Provocative Thought of the Day...

"I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours."
-Stephen Roberts, database architect (b. 1967)

If you're stressed about college...

You might enjoy this documentary (when it comes out): "In 500 Words Or Less," a film which follows four high school students through the college admissions process. A short film overview is on the Chronicle of Higher Education's website here.

Timely and Relevant!

There's a conference at MIT today through Sunday:

*Adoption: Secret Histories, Public Policies*: A conference sponsored by the Alliance for the Study of Adoption and Culture at MIT, and co-sponsored by the MIT and UNH Depts. of Philosophy (among others).

http://web.me.com/shaslang/ASAC_2010_Conference/Welcome.html

If you happen to be going to Cambridge this weekend, they offer reduced conference rates for students... :-P

It's not the one I wanted.........but it works!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbAc98UJw4c

+ it's even related to the class! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!


****tune in next week for the annual sacrifice of 2 dozen christians to the goddess Minerva***

Inform Yourself!

I've compiled a short selection of terms and their use, as well as a really condensed set of excerpts from the Roe v Wade decision, in this doc. We'll read it, as well as Judith Jarvis Thomson's violinist thought experiment, tomorrow.

Is it all the Pope's fault?

An interesting argument about how everyday Christians are ultimately responsible for whether or not the church changes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VaC95jEPTc

Baby Cows and Philosophy

....or it that doesn't work

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJnHoOxhzY4

REMINDER: Phizza Tomorrow Night!

Just a reminder about the pizza and philosophy party tomorrow evening, 7pm, at MCLA in North Adams! It's FREE and TASTY!

Follow this link for a map (*.pdf) of the MCLA campus - the Honors Center/Highland House is number 9 on the map.

See you there...

matrix response

It's been a while since I've seen this movie, and I forgot how big the religious undertones were. I find it strange that they wrote Morpheus's character to have such a blind faith in Neo, as blind faith is not a trait the majority of Americans wish to emulate. I hope.

The Matrix

In the second Matrix movie, it is interesting to see that there are many humans who do not agree that Morpheus's firm beliefs.  This is a noticeable difference from the first movie where Cypher is the only freed human who does not support Morpheus.  The fledgeling religion revolving around Neo is challenged by some of the more sceptic residents of Zion, the last human city.  Thus far, Morpheus has taken the mantle of a profit preaching his beliefs to the people of Zion.  At the festival, so powerful is Morpheus's own belief, that the people's fears are allayed and they are swayed by his precepts.  In our own world, it is very true that the most convincing missionary is also a firm believer in the proposed religion.  People want to be unafraid and confident; Morpheus successfully offers them this in his speech to Zion and reaffirms their belief in Neo.

matrix

notice how everyone knows whee neo is all the time?

Website for Issues on Alcohol

The site maintained by Dr. Hanson at SUNY-Postdam is a central location for info about the history of American alcohol policy. An interesting read!

Collateral Murder

WARNING: Disturbing Footage

http://wikileaks.org/

I saw an artcle about this and then watched the video.

I felt like I had to share it

I'm not quite sure what to think of the whole thing

http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/military-cant-find-its-video-showing-newsmens-deaths/19429850?icid=main|aim|dl1|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aolnews.com%2Fnation%2Farticle%2Fmilitary-cant-find-its-video-showing-newsmens-deaths%2F19429850

The article can be found in the above link

April Fools' Fun, Matrix/Philosophy-Style

On YouTube.

College Students Rally Against Alcohol, For...Something Else

Relevant to this week's discussion, check out this article in the Chronicle of Higher Education. What points do Mr. Pfountz, Mr. Tvert and Mr. McCardell make that are issues we discussed in class?