Recent Comments
Author Archives: Harry Katz
Violence in Decline?
In a recent article published in The New Republic, and posted at The Edge, Harvard psychology professor Steven Pinker argues in A History of Violence that violence has been declining over the long term development of human society. Today, Pinker says, violence … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
Leave a comment
Not guaranteed for children under 5
I recently purchased a Pelican case for our camcorder and assorted audio/visual equipment. These hard-sided plastic cases are filled with foam padding that you custom cut to create snug-fitting indentations to hold your camera, lenses, microphones, laptop, or whatever equipment you need to … Continue reading
Posted in Ridiculous and Absurd
Leave a comment
Thomas Friedman: The Oil-Addicted Ayatollahs
In his February 2, 2007 New York Times column, The Oil-Addicted Ayatollahs (registration required), Tom Friedman argues that oil addiction can be just as bad for the selling nation as it is for the buying nation. He traces the influence of … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
Leave a comment
Prayer over IP
Over at CNET, Leslie Katz (no relation) blogs about an Israeli start-up that allows you to broadcast your prayers over speakers in Webcams at various holy sites like the Western Wall in Jerusalem, all without leaving the comfort of your … Continue reading
Posted in Ridiculous and Absurd
Leave a comment
Status quo in motion
In the January 8, 2007 edition of The New Yorker, Milan Kundera writes a lengthy and somewhat wandering article titled Die Weltliteratur. Towards the end of the article, he quotes Polish noveliset and dramatist Witold Gombrowicz on tha acceleration of … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
Leave a comment
Knowing the Enemy
George Packer’s article, Knowing the Enemy, published in the December 18th, 2006 issue of the New Yorker is a fascinating account of recent work by an Australian lieutenant colonel named David Kilcullen for the US State Department. Kilcullen’s career has … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
Leave a comment
Thomas Friedman column: 10 Months or 10 Years
I’m a big fan of New York Times foreign affairs columnist Thomas Friedman. I think his articles are must-reading for anyone interested in world affairs. However, his November 29, 2006 column, Ten Months or Ten Years (registration required), … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
Leave a comment
Pope calls on religious leaders to reject violence
On his four day trip to Turkey, Pope Benedict XVI has called upon religios leaders to reject violence. According to the report here: The Pope called on all religious leaders to reject attempts to wield political power and called on them … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
Leave a comment
Book Review: Freakonomics
Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything By Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner Harper Collins, New York, 2005 The authors of Freakonomics, University of Chicago economist Steven D. Levitt and writer and journalist Stephen J. … Continue reading
Posted in Books
Leave a comment
