Serenity, Such Serenity

I was working on my paper (It concerns the relationship between Roman and true virtue. I'm being all adventerous-like and am going to say the two are incompatible.) at a lovely little coffee shop with the lovely Jene when, needing some relief, I got to thinking about last night's seminar on The Confessions. I realized more clearly than I did in the class that at least three sectionmates seemed to have completely misunderstood both Augustine and the theme of his confessions.

At one point someone said (approximately): I'm just relieved to see that Augustine doesn't forsake the worldy pleasures, that he doesn't scorn the world.

What? There are innumerable passages to the contrary. I pointed them out and asked what they thought about this or that explicit rejection of the world and its pleasures. (I did not say that he hated the world, or that he failed to see the good of its beauty and its pleasures.) I also said that he was naturally virtuous.

To the former their response was that those were merely Augustine's own personal shortcomings, that he only prefers to stay away from food and women and music because they have such an affect on him. The latter caused an uproar. Citing Augustine's own words, they made him out to be this horrible sinner.

But isn't it clear that his exceeding holiness made what most people wouldn't even notice as slight, in his conscience, a horrible sin? That if Augustine is grossly gluttonous then I'm hardly human? If he suffers from lust then half the world is damned on that account? Seriously, Augustine talks about stealing a pear as a signal sin in him. Isn't it clear that his life-long struggle to find truth, to determine his end are far beyond ordinary?

The point is, what does one do when someone doesn't see the obvious (as a matter of experience or wisdom or something)? Here's a better example. I remember in 12th grade making as a passing comment that it takes courage to commit suicide. My class laughed at what they thought to be a ridiculous idea, saying that suicide is the ultimate cowardly act. Well, yeah, it is, except it still takes courage to do it. This I only knew from experience; I read in a novel about a character too scared to commit suicide; I saw in a movie someone too scared to make the leap. So how does one communicate this knowledge?

Jene gave a reassuring argument. Man naturally dislikes pain. Man naturally dislikes death. Therefore, etc. But what when there is no easy argument?

This is Borderline Illegal...

but you can find DJ Dangermouse's Grey Album here. It's a mix of a capella Jay-Z and The Beatles' White Album. I haven't actually heard it yet, since it requires BitTorrent, which the school somehow blocked, but I've heard rave reviews.

and yes, zach, sometimes I listen to Jay-Z (and Kanye).

Trouble in the Bay Area

Check out the latest 9th Circuit Appeals Court decision and check out this commentary. I suppose I'll get around to adding my own two cents later, especially as regards the Court's discussion of the Constitution.

A Funny Joke

...told by the oldest and coolest tutor here, Mrs. Gustin.

An American in London walks up to a Londoner and asks, "Hey, do you know where the subway station is at?" The Londoner responds, "Look mate, around here we don't end our sentences with prepositions." The American responds, "right, sorry. Do you know where the subway is at, asshole?"

A Fantastic Christmas List, or Rich Relative Heads-Up

1. Bose Headphones
2. Anything Macintosh, but iPod especially
3. Almost Everything Beethoven Wrote For the Piano
4. O.E.D. 'nuff said

I really could go on, but that's not in the spirit of Christmas.

Why People Believe Weird Things

So I was walking through Borders the other day, trying to find my all-time favorite theoretical/popular math book One Two Three...Infinity by George Gamow (which I just managed to buy for $2!), which was sadly out of print. I started flipping through those pop science books and came across one entitled Why People Believe Weird Things. It's mostly garbage, but I was enticed by the chapter entitled, "Creationism Objections, Evolution Responses" or something like that.

First of all, the author assumed the most extreme form of Creationism possible; he presented the argument that the Bible is infallible on all accounts, even scientific and historical matters, and that the earth was necessarily made in 6 days and is 10,000 (whatever) years old. So he was arguing against strict (crazy) creationism, but he implied that he was disproving Intelligent Design as well.

At one point he offers the following (paraphrased) answer to the Creationist objection that it would take more seconds than the universe has atoms to have completed the mass evolution from single-cell to modern organisms through random mutations and natural selections (I'm not sure where those numbers come from.) He said that a scientist recently developed a program that, through a series of random mutations and eliminations, reproduced all of Hamlet in a matter of days. How lame! So a program, that is, a strict series of commands and routes written by an intelligent author, imitates nature? That's supposed to disprove Intelligent Design?

We're doing II-8 of the Physics now, in which Ary discusses nature acting for an end. It'd be cool, again, if people studied the thinkers of the past. Ary pretty much lays out the idea of natural selection and darwinian evolution. (If I had my Physics here I'd quote. I don't. But I think it's around 198b30 or so.) And now, interrupted by a discussion of the Golden Rectangle, I've forgotten what it was I meant to say.

I'm Guessing No One Cares But...

The Red Sox managed to trade for Josh Beckett - if you care about this you'll know who he is - and keep their top (hot) prospects Lester, Papelbon, and Hansen. I'm already excited about next year. It's almost assuredly going to wash away the bitterness of the 2005 team that took a bum rap, was doomed by injuries, and cursed by every "Red-Sox Nation" card-carrying bumpkin non-fan after so many sacrificed their bodies and careers (e.g. Schilling, Foulke) to win the Series. There's no sport like baseball. (God bless America.)

The Wyrd Systers?

Anyone else woefully disappointed by the members of Radiohead and their "what the heck is this? mid '90s punk?" performance in Harry Potter? I never thought I would be ashamed of saying I'm a dedicated fan of Radiohead (think: best band ever). But when they came on, I elbowed my friend and said, "hey, those are some cats from Radiohead!" Then they played. Then I hid my head in embarrassment for myself and for Johnny.

Feeling Rejuvenated

A silent retreat over the weekend accounts for my silence, at least. The others are just lazy. Yes, Jene, that means you.

US News' Take on TAC

TAC - 88th College in America

Coleridge Does Euclid

in verse, no less

Hat Tip to my friend Ryan

What a Surprise! I just got ripped off by a large corporation...

My CD player in my car was recently stolen. I went looking through my glove-compartment to find the warrentee that I paid for when I bought the thing, which promised to replace the CD player for whatever reason - a scratch, she said - free of charge. I found it, realized I needed to actually go online and sign up for something for it to be effective, and also that I needed the sales receipt. I called up the store to get the receipt information. They kindly informed me that three months ago when I bought the damn thing I had only 30 days to sign up. Thanks. Not only did they not tell me three months ago that I had only 30 days to sign up, they didn't even bother to tell me that I had to sign up at all. So do I get a refund for this "insurance" or "protection plan" or whatever you want to call it (I prefer "b.s.") that I never received, nevermind took advantage of? Isn't it obvious? absolutely not.

Apparently a Must Read...

Joey McKeown

For my Father

I recalled a sad little anecdote from my early childhood today and thought I'd share it.

I was reading one of those nice, illustrated Odyssey's as a child and was particularly impressed by Odysseus poking Polyphemus' eye out with a large pike. There was a wonderful picture of Odysseus and his men warming the sharpened log over the fire. I, however, thought that the log was being sharpened over the fire. Struck by this glorious insight, I turned on the stove, grabbed one of those popsicle sticks, and started "sharpening" that thing over the open flame. My dad chanced upon me in the act, thought I was playing with fire, and gave me a spanking. That wasn't the worst of it. I remember being speechless, thinking I was doing something marvelous imitating the great Odysseus, though I couldn't express that to my dad. I don't even know if I could speak at the time.

Vindication at last...

Psalm 103

Psalms 103
1. 
102:1 For David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and let all that is within me bless his holy name.
2. 
102:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all he hath done for thee.
3. 
102:3 Who forgiveth all thy iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases.
4. 
102:4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction: who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion.
5. 
102:5 Who satisfieth thy desire with good things: thy youth shall be renewed like the eagle's.
6. 
102:6 The Lord doth mercies, and judgment for all that suffer wrong.
7. 
102:7 He hath made his ways known to Moses: his wills to the children of Israel.
8. 
102:8 The ford is compassionate and merciful: longsuffering and plenteous in mercy.
9. 
102:9 He will not always be angry: nor will he threaten for ever.
10. 
102:10 He hath not dealt with us according to our sins: nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11. 
102:11 For according to the height of the heaven above the earth: he hath strengthened his mercy towards them that fear him.
12. 
102:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our iniquities from us.
13. 
102:13 As a father hath compassion on his children, so hath the Lord compassion on them that fear him:
14. 
102:14 for he knoweth our frame. He remembereth that we are dust:
15. 
102:15 man's days are as grass, as the flower of the field so shall he flourish.
16. 
102:16 For the spirit shall pass in him, and he shall not be: and he shall know his place no more.
17. 
102:17 But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity and unto eternity upon them that fear him: And his justice unto children's children,
18. 
102:18 to such as keep his covenant, And are mindful of his commandments to do them.
19. 
102:19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in heaven: and his kingdom shall rule over all.
20. 
102:20 Bless the Lord, all ye his angels: you that are mighty in strength, and execute his word, hearkening to the voice of his orders.
21. 
102:21 Bless the Lord, all ye his hosts: you ministers of his that do his will.
22. 
102:22 Bless the Lord, all his works: in every place of his dominion, O my soul, bless thou the Lord.

I couldn't resist:

Man working with Nature

Hat Tip to Saint Socrates

Productive Night

I decided to take it easy last night and get some work done, working from 8:30 to midnight on a cello sonata (g minor) that has been progressing at an infinitesimal pace since senior year. Worked out some kinks in the 2nd movement which had been bothering me (though it's not quite done), and have only to put the 3rd down on paper. The 1st is in a nascent stage. It looks like it'll be ready for 2nd semester Schubertiade. I also tried my hand at minimalism, which turned out to be more like a motion picture soundtrack.

On that note...

Check this out.

Best music video ever?

Follow Up on Predestination

I originally wrote this as a comment on the post below, but changed my mind because of its length.

A few thoughts on predestination: First of all, I'm entirely with Ferrier on this one. Since there's no way to know whether one is predestined, one might as well live as if one is, that is, ignoring the possibility of not being predestinated.

My last argument against Augustine failed thanks to the brilliance of Miss Wilson. I argued that man at the very least had to accept God's help, and that was his own action. My analogy was a drowning man-overboard. The ship throws him a life preserver; he can either grab it or not.

But then Miss Wilson asked if everyone were equally corrupted by Original Sin, why would some grab on and others not. In other words, what was it that made one grab and the other not? I was forced to admit God's Grace.

That said, I think Augustine is right. That said, I don't think it's necessarily all Hell and Brimfire. (Now I will get both introspective and controversial.)

The idea of Predestination in Augustine is not a pleasant one. No one joyfully read it and accepted it as the True, or the Beautiful, or the Good. But those mentioned usually bring about happiness in those searching for the Truth, which I hope to be myself, and suspect most people here are. It didn't happen. Why?

The only time that the Truth hurts is when it demands of us something we are unwilling to give up, like money, sex, drugs, etc. So how could Predestination be like these cases? I think it can: Pride. To accept Augustinian (probably true) Predestination is to deny that there is anything good in yourself. The last remnant of self-worth is destroyed. Since no one, or at least very few, people have this complete lack of Pride, then it follows that the idea would hurt. The theory forces one to say ultimately, "No, God, there is nothing good in me. I have nothing my own. Only You are good." Such is probably the pinnacle of piety, but who has attained such holiness?

It's hard to believe that God would willingly withold Grace from anyone, in turn forcing that person into internal punishment. I don't believe the typical answer - God's ways are unsearchable - works here. If a father would never forsake his son out of his own negligence (the father, that is), then wouldn't God even less so? But, one says, God is not bound by human ideas of goodness. Well, I say that Christ taught us to call God Abba, father, and that what goodness we have here on earth obviously isn't contrary to God's goodness; if anything it's but a shadow of the goodness of God. So that, if a father would do anything to save his son, so much more would God do to save His sons. I suppose that means Universal Salvation.

The idea has been growing on me of late. Again, a father only punishes a child for so long - grounded for a week, a month, etc. But the case usually (I'd say always) works out that the father's love and mercy overrule his anger. For example, once I was grounded for three months. It lasted about three weeks. So how much more is God's mercy? You could say that God is glorified in the manifestation of His justice, but isn't a father's justice manifested in those three weeks? three months? It doesn't matter, the mercy and love always win out in the end, nor do they cancel out the justice that was already displayed. So perhaps we can hope that all eventually will receive the Beatific Vision, or at least something not eternal damnation.

Thanks to JENE

"I'm not really sure what's worse; being upset by this whole On the Predestination of the Saints & On the Perseverence of the Saints bit, or watching people who aren't. (I've almost decided that anyone who can accept the doctrine of predestination comfortably at under the age of seventy is either holy in an ungodly amount or inhumane). (This may, of course, point to it being false in a very simple and beautiful way for which we argue lots of things like natural law and God's existence are true.)

It's a good thing most of us are disturbed, I guess, because in some ways trying to find comfort with other people is ultimately better for the soul than not going through the whole thing at all. Loving another person being seeing the face of God and all that. It's sticky stuff, but it's very nice to have someone look you straight in the eye anyway and say something like, "God is near."

Besides, the world can't be all bad when there are fall leaves and Ginger Chews of the Spicy Apple variety and people who can recite beautiful poetry from memory and who will stay out all night with you on your birthday. (Only nine more days of Not Being Legal!) I found my rosary last night and had a nice time studying in the Fine Arts room and today's lunch had mushrooms in it and sundried tomatoes also.

So I guess I know there's love and I'm glad Augustine still says that it's both ours and God's and that's the thing, if the worst they say is "God's gift is freely bringing it about by our willing it," then I can roll it off (or something like it) like big raindrops down my back.

I went and sat with freshmen at lunch today, because I knew they wouldn't be talking about it. They were talking about the termite video, which has really great lines in it like, "It takes the king termite fifteen seconds to walk from one end of his wife to the other," and, "[The anteater] lumbered across the Savannah like a clockwork artichoke."

Posted vicariously by Jene

Music and Money Matters

Where to find a decent recording of Beethoven's piano sonatas? I bought a collection of "the favorites" that is, the named ones (e.g. Appassionata, Pathetique, Tempest, etc.) played by Ashkenazy on a tinny (sp?) piano whose sound distorts when played loud, high, both or either. And the playing itself isn't greatly inspired. I'm listening now to Brendel's. Not convinced either way - I've only started the Appassionata. I like it more than the Ashkenazy, but there must be something better!

I saw Glenn Gould's at Borders, but it's $50 for only the first volume out of however many, so that's definitely not happening. Either way, I'd like not to listen to the Ashkenazy again. Any suggestions?

By the way, I don't think I've ever heard anyone play Mozart's "alla turka" sonata better than Gould.

France is burning, France is burning, look out, look out!

I suppose this is when it's called a revolution or a civil war. What is happening over there?

On a much related note, I just found out about this only today. Apparently this awesome college of mine thinks it's really cool to have internet for maybe a few hours a day. And when it is on, it works sporadically. I've done little work (I work online for IVES Inc.) in the last couple weeks. I have bills to pay. I need money for bills. I need work for money. I hate this very much.

If Jene allows, I'll get something started on Predestination soon. There's much to say, much to say indeed.

St. Josemaria Quote for the Day

"I will tell you which are man's treasures on earth so that you will appreciate them: hunger, thirst, heat, cold, pain, dishonour, poverty, loneliness, betrayal, slander, prison..."

194 in The Way

Other such wonderful and profound statements can be found by checking out the link to the right.

I got the money, you got the honey --

My blog is worth $0.00.
How much is your blog worth?

Just in case you ever thought of accusing us of fueling capitalism or something.

Sometimes Sports Articles are Very Much Worth Reading

Almost everything of Bill Simmons, for example, but most especially this.

Choruses from The Rock, T.S. Eliot

VII

In the beginning GOD created the world. Waste and void.
Waste and void. And darkness was upon the face of
the deep.
And when there were men, in their various ways, they
struggled in torment towards GOD.
Blindly and vainly, for man is a vain thing, and man with-
out GOD is a seed upon the wind: driven this way
and that, and finding no place of lodgment and
germination.
They followed the light and the shadow, and the light
led them forward to light and the shadow led them
to darkness,
Worshipping snakes or trees, worshipping devils rather
than nothing: crying for life beyond life, for ecstasy
not of the flesh.
Waste and void. Waste and void. And darkness on the
face of the deep.

And the Spirit moved upon the face of the water
And men who turned towards the light were known
of the light
Invented the Higher Religions; and the Higher Reli-
gions were good
And led men from light to light, to knowledge of Good
and Evil.
But their light was ever surrounded and shot with dark-
ness
As air of temperate seas is pierced by the still dead
breath of the Arctic Current;
And they came to an end, a dead end stirred with a
flicker of life,
And they came to the withered ancient look of a child
that has died of starvation.
Prayer wheels, worship of the dead, denial of this world,
affirmation of rites with forgotten meanings
In the restless wind-whipped sand, or the hills where the
wind will not let the snow rest.
Waste and void. Waste and void. And darkness on the
face of the deep.

Then came, at a predetermined moment, a moment in
time and of time,
A moment not out of time, but in time, in what we call
history: transecting, bisecting the world of time, a
moment in time but not like a moment of time,
A moment in time but time was made through that mo-
ment: for without the meaning there is no time, and
that moment of time gave the meaning.
Then it seemed as if men must proceed from light to
light, in the light of the Word.
Through the Passion and Sacrifice saved in spite of their
negative being;
Bestial as always before, carnal, self-seeking as always
before, selfish and purblind as ever before,
Yet always struggling, always reaffirming, always re-
summing their march on the way that was lit by the
light;
Often halting, loitering, straying, delaying, returning,
yet following no other way.

But it seems that something has happened that has
never happened before: though we know not just
when, or why, or how, or where.
Men have left GOD not for other gods, they say, but for
no god; and this has never happened before
That men both deny gods and worship gods, professing
first Reason,
And then Money, and Power, and what they call Life, or
Race, or Dialectic
The Church disowned, the tower overthrown, the bells
upturned, what have we to do
But stand with empty hands and palms turned upwards
In an age which advances progressively backwards?