When did humanism come to mean atheism? Erasmus wasn't an atheist.
I've been to a humanist funeral (eulogy and a reading from Tolkien), and the celebrant gave an embarrassed laugh when (out of habit) I shook his hand on leaving the crematorium.
Modern atheism doesn't seem quite rational to me. I can't find it easily, but there was an ancient Greek philosopher who, denying the soul, told his followers to throw his body into the road when he died, and when they raised the possibility that wild animals might come to eat him while still alive, told them to put a stick in his hand. That's being consistent with your beliefs.
"The Humanist view of life is progressive and optimistic, in awe of human potential, living without fear of judgement and death, finding enough purpose and meaning in life, love and leaving a good legacy," says the President of the British Humanist Association. Why all this preachiness?
Doubtless I'll be enlightened by some of these paradoxical zealots in the comments.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Financial Apocalypse Now
Cash, Gold, and Swiss gov't bonds.
In 7 years, it could very well be that a Krugerrand buys a decent house!
... says an anonymous commentator on Nourishing Obscurity, after listing multiple dire threats to our wealth and security. Any other expert care to give a view - and put his/her name to it?
In 7 years, it could very well be that a Krugerrand buys a decent house!
... says an anonymous commentator on Nourishing Obscurity, after listing multiple dire threats to our wealth and security. Any other expert care to give a view - and put his/her name to it?
US mortgage GSEs: Bank of China is taking cover
The Chinese have been reducing their investment in Freddie and Fannie (htp: Alice).
What bankers don't know about banking - or do they?
Those red and blue lines remind me of the song, Me And My Shadow.This is from Mark Lundeen's 12 August essay on banking and inflation (htp: The Mogambo Guru). And here's another graph from the same:
(Is it my imagination, or does the curve begin in the 60s?)
Should we call the credit crunch the Shawshank Recession?
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