At the Museum of Modern Art in Stockholm, Marina Abramović hired a man to lie on a bed and scream for 2.5 hours (or until his voice gives out, according to the show’s pamphlet). Nearby, at the Finglefarber Asylum for the Touchingly Insane, one may also hear a bedded man screaming — but the two […]
Art that screams for attention — progress in postmodern art Read More »
Plato argued that there’s a perennial quarrel between poetry and philosophy.* Now science argues that the poets may have an edge in the dating market. If I understand this phenomenon correctly: * The poet says: Your beauty, so like a red, red rose, thrills my core with longing. * The philosopher says: Your functional properties
Do poets or philosophers romance better? Read More »
Romance is in the air, so here is a repost of my round-up of philosophers talking to their sweethearts – collected from conversations overheard at smoky cafés, college libraries, mountain caves, and seminar rooms the world over. The Aristotelian: “I wish to marry you, for I know that my happiness, both of body and soul,
“Should I marry you?” How philosophers answer Read More »
[I can’t remember where I saw a variation of this posted online.] You’re driving through a remote desert on your motorcycle and come across three stranded people. Your motorcycle can carry only one additional person. The three stranded people? An old woman who needs a hospital, your best friend who saved your life, and the
Life and death desert scenario — dark humor Read More »
Amusing: More of Fran Krause’s work here and here.
Deep Dark Fears comic Read More »
1. I’d kill for a Nobel Peace Prize. 2. I went to a restaurant that serves “Breakfast at any time.” So I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance. 3. Half the people you know are below average. 4. What’s another word for thesaurus? 5. Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time. 6. 99%
Fifty Quotations from Steven Wright Read More »
Note to self: To avoid offense or appropriation this holiday season: For the Christians I won’t say Merry Christmas and for the the Jews I won’t say Happy Hanukkah, as I am neither Christian nor Jew. Ditto for Yule and Kwanzaa, as I am neither pagan nor out of Africa (unless one goes way, way
The silent holiday season — or else Read More »
[Every few years I post an updated version of student bloopers from exams and essays.] A Brief History of Philosophy Humor alert: Being a compilation of student research collected over the years, gently edited by Stephen Hicks, Rockford University (updated: December 2016). Is philosophy a waist of time? Ethical debates have been around for a
An Alternate History of Philosophy — Student edition (2016) Read More »