Comments on "The Ptarmigan's Dilema" - An Exploration into How Life Organizes and Supports Itself by John Theberge and Mary Theberge
It is possible that there is a common opinion among scientists and interested non-professionals that Charles Darwin's most serious and least forgivable mistake was to replace his original concept, in the first publication of "Origin of the Species", of "Natural Selection", ten years later, in the fourth edition, with Herbert Spencer's concept of "The Survival of the Fittest."
Today, "Natural Selection" seems more purely scientific, and maybe, even beautiful; while "The Survival of the Fittest" became very distorted in an assortment of political uses, none of them very beautiful.
Charles Darwin's own explanations for preferring Herbert Spencer's term are not very clear or understandable today.
This book by the husband and wife team, John and Mary Theberge, describes some of the amazing developements in contemporary Biology and Ecology, which was a science that did not exist until long after the death of Charles Darwin. It might be said that entirely new dimensions of knowledge and understanding, never known to Charles Darwin, are being discovered by these sciences.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Experimental Blog #37
Comments on "Anything Goes - A Biography of the Roaring Twenties" by Lucy Moore
Some of the most memorable developements and events of the 1920s, which seems to be the "birth of Modern America", are; the spectacular developement of motion pictures with sound in Hollywood and the lives of its equally spectacular stars, both male and female; African-American cultural developement in Harlem and Jazz in other cities as well; the widespread growth and activity of the Ku Klux Klan; the flourishing gangster activity, especially in Chicago, thanks to prohibition; the trials, and execution, of the anarchist-communists Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti; the Scopes trial, about the teaching of Darwinian evolution versus the Bible, with its charismatic lawyers Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan; the building of America's first giant skyscrapers in New York; and Charles Lindbergh's transatlantic flight.
Some of the specific representative people of the era were; Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Warren and Florence Harding, Al Capone, Charlie Chaplin, and Jack Dempsey.
The author also writes a lot about Harry and Caresse Crosby, but how many people today know who they were?
Some of the most memorable developements and events of the 1920s, which seems to be the "birth of Modern America", are; the spectacular developement of motion pictures with sound in Hollywood and the lives of its equally spectacular stars, both male and female; African-American cultural developement in Harlem and Jazz in other cities as well; the widespread growth and activity of the Ku Klux Klan; the flourishing gangster activity, especially in Chicago, thanks to prohibition; the trials, and execution, of the anarchist-communists Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti; the Scopes trial, about the teaching of Darwinian evolution versus the Bible, with its charismatic lawyers Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan; the building of America's first giant skyscrapers in New York; and Charles Lindbergh's transatlantic flight.
Some of the specific representative people of the era were; Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Warren and Florence Harding, Al Capone, Charlie Chaplin, and Jack Dempsey.
The author also writes a lot about Harry and Caresse Crosby, but how many people today know who they were?
Monday, August 9, 2010
Experimental Blog #36
Comments on "Civil War Wives" - The Lives and Times of Angelina Grimke' Weld, Varina Howell Davis and Julia Dent Grant by Carol Berkin
In the acknowledgments to this book the author, Carol Berkin, writes that her "home state" is Alabama. However, she received her college degrees at the very "Yankee" schools of Barnard College and Columbia University of New York.
On the back of the book there are 8 very respectable recommendations, and the writing is very thorough and informative in all three parts.
The first part, about Agelina Grimke' Weld, is especially interesting for its relation of the conflicts and splintering within the counter-cultural abolitionist movement, among various other things about Angelina's life.
The second account, about Varina Howell Davis, is very descriptive about the "lost cause" of the American Civil War from a more Southern point of view. It seems that, except for the first several months, the war became an increasing disaster that lasted about 4 years for the Confederate States. Varina's long, vigorous, but tragic, life was very interesting to learn about.
In the third account, about Julia Dent Grant, the author sounds somewhat dismissive, maybe even ridiculing at times, about Julia and even her autobiography in some ways. However, she recognizes that Julia's book was not published until 1975. Carol Berkin also writes that Ulysses S. Grant was five feet and eight inches tall. Others say that he was at least 4 inches shorter.
In the acknowledgments to this book the author, Carol Berkin, writes that her "home state" is Alabama. However, she received her college degrees at the very "Yankee" schools of Barnard College and Columbia University of New York.
On the back of the book there are 8 very respectable recommendations, and the writing is very thorough and informative in all three parts.
The first part, about Agelina Grimke' Weld, is especially interesting for its relation of the conflicts and splintering within the counter-cultural abolitionist movement, among various other things about Angelina's life.
The second account, about Varina Howell Davis, is very descriptive about the "lost cause" of the American Civil War from a more Southern point of view. It seems that, except for the first several months, the war became an increasing disaster that lasted about 4 years for the Confederate States. Varina's long, vigorous, but tragic, life was very interesting to learn about.
In the third account, about Julia Dent Grant, the author sounds somewhat dismissive, maybe even ridiculing at times, about Julia and even her autobiography in some ways. However, she recognizes that Julia's book was not published until 1975. Carol Berkin also writes that Ulysses S. Grant was five feet and eight inches tall. Others say that he was at least 4 inches shorter.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Experimental Blog #35
Comments on 2 books: "The Story of My Life" - The Restored Classic by Helen Keller, Anne Sullivan, and John Macy and with the editors Roger Shattuck and Dorothy Herrmann;
and "Helen Keller" - A Life by Dorothy Herrmann
Helen Keller met her first president, Grover Cleveland, when she was 8 years old. In a few years she would become one of the world's most well known people, and she would meet every American President through Franklin Roosevelt at least. She would also meet and correspond with many other of the world's well known or famous people. Even beyond 70 years of age, Helen Keller would repeatedly travel to Europe and Asia and, perhaps, other countries.
Although criticized by a few people, Helen Keller's self-confessed ability to "see through other people's eyes" and to "hear with other people's ears", together with her phenomenal memory, caused some people to call her "the 8th Wonder of the World."
Helen Keller's famous teacher, Anne Sullivan, was considered by a few people to be the "true genius." However, except for Anne Sullivan's reports about her work with her pupil, and her not particularly unusual letters, and, of course, her virtually countless performances as Helen Keller's interpreter, Anne Sullivan does not seem to give much evidence for such an evaluation.
It is very interesting to read the reports that deaf and blind people do not really "live in darkness," and that they possess their own complete sense of identity, and that, at least eventually, they become so accustomed that they have little or no feeling of deficiency or deprivation.
and "Helen Keller" - A Life by Dorothy Herrmann
Helen Keller met her first president, Grover Cleveland, when she was 8 years old. In a few years she would become one of the world's most well known people, and she would meet every American President through Franklin Roosevelt at least. She would also meet and correspond with many other of the world's well known or famous people. Even beyond 70 years of age, Helen Keller would repeatedly travel to Europe and Asia and, perhaps, other countries.
Although criticized by a few people, Helen Keller's self-confessed ability to "see through other people's eyes" and to "hear with other people's ears", together with her phenomenal memory, caused some people to call her "the 8th Wonder of the World."
Helen Keller's famous teacher, Anne Sullivan, was considered by a few people to be the "true genius." However, except for Anne Sullivan's reports about her work with her pupil, and her not particularly unusual letters, and, of course, her virtually countless performances as Helen Keller's interpreter, Anne Sullivan does not seem to give much evidence for such an evaluation.
It is very interesting to read the reports that deaf and blind people do not really "live in darkness," and that they possess their own complete sense of identity, and that, at least eventually, they become so accustomed that they have little or no feeling of deficiency or deprivation.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Experimental Blog #34
Comments on "Daily Life in Immigrant America 1820-1870" How the First Great Wave of Immigrants Made Their Way in America by James M. Bergquist
This book is the first of two books, not 3, as I mistakenly thought and wrote in blog #9 on December 26, 2009. Each book somewhat arbitrarily covers 50 years of a 100 year period. The 50 year period of this book begins in 1820, when almost 8,400 immigrants came to America, and ends in 1870, with over 387,000 immigrants arriving. Almost 429,000 people arrived in the "peak" year of 1854; which was not exceeded until the 1880s, I believe.
The first wave of immigrants described by the author, James M. Bergquist, was composed mostly of Protestants from the north of Ireland, which is not so often remembered, but Catholic Irish soon overwhelmed these earlier arrivals, especially during the "Irish Potato Famine" of the 1840s. Although the Irish immigrants came mostly from small farms in Ireland, they generally did not adapt to American large scale agricultural methods and take up farming. Instead, they did an enormous amount of generally unskilled labor, especially building canals and, later, railroads.
In later decades, Irish immigration was also distinguished for the fact that women arrivals outnumbered men.
Germans composed the second largest group, although they eventually totaled more than any other immigrant group because they continued coming to America in large numbers into the next 50 year period. Earlier Germans were largely Catholic from the southern and western German states, but later, Protestants of northern and eastern Germany predominated. Among other accomplishments, they became known for making thousands of farms and towns from Pennsylvania through the Midwest to Missouri and Texas.
Immigrants from Great Britain adapted to American life most easily wherever they went, and were sometimes called "the invisible immigrants."
Among the Scandinavian immigrants, Norwegians came in the greatest numbers, and they usually settled in the Upper Midwest.
Overall, the book describes much of the country and society made, or transformed, by all of these immigrants that the immigrants who arrived in the next 50 years, from 1870 to 1920, found when they came to America.
This book is the first of two books, not 3, as I mistakenly thought and wrote in blog #9 on December 26, 2009. Each book somewhat arbitrarily covers 50 years of a 100 year period. The 50 year period of this book begins in 1820, when almost 8,400 immigrants came to America, and ends in 1870, with over 387,000 immigrants arriving. Almost 429,000 people arrived in the "peak" year of 1854; which was not exceeded until the 1880s, I believe.
The first wave of immigrants described by the author, James M. Bergquist, was composed mostly of Protestants from the north of Ireland, which is not so often remembered, but Catholic Irish soon overwhelmed these earlier arrivals, especially during the "Irish Potato Famine" of the 1840s. Although the Irish immigrants came mostly from small farms in Ireland, they generally did not adapt to American large scale agricultural methods and take up farming. Instead, they did an enormous amount of generally unskilled labor, especially building canals and, later, railroads.
In later decades, Irish immigration was also distinguished for the fact that women arrivals outnumbered men.
Germans composed the second largest group, although they eventually totaled more than any other immigrant group because they continued coming to America in large numbers into the next 50 year period. Earlier Germans were largely Catholic from the southern and western German states, but later, Protestants of northern and eastern Germany predominated. Among other accomplishments, they became known for making thousands of farms and towns from Pennsylvania through the Midwest to Missouri and Texas.
Immigrants from Great Britain adapted to American life most easily wherever they went, and were sometimes called "the invisible immigrants."
Among the Scandinavian immigrants, Norwegians came in the greatest numbers, and they usually settled in the Upper Midwest.
Overall, the book describes much of the country and society made, or transformed, by all of these immigrants that the immigrants who arrived in the next 50 years, from 1870 to 1920, found when they came to America.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Experimental Blog #33
Comments on "Lyndon B. Johnson" by Charles Peters
The author of this book from the Schlesinger-Wilentz American Presidents series has worked in Democratic Party campaigns and administrations since 1960, so his political sympathies should be very clear. He also has a large number of interconnected sources that give him a well founded perspective.
The description of Lyndon B. Johnson's, that is, LBJ's, early years in what must be central Texas, although rather brief, is, as usual, very interesting. LBJ's long Washington DC political life begins very early in 1931, when he is 23 years old.
Although already a congressman, Lyndon Johnson actually flew on one combat mission during World War II in a B-26 two engine bomber as a fact finding Naval Observer. This airplane was attacked by a squadron of Japanese Zeros{fighter airplanes} and endured very intense fire, but amazingly escaped being shot down.
Charles Peters' descriptions of LBJ's habitual, humiliating, and crude language and behavior is quite explicit, and this characteristic language and behavior in itself would make Lyndon Johnson one of America's controversial presidents.
However, the author rates Lyndon Baines Johnson as a near great American President because of his almost unequalled record of legislative accomplishments in civil rights and "Great Society" welfare programs. Although these latter programs seem to have been largely demolished by President Ronald Reagan, and other following presidents.
Charles Peters' account of the growing engagement in the War in Viet Nam is also very informative.
The author of this book from the Schlesinger-Wilentz American Presidents series has worked in Democratic Party campaigns and administrations since 1960, so his political sympathies should be very clear. He also has a large number of interconnected sources that give him a well founded perspective.
The description of Lyndon B. Johnson's, that is, LBJ's, early years in what must be central Texas, although rather brief, is, as usual, very interesting. LBJ's long Washington DC political life begins very early in 1931, when he is 23 years old.
Although already a congressman, Lyndon Johnson actually flew on one combat mission during World War II in a B-26 two engine bomber as a fact finding Naval Observer. This airplane was attacked by a squadron of Japanese Zeros{fighter airplanes} and endured very intense fire, but amazingly escaped being shot down.
Charles Peters' descriptions of LBJ's habitual, humiliating, and crude language and behavior is quite explicit, and this characteristic language and behavior in itself would make Lyndon Johnson one of America's controversial presidents.
However, the author rates Lyndon Baines Johnson as a near great American President because of his almost unequalled record of legislative accomplishments in civil rights and "Great Society" welfare programs. Although these latter programs seem to have been largely demolished by President Ronald Reagan, and other following presidents.
Charles Peters' account of the growing engagement in the War in Viet Nam is also very informative.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Experimental Blog #32
Comments on 2 books
"The Private Lives of Birds" - A Scientist Reveals the Intricacies of Avian Social Life by Bridget Stutchbury
Reading a book like this is probably the only way that very amateur bird watchers can appreciate the work and science of professional ornithologists. This particular author seems especially capable of describing everything about birds with detailed and precise Darwinian concepts of evolutionary biology.
"Spoken from the Heart" by Laura Bush
Laura Bush writes that all 4 of her grandparents came to West Texas in the last decades of the 19th century from Arkansas. And that both of her parents, Harold Welch and Jessie Hawkins, were born there too.
Laura Bush also writes about a very interesting childhood history that took place in West Texas, through college graduation, and her first jobs.
However, she does not write in so much detail of her early adult years, until she meets George Bush again, in 1977 at 30 years of age. She does say that she "lost faith" for a very long time as a result of a tragic accident{which she completely describes}.
Laura already knew something about George; they had attended the same junior high school at the same time, and they were soon married. These events take up almost the first 100 pages; and about 65 pages and 24 years later, Laura Bush has become America's First Lady.
The rest of the book, over 250 pages, is a very detailed account of her many activities as wife, mother, and First Lady, and, of course, the events of her husband's presidency.
She seems quite conscious of and defensive about the great deal of criticism that was directed at her husband, and often her too. However, she is very thorough and factual in the extreme; so much so that her writing seems at times like a "catalogue", that is, persuasive, but not so interesting. Nonetheless, it seems that Laura Bush makes, and proves, her arguments that no President and First Lady could have done more than they did in the American White House.
"The Private Lives of Birds" - A Scientist Reveals the Intricacies of Avian Social Life by Bridget Stutchbury
Reading a book like this is probably the only way that very amateur bird watchers can appreciate the work and science of professional ornithologists. This particular author seems especially capable of describing everything about birds with detailed and precise Darwinian concepts of evolutionary biology.
"Spoken from the Heart" by Laura Bush
Laura Bush writes that all 4 of her grandparents came to West Texas in the last decades of the 19th century from Arkansas. And that both of her parents, Harold Welch and Jessie Hawkins, were born there too.
Laura Bush also writes about a very interesting childhood history that took place in West Texas, through college graduation, and her first jobs.
However, she does not write in so much detail of her early adult years, until she meets George Bush again, in 1977 at 30 years of age. She does say that she "lost faith" for a very long time as a result of a tragic accident{which she completely describes}.
Laura already knew something about George; they had attended the same junior high school at the same time, and they were soon married. These events take up almost the first 100 pages; and about 65 pages and 24 years later, Laura Bush has become America's First Lady.
The rest of the book, over 250 pages, is a very detailed account of her many activities as wife, mother, and First Lady, and, of course, the events of her husband's presidency.
She seems quite conscious of and defensive about the great deal of criticism that was directed at her husband, and often her too. However, she is very thorough and factual in the extreme; so much so that her writing seems at times like a "catalogue", that is, persuasive, but not so interesting. Nonetheless, it seems that Laura Bush makes, and proves, her arguments that no President and First Lady could have done more than they did in the American White House.
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