Friday, July 28, 2006
In discussing with an older sister that last post I made about the middle east, especially my comment about Arabs I liked as friends and acquaintances versus disliking Arab culture and politics in the large, she replied with this: And that's probably exactly what they say about us.
I agreed that they may say that but I think it deservedly carries no weight and here's why:
Not for a minute do I think their culture deserves a standing in the world equivalent to the West's. Measured on any rational scale--art, science, material progress, social progress, human rights, etc.--the Arab culture is centuries behind and not moving forward willingly. Oil--that they can't get out of the ground without outside help--is the only thing they export besides terror. This is not to say that there are not fine, educated, compassionate people among them, there are, but those voices are almost completely overwhelmed by the louder 6th century Islamist fascists. The Arab culture--and I carefully differentiate between the culture and the people--as it stands today, does not deserve to survive without undergoing profound change.
Only when the Arab culture gives to the world a net positive benefit equivalent to the West's offerings does the statement "And that's probably what they say about us" command any respect beyond any that the individual saying it deserves as an individual. At this point in time, the Arab culture, unfortunately, deserves precious little.
I agreed that they may say that but I think it deservedly carries no weight and here's why:
Not for a minute do I think their culture deserves a standing in the world equivalent to the West's. Measured on any rational scale--art, science, material progress, social progress, human rights, etc.--the Arab culture is centuries behind and not moving forward willingly. Oil--that they can't get out of the ground without outside help--is the only thing they export besides terror. This is not to say that there are not fine, educated, compassionate people among them, there are, but those voices are almost completely overwhelmed by the louder 6th century Islamist fascists. The Arab culture--and I carefully differentiate between the culture and the people--as it stands today, does not deserve to survive without undergoing profound change.
Only when the Arab culture gives to the world a net positive benefit equivalent to the West's offerings does the statement "And that's probably what they say about us" command any respect beyond any that the individual saying it deserves as an individual. At this point in time, the Arab culture, unfortunately, deserves precious little.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
I thought I had seen it all, but I guess not. What in the world?!?
Hold the presses: Al-Qaida calls for holy war against Israel! Gee, I'd have never thought they'd do that. How does this rate a headline? Aside from the fact that these people are dangerous killers, they're laughable in a way that few other groups are.
Hold the presses: Al-Qaida calls for holy war against Israel! Gee, I'd have never thought they'd do that. How does this rate a headline? Aside from the fact that these people are dangerous killers, they're laughable in a way that few other groups are.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Just finished watching Kurosawa's Rashoman: Quite a film, one I enjoyed tremendously. It's an all time classic, and I can see why. It's the second of his films I've seen and I can say this: It won't be the last.
It was also my first Netflix movie. Too cool: Just put the thing in its envelope when you're done and leave it in the mailbox. No more running the thing back before it's late. I love it!
It was also my first Netflix movie. Too cool: Just put the thing in its envelope when you're done and leave it in the mailbox. No more running the thing back before it's late. I love it!
A couple of odds and ends this morning:
An idea for a story is gelling up in my mind. I'm making this entry just as a marker so I can see how long it takes me to get rolling on it.
I'm continuing along in another of Delany's books, Neveryona, this time. I had read this years ago in my early twenties. Having read about the Neveryon books and being a good twenty years older, re-reading them has a very different feel from the first time. I understand the point of the stories much more this time around and appreciate the writing a lot more. It's a dim and distant past sort of fantasy with a completely different thrust than ony other in that it's primarily concerned with human interaction, sexuality, economics and people's roles in society instead of the usual epic quest sort of thing. A very good book.
We enjoyed Memoirs of a Geisha the other night, following it with a check on a few reviews. In general, I like it better than many reviewers, especially vis-a-vis the casting issues—Chinese actors portraying Japanese characters—people raised, which I think in theory have a certain validity, but in practice don't. It also doesn't hurt my feelings a bit to have Michelle Yeoh playing a major role.
I'm conscious of using Wikipedia links a lot in here and just have one thing to say about it: Isn't Wikipedia just a wonderful thing for information junkies (like me)?
We joined Netflix the other night and should get our first movies today. We'll see how it goes.
An idea for a story is gelling up in my mind. I'm making this entry just as a marker so I can see how long it takes me to get rolling on it.
I'm continuing along in another of Delany's books, Neveryona, this time. I had read this years ago in my early twenties. Having read about the Neveryon books and being a good twenty years older, re-reading them has a very different feel from the first time. I understand the point of the stories much more this time around and appreciate the writing a lot more. It's a dim and distant past sort of fantasy with a completely different thrust than ony other in that it's primarily concerned with human interaction, sexuality, economics and people's roles in society instead of the usual epic quest sort of thing. A very good book.
We enjoyed Memoirs of a Geisha the other night, following it with a check on a few reviews. In general, I like it better than many reviewers, especially vis-a-vis the casting issues—Chinese actors portraying Japanese characters—people raised, which I think in theory have a certain validity, but in practice don't. It also doesn't hurt my feelings a bit to have Michelle Yeoh playing a major role.
I'm conscious of using Wikipedia links a lot in here and just have one thing to say about it: Isn't Wikipedia just a wonderful thing for information junkies (like me)?
We joined Netflix the other night and should get our first movies today. We'll see how it goes.
Friday, July 21, 2006
The Middle East, a place I lived for over 5 years, just keeps rolling on in its insanity. While the people there treated me well, and being fond of many as individuals from the area, as a large group, I've grown sick and tired of the Arab culture and politics. Victor Davis Hanson's thoughts generally sum up my views on the matter much better than I can. It's odd to me how feelings about an individual can run so contradictory to feelings about a group of those very same individuals, something I've never experienced it before.
My support for the Isreal as a nation really hinges on a single element: Israel is democratic and the Arab nations around it are not. Out of essentially the same land and opportunnities, the Israelis produce things of value to the world by their effort and skill. The Arab nations really don't in any meaningful way, except for oil that they themselves can't get out of the ground without outside help. The difference between the two is stark in this regard, and oddly enough, is not talked about very much. I think it is actually the key difference between the two.
Here's an interesting take on the Middle East situation from John Derbyshire.
My support for the Isreal as a nation really hinges on a single element: Israel is democratic and the Arab nations around it are not. Out of essentially the same land and opportunnities, the Israelis produce things of value to the world by their effort and skill. The Arab nations really don't in any meaningful way, except for oil that they themselves can't get out of the ground without outside help. The difference between the two is stark in this regard, and oddly enough, is not talked about very much. I think it is actually the key difference between the two.
Here's an interesting take on the Middle East situation from John Derbyshire.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Well, I was laughing at myself this morning. Against the strong advice of a very old friend, I bought a used copy of Pat Metheny's Zero Tolerance for Silence. For the $3.40 it cost I got a copy of what has the reputation of being an almost unlistenable album of "noise guitar". Oddly enough, I sort of got into it listening to the first track—18 minutes or so—coming to work in the car this morning. Not that it's what you'd call pleasant or pretty, but I did connect with it in a way that I didn't expect to. It reminded me distinctly more of crowd noises, people talking, and talking all over each other's conversations, than of music per se. It communicated a feeling, or an idea, that normal music just can't get across. I found it surprisingly interesting and look forward to the rest of the album.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Saw a great movie called Touch the Sound last night about Evelyn Glennie, a Scottish percussionist. Wonderful stuff and a surprise I won't mention here. She's one performer I'd love to see live and, I think, that would leave quite an impression.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
An absolutely lovely two-week vacation provides the exegesis for the recent blank spots in here. Let me catch up a bit.
We left home on a Thurdays morning, late as usual, and drove into West Tennesee. Another eight hours saw us through St. Louis, with a relaxed and refreshing stop for lunch and a visit to the Arch, ending up at a friend's house in Kansas City. Two children of friends live in the area, both having four children now, and we were able to share a couple meals and visit with them all in one of the most welcoming homes and clans I've ever encountered. Simply delightful people, the kids especially.
From there, we headed north through Sioux City and Sioux Falls, then West. Overnighting in Mitchell, we visited the Corn Palace - really an interesting site - there the next morning, and headed West again stopping in Wall at the (locally, anyway) famous Wall Drug. What a hoot! Total tourist immersion if I've ever seen it, but oddly enough, I was able to purchase a beautiful pair of Western boots to replace my old pair that is 24 years old.
Continuing West, the next night was in the Badlands, which proved to be a salient highlight of the whole affair. It's a stunningly gorgeous area in its barrenness, especially in the early or late day when shadows are longer and colors are more vivid. At those times, the contour of the land is highlighted to remarkable effect. Visit the place if you can.
We arrived in Custer State Park and set up camp at Sylvan Lake in the pouring rain and elected to skip the mania of the fireworks at Mount Rushmore. I had not realized that rock climbing was abundant within a short walk of the camp and so had left my gear except for shoes and chalk home. Paddleboating on the lake was a delight with the kids as was the Wildlife Loop, Mount Rushmore, and just walking around. All in all, we very much enjoyed the area, relaxing and enjoying the peace and quiet, except for the Harley riders, but of course, they have their charm, too.
In a change of plans, we drove down to Colorado Springs and got to see my brother-and-law, my old climbing partner, his wife and children, and an old music buddy, who now spends times with his twin boys and enjoys this season of life much as I do. Wimbledon finals, both men and women's, both Kill Bill's, and several good meals were in the offing, mixing sensory delights with the joys of old friends, making for another relaxing but pleasantly full visit, another sweet memory of a favorite place and people.
The drive home was uneventful as we elected to skip sight-seeing along the way. Three days got us home again.
Things could scarcely have gone better. Much needed rest and time away benefitted everyone, and the visits in the Springs were overdue and very welcome. A great time was had by all.
A couple books: James Patteron's Maximum Ride was a quick and fun read. One of those books that sort of goes in one eye and out the other, but is a lot of fun while it's happening. Later, I picked up Tanith Lee's Electric Forest by accident because it was on the shelf next to Usula K. Le Guin's books. I enjoyed it and will probably try her work again. John Varley is an old favorite of mine and Mammoth is a recent work, one that I particularly enjoyed.
Back on the dictionary front: For my birthday, I got the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary. Sometimes I wish it was single volume, but it fills exactly the role I wanted it to. What a great tool!
That just about gets things up to date. Life is good, and has been good, especially in the last few weeks.
We left home on a Thurdays morning, late as usual, and drove into West Tennesee. Another eight hours saw us through St. Louis, with a relaxed and refreshing stop for lunch and a visit to the Arch, ending up at a friend's house in Kansas City. Two children of friends live in the area, both having four children now, and we were able to share a couple meals and visit with them all in one of the most welcoming homes and clans I've ever encountered. Simply delightful people, the kids especially.
From there, we headed north through Sioux City and Sioux Falls, then West. Overnighting in Mitchell, we visited the Corn Palace - really an interesting site - there the next morning, and headed West again stopping in Wall at the (locally, anyway) famous Wall Drug. What a hoot! Total tourist immersion if I've ever seen it, but oddly enough, I was able to purchase a beautiful pair of Western boots to replace my old pair that is 24 years old.
Continuing West, the next night was in the Badlands, which proved to be a salient highlight of the whole affair. It's a stunningly gorgeous area in its barrenness, especially in the early or late day when shadows are longer and colors are more vivid. At those times, the contour of the land is highlighted to remarkable effect. Visit the place if you can.
We arrived in Custer State Park and set up camp at Sylvan Lake in the pouring rain and elected to skip the mania of the fireworks at Mount Rushmore. I had not realized that rock climbing was abundant within a short walk of the camp and so had left my gear except for shoes and chalk home. Paddleboating on the lake was a delight with the kids as was the Wildlife Loop, Mount Rushmore, and just walking around. All in all, we very much enjoyed the area, relaxing and enjoying the peace and quiet, except for the Harley riders, but of course, they have their charm, too.
In a change of plans, we drove down to Colorado Springs and got to see my brother-and-law, my old climbing partner, his wife and children, and an old music buddy, who now spends times with his twin boys and enjoys this season of life much as I do. Wimbledon finals, both men and women's, both Kill Bill's, and several good meals were in the offing, mixing sensory delights with the joys of old friends, making for another relaxing but pleasantly full visit, another sweet memory of a favorite place and people.
The drive home was uneventful as we elected to skip sight-seeing along the way. Three days got us home again.
Things could scarcely have gone better. Much needed rest and time away benefitted everyone, and the visits in the Springs were overdue and very welcome. A great time was had by all.
A couple books: James Patteron's Maximum Ride was a quick and fun read. One of those books that sort of goes in one eye and out the other, but is a lot of fun while it's happening. Later, I picked up Tanith Lee's Electric Forest by accident because it was on the shelf next to Usula K. Le Guin's books. I enjoyed it and will probably try her work again. John Varley is an old favorite of mine and Mammoth is a recent work, one that I particularly enjoyed.
Back on the dictionary front: For my birthday, I got the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary. Sometimes I wish it was single volume, but it fills exactly the role I wanted it to. What a great tool!
That just about gets things up to date. Life is good, and has been good, especially in the last few weeks.
