Quote of the Week

"It would be foolish to despise tradition. But with our growing self-consciousness and increasing intelligence we must begin to control tradition and assume a critical attitude toward it, if human relations are ever to change for the better. We must try to recognize what in our accepted tradition is damaging to our fate and dignity—and shape our lives accordingly."

Albert Einstein (1946).

From Einstein's short essay,  'The Negro Question'. Whilst taken in context, it refers to race relations, a subject that has pertinence 70 years later. However, this also talks to a great deal of issues that can be seen as traditions that persist both here in Canada, and back in the homeland that require critical analysis, and yet are blithely maintained.

This is something I struggle with sometimes, seeing the need for reform, whilst still wanting to maintain strong links to the past and tradition, although, as I age, I seem to be erring more on the side of reform. This may be more as I become of an age where I can actively do something about it, maybe in my later years I will return to a more conservative outlook.

Quote of the Week

"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."

William Gibson.

I have just returned from seeing this man speak at Concordia University. The conversation was interesting, and has given me pause to revisit some of his books now I have heard him speak, and give an insight into his thoughts. I read Neuromancer a long time ago, and I can't remember being all that impressed.

Quote of the Week

"When the train of history hits a curve, the intellectuals fall off.” 

Karl Marx.

Quote of the Week

I have been working through a whole bunch of books I've had on my wishlist for years on my kindle. Mostly because they're free. I've made it along the line to Machiavelli. I need go no further to defend the writing's modern day significance after I read the following:

It ought to be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things, because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new. This coolness arises partly from fear of the opponents, who have the laws on their side, and partly from the incredulity of men, who do not readily believe in new things until they have had a long experience of them.

Machiavelli "The Prince".
Chapter VI Concerning New Principalities which are acquired by one's own arms and ability.

I see Machiavelli tried to start a union too!

Quote of the Week

“When I can’t buy a bagel in French, it really bugs me.”
Jonathan Valois, Parti Québécois president, at a PQ workshop.