compassionate skepticism

Timeless wisdom:

And yet, the chief deficiency I see in the skeptical movement is in its polarization: Us vs. Them - the sense that we have a monopoly on the truth; that those other people who believe in all these stupid doctrines are morons; that if you're sensible, you'll listen to us; and if not, you're beyond redemption. This is unconstructive. It does not get the message across. It condemns the skeptics to permanent minority status; whereas, a compassionate approach that from the beginning acknowledges the human roots of pseudoscience and superstition might be much more widely accepted.

If we understand this, then of course we feel the uncertainty and pain of the abductees, or those who dare not leave home without consulting their horoscopes, or those who pin their hopes on crystals from Atlantis. And such compassion for kindred spirits in a common quest also works to make science and the scientific method less off-putting, especially to the young.

 p. 300,  "The Demon-Haunted World", Carl Sagan, (c) 1996

wonderful memoir

Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by John Elder Robison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this wonderful memoir of John Elder Robison's life with Asperger's syndrome. This story contains something for everyone, and i highly recommend it! It is especially interesting and inspiring to share the thoughts and feelings of Mr. Robison, and to understand a little bit more of the world as experienced by a person with autism. This is the 2nd book i've read by a person with autism, but it certainly will not be the last. I'm looking forward to reading more of Mr. Robison's books, as well as others recommended and referenced in this book. This is a wonderful story that is a delight to read. I loved this story, don't miss it!

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Strangers at My Door

Strangers at My Door: An Experiment in Radical Hospitality by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is a collection of anecdotes and meditations based on the experiences of the author in his founding and leadership role in Rutba House, a hospitality house located in the Walltown neighborhood of Durham NC. A hospitality house is a place that offers friendship, food and shelter, and most importantly, love, to anyone who knocks at the door. The personal stories of the Rutba House family are moving and inspiring, and offer a deeper perspective into my neighbors here in Durham. This book is a very worthy read, which can't help but leaving the reader asking ways they can open the door to the folks around them, and in so doing be changed for the better. The chapter "Fire in my Bones" is especially compelling and moving, and shows how little i understand of those living so close by. But the entire book opens the reader's perspective, and offers a glimpse into our brothers and sisters, and of the political and religious systems which are largely failing them. This book resonates well with the previous book i read - Five Smooth Stones by Ann Fairbairn - which gave a detailed and intimate view into the life of a young African American man and his family as he grew up in the pre-civil rights period in the U.S.

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Five Smooth Stones

Five Smooth Stones by Ann Fairbairn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow. This is one of the best books i've ever read. My wife has been telling me about it for decades and i've finally been able to experience it. Five Smooth Stones is a moving and inspiring story of African American life in the U.S. South during the early to mid 20th century. It focuses primarily on one man and his family as he grows up and evolves into a leader, championing the cause of civil rights, justice, and freedom for and with his people. The story and the characters are real, as real as any historical fiction you could read. It covers many generations and reminds me of Les Miserables in its literary style. It is wonderfully told, and takes the reader through many emotions as it unfolds. I believe that this story is so important that every American should read it. At a minimum, anyone who calls "The South" their home should read this story. We as non-African Americans need to acknowledge and confront the shame and horror of our very recent actions, and hopefully, apply the wisdom gained toward not repeating the same shameful horrors against other people groups in our community and nation (ie. LGBT). Many issues are laid bare and ugly for the reader to confront and contemplate, hopefully to grow into a better person. Six stars for this one, on my required reading list.

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Prodigal Farm!

Join me in helping fund this great project at Prodigal Farm!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/prodigalfarm/artisanal-cheese-beloved-goats-stronger-community

Happy April Fools Day - with some classic R&R!

refreshing and thought provoking!

An Experiment in Criticism by C.S.Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a reader, I found this book refreshing and thought provoking! It presented a new (to me) view of how to read, of how to receive literature. I am looking forward to re-reading this book as part of my CS Lewis book club this semester.

Below are a few excepts from the Epilogue:

"Good reading, therefore, though it is not essentially an affectional or moral or intellectual activity, has something in common with all three. In love we escape from our self into one other. In the moral sphere, every act of justice or charity involves putting ourselves in the other person's place and thus transcending our own competitive particularity. In coming to understand anything we are rejecting the facts as they are for us in favour of the facts as they are. The primary impulse of each is to maintain and aggrandize himself. The secondary impulse is to go out of the self, to correct its provincialism and heal its loneliness. In love, in virtue, in the pursuit of knowledge, and in the reception of the arts, we are doing this. Obviously this process can be described either as an enlargement or as a temporary annihilation of the self. But that is an old paradox: 'he that loseth his life shall save it'. "

"But in reading great literature I become a thousand men and yet remain myself. Like the night sky in the Greek poem, I see with myriad eyes, but it is still I who see. Here, as in worship, in love, in moral action, and in knowing, I transcend myself; and am never more myself than when I do."

C.S. Lewis - "An Experiment in Criticism" - p. 138,141

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simply overwhelming

No God But God: the Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam by Reza Aslan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Wow! This book was simply overwhelming. I was not prepared for the incredible complexity and diversity in the history of Islam. The book is well written and organized, but i still struggled to keep up with all the names, places, events, and ideas. I'd like to read more on this subject, but for now, i'll be satisfied that i have a new appreciation for all things Muslim. I especially appreciated the early history, specifically of the Prophet himself, and of his life and times.

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The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth

Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Aslan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a fascinating book. The sub-title is a great summary of the contents: "The Life and TImes of Jesus of Nazareth". Dr. Aslan presents a thorough, well researched, and excellent survey of the subject in an accessible and readable way. He overlays the major dimensions of the period during which the historic man we have come to know as Jesus lived. By dimensions I mean religious, sociological, political, geographical, historical, customs, etc. All these dimensions are overlaid with one another in an organized and logical manner to provide an interesting and enlightening study of much of what we know to be historically true about the man Jesus. I learned much from this book, even after being associated with "Christian" churches for much of my life. It is extremely interesting to me to see the vast number of facts about which the "church" is ignorant, or chooses to misrepresent, or to downright lie about. The dynamics of the life and death of Jesus, and the resulting groups of followers, are not as neat, tidy, and consistent as are presented in sunday school, or in so-called seminaries which take the Bible at face value, or even as literal, and ignore real history. And once again, I am fascinated at how many people who claim to be followers of Jesus don't know the critical facts about who he was and the times in which he lived. The last 100+ pages are thorough footnotes, which while not reading as easily as the main text, provide extensive references and explanation of the material in the main chapters. And unlike many authors, Dr. Aslan presents references to opposing views as well as his own. This book is a very worthwhile read if you care anything about this man who is called Jesus.


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words - beautiful and perfect

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"The Book Thief" is one of the most beautifully written stories I've ever read. Of the multitude of great books I've read, only a few merit reading and savoring every single word, every pause, every punctuation mark. This is one such book. Ironically, given the theme of the story, I don't have the words to describe the beauty of this story, and the meticulous care and love with which it was written. That such a horrible time in western history could be brought to life in such a beautiful manner fills me with awe. I feel that I have lived through both the happiness and the horrors of this place and time. Needless to say, the story is very moving emotionally, especially at the end. But from start to finish, it is filled with everything of Life, including Death, by whom the story is told. Brilliant, thoughtful, deep, and beautiful. Liesel would be very fond of the words that make this story so beautiful and perfect.

ps. love the The Book Thief Glossary

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NC Fresh Catch Winter Oyster Tour Durham event

Immigrants

some insight

The Golden Hat: Talking Back to Autism by Kate Winslet
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book provides a short account of the genesis of the Golden Hat Foundation ( http://www.goldenhatfoundation.org/ ),

"a non-profit organization dedicated to changing the way people on the autism spectrum are perceived, by shining a light on their abilities and emphasizing their great potential."

The proceeds of the sales of the book go to support the foundation.

Additionally, it provides some insight in to the challenges faced by people who communicate non-verbally due to autism, by sharing some of their first communications. The focus is primary on Keli, the son of one of the co-founders of the foundation. The additional insight is welcome and appreciated.

see also "Mother's Courage, A: Talking Back to Autism" and "The Reason I Jump".

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The Hunger Games trilogy

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is another well written volume of The Hunger Games trilogy. As compelling as these books were to read, I want to say that i don't like the overall story, nor how it ends. But it's not my story to tell. And i believe that it leaves the thoughtful reader with much about which to think; many lessons to ponder. In the end, i might have to concede that a story like this can't end any other way. The history and arc of the events lead in a very specific direction, and although details may vary, the overall end is the same. I hope never to be a part of a story such as this, and if i'm already a part, i hope it is not too late to change its course.

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Catching Fire!

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! Another exciting and well written installment of The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins . Within the context of adult responsibilities like going to work, etc, I could not put "Catching Fire" down. Many, many unexpected twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. As with the conclusion of first book, I'm looking forward to what the third book in the series, "Mockingjay" holds.

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Cathedrals of Kudzu - a delight!

Cathedrals of Kudzu: A Personal Landscape of the South by Hal Crowther
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is an absolute delight. I had forgotten how much i love to read Hal Crowther. I was sorting papers and cleaning up in my home office and ran across this book that i had picked up at the Friends of the Durham Library book sale a few years back. I just happened to be between books so I placed it on my night stand and started reading it that evening. What a treat! The essays contained in this book, now about 15 years old, are wonderful to read. And, being a Californian and Midwesterner transplanted to North Carolina 28 years ago, I appreciated the selections that gave me a deeper insight into the South, and into North Carolina. Loved, loved this book. I'm resolved to get my hands on the other books Mr. Crowther has published, and also, to be more deliberate in reading Mr. Crowther's articles in our beloved hometown paper, The Indy Week. Thank you Mr. Crowther.


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The Hunger Games - Excellent!!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellent, fast moving, exciting, suspenseful, thought provoking, and well written! I couldn't put it down once i started! Loved it. Hope to read the others in the trilogy.

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an unexpected treat

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Wow, this book was an unexpected treat. Very creative situations, places, and characters! As embarrassing as it feels, this children's book holds much that i did not fully grasp. I think that a repeat read is definitely in my future :) Looking forward to seeing what other adventures are in store for the Murrys.

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I love this series

The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love this series. This third of the "His Dark Materials" trilogy was a wonderful conclusion to the story! All the resolutions were not as i had hoped, nor did everyone live "happily ever after" in the end, but the conclusions resonated well with real life and with Truths i've come to know and embrace in my own life. What a great series. I am looking forward to reading more from this author!

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Chatham County Line Electric Holiday

cool photo collage of the fantastic Chatham County Line Electric Holiday show last night at the The Haw River Ballroom