And I think the score, by an exceptional talent among the Mormons, Crawford Gates, is excellent.

But brilliant intellect with ideas that will last generations and help bind and preserve the Republic? Uh, no. Not even close.

I’m not too bothered by the Greek temple thing, or even the quasi-Presidential seal. I may even vote for the guy. But honestly, it’s the zeal of some of his supporters that creeps me out the most, and all I can say about that music video you link to is, “eeew”. Some of this stuff reminds me of what Mussolini used to do. It’s unseemly to see in proletarian America, and I’m afraid, it validates some of what Jonah Goldberg tried to say in his book Liberal Fascists that many on the left (though not exclusively on the left) are very prone to hero worship of their political leaders. I am sick to death of all this rhapsodizing about Reagan, but at least the Republicans wait until their leaders are dead (to say nothing of actually having been elected) before they deify them!

Orwell is right when he says that Boorstin isn’t saying professionals should have no place, or that they shouldn’t exist. But that there should always be room for talented amateur enthusiasts as well. The problem isn’t professionalism, but a tendency among certain professionals to look down their noses at anyone not in the guild. Einstein was a patent clerk when he wrote his first papers, and many amateur astronomers today are doing great and valuable work. Professionals need to make sure they leave room for and welcome amateurs who can bring a freshness and vitality to their fields.

There was a wonderful example of this at the FAIR Conference. I know it has ‘apologetics’ in the title, but most of the sessions were not apologetic in character. Newell Bringhurst and Craig Foster had a presentation on the White Horse Prophecy that was not apologetic, for instance. Bringhurst, a professional historian of 25 years, approvingly cited a paper on the White Horse Prophecy by George Cobabe, who, though he holds two degrees, was working as an insurance salesman when he wrote it.

Later during a break after their session, Bringhurst and Cobabe were having a very congenial and interesting discussion, and again, Bringhurst was very complimentary about Cobabe’s work.

It would have been easy for Bringhurst to ignore or denigrate the work of an outsider, but the fact is Cobabe has done some fine work in this area, even though he’s not a professional historian. It’s that kind of openness to amateurs that I saw over and over at the conference that was so heartwarming. By the way, you can read Cobabe’s paper here.

Tagore:

Thanks for the pointer to Nibley’s article. I had missed that one. I loved this quote: “Official credentials, a foolproof shield against criticism and scrutiny, were naturally coveted most by those who needed them most: it was the poorly qualified who clamored for the status symbol of the degree.”

Truly confident and competent professionals aren’t threatened by amateurs. They welcome their input and contributions. And as TT points out, many of them are in their fields because they love them. More power to them!

Does that make one of us a cultural giant?

That was in about 1990, so she would have been teaching at that university for 40-some years. I am now teaching at a Catholic and historically Black university.

John, both BYU and my postdoctoral institution had the same rules Devyn mentioned respecting the cadavers.

Next question:

ECS: …imagery is a sublimation of precisely…

Again: Are you talking about you or me?

Next question:

ECS: Republicans are dangerously insane and should be locked up for safety’s sake.

Again, are you talking about you or me?