Dec. 3, 2008 (Archdruid Report) -- Back in 1904, sociologist Max Weber proposed that the modern period was witnessing “the disenchantment of the world” -- a process which traditional mythic ideas that wove meaning into human experience were being replaced by the alienating and dehumanizing worldview of materialist science. There's some truth to Weber's thesis, but I'm not sure he anticipated the inevitable backlash: the Procrustean stretching and lopping of scientific ideas in the popular imagination that has turned many of them into substitute myths.

Nov. 26, 2008 (Archdruid Report) -- There have been many times, during the two and a half years I've been writing posts for The Archdruid Report, when I've found myself staring at a blank computer screen of a Wednesday morning, wondering what on Earth I can say that my readers might find even remotely interesting. Happily, such times have been scarce this November. A passing reference, in my post two weeks ago, to my dissatisfaction with a presentation on the Transition Town movement brought a flurry of comments asking me to say more about that; I did so last week, and fielded another flurry of comments as well as some lively critiques on other blogs.

Jan. 3, 2009 (World News Trust) -- Lie #1) Israel is only targeting legitimate military sites and is seeking to protect innocent lives. Israel never targets civilians.

Jan. 3, 2009 (World News Trust) -- In times of crisis, most Arabs tune in to Aljazeera television. Sometimes it's comforting for the truth to be stated the way it is, with all of its gory and unsettling details, without blemishes and without censorship. When Israel carried out massive air strikes against Gaza Dec. 27, terrorizing an already hostage and malnourished population, I too tuned in to Aljazeera.

Jan. 3, 2009 (World News Trust) -- The media has recently spent a lot of time talking about the fact that a candidate to head the Republican National Committee distributed CD's to colleagues for Christmas that contained a song titled “Barack, the Magic Negro.” He was largely, and correctly, chastised for his lack of sense and sensibility. As the chorus grew, though, many Republicans came out to defend him, denying any racist intent in distributing a song parody written by a long time friend.

Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip was predictable, if not preventable. Israel's crimes against the Palestinians simply could not take place on such a massive scale were it not for U.S. support. The American people, therefore, have a responsibility to act and pressure their government to end its financial, military, and diplomatic support for Israeli violations of international law -- a necessary first step towards any viable and sustainable peace.

Dec. 2, 2009 (World News Trust) -- Silly, silly me. I must be crazy, but I feel like the luckiest guy in the world!