Yes, we're late on getting this post-Easter show out. Whaddaya want, your money back? As we try to recover from our collective post-Easter hangovers, the topics range from stomach-turning in the gross sense to stomach turning in the scary sense. Nothing like variety! Andy quizzes the … Read more about Exploding Whales, Quiverfull Scandals and Scary Russians (CultureCast)
Cool Weed, Cold Wars, Smokin’ Apps and Hot Messes
Sometimes we just talk so damn much, there's no time for an interview. This happens to be one of those weeks... With Sanjay Gupta re-upping his stance on Medical Marijuana, Vladimir Putin slignin' his weight around in Ukraine, Millennials smashin cultural trends, Lent in full swing, tons of apps … Read more about Cool Weed, Cold Wars, Smokin’ Apps and Hot Messes
Jihad v. McWorld: How We Imagine A Nation part 4
A Second Shift In the previous 3 parts we established that a significant shift took place in the late 19th and early 20th century. This initial shift in modernity has subsequently created the possibility of a second, more contemporary, move that I want to explore. Taylor provides the context of … Read more about Jihad v. McWorld: How We Imagine A Nation part 4
How We Imagine A Nation part 3
In the shadow of the Sochi Olympics and the unfolding tension in the Ukraine, we are exploring the theme/thesis that: 'Nation' is both sovereign and transcendent. 'Nation' is both a social imaginary and an emergent reality. Benedict Anderson explains that the notion of imagined communities … Read more about How We Imagine A Nation part 3
How We Imagine A Nation part 2
In part 1 I introduced a theme/thesis for this series of posts: ‘Nation’ is both sovereign and transcendent. ‘Nation’ is both a social imaginary and an emergent reality. Charles Taylor utilizes the term ‘social imaginary’ to refer to god-like capacity described by Anderson. The term … Read more about How We Imagine A Nation part 2
How We Imagine A Nation part 1
Watching the Olympics was different for me this time. During the past four years I have been in a PhD program and have burrowed down into topics that have deeply impacted me. Within one of my cognate fields (non-core studies) I addressed the issue of nationalism and the modern imaginary. The … Read more about How We Imagine A Nation part 1
A Prayer for Ukraine
News stories about places that you have been feel different from other news stories. Even a short visit can plant of seed of connection that feels like an invested interest when there is a crisis. Several years ago I had the opportunity to go to the Ukraine. I was teaching a class for a new … Read more about A Prayer for Ukraine
Jesu Babushka: the day after Easter
Easter turns everything upside down. The temple veil is torn in two. The sealed stone is rolled away. The dead are made alive. In darkness we have seen the light. The powers are defeated. I have friends who are transitioning back to paycheck & mortgage N. America after 15 years of international … Read more about Jesu Babushka: the day after Easter