Relationships and Going Places
The Moral Merits of Reading Fiction ... Not One of Literature's Strong Suits?
According to Stanford Professor Joshua Landy, literature plays on our emotions instead of giving us rational reasons to adopt new beliefs, so we can easily be manipulated by it. Getting people to change their beliefs based on emotions is not an unambiguously positive thing: "When I do it, it's called persuasion. When you do it, it's called rhetoric. When they do it, it's called propaganda."
Does reading literature make you more moral? Scholars speaking at a Center for Ethics in Society event say the answer depends on who's reading.
By Justin Tackett… more »
"I'm a Consulting Detective" ... I Dabble With Poisons a Good Deal": The International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes
Museum visitors will learn how Sherlock Holmes, a scientific expert ahead of his time, used seemingly trivial observations of clues others missed to solve some of his era's most mysterious crimes. The International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes features original manuscripts and period artifacts, investigative tools influenced and used by Sherlock Holmes, and interactive crime-solving opportunities. more »
Forever Valentine: Surviving the Slings and Arrows of Early Wedlock
"What are the major sources of conflict in a typical marriage? Communication. Wives often feel they’re emotionally alone in the relationship and husbands feel that their wives think they can’t do anything right. The other big point of disagreement is how to raise the children. There are crisis events, such as tension over finances or betrayals, but those are more scattered, more temporary." more »
Happy Birthday To Min, Who Has Decided She Is 65
Elaine Soloway writes: Today is my mother Min Shapiro’s birthday. If she were celebrating at an earthly venue, she'd be 102. "Any age?" I asked as we Face Time-ed on our iPads. (I have the 2. She has 3. They get them first up there.) "Why not some time in your 20's when you were a hot chick?" more »