That’s probably one of the worst titles I’ve written, but regardless, Athol Dickson is blogging solo now, as Mark notes here. I’ll add it to our sidebar soon.
All posts by Phil
Who Said This?
The potential for manipulating mass opinions and feelings initially discovered by commercial advertisers is now being even more aggressively exploited by a new generation of media Machiavellis. The combination of ever more sophisticated public opinion sampling techniques and the increasing use of powerful computers to parse and subdivide the American people according to “psychographic” categories that identify their susceptibility to individually tailored appeals has further magnified the power of propagandistic electronic messaging that has created a harsh new reality for the functioning of our democracy.
As a result, our democracy is in danger of being hollowed out. In order to reclaim our birthright, we Americans must resolve to repair the systemic decay of the public forum. We must create new ways to engage in a genuine and not manipulative conversation about our future. We must stop tolerating the rejection and distortion of science. We must insist on an end to the cynical use of pseudo-studies known to be false for the purpose of intentionally clouding the public’s ability to discern the truth. Americans in both parties should insist on the re-establishment of respect for the rule of reason.
It’s from a newly released book by a popular figure. Answer.
The Church Triumphant
“There are more Presbyterians in Ghana than in Scotland.” Praise the Lord.
Last Night’s Debate
Care to talk about the candidate debate last night? I wish some of these guys would step down. There are too many of them. In short, we need a conservative leader, not another Reagan so much as a skilled leader who will cut back government’s reach and defend our country at home and abroad.
Karen Kingsbury on Reader Desires
“The world needs story.” Click through to the Christianity Today article for the full interview.
Rest in Peace, Jerry Falwell
Rev. Jerry Falwell has passed away. He wrote Building Dynamic Faith about 12 years ago. He was a critical influence in American religion and politics, though I doubt I am following his lead exactly.
Update: Larry Flint had kind words to say about Falwell yesterday. “My mother always told me that no matter how much you dislike a person, when you meet them face to face you will find characteristics about them that you like. Jerry Falwell was a perfect example of that. I hated everything he stood for, but after meeting him in person, years after the trial, Jerry Falwell and I became good friends. He would visit me in California and we would debate together on college campuses. I always appreciated his sincerity even though I knew what he was selling and he knew what I was selling.”
I’m only going over home
I am a poor wayfaring stranger,
While traveling through this world of woe.
Yet there’s no sickness, toil nor danger
In that bright world to which I go.
I’m going there to see my Father;
I’m going there no more to roam.
I’m only going over Jordan,
I’m only going over home.
I know dark clouds will gather round me;
I know my way is rough and steep.
But golden fields lie out before me
Where God’s redeemed shall ever sleep.
I’m going there to see my mother,
She said she’d meet me when I come.
I’m only going over Jordan,
I’m only going over home.
I’ll soon be free from every trial,
My body sleep in the churchyard;
I’ll drop the cross of self denial
And enter on my great reward.
I’m going there to see my Savior,
To sing His praise forevermore.
I’m only going over Jordan,
I’m only going over home.
Folk spiritual by Richard W. Adams
In Translation
The Literary Saloon points out the Oxford-Weidenfeld Translation Prize for works translated into English. The Saloon advocates such work, encouraging readers to broaden themselves with literature written outside the U.S., and has some of this prize’s shortlist under review. I think I’ll have to make room for Suite Francaise.
As an interesting parallel, The Saloon also quotes from Alberto Fuguet of Chile who says translated works can be pretty ugly, and for works translated from the original to another language then to Spanish? Forget it!
Christy Award Finalists
Mr. Bertrand has a post on the Contemporary finalists which he judged for this year’s Christy Awards.
He also passes on a story about and a link to an interesting book site for new book, No One Belongs Here More Than You. Take a look at it. Do you think anyone could follow suit with a promotion of their own book? And do you think color coordinating one’s reading with her outfit will ever catch on?
Annie Dillard on Rewriting
Publishers Weekly asks author Annie Dillard, “Isn’t it hard to kill off your own characters and writing?”
I’ve made the decision many times. Of course, I always save them in a file. And then I got to the part that was really interesting: shaving the book by the syllable. If there was a three-syllable word, I’d say, is there a two syllable word for this, etc. That was really fun.
Dillard has a new novel coming in June called, The Maytrees.