Now reading (The Book Thread)
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"The Myths of Reality" by Simon Danser
Simon Danser asks us to think of myths as like the lenses in spectacles – we see the world through them, but rarely see them in their own right. He then systematically focuses on the myths at the core of the belief systems which create every aspect of what we take to be reality: religion, politics, commerce, science, knowledge, consciousness, self-identity, and much else that we take as 'given'.
This book reveals how reality is culturally constructed in an ever- continuing process from mythic fragments transmitted by the mass media and adapted through face-to-face and Internet conversations.
From the Inside Flap
"This liberal author's knowledge of contemporary society is amazingly broad. He exposits the mythic depths (and appearances) of everything from 'the myth of science' to superhero attitudes of contemporary American nationalism.
"Along the way he challenges many superficial trivialities about myths functioning in culture. He regards the mythic as a primary, highly effective agent of social ideology, and is never hesitant about demanding that the garments of our truly mythological capitalism are ill-fitting and socially harmful.
"This is the best book I know in terms of disclosing the pragmatic functioning of myth in society."
William Doty
Professor Emeritus, The University of Alabama and author of
'Mythography: The study of myths and rituals'
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Myths-Reali...ef=sr_1_3/026-0558032-4168442?ie=UTF8&s=books
Simon Danser asks us to think of myths as like the lenses in spectacles – we see the world through them, but rarely see them in their own right. He then systematically focuses on the myths at the core of the belief systems which create every aspect of what we take to be reality: religion, politics, commerce, science, knowledge, consciousness, self-identity, and much else that we take as 'given'.
This book reveals how reality is culturally constructed in an ever- continuing process from mythic fragments transmitted by the mass media and adapted through face-to-face and Internet conversations.
From the Inside Flap
"This liberal author's knowledge of contemporary society is amazingly broad. He exposits the mythic depths (and appearances) of everything from 'the myth of science' to superhero attitudes of contemporary American nationalism.
"Along the way he challenges many superficial trivialities about myths functioning in culture. He regards the mythic as a primary, highly effective agent of social ideology, and is never hesitant about demanding that the garments of our truly mythological capitalism are ill-fitting and socially harmful.
"This is the best book I know in terms of disclosing the pragmatic functioning of myth in society."
William Doty
Professor Emeritus, The University of Alabama and author of
'Mythography: The study of myths and rituals'
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Myths-Reali...ef=sr_1_3/026-0558032-4168442?ie=UTF8&s=books
"Ash: A Secret History" by Mary Gentle
Mainly semi-historical/fantasy tale about a female mercenary leader in fifteenth century Europe, but interspersed with emails between the "translator" and the "publisher", which explore the idea of what history is (trying not to spoil it for others).
It's a fairly hefty book, but well written and very thoroughly researched - it serves as a good introduction to mediaeval weaponry, armour, heraldry and siege warfare!
Mainly semi-historical/fantasy tale about a female mercenary leader in fifteenth century Europe, but interspersed with emails between the "translator" and the "publisher", which explore the idea of what history is (trying not to spoil it for others).
It's a fairly hefty book, but well written and very thoroughly researched - it serves as a good introduction to mediaeval weaponry, armour, heraldry and siege warfare!
Simon Danser "Myths of Reality"
I've never so much argued with an author of a book before, and neither have I agreed so often.
This book is not neccesseraly an easy experience, but it's worth it.
Read about it:
http://www.hoap.co.uk/alternative.htm
edit: oh, I had forgotten that I had already mentioned it here.
I've never so much argued with an author of a book before, and neither have I agreed so often.
This book is not neccesseraly an easy experience, but it's worth it.
Read about it:
http://www.hoap.co.uk/alternative.htm
edit: oh, I had forgotten that I had already mentioned it here.
Contact, Carl Sagan
The Demon-Haunted World, Carl Sagan
The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins
The Demon-Haunted World, Carl Sagan
The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins
How do you like Contact?
He's no novelist. Interesting plot, but too much information. He's like a news reporter documenting everything. The love story in the backround is not believable. With some editing it could be quite readable.
I just learned that Carl Sagan also wrote Marijuana Reconsidered under a false name. I used that book in a high school debate class!! I was assigned the pro-:m: legalization stance, and no one agreed with me. I did convince myself and that was way before I ever tried anything!!
I just learned that Carl Sagan also wrote Marijuana Reconsidered under a false name. I used that book in a high school debate class!! I was assigned the pro-:m: legalization stance, and no one agreed with me. I did convince myself and that was way before I ever tried anything!!
In addition, regarding Contact, the plot seems weirdly dated. In some cases, there is evidence of futuristic advancement, such as orbiting condos. On the other hand, he writes about continuing problems in South Africa and the US/USSR standoff, which really take away from believability for me.
I'm reading:
EO Wilson's: Consilience. Just started
Robert Flynn's: Race, IQ and Jensen. Just started.
My school workload is so ridiculously easy I have to find other things to occupy my time. So I have a lot of time to do other things. I guess going to a dummy shool has its benefits.
EO Wilson's: Consilience. Just started
Robert Flynn's: Race, IQ and Jensen. Just started.
My school workload is so ridiculously easy I have to find other things to occupy my time. So I have a lot of time to do other things. I guess going to a dummy shool has its benefits.
loganosborne
Registered Member
At the moment I am reading Domsday 50 visions of the end of the world by Nigel Cawthorne.
Albert Camus, The outsider.
I think it sucked big time mainly because of the religious undertone...well..not undertone...main theme.
I think it sucked big time mainly because of the religious undertone...well..not undertone...main theme.
"Soul Music" by Terry Pratchett
"A Game of Thrones" by George R R Martin
"A Game of Thrones" by George R R Martin
"The Pusuit if Victory; Life and Achievements of Hiratio Nelson" by Roger Knight
"Die Weltgeschichte in Zusammenhängen" by (forgot)
"Die Weltgeschichte in Zusammenhängen" by (forgot)
The Argumentative Indian by Amartya Sen
http://www.amazon.com/Argumentative-Indian-Writings-History-Identity/dp/0374105839
An excellent read on Indian prolixity and its effects on the pluralistic nature of Indian society
http://www.amazon.com/Argumentative-Indian-Writings-History-Identity/dp/0374105839
An excellent read on Indian prolixity and its effects on the pluralistic nature of Indian society