Brendan Phelan
Recent Activity
Re: Jason Kottke: The Blogger's Blogger
I understand what skeptics are getting at when they talk about a hand-shake being more 'human' than meeting people online. But we have to remember that without the internet, most of the people who are onlne chatting, sharing and expressing themselves would be sitting at home in their own little worlds watching (mostly bad) TV. Thats not just shy people. Thats everybody. The internet is a forum and a meeting place for anyone with access, and it 'exists' (for want of a better word) in our individual homes, sittings rooms and bedrooms. Soon we will all be carrying it around in our pockets. Anything that brings us together in our stratified, contemporay societies is a healthy thing. The future? I see the internet as a potentially significant tool in bringing real human communities together. The technology will only bind them in unique ways. A tool that allows anyone on earth to meet other people at an ideas level is a very powerful, and potentially revolutionary one indeed. Only time will tell. … Read More
March 17, 2008 |
I love that you have highlighted a very important fact in the whole argument. It is not just about whether or not 'global warming' is happening. The central point of the argument is something far more profound and important, though I disagree with the point about our 'stewardship'. We are not the stewards of the earth. My belief is that we are the earth. We were borne from the earth, and we will return to the earth when we die. We belong here, as does every single organism that has ever lived, with one very important exception - we can realise it and we can celebrate it. I would like to think that every belief system and institutionalised religion on earth could respect and believe in that idea.To disrespect the earth is to disrespect our home, our people, our family and ourselves. To respect and to celebrate it is to truly live out two of the greatest things we can do as people. … Read More
March 17, 2008 |
Brendan Phelan commented on What forces have shaped America most? on March 17, 2008, 8:33 AM
It%u2019s very true that the state and status of the Irish language today is more of a political and academic issue that it is a truly cultural one. This attitude to the language by Irish people themselves has done more damage than any foreign invaders. We have lost the sense that it is our means of expression; our storytelling tool. Imagine if you were to take Film out of American culture. You would loose that means of expression; that storytelling tool. You would loose that treasure trove of culture. Imagine if 20 years from now no one knew who Bogart or Scorsese was. So it has been with the loss of our language. Politically and academically inspired revivals have failed in the past; maybe its time for a truly cultural one. Inspire people. Show them how they can only gain from having a second language. One that speaks directly to them, and about them, as Irish people.
Brendan Phelan commented on What forces have shaped America most? on March 17, 2008, 4:33 AM
It%u2019s very true that the state and status of the Irish language today is more of a political and academic issue that it is a truly cultural one. This attitude to the language by Irish people themselves has done more damage than any foreign invaders. We have lost the sense that it is our means of expression; our storytelling tool. Imagine if you were to take Film out of American culture. You would loose that means of expression; that storytelling tool. You would loose that treasure trove of culture. Imagine if 20 years from now no one knew who Bogart or Scorsese was. So it has been with the loss of our language. Politically and academically inspired revivals have failed in the past; maybe its time for a truly cultural one. Inspire people. Show them how they can only gain from having a second language. One that speaks directly to them, and about them, as Irish people.
Brendan Phelan commented on Re: Stewards of the Earth on March 17, 2008, 5:00 PM
Unnatural to live on the moon or mars? I dont believe so. We are the Universe in the same way we are the Earth. The same elements make up us as the planets and the stars. Different systems picked up elements for different purposes, but the elements are the same. I think I understand where the question is coming from, but the best way I have to answer is with another question. Is it unnatural for a duckling to leave its mother's nest? For people to fly planes? For mammals to return to the sea? 'Being natural' does not have anything to do with your location. The moon and Mars may not provide for us as earth-borne natural beings, but that does not make living on them 'unnatural' in the classic sense of the term.