Even though it was first evolved by Leibniz 300 years ago, its applications are still narrow and cautious. Thus, most Internet taxonomical procedures are arranged like the trees of Aristotle, an intellectual element can only have one attribute.

This struck me when I was listening to a radio trailer that asked whether the story of the Nativity of Jesus Christ was "Myth or history?".

It is, of course, both --- but it also has a number of facets without which it cannot be understood. Myth and history, for a start, carry a substantial amount of anthropological, legal and historiographic baggage.

The story is informed by a variety of texts from the Jewish scriptures (The Old Testament) which were themselves part of a continuing reinterpretation of tradition as well as having contemporary political significance. The labour involved in writing, as well as the inclination to be selective, account naturally for chronologies which we might consider partial in both senses of the word.

Unfavourable acts might be suppressed and facts of some relevance might be omitted in order to sharpen a point. As well as being a collection of great wisdom and significance the Bible is, still, journalism in very slow motion.

Then, of course, once the Nativity story was written down, there are all those facets which relate to it as a vital element in two major religions. I can never read St. Luke's account of the birth of Jesus without thinking of the passage in the Quran where his mother sits under a fig tree. .. KEVIN CAREY "In Praise of the Pomegranate" More

MEMOIRS OF THE INFO AGE: : The best technology stories of the coming year will be those written by journalists who focus not on the latest hyping of "vaporware," --- definition: the regurgiation of new corporate entities and their investment bankers. Nor will it be platform or operating system flakking. (You know The Usual Suspects and how they will tell you, invariably and day-after-day, that Linux is where the future lies, that Microsoft 2000's flaws are behind us, that the Mac OS is the place to be.)

No, I predict that the best technology journalism of this year will be from those who are looking at how non-desktop appliance apps will work seamlessly for the average business user and trickle down to the average person, then talk common sense about how so-called "Geeks" finally come to their senses and adapt to non-geek issues.

I began early to make preparations for the second Bush Administration. I refinanced my house, paid off some credit cards, and took out subscriptions to The Nation, Liberal Opinion, The Progressive and Harpers, all good publications with a leftward tilt.

I bookmarked Tom Paine.com, American-Politics.com, VillageVoice.com and of course, G21.net because I felt there would be a need for intelligent discourse and debate in the coming chill of winter and impending Bushism.

I've debated purchasing a gun as I expect they will be cheap and plentiful for the next four years, but I'm holding off pending the 2002 Congressional elections.

As I write this liberals are outraged over Dubya's selection of archconservative John Ashcroft as attorney general.. Ralph G. Neas, president of People for the American Way said:

"With the possible exception of Senator Jesse Helms, I do not believe anyone in the United States Senate has a more abysmal record on civil rights and civil liberties. This nomination is an insult to every person who is committed to our nation's promise of equal justice for all."

Ashcroft, a Missouri Republican, was defeated in his bid to retain his Senate seat by Mel Carnahan, former Missouri governor who was killed in plane crash during the campaign. Carnahan's widow, Jean, will serve until a special election in 2002.

Naturally, anything that gives liberals fits pleases conservatives no end....More


RADIOACTIVE:

Word on The Street

Every twenty years or so, when Black folk heard one too many "Yee-haahs!" from White folks (and, depending on the time in the century, seen too many lynchings, or been beaten down by too many cracker cops, or is just sick and tired and living in fear and with hatred) there is a big mass migration outtah there. Folks say things have changed Down South, but you sure couldn't prove it by anybody I know.

Those same people who are proud to be rednecks and carry shotguns in they rifle racks are also still proud to defend "the honor of the South" by waving the Confederate flag over the state house in South Carolina --- which it took 'til now for them to move --- and still use words like "niggrah" all these years after the Civil War.

It don't seem to bother them none that Black folks was denied the vote again! in Florida in this recent presidential election.

It don't seem to bother them that a Black man was dragged to death behind a pickup truck in President-elect Bush's state of Texas.

And it sure don't seem to bother them that lots of Black folk down in Louisiana, where my kin migrated from, are still share-croppers --- one step up from being a slave...

But what we found when we migrated north, or west, like my folks did during World War II to work in the shipyards out here in Cali, ain't no picnic neither.... More


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For instance, I'm known some people who deal with their natural desire for sex by having to have angry quarrels with their lovers before scratching their itch.

I know other folks who have, somehow, in some twisted way associated with their guilt, decided that there has to be some pain associated with sexual gratification.

It's creepy, but there are a lot of folks who play out these little guilt-inspired psychodramas behind closed doors. You might have slept with a few of them.

I know I have.... CHARLIE THE TUNA "Why S & M?" More




VOX POPULI: From John McG., Dallas, TX, USA:

SUBJECT: MOIA # 57

Rod,

Very interesting piece.

Linux. No jihad here. I have used/using Linux for 6+ years. Great OS but you are right what a pain in the A-- to install. But then have you tried MS 2000 Advanced Server lately? Damn near as hard. Only perceived ease is that MS thows up the wizards to prompt one through it.

I suspect that until Linux reaches a significant portion as a preinstall option (like MS products) the lack of ease of installation will hamper deployment to the masses. The easiest Linux install I have seen so far is Mandrake. But I wouldn't expect my Dad to get this one done either....

However if the legal issues surrounding MS products and the end user community get any worse there maybe a move to GPL licensed products whether Linux or not.

Have a great holiday and see you next Century.....
JohnM

Reality is for people who lack imagination. More




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GAIA is a French-based site (available in multiple languages like ourselves) that offers the opportunity of people all over the world to connect for humanitarian action.

By "people" I mean enterprises like this one. Non-governmental and non-profit organizations, and just regular folks concerned with the future of our species.