PlayWrite
Last night I enjoyed the fortuitous oppotunity to enjoy the play Gershwin Alone at the Pasadena Playhouse. I was inspired by this historical monologue and musical that examined the life and accomplishments of George Gershwin. I thought it was pretty amazing what a writer can accomplish in piecing together an entire life of a person for presentation in a 90 minute time slot. I am reminded how important it is to examine the quality of communication in any written work. If a piece of writing does not communicate its intention, what good then should it be?
WoW Mythology Attracts the Religious
World of Warcraft has attracted millions of people without discrimination from all over the world. its stunning graphics and easy to learn mode makes it fun for adults and kids of all ages. But, its not just an empty computer game. Beneath the surface of attractive and edgy wrappers and flashy website invitations lies an entire world made up of social groups, both fictional and virtual. Story lines include mythos and typecasts that are not unfamiliar to people who have experienced religion or studied history.
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/15-minutes-of-fame-when-wow-meets-real-world-religion/
Common Era Synagogues
This story unveils the recent discovery of a Samaritan temple found near Mt. Gerizim that existed over a thousand years ago. The Gospel of John speaks of Samaritans as included in the redemption of those who follow Christ. Though their has been much religious controversy between followers of Judaism and those of Samaritanism since before the emergence of Christianity, Jesus reached out to both and urged a new way of worship that did not depend on a location. He declared that the time had come to worship God in “spirit and in truth.”
A Mummies Right to Freedom of Religion
To what extent should the public consider religious preferences of ancient civilizations. For many years in dealing with Native Americans, the U.S. has sought to restore and preserve religious space for our predecessors in this country. Does the same apply for respecting the religious burial rights of the ancient Egyptians?
Freedom for religious preference has been in high demand lately, even when two or more religions contradict in such a way that coexistence seems impossible. Is human society advanced enough to manage the details of polyvalent religions both modern and ancient? It seems that some difficult lines will have to be drawn as priorities are unveiled. This article has some interesting insight on the issue by researchers in the field, who raise interesting perspectives on the character and reputation of an historical figure, such as Tutankhamun, who has a certain reputation among modern scholars and hobbyists, not to mention fourth grade history classes.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20727774.600-do-egyptian-mummies-have-a-right-to-privacy.html
Writing Responsibility
What responsibility does a writer have to their audience? To their society? This article outlines the attempts of an author to reason to conclusion some grandiose conceptions about the existence (or non-existence, rather) of God. Yet he is criticized for missing the mark. Do writers have a responsibility to their audience?
http://www.npr.org/blogs/13.7/2010/09/08/129736414/hawking-and-god-an-intimate-relationship
A good writer knows their audience and should make reasonable conclusions. The highest purpose of a writer is to be read and understood. The most difficult thing is identifying a clear audience. And, even with an audience in mind, you never know who may pick up your work. Defining parameters near the beginning of a writing project is an essential part of effective communication. One instructor advised to begin by making a list of your personal and professional interests, religious preferences, and prejudices. Having this information up front can help you determine where your interests (and sometimes your conclusions) stem from. Each writer has something unique to bring into their work that sets them apart from others. Learning to write, not only well, but responsibly sets you up for success.
Grave Robbers
While grave robbers in America’s Noir films and mystery book collections dig up grandmother’s pearls, in Iraq another sort of treasure brings wealth to thieves. It may be argued that old pieces of rock, stone and clay tablets belong simply to the ancient past and are public domain. However, a people’s historical culture may be of as much value to a society as grandmother’s pearls to a family, either for sentiment and display or financial recompense. The article linked below has a recent story about lost and recovered goods from Iraqi earth.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/world/middleeast/08iraq.html?_r=1#
A Book in My Back Pocket
Whenever I travel, I rarely pack fewer than 3 books. Though I try and edit my carryon before I walk out the door, attempting to convince myself that books are unnecessary, that I can look up just about anything on my laptop, the writer within me wins out. I am compelled to have written materials by my side.
This is not a newly formed habit. When I was in grade school, I used to reach for library books that would fit snugly in the back pocket of my jeans. We didn’t have subways where I grew up, so I had never heard of a subway book, but with three younger sisters, I was accustomed to waiting. And while I waited, I read.
With all the new technologically advanced ways to access written and published material via computers, practicality tugs at me to conform to twenty first century ideals. Still, I cannot imagine a day without a book in my back pocket.
Who Whom Which That
I was rallied into a discussion among linguists yesterday regarding the appropriate use of who/whom/which/that. The initial distinction is most familiar. Who and Whom apply to persons, while Which and That apply to things, locations or even situations. Who often refers to the subject of a sentence, for example, the one who throws the ball. Whom is used to situate the recipient of an action in a sentence. To whom is the ball thrown?
That and Which were more difficult to distinguish. However, it is my present assumption that That is used when modifying actions or nouns in transitive or relative states, such as we are looking for the ball that may have rolled under the car. While which may better serve when proceeding a being verb. They used the red ball which was found under the car.
So … that is a word which is used when the subject or object of a sentence is not a person, and if the subject in question is a person, which would also be commonplace, the word becomes a who through which an action is ascribed unto a whom.
the Psalms
Dr. John Goldingay began tonight’s course about the Psalms by mentioning a former student’s linguistic invention: a psalmster is a person who writes psalms. The mere sound of this evolutionary term reminds me of the controversial online music distribution program which came under regulation in the past decade. Unlike Napster, the Psalms are currently available to read (and hear, even) without monetary cost. What are some of the reasons for the Psalms?
Psalms are a tool of expression. The root hll, meaning praise, from the Hebrew word that is ascribed to the groupings we call the Psalms. It is also the root for a word common to religious traditions in many languages today: hallelujah.
The Psalms can also be a source of comfort. My mother used to read the Psalms to me at night, when scary things seemed to attempt to disrupt my rest, keeping sleep from my tired mind. I carry on this tradition with my own children. When my six year old son found himself worried about bothersome dreams a few weeks ago, I read to him from the Psalms. The next morning he came to me and stated that we should read together from the book of God more often.
Conclusive thoughts: while modern advertisements recommend medications with ironic lists of side effects, perhaps we may find better rest in an ancient way of reflection.