Astroturf

October 31st, 2006General2 comments

Recommended: The Life of Pi

I’m listening to the audio book of Pi while I run. I like everything this book says about religion and its tone that goes from lighthearted warmth to a troubled journey of survival. The first part of the book prepares you for the trials of the rest, and it makes a very good argument for the value of religion and faith.

I especially like what Martel says about atheism being like religious faith in that it requires a leap of faith in the end — and I also like Pi’s disdain for agnostics: Just pick something already!

My major complaint about organized religion has always been about its exclusiveness. Religion itself isn’t the problem — it’s the divisioning, self-segregation, and exclusion demanded by some of its followers. “Everyone will go to hell except for us, yay us!!” etc. etc. The need for righteousness and conflict.

Religion is at its best when it is inclusive. Instead of evangelizing loudly, it just leaves the door open and allows you to wander in. Jesus’s call to love your neighbor was a revolutionary statement in a world occupied by Rome, violence, and the cheapness of human life. Kindness and extended decency will always speak louder than judgemental screeching.

And as its examination of suffering goes, Pi is a good companion for running.

I Picked a Good Time to Start Drinking Again: British scientists grow human liver in a laboratory

Yeah, in Seattle I drank a beer. Then when I was back in LA having sashimi with a friend I was like, “Heh, I’ll drink another beer.” It had been quite a long time since I’ve been actively drinking, so it hits me quick and easy.

Now I can drink all I want and science will cure my ills. Yay science!

If technology keeps progressing at this rate, fingerless shop teachers and penis-less ex-husbands will soon be a thing of the past.

This Box is Sticky: True Porn Clerk Stories

I can’t believe I hadn’t mentioned this on here until now. There’s a very funny lady named Ali Davis who spent quite a while working at a porn-renting video store in Chicago. She puts her talents as an improv player and her wry observations to work in a blog titled True Porn Clerk Stories, which are all true tales about working with pornography and the customers who rent it. If you’ve got a spare couple of hours you gotta check it out.