what we called “Darwinism,” which was our way of painting the other side as a bunch of fanatics who worshipped Charles Darwin and were out to destroy Christianity, so oppressed were we. *snort*
Since then I learned what evolution is, its impacts and the science that has come from it. Since Christian biology class mandates that you learn a Christian-filtered critique of “Darwinism” than hold any real discussion on the theory of evolution, most arguments supporting the theory (outside of the theory itself) have been formulated independent of others’ opinions. In the past year, I’ve been learning more about what others say about it via blogs and topical websites, as well as discussion forums.
Two topics I’m interested in: learning more about the theory of evolution as it pertains to origins. The topic of human origins is where are the controversy is. It’s the topic that really pisses off the fundie circus known as the religious right. I’d also like to learn from people who are more outspoken against the fundamentalists. For that reason, I went to Barnes and Noble.
Lucky for me, they had what I was looking for. There was a small section dedicated to Richard Dawkins, and “The Singularity is Near” by Ray Kurzweil. That’s another thing, bio-singularity. I was first introduced to it by following the Dresden Codak webcomic and forum. I haven’t made up my mind on the matter one way or another, but it definitely piqued my interest.
However, I didn’t buy those books. The reason: I’m already in the middle of several other books, and Barnes & Noble didn’t have ‘em in hardcover. That’s just how I roll.
However, I did pick up some others that were on my literary To-Do list. They were on a shelf marked “buy two get one free.” Y’know, like cigarettes:
- The Arabian Nights
- Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
- Candide - Voltaire
- The Federalist - Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay
- Paradise Lost - John Milton
- Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave
- The Origin of Species - Charles Darwin
Total cost: $45. All are in paperback, save for Douglass, which I found in the bargain bin.
In anticipation of my Composition 2 class this fall, I’m working on my sorry-ass writing skills. I have a copy of “The Call to Write,” a textbook for a similar such class at the University of St. Francis. Also working my way through “The Everyday Writer,” another one sold at Uni of SF. I ought to be done with both of them (or close to done) by the time I start this class in the fall. It has been 6 years since I passed my first Composition class, so I’d like to be prepared.
More so, I feel that in order to master the art of writing one must read constantly. I’m almost done with The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger, which has taught me a thing or two about the narrative style. It makes me think of a sober version of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Next on my list is either going to be Dante’s Inferno, the Life of Frederick Douglass, Julius Caesar (Shakespeare) or The Hobbit. I’ll let you know when I make up my mind.
June 20th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I too have the Federalist. I would also be a good idea to read some of the anti-Federalist papers. Reading the entire arguements for and against the Constitution are very eye-opening.
BTW, I am currently reading The Origins of the Bill of Rights. Interesting also.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Indeed. I have a book called “What the Anti-Federalists were For” which chronicles many of the arguments made against it. I also have a hardcover copy of “The Debate on the Constitution,” which contains all sides of the issue. I’ve thumbed through both of them, but haven’t given them a proper go yet since there are others I want to get through first.
Let me know how the one you’re reading goes. I’d like to have a more solid understanding of the history, ideas and motivations of the people who drafted it, other than the generic understanding of what it is, what it does and how the Articles of Confederation failed/why it replaced them.
June 21st, 2008 at 9:30 am
Great minds think alike:
“More so, I feel that in order to master the art of writing one must read constantly.”
“If you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time or the tools to write.” –Stephen King, On Writing, p. 147
June 22nd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
“Articles of Confederation failed/why it replaced them”
Simply put the Articles of Confederation vested most of all powers of government to the states. Congress had no real power to levy taxes, and therefore fund itself. Also, the Articles kept the feds out of commerce. This was fine until a dispute came about over commerce between states. Example: a land locked stated needing to export similer goods to that of a cosatal state. The coastal state would “protect” its own commercial interests at the expense of the land locked state in the form of high excise taxes. It became apparent that not only was this unfair, but a huge risk to national security.
Interestingly delegates met in Philadelphia at the Philadelphia Convention to fix only these two issues (thsee subjects were the only issues that the appointed delegates were authorized to address). Instead the delegates wrote an entirely new Constitution. As such, the Philadelphia Convention became known as the Constitutional Convention.
June 23rd, 2008 at 8:48 am
Really? I usually only hear it referred to as the Philadelphia Convention.