Monthly Archives: January 2008

CRACKERS AND BONNET STRINGS.

Posted on January 21, 2008 by Philip

CRACKERS AND BONNET STRINGS. I remarked recently to Mary Jane that the word in sign language for crackers is made by using the left elbow. As with many of my remarks made in earnest, I got a good laugh. Google … Continue reading →

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ST. AGNES’S EVE.

Posted on January 20, 2008 by Philip

ST. AGNES’S EVE. I take note every January 20th that it is St. Agnes’s Eve.

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A BEAUTIFUL LANGUAGE.

Posted on January 20, 2008 by Philip

A BEAUTIFUL LANGUAGE. This article by Lou Ann Walker in New York magazine (January 21-28) recounts the recurrent conflicts over American Sign Language. The language of signing has felt under attack since the time of Alexander Graham Bell (an opponent … Continue reading →

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HAWTHORNE’S “WAKEFIELD”—THE MORAL.

Posted on January 19, 2008 by Philip

HAWTHORNE’S “WAKEFIELD”—THE MORAL. We are not surprised by a moral in a nineteenth century story. Hawthorne makes a point of promising us one: “There will be a pervading spirit and a moral, even should we fail to find them, done … Continue reading →

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HAWTHORNE’S WAKEFIELD.

Posted on January 19, 2008 by Philip

HAWTHORNE’S WAKEFIELD. Hawthorne does something extraordinary with the character of Wakefield. He makes his main character hypothetical. I can’t think of another story which has this master stroke. The narrator briefly describes Wakefield’s life choices and adds two facts that … Continue reading →

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“WAKEFIELD”– DOCTOROW AND HAWTHORNE.

Posted on January 18, 2008 by Philip

“WAKEFIELD”—DOCTOROW AND HAWTHORNE. The New Yorker for January 14 has a short story entitled “Wakefield” by E.L. Doctorow which is a retelling of a great story by Nathaniel Hawthorne, also called “Wakefield.” The Doctorow story is here. The Hawthorne story … Continue reading →

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MULTIPLE SELVES.

Posted on January 17, 2008 by Philip

MULTIPLE SELVES. I began this blog with this post about how the radiation from the big bang still affects our radio reception. I could understand what that meant. I don’t understand the argument that: ”you …are more likely to be … Continue reading →

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SHOULD PRESIDENTS BE CELEBRITIES?

Posted on January 16, 2008 by Philip

SHOULD PRESIDENTS BE CELEBRITIES? The link I posted on today reminded me that Norman Mailer once argued that Ted Kennedy should be President because a good part of serving as President was being a celebrity (including glamor and scandal) and … Continue reading →

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PROTOCOL ISSUES.

Posted on January 16, 2008 by Philip

PROTOCOL ISSUES. This post from a Slate blog describes the complications that Nicholas Sarkozy’s personal life (making state visits with his mistress, Carla Bruni) has created for protocol officials worldwide. The author quotes a Count at a dinner party suggesting … Continue reading →

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THE ECONOMICS OF HAPPINESS.

Posted on January 15, 2008 by Annalisa

THE ECONOMICS OF HAPPINESS. One of my frequently read blogs, The Happiness Project, has a post exploring the question “Can money buy happiness?” It is a thoughtful and considerate article. Here are some of the highlights: * It depends on … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics | 4 Comments