All Consuming : Thom Chittom

Why I recommend "All Thats Solid Melts Into Air: The Experience of Modernity"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Thom Chittom) — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 20:18:12 GMT

All Thats Solid Melts Into Air: The Experience of Modernity

by Marshall Berman

This book is just amazing. The writing is excellent. The command of the material is superb. The examples hold your attention. And the insight into the flux that is modernity is worth every second spent.

Why I recommend "All Thats Solid Melts Into Air: The Experience of Modernity"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Thom Chittom) — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 20:13:38 GMT

All Thats Solid Melts Into Air: The Experience of Modernity

by Marshall Berman

Why I want to consume "Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution (P.S.)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Thom Chittom) — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 19:48:09 GMT

Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution (P.S.)

by Kenneth R. Miller

With friends and family members ranging from Dawkins-esque “evolution kills your God” to “evolution is a myth” young-earthers, I wanted to find something written by someone with the scientific credentials to really speak about these issues. To my delight, Dr. Miller, a biologist teaching at Brown University, is not only capable and comfortable with the science, but sensitive to the emotional reasons behind the Darwin-bashing, fair in his treatment (he’s read both sides, and personally met-~~and sometimes debated~~-all of them), and personally an informed and devout Roman Catholic. He can write. He can put together an argument. And he informs me as I read. Perfect!

Why I recommend "House, M.D. - Season Two"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Thom Chittom) — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 19:43:03 GMT

House, M.D. - Season Two

This is still classic house. Brainy, nervy, sarcastic, medically interesting. Could be House at its best considering the poor storyline and poor, tired performances and themes of the season three.

Why it's taking me forever to finish consuming "What Saint Paul Really Said: Was Paul of Tarsus the Real Founder of Christianity?"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Thom Chittom) — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 19:35:27 GMT

What Saint Paul Really Said: Was Paul of Tarsus the Real Founder of Christianity?

by N. T. Wright

This book presents in very condensed form the basic framework of the New Perspective on Paul from one of its most systematic and theologically informed architect, N. T. Wright. I’ve been moving very slowly through this book, and hope to blog quite a bit on especially its chapter on justification, since Wright and the New Perspective have taken such a bruising on this very point. I suspect the criticism is driven more by ideology than exegesis, but more thinking is required.

A story about "Hidden in Plain Sight: The Secret of More"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Thom Chittom) — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 19:31:22 GMT

Hidden in Plain Sight: The Secret of More

by Mark Buchanan

I led a book discussion on this at my church, and everyone found it to be both an excellent platform to discussion (a) the ordo salutus, and (b) the virtues, as well as being well written. The author provides a great spring board for discussing many issues. I only wish he’d gone a little further into a discussion of the doctrine of theosis/divinization, and some eschatological context would have been helpful as well.

Why I recommend "A State of Wonder: The Complete Goldberg Variations (1955 & 1981)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Thom Chittom) — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 16:45:58 GMT

A State of Wonder: The Complete Goldberg Variations (1955 & 1981)

by Johann Sebastian Bach

The brilliance and genius of hearing Glenn Gould’s recording from the 50’s is matched only by the juxtaposition of his reprisal of the same, but coming at it as an elderly man in his 80’s. His mastery and respect of the material is breathtaking.

A story about "The Malaise of Modernity"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Thom Chittom) — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 16:27:05 GMT

The Malaise of Modernity

by Charles Taylor (ISBN: 0997845207)

“We need to do a work of retrieval, in order to get a fruitful struggle going in our culture and society. . . . We don’t want to exaggerate our degrees of freedom. But they are not zero. And that means that coming to understand the moral sources of our civilization can make a difference, in so far as it can contribute to a new common understanding. We are not, indeed, locked in.” (96, 100-101)

Charles Taylor believes that we can dig down into the moral and ideological sources that got us where we are and bring those out again for purposes of critique. He builds a case for an ethic hidden under the solipsist individualism created by modernity, the ethic or ideal of authenticity. In The Malaise of Modernity he wants to discover a place from which such authenticity can engage in political debate in the face of soft despotism and the temptation of instrumental reason.

Why I want to consume "DUPLICATE #1"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Thom Chittom) — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 15:22:25 GMT

DUPLICATE #1

by Duplicate of http://www.allconsuming.net/item/asin/0316346624

I’m interested in The Tipping Point because (1) it has been recommended to me so often by friends and family; and becuase (2) I want to know if I can apply its insights to my yahoo group jurgenmoltmann.com, and, perhaps, to other applications.

Why I gave up consuming "God and History in the Book of Revelation : New Testament Studies in Dialogue with Pannenberg and Moltmann (Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Thom Chittom) — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 15:11:29 GMT

God and History in the Book of Revelation : New Testament Studies in Dialogue with Pannenberg and Moltmann (Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series)

by Michael Gilbertson

I wanted more Moltmann less Pannenberg, but it is mostly the other way around.

A story about "The Last of the Mohicans"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Thom Chittom) — Thu, 20 Oct 2005 18:53:53 GMT

The Last of the Mohicans

by Michael Mann

Despite the amazing difficulty of shooting this film, including the North Carolina heat and hard-to-reach location shots, watching it is a beautiful and altogether memorable experience. The real center of this movie is the deep beauty of the Blue Ridge mountains. (I watch it and get homesick.) It is beauty and meaning transmitted without words. Its English and French, American Indian and Frontiersman live together in a mythological world, a rude eden, where the Platonic forms of the good, of courage, of eros and beauty, of savagery and violence all come close to the surface of things and allow themselves to be glimpsed in the expression of faces, the inclination of eyes. The main actors, Daniel Day-Lewis and Madeleine Stowe are beautiful without the help of Los Angeles. There is also the amazing linguistic intelligence demonstrated by the American and Canadian Indian actors, Wes Studi (Magua) and Dennis Banks (Ongewasgone). Wes Studi did a magnificent job in his role of Magua. Magua is our own ID, pushed up against the equally heartless Europeans and in competition with Day-Lewis’ Nathaniel Poe. It goes without question that the 20 seconds of eternity captured in the face of Jodhi May is captivating beyond description. Warning, the reel “Promontory” by Trevor Jones can get stuck in one’s head for a lifetime.

A story about "The Fifth Element"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Thom Chittom) — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 18:45:00 GMT

The Fifth Element

by Luc Besson

This movie is low on plot and high on fun. Watch it for the camp. Enjoy the way Besson uses elements from the sci-fi movie tradition and adds so many little touches of his own, for example, giving the security guard on board the flying cruise ship a personality and lifting him out of merely a stock character. Some silly sophmoric sexual innuendoes. Jovovich’s performance, when you get over what you think her performance will be, is actually very good. Willis could read a phone book. They did this project for the after wraps party.

A story about "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou - Criterion Collection"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Thom Chittom) — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 18:40:50 GMT

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou - Criterion Collection

by Wes Anderson

unfunny, unmemorable, lots of bad language and some nudity. You keep waiting for the film to get better, it never does. Slow and slower. Why did this project attract so much talent? You know it is bad when the best thing about it is the CGI fish. At best it is a treatment of Fatherhood, but even that is going some 100 fathoms deeper than this ever gets. Do yourself a favor and watch the Discovery channel.

A story about "Maurice Merleau-Ponty: Between Phenomenology and Structuralism"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Thom Chittom) — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 18:36:06 GMT

Maurice Merleau-Ponty: Between Phenomenology and Structuralism

by James Schmidt

James Schmidt’s critical study focuses on the significance for social theory of the writings of [Maurice Merleau-Ponty], and casts new light on his achivements. It explores the ways in which Ponty anticipated many of the philosophical trends that would emerge in the decade after his death and examines his views on such questions as the relationship between phenomenology adn the social sciences, the nature of our relations with others, and the degree to which the phenomenon of linguistic expression can serve as a paradigm for the writing of history. By showing how Ponty’s views evolved through a dialogue with contemporaries Sartre, Lukacs, Levi-Strauss and Lacan, this book provides a comprehensive re-examination of the work of Ponty and offers an introduction to some of the most important currents in contemporary social thought.

A story about "Ten Summoner's Tales"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Thom Chittom) — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 18:31:26 GMT

Ten Summoner's Tales

by Sting

Sting hit a groove right after “Nothing Like the Sun” (IMHO his best solo work), and 10-Tales fits well within it. Quirky character stories. Scattered, depressing, English-major references. “Fields of Gold” is its best track.

A story about "Death in Venice"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Thom Chittom) — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 18:25:22 GMT

Death in Venice

by Thomas Mann

Published on the eve of World War I, a decade after Buddenbrooks had established Thomas Mann as a literary celebrity, Death in Venice tells the story of Gustav von Aschenback, a successful but aging writer who follows his wanderlust to Venice in search of spiritual fulfillment that instead leads to his erotic doom.

In the decaying city, besieged by an unnamed epidemic, he becomes obsessed with an exquisite Polish boy, Tadzio. “It is a story of the voluptuousness of doom,” Mann wrote. “But the problem I had especially in mind was that of the artist’s dignity.”

A story about "White (Three Colors Trilogy)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Thom Chittom) — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 18:17:46 GMT

White (Three Colors Trilogy)

by Krzysztof Kieslowski

This is the second of the “Three Colors” trilogy “Red” “White” and “Blue”; the colors symbolizing liberty, equality and fraternity. White, therefore, was written around the destructive dynamics of a relationship based upon great inequality. The main characters are entrepreneurs, capitalists, passionate people, able to make independent choices. What unites them is their love for each other, sort of. Because of the inequality of their sexual desire, the love between them is unconsummated. Kieslowski seems to be asking whether equality is possible with and without love. Ultimately, he ends on a dark, Hobbsean note: revenge and control is stronger.

A story about "Red (Three Colors Trilogy)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Thom Chittom) — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 18:07:52 GMT

Red (Three Colors Trilogy)

by Krzysztof Kieslowski

As Kieslowski’s last film, “Red” pulses with life. In the opening scene, the mechanization of a failed telephone call is split open to reveal the heart-blood desire for the Other person within a community of similar desires. Though the pacing is slow, and the story somewhat predictable, it holds the attention and provokes some good conversations with friends and one’s spouse.

A story about "Growing Up Absurd"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Thom Chittom) — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 16:55:17 GMT

Growing Up Absurd

by Paul Goodman

Unfortunately, its subject – the beat generation – and language is too cold-war to be of any real use and interest in the 21st century.

A story about "Kick"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Thom Chittom) — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 16:53:58 GMT

Kick

by INXS

Kick represents the high-point of INXS’ pop-rock, with its snappy distorted riffs and brass-embellished melody lines. More than this, however, Michael Hutchence seemed to be reaching beyond his subjects. His lyrics began to take on a sense of the transcendence and wonder behind the ordinary, and to embrace a sense of mission thereby (albiet crudely).

A story about "The Queen is Dead"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Thom Chittom) — Tue, 09 Aug 2005 18:52:06 GMT

The Queen is Dead

by The Smiths

From “Cemetry Gates” to “There is a Light That Never Goes Out”, The Queen is Dead is The Smiths’ best individual offering. Morrissey remains an enigmatic British lyricists with a cult-following, and Marr’s careful audio constructions make him one of my guitar idols.