I’ve announced the upcoming Valve book event on Franco Moretti’s Graphs, Maps, Trees, about which I’m excited. Also, Mark Bauerlein has an article (currently subscription) in the Chronicle about adolescent culture and the decline of literacy. In many ways, I think Bauerlein misses the mark here; but for now I just want to note that [...]
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“[Galen] disputes the assertion of Epicurus–one by which some of his followers failed to be guided–that there is no benefit to health in Aphrodite, and contends that at certain intervals and in certain individuals and circumstances sexual intercourse is beneficial” (History of Magic and Experimental Science Vol. I, 141). On an unrelated topic, what famous [...]
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“Liane sped down a wide avenue lined with a few stunted old cypress trees, and he heard him close at his heels. He turned into an archway, pulled his bronze ring over his head, down to his feet. He stepped through, brought the ring up inside the darkness. Sanctuary. He was alone in a dark [...]
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Is there any doubt that the best moment of Skidelsky’s Politicians and the Slump is the caption to the photograph of Baldwin looking particularly sententious between pp. 82-83 that reads “Mr. Baldwin has invented the formidable argument that you must not do anything because it will mean that you will not be able to do [...]
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Behold! Philosophical works among [the Solipsists] are more or less of this sort: “Does the scarab roll dung into a ball paradigmatically?” “If a mouse urinates in the sea, is there a risk of shipwreck?” “Are mathematical points receptacles for spirits?” “Is a belch an exhalation of the soul?” “Does the barking of a dog [...]
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Watercooler Colleague #1: I lost a rather promising barbarian between Master Kaen and an incubus. Colleague #2: (With knowing smile) Been playing a bit of Nethack, have we? Colleague #1: (Incredulously) Nethack? Of course, I know the Willie and the space invaders bit, but I’m looking for earlier examples.
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