Myth and Politics

May 5, 2008

Or, what I did this weekend. Pacifica held a conference on Myth & Politics this weekend that I was fortunate enough to attend. There’s so much to think about on this topic, especially in a hot election season, but a couple of things really stood out for me so far (looking at notes): I need [...]

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Cognitive Surplus and the Culture of Participation

May 1, 2008

Or, why it’s easy to find the time for creation when you don’t watch TV. That’s a bit flip, but this talk by Clay Shirky does point out the amazing resources we have at our disposal (on an individual and cultural level) when we make conscious choices about how to spend time. Money quote: “Media [...]

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Taking a Break

April 30, 2008

After a couple of hard weeks of studying & work, I went to Vega$ with some friends this weekend to blow off steam…it’s amazing how much it’s changed since I was last there 8 years ago. The food is a lot better, for one thing; I definitely got to fulfill my foodie jones at a [...]

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Ozymandias* and a Salesman

April 24, 2008

When it comes to ants, I feel like Vishnu: “I am death, destroyer of worlds.” We suffer from periodic invasions of ants in the house, usually in the bathroom or kitchen, and when they decide to visit, they bring the whole family, usually thousands. So we stomp, spray, erect barriers of essential oils, until finally [...]

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Friday Zen Moment

April 4, 2008

Found on MetaFilter this morning: Eclectic 2.0 [requires QuickTime]. I have a thing for time-lapse photography and reverse video (see also Sensei Studios, their “Balancing Point” video is amazing), and this piece really took my breath away.

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Secular Ravenism

April 3, 2008

©2008 Lacey Bryant The title this week is taken from Bright River, which I can’t recommend enough. After I mentioned it a few posts back I went back and listened, and the incredible act of imagination that the play represents just blew me away all over again. And then I went to my local caffeination [...]

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Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Raven

March 26, 2008

after Wallace Stevens I When Noah’s ark alit on the mountain, The first thing he sent out Was the raven. II I talked amongst my selves Like a coffee klatsch Of three ravens. III The raven flew down to its dead dinner Chilled by autumn winds. IV The god and goddess Are one. The god [...]

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Myth and Modern Life

March 24, 2008

Disclaimer: Not the official entry for this week (official entries will all be found under the ‘School’ category, for those who are playing along at home). Now, then. (And what an odd turn of phrase that is, by the way…suggesting a conflation of past & present that feels very familiar.) Since I have a dreadfully [...]

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Latest from Twitter

March 19, 2008

Jenny Holzer’s latest twitter: MYTH CAN MAKE REALITY MORE INTELLIGIBLE So true, eh? And Twitter is the perfect platform for her art, in so many ways (follow her now: jennyholzer). At least I’m assuming it’s her; we never do know for sure…

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Being Chosen

March 11, 2008

Raven, trickster, appears behind the oracular candy bar, dark sweet thing, brings fire, light, creation itself a gift to the myth-hungry two-legged who come up out of mud, crying in darkness Stolen from the Sky Chief, this light, by playing the innocent; a pine needle in the right girl becomes a baby boy: the Chief’s [...]

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