"If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed."

-Albert Einstein, physicist, Nobel laureate (1879-1955)

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

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.

Monday, April 12, 2010

matrix

notice how everyone knows whee neo is all the time?

Thursday, April 8, 2010

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!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

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

Thursday, April 1, 2010

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?