http://www.oldroads.org/ Comments on life, texts, and places Society & Culture Personal Journals en Copyright 2007 martyn.smith@lawrence.edu (Martyn Smith) martyn.smith@lawrence.edu Sat, 11 Oct 2008 03:48:43 GMT Sat, 11 Oct 2008 03:48:43 GMT RSS DreamFeeder v 2.2.0 Some notes about the tenor of the current Republican campaign. It is a glimpse of the irrational philosophy that must be ended.. Some notes about the tenor of the current Republican campaign. It is a glimpse of the irrational philosophy that must be ended.. http://www.oldroads.org/pastblogs/pastsingles2008/anger_on_the_campaign_trail.htm Sat, 11 Oct 2008 03:47:50 GMT Martyn Smith manual:1223696923662:9537934708805372:http://www.oldroads.org/feeds.rss Mark Bauerlein's new book The Dumbest Generation has a title that I have to take issue with. Contemporary youth are as much masters of knowledge as any past generation.. but they inhabit a world in which there is nothing stable. And this world we can firmly blame on the over 30 crowd.. Mark Bauerlein's new book The Dumbest Generation has a title that I have to take issue with. Contemporary youth are as much masters of knowledge as any past generation.. but they inhabit a world in which there is nothing stable. And this world we can firmly blame on the over 30 crowd.. http://www.oldroads.org/pastblogs/pastsingles2008/masters_of_knowledge.htm Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:33:27 GMT Martyn Smith manual:1223523371091:919405599331095:http://www.oldroads.org/feeds.rss In an effort to take advantage of contemporary market trends the copyright holders of many classic children's books have raided the illustrations of their stories to create ABC and 123 books. This is an excellent example of the way changes in format and preference end up transforming a tradition. In an effort to take advantage of contemporary market trends the copyright holders of many classic children's books have raided the illustrations of their stories to create ABC and 123 books. This is an excellent example of the way changes in format and preference end up transforming a tradition. http://www.oldroads.org/pastblogs/pastsingles2008/repackaging_childrens_literature.htm Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:04:15 GMT Martyn Smith manual:1223265947672:6341554221438787:http://www.oldroads.org/feeds.rss An brief analysis of how a debate functions as a text. It turns out to have at least three interpretive angles. An brief analysis of how a debate functions as a text. It turns out to have at least three interpretive angles. http://www.oldroads.org/pastblogs/pastsingles2008/interpreting_a_debate.htm Sun, 05 Oct 2008 04:26:56 GMT Martyn Smith manual:1223180923494:6792567578146581:http://www.oldroads.org/feeds.rss Shelley called poets the "unaknowledged legislators of the world" and he is correct if we think about not great poetry but the creation of conceptual metaphors. Hosea is a wonderful example of the creative power that comes with new conceptual frames. Shelley called poets the "unaknowledged legislators of the world" and he is correct if we think about not great poetry but the creation of conceptual metaphors. Hosea is a wonderful example of the creative power that comes with new conceptual frames. http://www.oldroads.org/pastblogs/pastsingles2008/master_of_metaphor_the_prophet_Hosea.htm Thu, 02 Oct 2008 03:42:04 GMT Martyn Smith manual:1222919058147:174341939621538:http://www.oldroads.org/feeds.rss A review of I Was Born, But... by Yasujiro Ozu. This delightful comedy-drama focuses on a family that moves to the suburbs and the response of the two young sons as they learn the low economic position of their father and themselves. A review of I Was Born, But... by Yasujiro Ozu. This delightful comedy-drama focuses on a family that moves to the suburbs and the response of the two young sons as they learn the low economic position of their father and themselves. http://www.oldroads.org/pastblogs/pastsingles2008/spinning_wheels_in_the_suburbs.htm Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:41:42 GMT Martyn Smith manual:1222749821408:4220898812293812:http://www.oldroads.org/feeds.rss The section "Nathan" from the long poem Clarel by Herman Melville contains an interesting description of Indian mounds in the Midwest that gives them an interesting cultural value. The section "Nathan" from the long poem Clarel by Herman Melville contains an interesting description of Indian mounds in the Midwest that gives them an interesting cultural value. http://www.oldroads.org/pastblogs/pastsingles2008/indian_mounds_as_cultural_signs_in_Melville.htm Mon, 29 Sep 2008 05:00:34 GMT Martyn Smith manual:1222664505162:6743004368632537:http://www.oldroads.org/feeds.rss Reading children's literature with Aurora I am amazed at how easy it is to read books from the 1950s.. and sometimes the 1940s. But there seem to be few classics that go behind that date. It is also possible to see a similar "classic" date in film and recorded music. Perhaps we are closer to the 1950s than they were to their recent past. Reading children's literature with Aurora I am amazed at how easy it is to read books from the 1950s.. and sometimes the 1940s. But there seem to be few classics that go behind that date. It is also possible to see a similar "classic" date in film and recorded music. Perhaps we are closer to the 1950s than they were to their recent past. http://www.oldroads.org/pastblogs/pastsingles2008/childrens_literature.htm Fri, 26 Sep 2008 04:30:00 GMT Martyn Smith manual:1222403492617:3189453075365375:http://www.oldroads.org/feeds.rss The bio-documentary Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985) is a well crafted exploration of the life and work of Yukio Mishima. In presenting Mishima it also makes clear his debts to Yeats and high Romanticism.. and ultimately serves as a cautionary tale of following those Romantic principles. The bio-documentary Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985) is a well crafted exploration of the life and work of Yukio Mishima. In presenting Mishima it also makes clear his debts to Yeats and high Romanticism.. and ultimately serves as a cautionary tale of following those Romantic principles. http://www.oldroads.org/pastblogs/pastsingles2008/the_dancer_and_the_dance.htm Tue, 23 Sep 2008 04:11:49 GMT Martyn Smith manual:1222143322042:7393596842873658:http://www.oldroads.org/feeds.rss One of the difficulties in talking about the readiness of various presidential candidates is that various characteristics are conflated and confused. This post is an attempt to set out five categories upon which judgment of the candidates can be made. One of the difficulties in talking about the readiness of various presidential candidates is that various characteristics are conflated and confused. This post is an attempt to set out five categories upon which judgment of the candidates can be made. http://www.oldroads.org/pastblogs/pastsingles2008/looking_for_a_leader.htm Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:55:46 GMT Martyn Smith manual:1222059425767:785118656961666:http://www.oldroads.org/feeds.rss An analysis of theology and when and how it might be interesting to a scholar of religion. Finally, contemporary theory is compared to theology. An analysis of theology and when and how it might be interesting to a scholar of religion. Finally, contemporary theory is compared to theology. http://www.oldroads.org/pastblogs/pastsingles2008/theory_of_popular_theology.htm Sun, 21 Sep 2008 04:13:55 GMT Martyn Smith manual:1221970493925:220:http://www.oldroads.org/feeds.rss The first annual Sputnik Festival was held on September 5, 2008 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. It was in 1962 that a piece of the Sputnik landed on main street in this city. The first annual Sputnik Festival was held on September 5, 2008 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. It was in 1962 that a piece of the Sputnik landed on main street in this city. http://www.oldroads.org/pastblogs/pastsingles2008/Sputnik_festival_in_Manitowoc.htm Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:36:08 GMT Martyn Smith manual:1221795431476:8038490505040983:http://www.oldroads.org/feeds.rss Werner Herzog's Wheel of Time has many good scenes of everyday life in an annual Buddhist pilgrimage. However, Herzog has so much respect for Buddhists that he does not develop the critical vantage upon which his best work stands. Werner Herzog's Wheel of Time has many good scenes of everyday life in an annual Buddhist pilgrimage. However, Herzog has so much respect for Buddhists that he does not develop the critical vantage upon which his best work stands. http://www.oldroads.org/pastblogs/pastsingles2008/documenting_Buddhists.htm Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:48:53 GMT Martyn Smith manual:1221540634876:5625785992872331:http://www.oldroads.org/feeds.rss Some notes on my trip to Chicago and the Oriental Institute Museum at the University of Chicago. Some notes on my trip to Chicago and the Oriental Institute Museum at the University of Chicago. http://www.oldroads.org/pastblogs/pastsingles2008/Oriental_Institute_Museum.htm Mon, 15 Sep 2008 04:37:09 GMT Martyn Smith manual:1221453468511:5993163624560763:http://www.oldroads.org/feeds.rss There is a lot of similarity between the call narrative of Elijah to Elisha and then Jesus and his disciples. This should be seen as reflecting social scripts surrounding the position of prophet and not as evidence of literary copying. There is a lot of similarity between the call narrative of Elijah to Elisha and then Jesus and his disciples. This should be seen as reflecting social scripts surrounding the position of prophet and not as evidence of literary copying. http://www.oldroads.org/pastblogs/pastsingles2008/genres_we_live_by.htm Thu, 11 Sep 2008 04:22:29 GMT Martyn Smith manual:1221107052452:22762246968644560:http://www.oldroads.org/feeds.rss Travels with Herodotus by Riszard Kapuscinski details the first trip taken abroad by Kapuscinski from Poland. He lands in Italy and notices how people dress differently on that side of the Iron Curtain. this should remind us about how to understand the cultural symbolism of dress in Islamic countries. Travels with Herodotus by Riszard Kapuscinski details the first trip taken abroad by Kapuscinski from Poland. He lands in Italy and notices how people dress differently on that side of the Iron Curtain. this should remind us about how to understand the cultural symbolism of dress in Islamic countries. http://www.oldroads.org/pastblogs/pastsingles2008/clothes_and_culture.htm Thu, 11 Sep 2008 04:19:41 GMT Martyn Smith manual:1221106889778:16446500495196426:http://www.oldroads.org/feeds.rss A video on the Fox River in Wisconsin. This is the first in a projected five part series covering the Fox River as it makes its way from Lake Winnebago to Green Bay. A video on the Fox River in Wisconsin. This is the first in a projected five part series covering the Fox River as it makes its way from Lake Winnebago to Green Bay. http://www.oldroads.org/pastblogs/pastsingles2008/the_Fox_River.htm Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:57:59 GMT Martyn Smith manual:1220972348425:9117648969809656:http://www.oldroads.org/feeds.rss The Republican convention and especially the closing speech by John McCain makes Patriotism by Yukio Mishima valuable viewing. It is interesting to see the language of transcendent causes and honor worked into a very different nationalist system.. and it should make us guarded about this kind of language. The Republican convention and especially the closing speech by John McCain makes Patriotism by Yukio Mishima valuable viewing. It is interesting to see the language of transcendent causes and honor worked into a very different nationalist system.. and it should make us guarded about this kind of language. http://www.oldroads.org/pastblogs/pastsingles2008/patriotism_and_higher_causes.htm Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:20:16 GMT Martyn Smith manual:1220678510634:126489251790043:http://www.oldroads.org/feeds.rss Some thoughts on the Republican Convention and the roll out of Sarah Palin. Some thoughts on the Republican Convention and the roll out of Sarah Palin. http://www.oldroads.org/pastblogs/pastsingles2008/thoughts_on_the_Republican_convention.htm Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:19:56 GMT Martyn Smith manual:1220505659984:4724364246742315:http://www.oldroads.org/feeds.rss The 2008 CD Working Mans Cafe by Ray Davies hits upon a number of themes that Ray Davies has been working with throughout his career. But the setting has switched to America and he examines life in the midst of globalization. The 2008 CD Working Mans Cafe by Ray Davies hits upon a number of themes that Ray Davies has been working with throughout his career. But the setting has switched to America and he examines life in the midst of globalization. http://www.oldroads.org/pastblogs/pastsingles2008/globalization_in_the_new_Ray_Davies_CD.htm Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:35:22 GMT Martyn Smith manual:1220416599346:8128458747786134:http://www.oldroads.org/feeds.rss The place of the corporation in our society is a major issue, but there is virtually no discussion of the issue. The new book by James Gustave Speth, The Bridge at the End of the World, offers some ideas about greening the corporation, and finally comes round to hope for a new consciousness. The place of the corporation in our society is a major issue, but there is virtually no discussion of the issue. The new book by James Gustave Speth, The Bridge at the End of the World, offers some ideas about greening the corporation, and finally comes round to hope for a new consciousness. http://www.oldroads.org/pastblogs/pastsingles2008/corporations_and_new_hearts.htm Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:50:16 GMT Martyn Smith manual:1220244743252:5570294343208676:http://www.oldroads.org/feeds.rss