Frank Herbert (of "Dune" fame) deserves some love. As does The Once and Future King. Watership Down was baller status, but I really disliked the Redwall books.
A ban may be a bit harsh, particularly if the unlucky commenter doesn't even know about our competition. What if the winner gets free reign to write a post on everything that drives them bonkers about the League (or blogosphere in general)? We'll waive editorial oversight and keep the thing on the front page for at least a day.
"Dancing in the end zone of colonial history?" That's a great line, Matt.
I just re-watched Peckinpah's "Major Dundee," which stars Richard Harris as a Confederate cavalry captain who just happens to be a generation or two removed from the Emerald Isle. His union jailer, played by Heston, needles him about this throughout the movie. Like Scarlet, it's interesting that the filmmakers couldn't write the Confederate lead as a straightforward WASP (despite the fact that the vast majority of Confederate officers were undoubtedly Anglo Protestants). Instead, they felt the need to cloak him in the garb of historical oppression.
Heh, those "stealth" editing sessions are supposed to be under the radar. Sorry if I stepped on any toes, Chris. I did find the post very interesting.
As to the substance, I'm really not sure how you'd go about implementing your plan. But beyond the pragmatic barriers to adoption, I'm also suspicious of your teleological vision of economic and political rights. The First Intifada broke out after a period of economic prosperity and expanded rights/opportunities for Palestinians. I could easily imagine something similar happening in your autonomous "statelet," particularly if a residual Israeli security force provides an omnipresent reminder of the Palestinians' third-class status.
Well, I don't think you can conquer or exploit nature without a fairly sophisticated understanding of how it works in the first place. Applied science can't really be divorced from our broader understanding of how the world works.
Excellent post, and the accompanying comment thread is really fantastic. I suppose I should just go and read Kuhn, but until I do, I have two questions for you: Does Kuhn acknowledge or deal with the enhanced precision of modern science? To take Freddie's example, you can describe the process of putting your hand in a fire with varying degrees of elegance and accuracy. Something similar could be said of the modern scientific method versus, say, Ptolemaic science: Neither can grasp the complete Truth of our existence, but one comes a lot closer than the other.
My second question is related to the first: Modern science can lay claim to some pretty impressive empirical accomplishments that suggest it has a better grasp of Reality than its medieval or ancient precursors. What does Kuhn have to say about the internal combustion engine, for example?
Great post, Rufus. At the risk of sounding incredibly banal, I want professors who are immune to political or administrative pressure but aren't insulated from performance-related concerns. I'm just not sure how to get there in practice.
Lincoln, at least, could point to an existential threat to the Republic as justification. Wilson didn't even have that excuse. I also think comparing the United States to European countries without robust constitutional traditions is stacking the deck in Wilson's favor.
Wait, what? So Sudan's genocide hasn't provoked any moral outrage? Have you tried Google News recently?
More seriously, the case for treating detainees decently isn't contingent on UN brownie points. It's about a) fulfilling our constitutional obligations, b) generating goodwill during a grueling counter-insurgency campaign and c) respecting the intrinsic dignity of every human being.
Leaving aside the fact that the Geneva Conventions do guarantee a minimal level humane treatment for all detainees, the larger point is that declaring one group beyond the bounds of "civilized" conflict results in terrible human rights abuses.
Rufus, is that the definitive translation of the inscription at Thermopylae? I've heard so many different versions. For my money, "Stranger, go tell the Spartans that here we lie, obedient to their command" is the most romantic.
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.
On “The League of Ordinary Madness (II)”
Hahaha yeah, about them Hoyas . . . Although Knapp called the Murray State upset. How the eff did he see that one coming?
"
We'll take the guest post even if you come in dead last, TPL.
On ““Prometheus Bound” (via Hesiod, Aeschylus, Heidegger, McLuhan)”
Rufus, could you elaborate on Heidegger's interpretation of the Greek conception of techné? I'm afraid my only exposure to this has been through bad college debate rounds. Usually, the other team would read nine minutes of Heidegger by way of McWhorter and scream that calculative thought is bad and policy-making predictions are a product of technostrategic discourse (or something). I think I understand Heidegger's basic argument, but I'm not really sure what his alternative - a bringing forth and revealing of truth? - means.
On “We Are All Enemy Belligerents Now”
Hear fucking hear.
On “A list of books from my childhood”
Frank Herbert (of "Dune" fame) deserves some love. As does The Once and Future King. Watership Down was baller status, but I really disliked the Redwall books.
On “The League of Ordinary Madness (II)”
A ban may be a bit harsh, particularly if the unlucky commenter doesn't even know about our competition. What if the winner gets free reign to write a post on everything that drives them bonkers about the League (or blogosphere in general)? We'll waive editorial oversight and keep the thing on the front page for at least a day.
"
I'm open to ideas. As I said, we're still working on our prestigious prize package.
The 24 hour ban on a commenter of your choice is a pretty awesome suggestion, though.
"
Really? NIU?
On “A Qualified Defense of St. Patrick’s Day”
Hahaha whoops. Thanks, Mollie.
On “My Problem with St. Patrick’s Day”
"Dancing in the end zone of colonial history?" That's a great line, Matt.
I just re-watched Peckinpah's "Major Dundee," which stars Richard Harris as a Confederate cavalry captain who just happens to be a generation or two removed from the Emerald Isle. His union jailer, played by Heston, needles him about this throughout the movie. Like Scarlet, it's interesting that the filmmakers couldn't write the Confederate lead as a straightforward WASP (despite the fact that the vast majority of Confederate officers were undoubtedly Anglo Protestants). Instead, they felt the need to cloak him in the garb of historical oppression.
On “The League of Ordinary Madness (II)”
Good man!
On “There is No Plan B for Mideast Peace (and Why We Need One)”
Heh, those "stealth" editing sessions are supposed to be under the radar. Sorry if I stepped on any toes, Chris. I did find the post very interesting.
As to the substance, I'm really not sure how you'd go about implementing your plan. But beyond the pragmatic barriers to adoption, I'm also suspicious of your teleological vision of economic and political rights. The First Intifada broke out after a period of economic prosperity and expanded rights/opportunities for Palestinians. I could easily imagine something similar happening in your autonomous "statelet," particularly if a residual Israeli security force provides an omnipresent reminder of the Palestinians' third-class status.
On “The League of Ordinary Madness”
I think this qualifies as sufficient interest. I'll set up a group and post the details later.
"
Three so far!
On “Non-foundationalism for the layman.”
Well, I don't think you can conquer or exploit nature without a fairly sophisticated understanding of how it works in the first place. Applied science can't really be divorced from our broader understanding of how the world works.
"
Brafford -
Excellent post, and the accompanying comment thread is really fantastic. I suppose I should just go and read Kuhn, but until I do, I have two questions for you: Does Kuhn acknowledge or deal with the enhanced precision of modern science? To take Freddie's example, you can describe the process of putting your hand in a fire with varying degrees of elegance and accuracy. Something similar could be said of the modern scientific method versus, say, Ptolemaic science: Neither can grasp the complete Truth of our existence, but one comes a lot closer than the other.
My second question is related to the first: Modern science can lay claim to some pretty impressive empirical accomplishments that suggest it has a better grasp of Reality than its medieval or ancient precursors. What does Kuhn have to say about the internal combustion engine, for example?
On “The Tea Party-Social Conservative Split”
Thanks, North - I'll pass your link along.
On “The End of Tenure”
Great post, Rufus. At the risk of sounding incredibly banal, I want professors who are immune to political or administrative pressure but aren't insulated from performance-related concerns. I'm just not sure how to get there in practice.
On “Critics of Woodrow Wilson strangely ignore the worst aspects of his presidency”
Lincoln, at least, could point to an existential threat to the Republic as justification. Wilson didn't even have that excuse. I also think comparing the United States to European countries without robust constitutional traditions is stacking the deck in Wilson's favor.
On “The League Diaspora”
You'd have to ask Mr. Schmitz, though I'm sure he'd be obliging.
On “Americans already have school choice”
Telling poor families to move to another school district does not strike me as a very effective way to promote competition.
On “Detroit, again”
By a blogger, no less!
On “Compare and Contrast”
Wait, what? So Sudan's genocide hasn't provoked any moral outrage? Have you tried Google News recently?
More seriously, the case for treating detainees decently isn't contingent on UN brownie points. It's about a) fulfilling our constitutional obligations, b) generating goodwill during a grueling counter-insurgency campaign and c) respecting the intrinsic dignity of every human being.
"
Leaving aside the fact that the Geneva Conventions do guarantee a minimal level humane treatment for all detainees, the larger point is that declaring one group beyond the bounds of "civilized" conflict results in terrible human rights abuses.
On “Herodotus, “The Histories”, and the Greco-Persian Wars”
Rufus, is that the definitive translation of the inscription at Thermopylae? I've heard so many different versions. For my money, "Stranger, go tell the Spartans that here we lie, obedient to their command" is the most romantic.
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.