Philosopher Daniel Dennett, author of the influential 1995 book, “Darwin’s Dangerous Idea,” now says he sees a higher purpose in the universe. Bob Wright breaks the news.
BREASTCASTING: The latest in interior design.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “To talk and laugh. To do each other kindnesses. To read pleasant books together; to pass from lightest joking to talk of deepest things, and back again. To differ without rancor, as a man might differ with himself… these, and such like things, proceeding from our hearts as we gave affection and received it back, and shown by face, by voice, by eyes, and by a thousand pleasing ways, kindled a flame which fused our very souls together, and, of many, made us one.” – Augustine, on friendship, in the Confessions. It was wonderful to take a break last night and talk with students at Fordham about the virtue of friendship. Someone from the event forwarded me this quote which I had forgotten. Blogs, I realize, are also a kind of friendship. Yes, I know lots of you disagree with me; and many are mad at me; and many more are supportive and engaged. But, whatever the response, it is a conversation of sorts, is it not? And whenever I meet regular readers, as I do on these speaking tours, I’m struck by the genuine bonds of friendship they seem to feel. It really is a blessing in these difficult and painful times.
DERBYSHIRE AWARD NOMINEE: “[A] Latino cheating is one who cheats his nature by having only one woman at a time, and if such a Latin man exists, it’s probably because he has Downs Syndrome.” – Julia Gorin, elevating conservative discourse, in the Jewish World Review.
The Dish 