Latest Posts


  • Capitalism vs. Democracy – NYTimes.com

    Thomas Piketty’s new book, “Capital in the Twenty-First Century,” described by one French newspaper as a “a political and theoretical bulldozer,” defies left and right orthodoxy by arguing that worsening inequality is an inevitable outcome of free market capitalism.Piketty, a… Continue reading

    Capitalism vs. Democracy – NYTimes.com
  • body atlas

    Originally posted on coromandal: Happiness and depression are felt all over the body, while anger and pride only in the chest and head. These are images from research on emotion response by a group of scientists from Finland. The researchers… Continue reading

  • Marsilio Ficino

    Probably one of the least known yet most influential philosophers in the last 1000 years. Another way to understand Ficino and his academy is to examine the various ways he uses the word “academy” and its variants. What one finds… Continue reading

    Marsilio Ficino
  • Keeping Vigil

    I call the time between first and second sleep the Night Vigil, following the old monastic traditions. For me, Night Vigil begins with an examination of conscience: Oh thou Encompassing, thou All, thou One. How can I give myself over… Continue reading

    Keeping Vigil
  • Ecstasy

    “Blessed and holy, I would say, is he to whom it has been given to experience such a thing in this mortal life at rare intervals or even once; and this suddenly and scarcely for the space of a single… Continue reading

    Ecstasy
  • Han Shan 36

    Lust, or love; some grasp at it for happiness, but only calamity dwells within the mortal shell, and thus they march through fire toward a bright mirage, to find all love inconstant; the dying body . . . A real… Continue reading

  • Athletics and the Political Ambitions of Young Adults » Sociological Images

    The authors suggest that the mediating factor is “an opportunity to develop… a competitive spirit.”  Sports, they argue, may build or reinforce the tendency to find pleasure in competition, which may make politics more appealing. via Athletics and the Political Ambitions… Continue reading

    Athletics and the Political Ambitions of Young Adults » Sociological Images
  • planes, trains and automobiles

    Originally posted on betacity: From the Regional Plan Association, more evidence all is not what it seems:  our governments subsidize all forms of transportation, including cars – (there go our bragging rights): A common theme of U.S. political dialogue is… Continue reading