From Bad Subjects, a special issue on Hope, including an introduction, and an essay on The Moral Politics of Hope: Nihilism has, in its own way, become fashionable, a facade that shields its devotees from the burdens of empathy and human connection. But if nihilism is a fashion, we should remember that fashions go out of style; an interview with geographer David Pinder on radical geography, cities and the politics of utopia; American conservatives preach about the sanctity of life, yet do not promote programs that would help millions of low income citizens get health care. Cutting through the hypocrisy to get to the hope, the author calls for more accountability among the "pro-life"; an article on the war FOR illegals; Future Now! In a lot of ways, the promising future of cyberspace that dawned in the early 1990s has come to pass a decade and a half later; and four snapshots of hope.
From Ovi, the Poetical as the Mind in Action: In order to recover lost humanistic modes of thought in a rationalistic era, it may be useful to revisit Marshall McLuhan, some twenty five years after his death; and Montaigne saw the essay as a presentation of the self, while Pascal’s definition of the traditional essay was that of a “peinture de la pensée,” i.e. a painting of the mind in action. From Prospect, the last interview with Albert Ellis, the foul-mouthed father of cognitive therapy, a modern Diogenes at odds with the institute he founded, and convinced of the value of Stoic wisdom. Is living longer worth it? Ronald Bailey pursues the longevity dividend at Transvision 2007 in Chicago.
An interview with Adrian Moore, author of The Infinite, on what infinity is and of some of the paradoxes it gives rise to. Infinity Comes in Different: Sizes If you were counting on infinity being absolute, your number's up. Is time travel possible? Not all scientists agree but according to Einstein and quantum theory, time travel could be possible. A review of Is Science Neurotic? by Nicholas Maxwell. Will John Wilbanks launch the next scientific revolution? Using innovative copyrights and a Web 2.0 platform, John Wilbanks may just transform how scientific discoveries are made. For scientist John Scott Haldane, life was one long experiment.
X-ray Eyes in the Sky: Scientists are working on satellites that will see far below the planet’s surface, to better understand the structure and composition of Earth’s crust, mantle and core. A review of Out of Thin Air: Dinosaurs, Birds, and Earth’s Ancient Atmosphere by Peter Douglas Ward. The roots of happiness: A review of Wildwood: A Journey Through Trees by Roger Deakin. A review of The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring by Richard Preston. A review of Chasing Kangaroos: A Continent, a Scientist, and a Search for the World’s Most Extraordinary Creature by Tim Flannery. A review of The Deep: The Extraordinary Creatures of the Abyss.
