This is an excellent article by Jake at Mere-O. As he says, “The lesson: If you would destroy our world’s versions of Sauron and Saruman, then you must love strawberries and cream.” Read it an get the good stuff for today!
via Tolkien’s Holy Fools | Mere Orthodoxy.
What Happens When You Deprive Children of Scary Stories – Justin Taylor.
This is an excellent post. It seems today that there is a tendency to either let children take in all that culture has to offer or to minimize and cut off all access to the outside world. Yet I think this has been the struggle of parents throughout history, though living in 21st century, modernized America with its politically correct atmosphere does engender stranger attitudes.
Children are more apt to be sheltered from death and talk of religion and the supernatural, because they frankly might never have to face it. However, in life even into the early 1900’s, life was a precarious issue and walking out your door, as Bilbo once put it, was a very dangerous business.
But this link offers more than just a commentary on cultural issues, for it seems that scary stories are good for your soul. Just think of The Brother’s Grimm and what those stories have done for a veritable cultural renaissance (pretty sure almost all Disney fairy-tale’s take their cue from here). And what about Harry Potter for the last generation. Lord Voldemort, errr, he-who-must-not-be-named, was capturing the minds of children around the world as they were subconsciously dealing with learning to be a hero as they identified with the three protagonists and felt every bit of pain and struggle as they read and watched the story unfold.
So, are scary stories a way to build the imagination and moral formation of the next upcoming generation? Read the story and tell me what you think!?
The Hobbit: Peter Jackson Films Final Gandalf Scenes With Sir Ian McKellen – Yahoo! omg!.
As the article begins: “It was a sad day in The Shire on Friday, as Sir Ian McKellen completed filming his final scene in “The Hobbit” trilogy. Seconds ago we finished our last shot with Gandalf,” director Peter Jackson posted….”
Man, a lot of emotions run through me as I read this, but I must admit that among the many characters that have stood out to me in my time from late teenager through my twenties, especially in film and media over the last 10 years have been Dumbledore from Harry Potter and Gandalf. Notably, two wizards with a quasi-omniscience that drove the narrative but not at the expense of character development, their’s and those they influenced.
Here’s to you Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellen). Thanks for the memories, along with the power of your performance in bringing a character to life for the film but living that character out before your community of fans.
I read this article this morning. Great Post by Matt over at Mere O!
I especially like his comments which simultaneously defend his internet commentary while also debating Miller’s hipster-laced barbs.
It’s a good link to look at a wonderful comparison and contrasts between, really, three authors and their points of view, even if one just is commentary. So, if you have some time over a cup of coffee this morning or a glass of tea in the afternoon, check out the link above and give treat yourself to this article!
Philosophy is tricky business. Besides all the arguments you have to interact with, there are logical fallacies to avoid, ambiguities to clarify, and responses to be made. No more can someone just sit down and pontificate on the deep things of life, like Montaigne. Nope, in this day and age you have to provide argumentation, illustrate that it is not some knock-off from a popular blog or internet site, and hope that what you say makes sense. Well, at least to the 1% of people who you were arguing with (just ask Kant about that one).
And yet, in the unlikeliest places, you come across philosophy in an absolutely wonderful way. From the unlikeliest creature imaginable, I would like to present to you some rather good philosophy done by a rather fine philosopher and his quick-witted friend. This is a wonderful example of Analytic philosophy at its finest 🙂
“Good morning!” said Bilbo, and he meant it. The sun was shining, and the grass was very green. But Gandalf looked at him from under long bushy eyebrows that stuck out further than the brim of his shady hat.
“What do you mean?” he said. “Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?”
Evangelosophy 