About Me

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Australian philosopher, literary critic, legal scholar, and professional writer. Based in Newcastle, NSW. My latest books are THE TYRANNY OF OPINION: CONFORMITY AND THE FUTURE OF LIBERALISM (2019); AT THE DAWN OF A GREAT TRANSITION: THE QUESTION OF RADICAL ENHANCEMENT (2021); and HOW WE BECAME POST-LIBERAL: THE RISE AND FALL OF TOLERATION (2024).

Friday, March 04, 2011

CFI campaign - Living Without Religion

I just want to draw attention to this campaign. It has a US focus, but that's fair enough given that that's the real home of the Center for Inquiry so far ... and the main message applies anywhere.

PZ on the hunting of the snark

PZ has his own robust take on it all. :)

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Ophelia and others on snark hunting

This is a good thread (with one glaring exception so far). I especially like Stewart at #14 and Chris Lawson at #16.

Death of Hazel Rowley

This is very sad news - I've heard today that acclaimed biographer Hazel Rowley has died. This story is now out of date but tells of how she had a massive stroke (or, if I've understood correctly, it may have been more than one) a few days ago. I'm told that Hazel's passing has been announced on Facebook, but I haven't seen any other public announcement so far except for someone updating her Wikipedia article.

I can't claim to have known Hazel well, and we hadn't been in any contact for many years. But I did know her somewhat when she was part of my social circle in Melbourne a couple of decades ago - enough to feel some real shock and grief at this, and particularly sorrow for her loved ones. They have my deepest sympathy. Hazel was still relatively young (59, I believe ... The Australian seems to be wrong saying she was 55), and, as far as I know, still in general good health at least until very recently.

It's not for me to say more on an occasion like this. Others who knew her better will have their say. But this is a horrible, and horribly premature, loss for all concerned and for the wider literary world.

Jerry Coyne on snark hunting

And a longish thread.

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Jason Rosenhouse on, "What can you say?"

Even more on the hot topic of the week - a nice post by Jason.

Eric MacDonald on theocracy and all sorts of stuff

Eric contributes to the current debate about "What can you say?"

Too risky for the public square?

Should the public be protected from metaethical debate?Another take on this issue, over at Camels with Hammers.

Just a reminder

Just reminding us all of this. Just sayin'.