State of the Arts and Sciences

In this issue: London's museums and first reflections on the University College of London.

Museums: First, let me shout out to Jacob for giving me the excuse to visit all of these places...

The British Museum - The collection of artifacts here is ridiculous. I mean, sure, the British mostly raided foreign countries and treat these fascinating evidences of the elevation of the ancient soul as pretty bits of superstition, but there is something to be gained from viewing them anyway. What does it say about us that we no longer dwell in and surround ourselves by what calls us upward to our better possibilities?

The National Gallery - Art up through the impressionists. Always fascinating, especially because one can chronicle the rise of and artistic reaction to modernity. Peaceful streams of paint mixed with smog. Their collection is pretty solid too - plenty of Degas, Monet, Manet, etc.

Tate Modern - An impressive brutalist structure that looms high above the Thames as one crosses the Millennium Bridge. Truly spectacular if you love modern art. Still interesting for those of us who care more about the conscious than the purview of the Underground Man.

The Globe Theatre - If you have to do one thing in London, its see a Shakespeare play how it was meant to be seen - in an outdoor theatre like this, with a fantastic cast. I saw "Merry Wives of Windsor," which I believe is generally considered one of Shakespeare's weaker plays, and I have never in my life enjoyed a comedy so much. If you want to understand human beings, I think, probably the round building next to the Tate will give you much more than it will.

On to the University College of London...

Shakespeare - As my above comment indicates, Shakespeare has my utmost respect after having only closely examined three of his plays thus far. Now this is literature. The actual lecture is pretty fascinating, although it seems to presuppose a knowledge of literature in general that is astounding and which I, much to my shagrin, have not been exposed to. Visualize my finger wagging at the American school system.

Political Philosophy - Diminishing Plato's critique of democracy to a single line of thought by Socrates in a tiny piece of the Republic and examining it logically. If this is analytic philosophy, then I am sad for all the poor souls in the English speaking world who must deal with this impoverished vision. Perhaps this will improve, but I am worried.

Phenomenology Tutorial - Three students and a professor investigating some of the most interesting philosophers of the last century? We have a win.

British Politics - Nobody likes Gordon Brown. Poor guy.

I hear the world is ending in the states. At least at the end of history we can get a black president.