Andrew Sullivan, a prolific and pioneering blogger, claimed that if you are not posting at the very least twice a day, and really more like four times a day, you are not really blogging. By that standard, I am not really blogging. But that’s okay since I am not really being paid to blog. I do try to post at least a few times a week, but how often I post is finally a function of other more pressing commitments including my studies and doing things that actually do pay the bills.
I write all of this to say that if you leave a comment, I’ll do my best to respond as quickly as possible. Sometimes other commitments get in the way though and it may take me a while to check in. Don’t worry, you are most likely not being ignored.
That said, I do very much appreciate reader’s comments. Interacting with readers from far and wide is one of the more enjoyable aspects of maintaining a blog. So if you’ve commented, thank you; if you’ve been reading in silence, I encourage you to make it a conversation. “Truth,” as philosopher Josef Pieper has noted, “lives in conversation.” I’m especially interested in hearing from you if you have a different angle on something I’ve written about. It can help immensely to hear diverging perspectives.
You may also want to take a look at the pages gathered under the “Themes” tab. Under each theme you will find links to a few representative posts. These posts will give you a good feel for what I tend to think is worth writing about and how I approach these topics. Of course, an education is a lifelong, ramshackle project and I would expect and hope that while these perspectives are likely to remain grounded in certain basic commitments, they will not thereby remain static and unchanging.
Again, thanks for reading.
Your blog came up on Google, of course, after I entered a two term search of “mcluhan chardin”. My interest in these two individuals is from the standpoint of a Thomistic Aristotelian who is not Roman Catholic, but Eastern Orthodox. I also have developed a significant liking for the philosophy/Theology of Jon Zizioulas. The work of McLuhan and Chardin, I believe has something to contribute to the study of person-hood as a somewhat communal spiritual reality that has long been neglected in favor of ideas about it that have been still-born in individualism. You seem to be an adventurous and well grounded thinker. I have enjoyed what I’ve read of your blog, so far.
Regards,
Mike
Mike,
Thanks for dropping in and commenting. Odd as it may seem, my own Thomistic/Aristotelian tendencies are not coming from a RC perspective either, but a Protestant one. In any case, I’ve read a great deal more of McLuhan than Chardin, but I think you’re right, they offer interesting perspectives from which to think about personhood in its communal dimensions. I’ve not come across Zizioulas’ work, but I’ll make a note to check in on it.
Again, thanks for reading and the kind words,
Mike
What a lovely “note” to us, your readers, Michael. Actually what a lovely blog altogether.
As a teacher working on the most effective education for the international, complex problem-solver, I am really glad I found your blog through Alec Resnick’s tumblr. I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve read so far, but even more importantly the tone of caring communication you manage to convey in this medium that I think is by far the most difficult to do. As you say, via Josef Pieper, “Truth is in conversation” and for me the critical components in those conversations , the animating spirit and inter”play”, are interpersonal and thus hardest to replicate this way.
But you do that really well, bringing at least me along on the “lifelong, ramshackle project” that is your education — so much more instructive and challenging in exciting ways done with others, different in their thinking perhaps, yet “caring” in similar ways for the passion of learning.
Thanks.
I will be one whom, when moved, will try to comment and keep the conversation going.
June
Many thanks, June. I really appreciate your taking the time to comment and glad to have you reading. Look forward to hearing more from you along he way.