Both Worlds 09/05/2005 Regular readers will have noted the addition of a Links page to this blog some time ago. Note also that I do not call it blogrolling. Everything to do with this blog is hand-crafted by my son, Mad, and we do not "buy in" technology from outside. This means that you get here the quality that goes with the term "hand-made"; this is no machine-made site from a production line designed for the mass market. No, in this blog you have the quality that goes with careful craftsmanship from the hands of real people (it may at times resemble those lop-sided pots produced by your "artistic" Aunt Jemima but, hey, we're learning all the time).Some blogs have a list of links as long as your arm. I try to limit my list to those that I visit every day. In this way, I don't submerge any recommended links in a multitude so extensive that it never gets read, let alone used. And the intention is, as always, to offer quality. If you hover the cursor over any of the blogs listed in my Links page, you will see a brief summary of the reason for its inclusion. I can guarantee that the reason given is never "Well, he blogrolled me so I'm returning the favor (even though his site's awful)."Every so often I come across a blog that deserves more than just a link. Some time ago I posted an article regarding one of these, Hereunder. And now I find that it's time to bring another excellent blog into the spotlight.This is Gary Bourque's blog, Both Worlds. I have been reading Gary for some time now and am astounded at both the quality of his writing and the breadth of his interests. If you have a look under his About section, you will see that he ranges from writing to sport, culture to American Idol (how did that get in there?), politics to the family, financial markets to matters of faith. Now there's a Renaissance man, if ever I saw one.One of Gary's recent posts, Engaging Minds, Good Conversation, pointed out three other blogs where he is engaged in discussion. All three are excellent examples of reasoned and insult-free debate, a rarity in the blogosphere and the real world. If you enjoy logic and debate without rancor, I recommend that you have a look at these.The first is a "discussion about personal freedom and its relation to public morality". This made me think about the difference between political debate in Europe and America. I may be wrong (not having bothered with politics in Europe) but it seems to me that Europe no longer thinks about the roots of its political systems. Usually such things are taken for granted and political discussion is far more likely to center on such things as the price of beer and whether to ban fox hunting or not. In America, however, the basis of the political system is still a live issue and is debated intensively wherever intelligent people meet. Just as an instance of this, there is an ongoing struggle at the moment between the left and the right regarding the exact meaning of the separation of church and state, something that is fundamental to how the Americans regard their country.Obviously, one of the reasons for this continued interest in the political system is that America is so young in historical terms. But I think there are other reasons involved too. The destruction of education has progressed farther in Europe than in America and the result is that there are fewer people who have the capacity to think logically about such issues. The recent emasculation of the House of Lords in Britain is an example. This was done without any reasoned debate at all and was, apparently, merely the result of a presumption that the Lords served no useful purpose apart from occasionally blocking "the will of the people". There seemed to be no understanding whatsoever of the historical and less visible functions of the Lords and Britain will be the poorer for their abolition, in my humble opinion.Gary then points at a conversation he is having about the reasons to believe in Christianity. I have not contributed to the discussion, partly because I arrived late and also because it was more fun just to watch. If I had been moved to comment at all, it would have been only to point out that Icarus Goodman, the atheist in the discussion, made his best point when he said, "A revelation is only a revelation to the man who truth is revealed to. When that man tells another what happened to him, then that is just one man telling another man a story." It's a good point because it highlights a fundamental fact about Christianity that has been glossed over in this particular debate: that, through Christ, we can come to know God personally. And this really is the ultimate answer to all of Icarus' objections - that I believe in God because I have met Him.In the third of the discussions, Gary and Patrick O'Hannigan have a very learned debate on certain points that divide the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches. Far be it from me to intervene in such deep theological issues. However, I would agree with Gary when he says that there is less disagreement between Patrick and himself than might appear from the length of the discussion. And, of course, being a Calvinist in my own theology, I am quite sure that the matters they discuss will not count at all when the Lord comes to separate the sheep from the goats.Remember that I am pointing out just one of Gary's posts. He updates regularly and, as I mentioned, he ranges through all sorts of subjects. His latest is an interesting suggestion that environmentalism is a modern religion and, in earlier posts, you will find considerations of the progress of American Idol (I'd love to know what he sees in it!).Take my advice: set aside some time and have a good look at Both Worlds.
Clive
Way When it comes to understanding this infernal computer and terms used to describe its many functions, I be the goat. Thankfully, though, I have access to others way smarter than me, or I'd be long gone. Now, I must go and read. Date Added: 09/05/2005
Gone Away Alicia to the rescue, huh, Way? ;) Date Added: 09/05/2005
Mad Oi! What's that lobsided pot crack all about! *deletes the Gone Away database* Date Added: 09/05/2005
Way Um, Ali's not a Brit, mate. :D Now I am still a little woozy after this weekend (see Haiku to Aches), but from what little I was able to absorb from Both Worlds made an impression. How do you manage to find time to read so much and discover things like that, I wonder? Date Added: 09/05/2005
Way That's scary. I thought Mad brought us a lobster. Date Added: 09/05/2005
Gone Away Just a little bow to modesty, Mad. ;) Date Added: 09/05/2005
Gone Away How do I find the time? By stealing from sleep time, Way. ;) And it sounds as though I have another haiku to read... Date Added: 09/05/2005
Ned I did check out Both Worlds and it is well-written and thought-provoking. Certainly a good recommendation for a new regular read. Thanks. Date Added: 09/05/2005
Gone Away Entirely my pleasure, Ned. :) Date Added: 09/05/2005
Gary Clive, You are too kind. (But flattery will get you everywhere). Thanks so much. I agree with your assessment of what blogrolls should be. I find myself removing links almost as often as I add them. I feel stupid having a link to blogs I rarely visit, though I still have some. I have just rectified the error of not having your blog in my blogroll and will be adding a post linking to this one. I also appreciate your sharpening the point about discovery of God ultimately being a personal encounter, as well as your other insights into the discussions. And I have to say that your writing is defintely a cut above most of the blogs I have read. Best, Gary (Both Worlds) Date Added: 09/05/2005
Gone Away And thank you too, Gary. Date Added: 09/05/2005
Patrick O'Hannigan Thanks for putting me in such fast company. I agree with you about Gary, BTW-- used to work with the guy, and am pleased to be able to call him a friend still. Date Added: 09/05/2005
Gone Away You are very welcome, Patrick. And may I say how much of a pleasure it was to witness such a finely conducted discussion as the two of you had? Date Added: 09/05/2005
Jodie Thanks Gone! I've enjoyed the sites you find for us (and STILL flattered to be one of them). Date Added: 09/05/2005
Gone Away Jodie, yours is one of the best. And who else could tell us all about anal sphincter reconstruction? ;) Date Added: 09/05/2005
Jodie You should listen in on nurses at lunch -- you would not BELIEVE the conversations. Or that fact that we can eat while talking about that stuff. Date Added: 09/05/2005
Gone Away Thanks for the warning, Jodie. ;) Date Added: 09/05/2005
keeefer I was going to mention the lob sided pot thing, but thought mad would be deflated enough after failing his bike test (only joking bruh, i likes yer tinterweb pages i does). I will try and stop by both worlds today, but will attempt not to post a comment as i seem very accomplished at upsetting people with a few strokes of my keyboard. I am rather proud of this gift and have decided to save it for those sites that truly deserve it. Date Added: 10/05/2005
Gone Away Actually, Keef, I was just thinking that I may have a use for that gift of yours. I'll let you know... ;) Date Added: 10/05/2005
Way Blog-intrigue...my life-blood :p Go by and welcome another, Gone, since yer awake...http://thefractalcat.tblog.com/ Date Added: 10/05/2005
Gone Away Hmmm, getting no answer on this one, Way. Do you think he's home? Date Added: 10/05/2005
keeefer Ok Gone, but i charge for weddings and bar mitzvahs Date Added: 10/05/2005
Gone Away As it happens, it fell through. Was just a little project that I thought you might be interested in but they have it finished now so the need has disappeared. Sorry. :| Date Added: 10/05/2005
keeefer ah well, never mind, i know when im not wanted. It has reminded me of somthing thats been ticking away in the back of my head for a while though that you may be interested in. Im toying with the idea of a written conversation. except written by two seperate parties via email. The subject gets chosen at random and the inane comments/amusing meanderings are batted back and forth.....kind of peter cook and dudley moore in electronic format. I think if done right they could be hysterical....what do ya think? Date Added: 10/05/2005
Gone Away You mean as a blog? I'd be careful with that. I've seen it done and it's not brilliantly successful - what strikes the two having the conversation is often banal or merely boring to the reader. But if you could find that conversation we had when Mad was in Oz.... Date Added: 10/05/2005
keeefer hmmm i just reread that post and it doesnt explain the concept very well. When the conversation reaches its end, it would be tidied up put into a scene (for example 2 guys in a pub or priest and man in confession booth etc) and then posted as a blog. I think i can make it work but i need a partner in crime. Date Added: 10/05/2005
keeefer I have no idea where that is Gone, that was most enjoyable and mostly insane. Date Added: 10/05/2005
Gone Away I think I lost it when my old hard drive went down. What a great loss to humanity that was, akin to the burning of the library at Alexandria.... :( Date Added: 10/05/2005
keeefer yeah sorry about that, i had a crafty cigarette in the study. Maybe it would work if both writers took complete control of their character. So you set a scene say sergeant and private on an army base and a topic...could be anything and each writes from their characters point of view, including actions and scene interaction. The other person responding to the firsts piece etc. The writing styles would look chaotic in draft form but thats easily uniformed when the piece is finished. If it works you could expand it out to maybe 3 writers and see what chaos you can create. Date Added: 10/05/2005
Gone Away I like the idea of three writers - extra chaos available in that scenario. My main problem in being involved is that you're awake and raring to go just at the time when I've about had enough. The end of the day is constant blogclicking for me and it gets tedious, so there's nothing left for any creativity... Date Added: 10/05/2005
keeefer lol, it would definatley be a lengthy process. Im not envisaging the whole thing taking place in one coffee and nicotine fuelled frenzy. Im thinking for the main part you just send it as a word doc, or an email and just keep adding to it until it reaches a conclusion. Then you designate an editor let them tidy it and then you post and watch the comments to gauge the success Date Added: 10/05/2005
Gone Away Okay, let's try it. Who's the third blogger? Mad? Date Added: 10/05/2005
keeefer Yeah if he wants to be part of it. Will you speak to him today/tomorrow? Date Added: 10/05/2005
Gone Away I'll see him tomorrow morning. He'll get all these comments anyway - the email goes to him as well as me. Date Added: 10/05/2005
keeefer Aha! a good point. well i dont think i have your email addy Gone so if you want to email me keeefer@hotmail.com we can start from there Date Added: 10/05/2005
Gone Away Tomorrow morning, Keef, tomorrow morning! LOL Actually, the email address is up there under the Contact button... ;) Date Added: 10/05/2005
keeefer oh yeah....how cunning Date Added: 10/05/2005
Gone Away Very clever, these web developers. :D Date Added: 10/05/2005
keeefer Who'd have thought it. I always believed them contact buttons were to start the engines of the tinterweb Date Added: 10/05/2005
Gone Away LOL Date Added: 10/05/2005
Rusty I'll have to squeeze that one in there sometime... if I had to pick though, I'd pick the Catholics. They'd draw me in the with occult stuff. It is much more interesting. Date Added: 10/05/2005
Gone Away Before I became a Christian, Rusty, I always imagined that, if it ever happened, I'd have to be a Catholic. When it did happen, all that seemed to fall away. ;) Date Added: 10/05/2005
prying1 I was raised Catholic. When I met Jesus I figured I was no longer Catholic because I had never heard of any of my Catholic friends or relatives having had that experience. It was a Lutheran friend who gave me the clue to meeting Christ. Three simple words opened the door. Three days of contemplation before I walked through it. (metaphorically speaking) - The words? - Oh. All my friend said that opened my heart was, "He's still alive!"
Thanks for putting me in your blogroll Clive. I am honored. Date Added: 11/05/2005
Gone Away Quality will out, Paul. ;) Date Added: 11/05/2005
prying1 Hope you don't ming me putting an addition to the previous comment. I thought I would clarify that I am not now an anti-Catholic Protestant. (I was at one time.) I was reminded this morning by a friend that God does not look at us as Catholic or Protestant or even Non-denominational. According to the scriptures He looks at all his children as sons and daughters. Date Added: 11/05/2005
Gone Away Agreed totally, Paul. And never apologize for extra comments. The more the merrier, say I. ;) Date Added: 11/05/2005
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