Monthly Archives: March 2011
“Yes, I exist, and you are not alone”: Roger Ebert on the indifferent universe and the consolation of art
Roger Ebert has written a wonderful essay that considers humanity’s place in an indifferent, unfathomable universe — what Camus called “the unreasonable silence of the world” — and the need for wonder, curiosity, existential courage, and art: The universe is … Continue reading
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“We are electric pulses in the pathways of the sleeping soul of the country”
More goodness from the brilliant Frank Turner. This one (titled “Dreams” in the video, but officially “I Am Disappeared”) is off of his upcoming album England Keep My Bones: Listen to the full-band album version here. Update: Here’s a lovely … Continue reading
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Neither faithlessness nor false certainty: Kenan Malik on God, science, and the burden of moral choice
Kenan Malik, a new favorite author of mine, criticizes both the notion that morals derive from God and the notion (proposed by Sam Harris among others) that morals derive from science: At first glance these two approaches — that God … Continue reading
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Books are made of win
Sam Grobart at the NY Times lists gadgets to get rid of, and gadgets to keep. In the “keep” pile: books. Yes, e-readers are amazing, and yes, they will probably become a more dominant reading platform over time, but consider … Continue reading
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“Climb ev’ry mountain”: reimagining The Sound of Music
The Brooklyn Rundfunk Orkestrata has run The Sound of Music through a kaleidoscope of musical genres and come up with something vital, exciting, and new. Here’s their take on “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” featuring Everett Bradley, Victoria Cave, Carolyn Leonhart, and … Continue reading
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“This world is made out of sugar. It can crumble so easily, but don’t be afraid to stick your tongue out and taste it.”
Lately I’ve been featuring some wonderful videos from the recent TED conferences. Here’s one of the best. Poet Sarah Kay performs two fiery spoken-word pieces, “B” and “Hiroshima.” In between, she talks about courage and terror; about finding her voice … Continue reading
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The Ahn Trio performs Balakrishnan and Piazzolla
I love David Balakrishnan’s original “Skylife,” as performed by the Turtle Island String Quartet (before they dropped the “String” from their name). And Astor Piazzolla’s “Oblivion” has had many sublime incarnations. But this? Perfection. (via TED)
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Only in dark the light
Only in silence the word, only in dark the light, only in dying life: bright the hawk’s flight on the empty sky. – Ursula K. Le Guin, “The Creation of Ea” Lighting architect Rogier van der Heide gives an excellent … Continue reading
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Behold Saturn
As fond as I am of space documentaries and planetarium shows, I understand the need for some of the images to be done in CGI — to show, for example, close-ups of space modules uncoupling from their boosters, or you-are-there … Continue reading
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