Moments of Transcendence
I count among my closest friends those who can best be described as true mystics, people whose response to nature is to be literally awash in their feeling of love from the universe. This indescribable feeling of oneness is usually interpreted through the prism of their understanding of the creative act behind the universe. Francis Collins, author of The Language of God, is one such person whose scientific training was overwhelmed by a celebratory moment within nature which led to a realization that the universe had meaning and thus had to have someone who begat it meaning just as it originally gifted life itself. His faith now, while no doubt continuing to have moments of similar ...China & Innovation
I will have some of my own thoughts up soon about this, but in the mean time, Silicon Hutong has something to say I strongly echo: "But we must recognize that our own all-or-nothing political orthodoxy about the flow of information and ideas does nothing to help China find a safe way into its future. If we genuinely want to see the Chinese people - and not just a privileged few - continue to prosper with a reasonable expectation of improving lifestyles, we need to find approaches that will bring Chinese education into the 21st century in a way that invigorates the system without rending the very fabric of Chinese society."Best of Shanghai
I have a love-hate relationship with Shanghai: it is everything big, vibrant and boisterous about the massive transition China is in the mist of. Consequently, it also has the noise, bumping and over-crowding of a city, country and people on the move, and that is not always an enjoyable experience. I have spent a good bit of time in Shanghai in general, and the last several months have spent the better part of a month in the area. While learning my way around the city, I have found some places that are definitely worth your time to visit should you ever find your way to Shanghai. I have found these sort of lists by people ...China Pictures - December ‘07
Apologies for lack of posting in general - December included another trip to China. More on that later ... I didn't take my nice photo equipment, so these are more utilitarian, in particular the insides of factories toured. The ads I took pictures of - "Impossible is Nothing" are for Adidas' brand in China, and emphasize the collective spirit within China for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. A great example of one of the rare times popular advertising captures something important about culture. Pictures here.Room 39
The most recent Food & Wine had a brief write up about Room 39 (one of F&W’s best restaurant dishes of 2007, B39’s Spicy Sautéed Shrimp). Being in the area, I took advantage of eating at their Leawood location. Setting is fine (part of the new retail concept that marries housing with upper end specialty restaurants and stores), but doesn’t match the level of execution of the cuisine. However, this moderate disconnect is remedied very early into the experience of dining. The evening began with a bit of a whimper – the amuse bouche of cold potato with tapenade and non-descript white sauce left a lot to be desired. It had a vague cafeteria food ...Lucas Oil Stadium
This Tuesday, Jen took a tour of the still-in-construction Lucas Oil Stadium with our brother-in-law Shannon. Soon to be the home of the Indianapolis Colts, the $500 million stadium is huge for Indianapolis. In terms of economic development, it will be key to the hope that the demolition of the RCA Dome and Convention Center expansion will prove to be necessary for growing convention dollars coming into the city. It also ushers in a new round of economic development downtown south of State Street. Pictures of their tour here. And no, that isn't a space for Jimmy Hoffa the mini excavator is working on.Mao’s Myth - The Long March
Separating truth from friction is the keystone upon which insightful biographies and relevant histories need to be built, an endeavor never more fraught with difficulty than when the subject of the historian’s gaze is the centerpiece of a nation’s heritage and founding myth or an individual’s ascent to historical significance. Certainly no country is without its own mythology; most have elaborate ensembles of cultural myth which serve to introduce children to the country’s basic goodness and remind adults of the country’s endearing principles in their idealized form. In Sun Shuyun’s new book, The Long March: the True History of Communist China’s Founding Myth, she gracefully but forcefully goes back and re-examines the foundational myth surrounding the Peoples ...Turks & Caicos
Jen and I took a quick trip down to Turks & Caicos to get some much needed R&R. When compared to other parts of the Virgin Islands & Bahamas, the islands are very early into their respective development which means they have a rugged tropical character that is not altogether unpleasant, but likely not to last very much longer given the beauty of their beaches. The food was incredible, but more on that later. For now, some pictures of the trip will have to suffice. See them here.Q3 2007 Bookshelf
Getting my Q3 reading list up has not been a priority, but with some time this morning I pulled it together. Highlights are definitely Thomas Barnett and a couple of biographies (one on Einstein and another on Oppenheimer).Einstein’s God
While reading Walter Isaacson’s majestic biography of Albert Einstein I was deeply moved by his description of Einstein’s view of the universe, and the question of origins as seen by most people in the question of God. In a day of vacillating extremes between the devoutly religious and the disdainful atheists, it is helpful to remember that the very biggest minds this world has ever known were content to wallow in the utter mystery of human existence. To desire certainty may drive us to find solutions, and the only progress we know as beings comes with dissatisfaction at the world as it is, including our explanations and understanding of reality. But certainty can and in may ... « Previous Entries Next Entries »About MysteriousFaith
“If anyone can show me, and prove to me, that I am wrong in thought or deed, I will gladly change. I seek the truth, which never yet hurt anybody. It is only persistence in self-delusion and ignorance which does harm.”
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