by Ethan Johnson
December 24, 2007

Every so often, I'll click a link at random, and wonder why I don't engage in random link-clicking more often. Case in point: Below the Eight. Read the blog to learn the story behind the name. Anyway, the author wrote out a list of things that she doesn't "get", and pretty much nailed something that has nagged at me here and there, as one of the unwashed masses:

by Ethan Johnson
December 2, 2007

I have been stewing on this for some time, and have opted to empty out my thoughts here for further examination. With limited exceptions, I take a dim view of "new" translations of ancient texts, and especially so for re-interpretations (Ralph Alan Dale's treatment of the Tao Te Ching comes immediately to mind). For translations (defined as someone going over the texts of the source language and translating it into say, English), layers of translation separates us further and further from whatever the original material actually said. For re-interpretations (defined as someone reviewing either the source material, or a popular translation of same and giving his or her own "spin" to it), layers of semantics and subjective opinion take us further and further from whatever the original material actually meant.

by Ethan Johnson
October 16, 2007

Oh darn, I missed Blog Action Day. Good thing I don't operate a blog. Since various "days" are declared hither an yon online, I found it ironic that on Blog Action Day, which is intended to raise awareness of environmental issues, I was poring over a synopsis of The Gaia Hypothesis. While I may come off as overly flippant about events like Blog Action Day, I do think that issues like climate change and environmental responsibility are important. But I think some insight into the Gaia Hypothesis is in order.

by Ethan Johnson
October 15, 2007

While on a quest to understand how energy/eletricity is harnessed and used to power our various creature comforts, I stumbled upon a page that chronicles some of the crackpot theories of yore that are now widely accepted as fact. From the introduction:

by Ethan Johnson
August 21, 2007

It has been a long time since I clicked over to read the latest exploits of the extremely left-wing web comic called Minimum Security. Extreme politics aren't my bag, man, but for the purposes of leaving a snarky blog comment I hopped over there figuring extreme views on recycling and attempts at "living green" would be nary a stone's throw away. I was correct. Upon further review, I simply must exercise my Fair Use rights and share a few thoughts.

by Ethan Johnson
July 31, 2007

As much as I'd like to completely shred the interview CNN conducted with Trilby Lundberg that I read this morning, in fairness, I respect that people have differing views of How Things Ought To Be™. Though I may not agree with their point of view, I appreciate the opportunity to evaluate those views and accept or reject them as I may.

by Ethan Johnson
March 13, 2007

In my experience, "skeptical" blogs tend to favor science/empiricism over all else, and tend to actively beat up on organized religion, spirituality, superstition, and dogma. Not that these subjects don't lend themselves to a fair amount of bashing - burquas, anyone? How about being stoned for sinning? How about letting a superstition stand in the way of positive action? However, such blogs tend to raise the spectre of "atheism", which I cannot support in good conscience. Here's why.

by Ethan Johnson
January 29, 2007

I watch waaaaay too much TV. I have been trying to cut back, but boy howdy, there's some really compelling stuff on these days, and even with the magic of Tivo&0153; it's hard to keep up. Rather than prattle on about the shows I watch regularly, here are some off-the-wall shows I've seen recently: