“An Egyptian author who last year won the Arabic equivalent of the Man Booker prize could be facing a five-year jail term after he was accused of insulting Christianity in his prize-winning novel. Youssef Ziedan’s Azazeel (Beelzebub) is set in fifth-century Egypt, Alexandria and northern Syria, and looks at the turbulent period following the Roman Empire’s adoption of Christianity.”
Tag: 05.10.10
Is Courage A Masculine Virtue?
Hoover Institution scholar Harvey Mansfield (author of Manliness) says, “Courage is not solely for men, but it is mainly for men. The Greek word for courage is andreia, which comes from he-man and also means manliness.” Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s disagreement is more nuanced than one might expect …
The ‘Mozart Effect’ Is Not Real (And This Time They Mean It)
Three Austrian psychologists have done a “meta-analysis” of the entire scientific record on the theory that listening to Mozart increases brain power. Says the lead author of the new study, “I recommend listening to Mozart to everyone, but it will not meet expectations of boosting cognitive abilities.”
Why We Sigh (It’s Not Just Because We’re Put Upon)
“Scientists studying breathing patterns think they have found the reason we sigh: To reset breathing patterns that are getting out of whack and keep our respiratory system flexible.”
In Defense Of Fat-Phobia
“Granted, it’s cruel and offensive to make fun of fat people … But do we really want to remove all stigma from being overweight? I don’t want to become comfortable with my beer belly, not only because it’s going to mean a greater chance that I’ll be chronically ill in the future, but also because I cannot yield to the excuse that controlling my weight is beyond my control.”
With Library Books Stolen, Borders Smells Synergy
In an effort to “replace some of the 1,300 children’s picture books that have been stolen from the [Port Orchard Library in Washington state] over the past two months,” the “librarian selected about 60 of the more popular books, and Borders set them up in a rack in the store…. If customers want to buy and donate them, Borders will package them and send them to the library.”
Margaret Atwood On Accepting Dan David Prize In Israel
“We don’t do cultural boycotts,” said Atwood, who is a vice president of International PEN. “I would be throwing overboard the thousands of writers around the world who are in prison, censored, exiled and murdered for what they have published.”
Think Again, Hollywood: Film Futures Trading Is Beneficial
“Today onions are the only commodity for which futures trading is banned,” and “no one is silly enough to ask a member of Congress to simply outlaw futures trading in a certain type of contract — no one, that is, except Hollywood film producers. … But if the new provision makes its way into law, the biggest losers will be the very film producers who lobbied for it.”
John Guare To Judge Yale Drama Series Playwriting Award
“Mr. Guare will choose the winners for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013. Past judges have included Edward Albee, for the series’ first two prizes in 2007 and 2008, and David Hare, who chose the 2009 award as well as this year’s winner, Virginia Grise, for her play ‘blu.'”
Arts Vulnerable To Cuts At Some Calif. Public Universities
“At Cal State Fullerton, David Grimes, director of the classical guitar program, says enrollment is being capped at 10, down from 28,” saving $48,000 annually. “At Cal Poly, the provost has recommended phasing out the fine arts major that usually has about 80 to 100 students,” saving “$200,000 after current enrollees finish their degrees.”