By: Lizzie Furey,
on 9/14/2016
In times of political change and upheaval, as we’ve seen around the world through the last five years, I take great comfort in reading the works of political writers of various ages.
The post John Locke on politics, civility, and parenting appeared first on OUPblog.
By: RachelM,
on 1/16/2016
Religious belief has been allied, for centuries, with fundamentalism and intolerance. It’s possible to have one without the other, but it requires a degree of self-criticism that is not easily acquired. When Calvin endorsed the execution of Michael Servetus in 1553, he justified his decision by appeal to the certainty of his own religious faith.
The post Religious belief, fundamentalism, and intolerance appeared first on OUPblog.
By: Alex Guyver,
on 6/21/2015
At one point in the recent film The Imitation Game the detective assigned to his case asks Alan Turing whether machines could think. The dialogue that follows is perhaps not very illuminating philosophically, but it does remind us of an important point: the computer revolution that Turing helped to pioneer gave a huge impetus to interest in what we now call the mind-body problem. In other words, how is the mind related to the body? How could a soggy grey mass such as the brain give rise to the extraordinary phenomenon of consciousness?
The post How is the mind related to the body? appeared first on OUPblog.
By: Paula Becker,
on 7/13/2012
I had to do something on LOST for this Illustration Friday. It goes along with this posting I did back in 2010, before LOST was over. Whether you loved or hated the ending, it was still quite a show.
By: Claudette Young,
on 5/6/2012
From left to right: Plato, Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, Rene Descartes, John Locke, David Hume, Immanuel Kant, G.W.F. Hegel, Arthur Schopenhauer, Søren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I’m doing something totally different today. This afternoon I had a conversation with a fellow writer and poet. We often have philosophical discussions, and this was no exception. I’d like to recreate a small portion of our talk.
Friend: In my little “boxed” way of thinking:
1. Photographers are seekers, first and foremost
2. Graphic artists are messengers
3. Composers are messengers
4. Singers are channels
5. Actors are mirrors
Me: Yep, I agree about actors. Are writers the interpreters?
Friend: 6. Writers, in my mind, are all of the above
7. Philosophers are interpreters
Me: Ah, okay, I can go along with philosophers. So, let me spell this out differently–
Writers are the philosophers who seek, through pictures, to channel messages and hold up mirrors to their readers, so that interpretations of reality can be seen and appreciated, and a future can be built upon that foundation.
Poetry is the perfect medium in its own way. It’s short, lyrical in form and presents a message, philosophical in method and presentation, and gives the reader an entire picture, however short. And there is music in the cadence and rhythm of the lines that bring home the message.
Friend: I like it. That should be your blog post. I think of ghost writers, for example…
Me: I think on some level it is true. Even the most out-there writers, like early King or Koontz, write about people’s fears and what they’re based on. They give an opportunity to imagine the lengths to which those fears can go. I think ghost writers are even truer for the example. They channel so much of their client, the messages they gained while working with that individual, and so on. They may be only reflecting the philosophy of the client, but the wording, phraseology is their own, which makes or breaks the philosophy.
Friend: I suppose as writers we go “I have something to say”… that something is definitely inspired somehow. Poetry is the most compact package as far as writing goes. It also asks a lot of the readers.
Me: Which is what all messages do.
Friend: I mean… it is a push off a cliff compared to the steady rise of a roller coaster before it crashes down. Longer writing is more like the amusemen
By: Dianna Dilworth,
on 8/16/2011
Authors Janet Evanovich and Kathryn Stockett have each sold more than a million Kindle books, joining what Amazon has termed the “Kindle Million Club.”
The authors join the likes of Stieg Larsson, James Patterson, Nora Roberts, Charlaine Harris, Lee Child, Suzanne Collins, Michael Connelly and John Locke, who have also passed the million mark in sales of their eBooks in the Kindle Store. According to the release, Stockett is the first debut novelist to reach this milestone.
Evanovich’s latest novel Smokin’ Seventeen has spent more than 100 days on the Kindle Best Seller list. Stockett’s novel, The Help, has been No. 1 on The New York Times Best Seller list and was just adapted into a film.
New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.
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By: Jason Boog,
on 6/21/2011
How much should an eBook cost? To give publishers and authors some guidance, we’ve collected spirited defenses of seven different eBook prices–choose the price that works best for your writing.
According to a new and unscientific poll, Nathan Bransford found that 51 percent of his readers thought eBooks should be priced between $5 and $9.99. What is your favorite price point?
$0.99 Novelist John Locke sold more than one million eBooks with this price point: “When I saw that highly successful authors were charging $9.99 for an e-book, I thought that if I can make a profit at 99 cents, I no longer have to prove I’m as good as them … Rather, they have to prove they are ten times better than me.”
New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.
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By: Maryann Yin,
on 6/20/2011
John Locke has become the first self-published author to join the Kindle Million Club–the eighth author to sell one million eBooks through Amazon.
Locke has sold 1,010,370 Kindle books using Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). The club also counts Suzanne Collins, Michael Connelly, and James Patterson as members.
Locke had this statement in the release: “Kindle Direct Publishing has provided an opportunity for independent authors to compete on a level playing field with the giants of the book selling industry. Not only did KDP give me a chance, they helped at every turn. Quite simply, KDP is the greatest friend an author can have.”
New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.
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By: John Mark Boling,
on 2/4/2009
Available in paperback this month is a new edition of the science fiction classic, The Moon Pool, by A. Merritt. First published in 1918, The Moon Pool is widely considered to be the inspiration of the popular ABC series Lost. In an introduction written especially for this edition, Dr. Lynnette Porter comments: "Ever wonder what might have inspired the TV series Lost? Long before Jack or John Locke began to explore their mysterious tropical island, A. Merritt created a seemingly innocent island with sinister undertones, a mysterious hidden society of other-worldly inhabitants, and characters who debate the wisdom of faith versus science. Sound familiar? A trip to The Moon Pool takes you from Merritt's adventure into a new way to get Lost."
A really interesting way to capture the topic… via a conversation! I am with the friend on this one
I felt it was the only way to really show the thought progression from light conversation to more serious considerations. We all do it, but we don’t think about how the set-up works after we’re finished with it.
This way, it’s all there, and without a crafty and smart counterpart, such a conversation doesn’t take place often.
I named you friend, just in case you didn’t want your name bandied about. Guess I should have emblazoned it instead, my friend.
My only feedback would have been to bold “Me” and “Friend” so it is easier on the eye to see the conversation taking place.
I’m about to take care of that. My problem was that the system kept kicking me off and I was losing stuff right and left. I was lucky to get anything up and readable.
No worries. It’ll be changed soon.
Hi Claudette,
Can I chime in? As a photographer, writer, artist I’d like to quote Marshal Mcluhan: the medium is the message. When I paint a painting or write a story I’m the medium and what I’m doing is not spreading art so much as spreading an effect. I try to set a trap for the attention of an audience. But it doesn’t much matter what I paint or photograph or write. What is written is nothing compared to the effect of that written piece on the audience and the meaning of it coming from ME mixed with the perceived biases the audience feels about me.
You two are so wise, but collectively? Whoa!! Great stuff here, friends!
Marie Elena
Ah, but is it wisdom or mere speculation, my friend, Marie. You should hear us when the discussion goes underground.
I’m glad you liked, Marie. Sometimes I just gotta have fun. Today was one of those days.
Chime away, my young friend.
With a photographer for a sister, I’m always getting that perspective. Each of her shots reveals something from within her; an attitude, a sense of fun, whatever.
I can understand and agree that the effect, the impact is the thing, and there’s always some kind of impact, even if it’s adverse. I’ll tell Sis about the trap reference. She’ll be able to relate.
You’ve stated that beautifully, Veronica. Thank you so much for chiming in. I love hearing the views of others on questions or perspectives that I have. That’s how discussions begin and continue.
Feel free to chime in anytime. I love have you guys around.
Hi Veronica: “I try to set a trap for the attention of an audience”… brilliant!
Hi Marie: You are too kind… you just got a peek into the hours of dialog I get into with our good friend Claudsy. To be honest, I have to set a timer… I think once we were at it non stop for 4 hours… We promised not to do that to each other afterwards