PicoBlog

Let’s take a break from wondering about whether the machines can understand the mind-body problem and talk about what’s going on with all the Japanese names that contain NORI. There’s Noriko, and Takanori, and hundreds more. And there are a dozen or more kanjis used for it, including 法, 則, 憲, 紀, 典. and 宜, to name just a few. But there’s no word nori in modern Japanese (unless you count seaweed, or that glue that schoolkids use).

Is this accurate? Is this an angel? Angels are everywhere in Christian art, and their appearances have been fairly consistent over the past 2000 years: beautiful humans with long, golden hair, flowing robes, and a single pair of feathery wings. These angels grace the pages of medieval manuscripts in biblical scenes where they deliver messages, play instr… ncG1vNJzZmivlZ6%2FpbnEnaCerpGhtLbF0meqrpqjqa6kt42cpqZnoGTEqa3TZpuonaNirm6uyJujopuRobm6ecCcmq6qkamybq3NoJyl

Watching Elvis in February I was struck by a line at the end of the film, when Elvis (played by Austin Butler, who really should have won the Best Actor Oscar) is being suffocated by his own success.  His relationship with his wife has broken down, he has become addicted to prescription drugs and the only time he feels happy is on stage – where he has become dependent on the applause.

For a long time, humans have taken an interest in the “romantic.” And I’m not just talking about romantic love (although Romeo and Juliet was published in 1595). I’m talking more about the ideas cultivated during the Romantic era of eighteenth-century Europe. Partially in reaction to the Industrial Revolution and the newfound doctrines of Enlightenment, Romanticism was an artistic and intellectual movement characterized by its emphasis on emotion and the idealization of nature.

This episode is for premium subscribers only. Become a member if you want early access to all episodes, and to get access to the bonus-only episodes like this. The womxn discuss their recent conversation with New York Magazine writer Rebecca Traister about marriage, mating, and feminism.  Check out our recent podcast with Rebecca Traister here. “The Return of the Marriage Plot: Why everyone is suddenly so eager for men and women to get hitched” for New York Magazine.

In my previous articles (here and here), I have argued that a view that regards the human soul as a substantial entity is philosophically superior to both materialism and property dualism[1], and that such a view must take into account the soul’s intimate relationship to the body to do justice to the biblical account of human beings. In this article, I address the question whether the Bible teaches that souls can exist disembodied, for which the substantial view of the soul is a precondition.

Donald Trump is in Ireland today — and he’s playing golf. After hitting his first drive at his course in Doonbeg, Trump told reporters this: “You think Biden can do that? I don't think so. Biden doesn't hit a 280 right down the middle, does he? Biden can't hit an 80 down the middle.” The implication from Trump is clear: He’s a strong and hearty man who even at age 76 can still hit the ball a long way while Biden, at 80, is feeble and frail — and not a good golfer to boot!

The Washington Commanders made a surprise pick in the second round of the NFL Draft by selecting defensive tackle Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton. Defensive tackle isn’t an immediate need for the Commanders, with stars Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne still on big contracts. But general manager Adam Peters clearly felt the value was too good to pass up on as Newton was widely considered a first round talent and one of the best defensive players in this draft.

[NOTE: this post is sort of an “…and another thing!” riff on my original review of the Walter Isaacson book. I wanted to write something light this week.] “I am just wired for war, basically.” -Elon Musk, taking a mobile strategy game waaaaay too seriously. Elon Musk really likes the game Polytopia. He has skipped birthday parties and international business meetings to play the game. He has effused that it is “the best game ever.