Really short summary: go see this movie! Longer more thought-out review: The premise of this movie is simple: Richard Linklater filmed portions over a span of years, working with the same actors as they grew older, to create a coming-of-age narrative centering around a boy and his family. That project suggests hyper-specificity - an alternate title might have … Continue reading Boyhood
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Reinventing Bach (Part 1)
Now for something hopefully less controversial. Part 1 of a lengthy review - Part 2 is here. I've been making my way through Paul Elie's Reinventing Bach for the better part of the summer. It's 500+ pages long, which initially felt a bit much for a work of popular musical history, but it's the sort of … Continue reading Reinventing Bach (Part 1)
Other Thoughts on Political Anger
[What follows is much more of an emotionally exploratory essay than a logically rigorous proof of something... though at times I'll probably make arguments that I allege are logical.] El Greco's painting and the story to which it alludes speaks to the attraction and potential danger of the public display of anger. On the one hand, … Continue reading Other Thoughts on Political Anger
Libertarianism and the Blue Ridge Parkway (Part One)
In recent posts, I’ve been exploring a (loosely) Libertarian line of thought. While I don’t think standard Libertarian accounts adequately ground their positions, I do believe that there are important insights to be gleaned from the tradition. I’ve sketched out the foundation for a reformed version--which David has helpfully coined “Teleological Libertarianism.” (I should acknowledge … Continue reading Libertarianism and the Blue Ridge Parkway (Part One)
On Political Anger
Josh and I have been discussing Pound's angry letter in response to an editor's critical comments on Joyce's manuscript of Portrait of the Artist. We've been using this letter as a proxy for our larger, ongoing debate about the uses and abuses of anger in contemporary (mostly political) discussion. But, as it stands, this way … Continue reading On Political Anger
Ezra Pound Defends James Joyce Against an Early Critic
I'm a fan of polemical writing, whatever the subject-matter. In fact, my reading of Joyce's letters and biographies has tipped me off to a future project: reading more Ezra Pound, those excerpts which have been included having been so creatively acerbic. Pound's is a name I've heard here and there but I don't really know that … Continue reading Ezra Pound Defends James Joyce Against an Early Critic
Magritte – The Human Condition
What is Magritte saying about "the human condition" (this piece's title)? I'm not sure. I invite you to say what you think within the comments. I especially encourage you to answer if you don't want to read the rest of the post, or if you've never commented before, or both! There is an exhibition at the … Continue reading Magritte – The Human Condition
Unger on Philosophy
Philosophers struggle with an intellectual/academic/disciplinary version of low self-esteem. A recent victim is Peter Unger, who recently gives an interview-cum-advertisement for his latest book in philosophy, the central thesis of which is that philosophy is at best an enjoyable diversion and at worst an utter waste of time. (We're to assume, I suppose, that the … Continue reading Unger on Philosophy
Dubliners (and Joyce’s early career struggles)
My rereading of Dubliners was as enjoyable as always. That book reminds me of a great band's first album. Not the sort of band whose first album is their only good one, but the sort of band that, even though they go on to produce other great (even great-er) work, you always retain a soft … Continue reading Dubliners (and Joyce’s early career struggles)
Best Opening Section of a Philosophy Essay???
Here's my entry, from David Lewis' "Void and Object": The void is deadly. If you were cast into a void, it would cause you to die in just a few minutes. It would suck the air from your lungs. It would boil your blood. It would drain the warmth from your body. And it would … Continue reading Best Opening Section of a Philosophy Essay???
Original Positions 