The pursuit of happiness

A great review from the New York Review of books featuring Exploring Happiness and The Politics of Happiness - written by a husband and wife!
Enjoy.

Food for thought

This article in The Philosophers Magazine sees Oxford academic Peter Hacker present his ideas on the nature of philosophy and the brain. It made my head spin in parts, but, as with the majority of those who have commented, I don't believe a person can exist without a brain (as Hacker does...read on to find out more).
Enjoy.

"Politics, noun. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage." —Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary

An interesting article from John Kinsley, founder of Slate magazine, about intellectual honesty.
I'm sure most of this could be said to apply universally to politicians, not just those in in the US.

The latest facebook-related post.

Zadie Smith's article Generation Why? for the New York Review of Books is one of the most interesting things I have read lately, encompassing as it does a review of The Social Network, a riff on intergenerational differences, the effect of software itself on us (this what somewhat of a paradigm shift for myself) Toussaint and Jaron Lainer's You are Not a Gadget: A Manifesto, which, needless to say, I am now desperate to read.

Quite a jump from Molly Ringwald being chatted up on the computer in the schol library in Pretty in Pink.

I often find the best writing manages to make a broader point about society, the human condition, the nature of existence - whatever you will call it - from a seamingly self-contained topic as Smith does here with such lightness of touch. Surely that must mean a masterly talent for observation, as well as being able to write. Truly great, in my humble opinion.

The internet is evil.

A great article about the changes occuring in our brains as a result of the internet, and how it's opposite is found in the novel.

The Art of Travel

A truly great (in my opinion) article about travel writing.
Shame it wasn't published while I was writing my thesis, in a similar vein.

"Dinner parties are mere formalities; but you invite a man to breakfast because you want to see him."

This is a great blog that reviews breakfast places in London.

I have a breakfast date with a friend who I haven't seen for months on Sunday morning and can't wait!
...and to read while you have brekkie: London Caff's.

Food for thought

One of the best hoaxes in philosophy.
Enjoy.

Do's and Don'ts

A guide to writing fiction - writers have given 10 rules they believe important when composing fiction. Not sure if I agree with every single one, but interesting to see how this mirrors each author's style.
Again, I note the return to the list.

One of many literary-themed posts to celebrate the upcoming world book day.
Enjoy.

The brain

    Food for thought about the brain and our thought processes.

Reappraisals.

An article about historian Tony Judt. I relate to his confession that "I enjoyed teaching, and sitting in an armchair—feet up, with a glass of wine and a cigarette—reading books."
Am I attracted to academia for the right reasons?
Enjoy.

John Gray

This is an old interview with from The Philosphers Zone...and oldie but a goodie, as it were.

Lists

This cute list reminds me of the article about Umberto Ecco and his exhibition on lists at the Louvre.
Enjoy.

Book Review

Bryan Appleyard on John Gray on religion.
Good stuff.

The world today

An article about the changing nature of international politics today.

Books that changed the world

A great, great article on books that helped to change the world.
Enjoy.

Hackneyed

An article about cliches.

Your thoughts?

Is Woody Allen now an anachronism?

Food for thought

An interesting book review.
In all his photos, however, he looks slightly uncomfortable.

A little bit of eccentricity

A great interview of eccentric Italian novelist Umberto Eco about, among other things, lists.
As a lover of lists myself, it was nice to know this bordeline obsessive-compulsive habit is not uniquely mine.
He has a new exhibition at the Lourve, ipso facto, a photo of Paris (although who really needs an excuse?)
Enjoy.