Date: June 10, 2008
Title: The Great Divorce
Author: C. S. Lewis
Thoughts: “What concerns you in the nature is the nature of choice itself: and that ye can watch them making” (quote from the book).
Date: July 2, 2008
Title: The Gospel of Luke
Thoughts: “Then He said to them, ‘Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sin should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. And you are witnesses to these things” (Luke 24:46-48).
Date: July 12, 2008
Title: Walking with God
Author: John Eldredge
Thoughts: “The reason we are morally obligated to be happy is that people have to live with us” (quote from the book).
John Eldredge also wrote Epic.
Date: July 27, 2008
Title: Undaunted Courage
Author: Stephen E. Ambrose
Thoughts: How could someone as extraordinary as Meriwether Lewis come to such a sad end?
Date: August 2, 2008
Title: One Small step Can Change Your Life
Author: Robert Maurer
Thoughts: “To be really great in little things, to be truly noble and heroic in the insipid details of everyday life, is a virtue so rare as to be worthy of canonization” (quote from the book).
Date: August 3, 2008
Title: Red Harvest
Author: Dashiell Hammett
Thoughts: More crime than you can shake a stick at.
Date: September 28, 2008
Title: Book of Lies
Author: Brad Meltzer
Thoughts: Thrillers aren’t my thing, but this book was okay. I read it mainly because of the Jerry Siegel/Superman connection.
Date: October 21, 2008
Title: The Politically Incorrect Guide to Western Civilization
Author: Anthony Esolen
Thoughts: A look at the good and the bad from ancient Greece to today and how we’ve forgotten so much of the good and embraced so much of the bad. The book is a call to let history be a corrective to the excesses of modern society.
Other parts of What I Read:
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5,
Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10,
Part 11
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query 2008. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query 2008. Sort by date Show all posts
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
What I Read (11)
Date: February 3, 2008
Title: Changing for Good Author: James O. Prochaska, John C. Norcross & Carlo C. DiClemente
Thoughts: I would like to make some changes in my life. I thought I might end bad health habits or passivity. Now I see I have issues with distress. I know a lot of my problem behavior is rooted in distress. That may be a good place to start.
Date: March 1, 2008
Title: The Physics of Superheroes
Author: James Kakalios
Thoughts: A fund way to brush up on physics I don’t think about every day. I enjoyed the tidbits of comics history.
Date: March 30, 2008
Title: The Once and Future King Author: T. H. White
Thoughts: Sometimes funny, even silly, though very tragic and sad.
There is original sin and men are depraved, as the Bible teaches. God is doing good always and seeking people to join Him. The world needs people who will faithfully try.
Date: April 3, 2008
Title: The Chinatown Death Cloud Peril
Author: Paul Malmont
Thoughts: This was the most fun book I’ve read in quite a while.
Date: April 8, 2008
Title: Gratitude: Affirming the Good Things in Life
Author: Melody Beattie
Thoughts: “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life” (quote from the book).
Date: April 27, 2008
Title: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
Author: Michael Chabon
Thoughts: I heard a lot about this book being about comics and popular culture. It is more about identity. The superheroes and their alter egos are escaping the conventional to be their true selves, as the characters in the book are striving to be.
Date: May 25, 2008
Title: God Wants You to be Rich
Author: Paul Zane Pilzer
Thoughts: For some time I’ve shared the thought that the goodness of God results in abundant providence. I’m interested in the concept that technology unlocks supply for our limitless (ever changing) demand.
Other parts of What I Read:
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5,
Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10
Title: Changing for Good Author: James O. Prochaska, John C. Norcross & Carlo C. DiClemente
Thoughts: I would like to make some changes in my life. I thought I might end bad health habits or passivity. Now I see I have issues with distress. I know a lot of my problem behavior is rooted in distress. That may be a good place to start.
Date: March 1, 2008
Title: The Physics of Superheroes
Author: James Kakalios
Thoughts: A fund way to brush up on physics I don’t think about every day. I enjoyed the tidbits of comics history.
Date: March 30, 2008
Title: The Once and Future King Author: T. H. White
Thoughts: Sometimes funny, even silly, though very tragic and sad.
There is original sin and men are depraved, as the Bible teaches. God is doing good always and seeking people to join Him. The world needs people who will faithfully try.
Date: April 3, 2008
Title: The Chinatown Death Cloud Peril
Author: Paul Malmont
Thoughts: This was the most fun book I’ve read in quite a while.
Date: April 8, 2008
Title: Gratitude: Affirming the Good Things in Life
Author: Melody Beattie
Thoughts: “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life” (quote from the book).
Date: April 27, 2008
Title: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
Author: Michael Chabon
Thoughts: I heard a lot about this book being about comics and popular culture. It is more about identity. The superheroes and their alter egos are escaping the conventional to be their true selves, as the characters in the book are striving to be.
Date: May 25, 2008
Title: God Wants You to be Rich
Author: Paul Zane Pilzer
Thoughts: For some time I’ve shared the thought that the goodness of God results in abundant providence. I’m interested in the concept that technology unlocks supply for our limitless (ever changing) demand.
Other parts of What I Read:
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5,
Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10
Friday, November 28, 2008
What's New Nov. 28, 2008
The 4:8 Principle by Tommy Newberry
A Politically Incorrect Guide to Western Civilization by Anthony Esolen
The Book of Lies by Brad Meltzer
Changes to Missouri Design Professional Laws and Regulations
EPA Region 7 to Host Environmental Justice Grant Workshop
Get Involved / Volunteer - Membership and Sections - AWWA
Glossary
Happier by Tal Ben-Shahar
Interesting Stuff Nov. 9, 2008
Interesting Stuff Nov. 28, 2008
Resolution Could Affect Education Requirements for Engineering Licensure
Transportation News
Water Infrastructure News Nov. 24, 2008
Water Resources News Nov. 13, 2008
Water Resources News Nov. 24, 2008
What's New Nov. 5, 2008
A Politically Incorrect Guide to Western Civilization by Anthony Esolen
The Book of Lies by Brad Meltzer
Changes to Missouri Design Professional Laws and Regulations
EPA Region 7 to Host Environmental Justice Grant Workshop
Get Involved / Volunteer - Membership and Sections - AWWA
Glossary
Happier by Tal Ben-Shahar
Interesting Stuff Nov. 9, 2008
Interesting Stuff Nov. 28, 2008
Resolution Could Affect Education Requirements for Engineering Licensure
Transportation News
Water Infrastructure News Nov. 24, 2008
Water Resources News Nov. 13, 2008
Water Resources News Nov. 24, 2008
What's New Nov. 5, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
What’s New Oct. 26, 2008
Chance by Amir Aczel
Interesting Stuff (Oct. 4, 2008)
Interesting Stuff Oct. 26, 2008
One Small Step Can Change Your Life by Robert Maurer (book review)
Pharmaceuticals in Water (updated Oct. 8, 2008)
Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett
Revised Backflow Preventer Standards Published
Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose (book review)
Welcome to Keenan’s Book Reviews
Interesting Stuff (Oct. 4, 2008)
Interesting Stuff Oct. 26, 2008
One Small Step Can Change Your Life by Robert Maurer (book review)
Pharmaceuticals in Water (updated Oct. 8, 2008)
Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett
Revised Backflow Preventer Standards Published
Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose (book review)
Welcome to Keenan’s Book Reviews
Thursday, April 1, 2010
What I Read (End)
Date: November 27, 2008
Title: His Excellency
Author: Joseph J. Ellis
Thoughts: A readable and balanced biography of a great man.
Date: December 25, 2008
Title: The Spirit
Author: Darwyn Cooke
Thoughts: Great, fun detective stories.
Date: December 28, 2008
Title: Wisdom from the Batcave
Author: Cory A Friedman
Thoughts: A fun way to look at serious ethics.
Date: January 3, 2009
Title: Blink
Author: Malcolm Gladwell
Thoughts: The good, the bad and the hope of snap judgments.
Date: January 5, 2009
Title: The Unfinished Game
Author: Keith Devlin
Thoughts: It’s comforting that someone as smart as Pascal had trouble grasping probabilities, though he was handicapped by having to invent the idea first.
Keith Devlin also coauthored The Numbers behind NUMB3RS.
Date: January 15, 2009
Title: The Water Room
Author: Christopher Fowler
Thoughts: An interesting and enjoyable detective story, but he main draw to me was the underground rivers of London.
Date: January 22, 2009
Title: The Joy of Supernatural Thinking
Author: Bill Bright
Thoughts: A very challenging book.
Date: January 31, 2009
Title: The Big Necessity
Author: Rose George
Thoughts: It’s amazing how many people could have better lives if they could just dispose of their shit, and how hard it seems to be to accomplish it.
Date: February 24, 2009
Title: Why Good Things Happen to Good People
Author: Stephen Post & Jill Neimark
Thoughts:
“The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will be watered himself” (Proverbs 11:25).
Date: March 1, 2009
Title: How to Write Mysteries
Author: Shannon OCork
Thoughts: Lots of good ideas. Now to put them to use.
Date: March 17, 2009
Title: The Emotional Energy Factor
Author: Mira Kirshenbaum
Thoughts: “Worry never comes up with good ideas. It never yields comfort. It never brings your ship to any safe harbor” (quote from the book).
Date: March 26, 2009
Title: Mastering Fiction Writing
Author: Kit Reed
Thoughts: “You’re going to have to write a lot of crap in your life before you write anything good, so you might as well get started” (quote from the book).
Books I Want to Write
Goal Setting that Works
A hardboiled, science fiction crime story
The Prodigal
Phin
Other parts of What I Read:
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5,
Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10,
Part 11, Part 12
Title: His Excellency
Author: Joseph J. Ellis
Thoughts: A readable and balanced biography of a great man.
Date: December 25, 2008
Title: The Spirit
Author: Darwyn Cooke
Thoughts: Great, fun detective stories.
Date: December 28, 2008
Title: Wisdom from the Batcave
Author: Cory A Friedman
Thoughts: A fun way to look at serious ethics.
Date: January 3, 2009
Title: Blink
Author: Malcolm Gladwell
Thoughts: The good, the bad and the hope of snap judgments.
Date: January 5, 2009
Title: The Unfinished Game
Author: Keith Devlin
Thoughts: It’s comforting that someone as smart as Pascal had trouble grasping probabilities, though he was handicapped by having to invent the idea first.
Keith Devlin also coauthored The Numbers behind NUMB3RS.
Date: January 15, 2009
Title: The Water Room
Author: Christopher Fowler
Thoughts: An interesting and enjoyable detective story, but he main draw to me was the underground rivers of London.
Date: January 22, 2009
Title: The Joy of Supernatural Thinking
Author: Bill Bright
Thoughts: A very challenging book.
Date: January 31, 2009
Title: The Big Necessity
Author: Rose George
Thoughts: It’s amazing how many people could have better lives if they could just dispose of their shit, and how hard it seems to be to accomplish it.
Date: February 24, 2009
Title: Why Good Things Happen to Good People
Author: Stephen Post & Jill Neimark
Thoughts:
“The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will be watered himself” (Proverbs 11:25).
Date: March 1, 2009
Title: How to Write Mysteries
Author: Shannon OCork
Thoughts: Lots of good ideas. Now to put them to use.
Date: March 17, 2009
Title: The Emotional Energy Factor
Author: Mira Kirshenbaum
Thoughts: “Worry never comes up with good ideas. It never yields comfort. It never brings your ship to any safe harbor” (quote from the book).
Date: March 26, 2009
Title: Mastering Fiction Writing
Author: Kit Reed
Thoughts: “You’re going to have to write a lot of crap in your life before you write anything good, so you might as well get started” (quote from the book).
Books I Want to Write
Goal Setting that Works
A hardboiled, science fiction crime story
The Prodigal
Phin
Other parts of What I Read:
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5,
Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10,
Part 11, Part 12
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
What’s New Oct. 28, 2008
Buried Alive by Jan Bondeson
The Chinatown Death Cloud Peril by Paul Malmont
Dreams of Iron and Steel by Deborah Cadbury
The Great Stink by Clare Clark
Halloween Reading
Infra Consulting LC
Infra Consulting LC (http://www.nonprofitservices.org/directory/profile.php)
infraconsultinglc - INFRA CONSULTING LC The Not-So-Small Systems ...
Interesting Stuff October 28, 2008
The Lighthouse Stevensons by Bella Bathurst
What’s New Oct. 26, 2008
The Chinatown Death Cloud Peril by Paul Malmont
Dreams of Iron and Steel by Deborah Cadbury
The Great Stink by Clare Clark
Halloween Reading
Infra Consulting LC
Infra Consulting LC (http://www.nonprofitservices.org/directory/profile.php)
infraconsultinglc - INFRA CONSULTING LC The Not-So-Small Systems ...
Interesting Stuff October 28, 2008
The Lighthouse Stevensons by Bella Bathurst
What’s New Oct. 26, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
What's New Nov. 5, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Interesting Stuff Oct. 26, 2008
Alexander Solzhenitsyn Passes 2008 August 3
Capitalist Quotations
Dog Acts as Mom at Kansas Zoo
Interesting Stuff (Oct. 4, 2008)
Liquid Found On Saturn Moon
NASA's Sure: There's Water On Mars
Nissan Shows Off Powerful New Electric Car
Nobel Prize-Winning Russian Author Dies
North Texas lake evaporation high, but conservation measures helping
Solzhenitsyn, chronicler of Soviet gulag, dies
Toyota Announces Changes in North American Production
Toyota to Build the Prius Hybrid in Mississippi
Capitalist Quotations
Dog Acts as Mom at Kansas Zoo
Interesting Stuff (Oct. 4, 2008)
Liquid Found On Saturn Moon
NASA's Sure: There's Water On Mars
Nissan Shows Off Powerful New Electric Car
Nobel Prize-Winning Russian Author Dies
North Texas lake evaporation high, but conservation measures helping
Solzhenitsyn, chronicler of Soviet gulag, dies
Toyota Announces Changes in North American Production
Toyota to Build the Prius Hybrid in Mississippi
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Interesting Stuff Nov. 5, 2008
Astronauts cast presidential votes from space
10 Books to Read Before You Die
Budweiser and St Louis Crying into their beer Economist.com
Canadians self-absorbed: http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/editorial/story.html?id=ea3e40ce-d446-48fc-842b-697b0ae5f0e2
Capitalist Quotations
Copernicus Book Shines At Auction
Critics Fear Collider Could Doom Earth
Denmark Is World's Happiest Country
Interesting Stuff October 28, 2008
'Last Taboo' Asks Us to Consider the Problems of Human Waste in Mega Cities
Space Station Trash Plunging to Earth
Spinning Skyscraper Planned For Dubai
10 Books to Read Before You Die
Budweiser and St Louis Crying into their beer Economist.com
Canadians self-absorbed: http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/editorial/story.html?id=ea3e40ce-d446-48fc-842b-697b0ae5f0e2
Capitalist Quotations
Copernicus Book Shines At Auction
Critics Fear Collider Could Doom Earth
Denmark Is World's Happiest Country
Interesting Stuff October 28, 2008
'Last Taboo' Asks Us to Consider the Problems of Human Waste in Mega Cities
Space Station Trash Plunging to Earth
Spinning Skyscraper Planned For Dubai
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
What's New Feb. 25, 2009
Another Googleganger: Teen web mogul
Glossary (Amended)
Gratitude by Melody Beattie
House Passes Stimulus Bill
Interesting Stuff Feb. 25, 2008
The Joy of Supernatural Thinking by Bill Bright
Missouri Wastewater Financial Assistance Draft Plans Available
New Rule on Rural Water and Waste Interest Rates to Take Effect Feb. 20
Obama Signs Stimulus Bill
Pharmaceuticals in Water (Amended)
Senate Approves Environmental Appointments
Transportation Secretary Discusses Economic Stimulus Package
What's New Feb. 2, 2008
Glossary (Amended)
Gratitude by Melody Beattie
House Passes Stimulus Bill
Interesting Stuff Feb. 25, 2008
The Joy of Supernatural Thinking by Bill Bright
Missouri Wastewater Financial Assistance Draft Plans Available
New Rule on Rural Water and Waste Interest Rates to Take Effect Feb. 20
Obama Signs Stimulus Bill
Pharmaceuticals in Water (Amended)
Senate Approves Environmental Appointments
Transportation Secretary Discusses Economic Stimulus Package
What's New Feb. 2, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
What's New
aboutkeenan - Keenan Patterson Speaking
Boards (keenanbpatterson)
Actual me on Facebook
Alternative Energy Articles & Links (amended)
Christmas Reading & Entertainment
Emanuel States Support for Infrastructure Spending
Glossary (updated)
Googlegangers: On Facebook, Another on Facebook, On Linkedin
Holiday Inn (Film)
Interesting Stuff Dec. 18, 2008
Investor Groups Call for Corporate Water Responsibility
Keenan Patterson: ZoomInfo Business People Information
The Leadership Triad by Dale E. Zand
Links to Infrastructure Related Organizations (amended)
Luke (Holy Bible)
Missouri Announces Plans for Disaster Relief Supplement to CDBG
New Chairman at Burns & McDonnell
What’s New Dec. 2, 2008
Wind Farms on the Ocean
Boards (keenanbpatterson)
Actual me on Facebook
Alternative Energy Articles & Links (amended)
Christmas Reading & Entertainment
Emanuel States Support for Infrastructure Spending
Glossary (updated)
Googlegangers: On Facebook, Another on Facebook, On Linkedin
Holiday Inn (Film)
Interesting Stuff Dec. 18, 2008
Investor Groups Call for Corporate Water Responsibility
Keenan Patterson: ZoomInfo Business People Information
The Leadership Triad by Dale E. Zand
Links to Infrastructure Related Organizations (amended)
Luke (Holy Bible)
Missouri Announces Plans for Disaster Relief Supplement to CDBG
New Chairman at Burns & McDonnell
What’s New Dec. 2, 2008
Wind Farms on the Ocean
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Interesting Stuff Jan. 8, 2008
A Bush Legacy: Preserving The Oceans?
Cheap household rainwater harvester developed to prevent floods in Wales
Dick Tracy Watch Had Nothing On This One!
Drivers Trapped by Water Main Break
Environmental Crimes Fugitives
How Technology May Soon "Read" Your Mind
Interesting Stuff Dec. 18, 2008
Lucky People Notice More
Northern England's UFO Mystery Solved
Our Galaxy Is Bigger Than Once Thought (Why are we obsessed with galactic disasters?)
Reading My Mind
Sketches Found on Back of Da Vinci Work
The Man Who Bridges Troubled Waters
Cheap household rainwater harvester developed to prevent floods in Wales
Dick Tracy Watch Had Nothing On This One!
Drivers Trapped by Water Main Break
Environmental Crimes Fugitives
How Technology May Soon "Read" Your Mind
Interesting Stuff Dec. 18, 2008
Lucky People Notice More
Northern England's UFO Mystery Solved
Our Galaxy Is Bigger Than Once Thought (Why are we obsessed with galactic disasters?)
Reading My Mind
Sketches Found on Back of Da Vinci Work
The Man Who Bridges Troubled Waters
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Interesting Stuff Nov. 9, 2008
Bill Would Make Ice Cream Cone Missouri’s Official Dessert
Designer To Show Off His Mini-Helicopter
Did El Nino Help Magellan Sail?
Engineers Need A Universal Directive on Responsibility
Gov. Blunt's Faith-Based Initiative Offers Tools to Better Prepare Missouri for Emergency Response
Hydrogen Fuel Cells Used to Make Water
In Space, No One Can Hear You Flush
Interesting Stuff Nov. 5, 2008
Measure seeks to name sewage plant after Bush (As a friend likes to say, “What the monkey?”)
"Phenomenal" Bug Repellants Identified
Robot Digger Set to Land on Mars
Rocket Man Feels Wind Beneath His Wings
Scientists Witness Star's Explosive End
Surgeons Save Rescue Dog With Pacemaker (right here in Missouri)
Treated Wastewater for Thirsty Power Plants
Designer To Show Off His Mini-Helicopter
Did El Nino Help Magellan Sail?
Engineers Need A Universal Directive on Responsibility
Gov. Blunt's Faith-Based Initiative Offers Tools to Better Prepare Missouri for Emergency Response
Hydrogen Fuel Cells Used to Make Water
In Space, No One Can Hear You Flush
Interesting Stuff Nov. 5, 2008
Measure seeks to name sewage plant after Bush (As a friend likes to say, “What the monkey?”)
"Phenomenal" Bug Repellants Identified
Robot Digger Set to Land on Mars
Rocket Man Feels Wind Beneath His Wings
Scientists Witness Star's Explosive End
Surgeons Save Rescue Dog With Pacemaker (right here in Missouri)
Treated Wastewater for Thirsty Power Plants
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Interesting Stuff October 28, 2008
HEROES, ANTI-HEROES & REGULAR FOLKS
InBev acquiring Anheuser-Busch for $52 billion
Interesting Stuff Oct. 26, 2008
Japanese Engineer Died From Overwork (don’t let it happen to you)
Life Not Worth As Much, Says Gov't Agency
Mehbooba Ahadyar, Afghanistan's Only Female Olympian, Disappears in Italy
Siena fountains showcase medieval engineering
The Slow Down Payoff? -- Money and Lives
Water Giant Philip E. Lamoreaux Dies
InBev acquiring Anheuser-Busch for $52 billion
Interesting Stuff Oct. 26, 2008
Japanese Engineer Died From Overwork (don’t let it happen to you)
Life Not Worth As Much, Says Gov't Agency
Mehbooba Ahadyar, Afghanistan's Only Female Olympian, Disappears in Italy
Siena fountains showcase medieval engineering
The Slow Down Payoff? -- Money and Lives
Water Giant Philip E. Lamoreaux Dies
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Best of What I Read in 2008
For those of you who like to focus their reading time on the best, here are what I consider to be the top 20 percent of the books I read in 2008.
1. Luke (The Holy Bible)
2. The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis
3. Changing for Good by Prochaska et al.
4. Walking with God by John Eldredge
5. His Excellency by Joseph J. Ellis
6. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
7. The Politically Incorrect Guide to Western Civilization by Anthony Esolen
8. Wisdom from the Batcave by Carry A. Friedman
If you’d like to see a few more book that rose to the top, check out the best of what I read in 2007.
1. Luke (The Holy Bible)
2. The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis
3. Changing for Good by Prochaska et al.
4. Walking with God by John Eldredge
5. His Excellency by Joseph J. Ellis
6. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
7. The Politically Incorrect Guide to Western Civilization by Anthony Esolen
8. Wisdom from the Batcave by Carry A. Friedman
If you’d like to see a few more book that rose to the top, check out the best of what I read in 2007.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Dr. Horrible, the Hamlet of Nerds
Okay, comparing Dr. Horrible’s
Sing-Along Blog to Hamlet, one
of the greatest plays
in the English
language, is
the type of hyperbole writers,
especially on the Internet,
use to draw in a reader. I presume it
worked on you.
There are points of comparison. Both are tragedies. Both feature lead
characters giving themselves over to being people they might not really have
wanted to become, at least not at the beginning. Both carry a sense of
terrifying inevitability.
Having hooked you with Hamlet,
I’m going to carry on about Dr. Horrible. The film
plays on concepts of nerdiness,
jocks, and what
is the potential tragedy of a world in which nerds can’t find a place for
themselves (though they seem to be everywhere). It does so in the nerdy context
of superhero
films and musicals,
the mash up of these genres being geeky itself.
About the Film
Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog
was produced as a serial
for the Internet. The film was written
by Joss
Whedon, his brothers Zack and Jed, and Maurissa
Tancharoen to produce something during the 2007-2008 strike
by the Writer’s Guild. It appeared on the Dr. Horrible Web site in three parts in July
2008 and is now available on DVD.
The familiar star of the film is Neil
Patrick Harris, who plays Barney on How I
Met Your Mother. I don’t enjoy that show much, but fortunately Harris
has found other outlets for his performing talent. It is unfair to say Dr. Horrible launched her career, but I
think it helped Felicia Day
achieve a new level, especially on the Internet. She is everywhere now and produces the Geek & Sundry YouTube
channel.
Plot Summary
Dr.
Horrible (Harris) is an aspiring supervillain. He is seeking entry into the Evil
League of Evil, but his prospects are threatened by superhero Captain
Hammer (Nathan
Fillion).
The pursuit of supervillainy is complicated by Dr. Horrible’s
double-mindedness even more than his nemesis.
As his alter ego Billy, the doctor is smitten with Penny (Day), a
girl he meets at the Laundromat. She
meets and begins to date Captain Hammer. Hammer recognizes his enemy and
flaunts the affair.
Dr. Horrible retreats from the situation and focuses on the
League. They are not impressed with his
recent failures, but he can prove himself by killing someone in one of his
capers. He plans to kill Hammer. Things
go wrong when Horrible sees Penny at the event where he plans to exact his
revenge and begins to experience a change of heart. Hammer gains control of Horrible’s death ray,
which is overloading. In spite of Horrible’s warning, Hammer uses the weapon,
which explodes, causing him pain but no apparent injury. Fragments of the death
ray hit the crowd and kill Penny.
In one stroke, Horrible loses his love and gains his dead victim. He is admitted to the League. He abandons
hope and embraces evil. It’s dark stuff
for a musical comedy.
Dr. Horrible: Protagonist,
Villain, Nerd
Dr. Horrible is a nerd. As
support of this notion, if it isn’t readily apparent, I turn to the
characteristics of nerds identified by Benjamin
Nugent in American Nerd. He suggests that people associated nerds with
machine like qualities. Nerds seem machine like in that they
- like working with machines, having interest in technical subjects or complex hobbies, and
- prefer direct, logical, rule-bound communication to indirect, emotional communication.
In his first appearance, Dr. Horrible is recording a vlog entry in his
lab. Throughout the film, he talks about his inventions and uses them. He is
clearly at home in the realm of technology. Not only that, he identifies
himself with science
and technology with his costume: long white (lab) coat, long rubber gloves, and
goggles.
While comfortable with technology and talking about it, he is
uncomfortable with emotional communication. He has trouble expressing his
feelings to Penny, and he has trouble reading the signs that she might be
attracted to him. In light of this, he is oddly eloquent on his vlog. In Quiet, Susan Cain noted that introverts
often communicate a lot through social media, and rise to leadership in online
communities. They communicate very well
when relieved of the pressures and distractions of face-to-face communications.
Nerdiness and introversion
aren’t synonymous, but I think it strengthens the case for Dr. Horrible’s
nerdiness in his preference for technologically mediated communication that is
formalized through a script (an unscripted vlog would not be eloquent) and
music (with rules for rhythm, pitch, and rhyme).
Captain Hammer: Antagonist,
Hero, Jock
Captain Hammer is the antithesis of a nerd: a jock. I turn again to American Nerd to help make this diagnosis. Nugent notes that the
nerd image was at one time associated with immigrant
communities that were rising in population and status. Immigrant pursuit of New World
opportunities was shaped by their Old World
perspective, so they sought upward mobility in artistic and intellectual
professions.
The established upper class wanted to both maintain its dominance and
distinguish itself from lower classes, especially immigrants. They adopted a
preference for athleticism and a suspicion of excessive intellectualism.
Book-learning had its place, but a boy who would take his place as active leader in
business,
political,
and military
affairs needed to learn how to win. Sporting fields
and athletic competitions were seen as the classroom for these skills.
Athleticism as associated with a certain class (because such vigorous leisure
required time and resources). This
magnified the upper class sense of superiority.
We can see this in reflected Captain Hammer. His superhuman physical
superiority seems to be a justification for his overall sense of being superior
to others, especially the weaker and physically cowardly Horrible. Even his
activities as a do-gooder seem to lack a moral motivation outside a vague
noblesse oblige. He seems more interested in establishing and maintaining his
status. For instance, his support of Penny’s campaign to end homelessness is
motivated by the positive publicity he receives, not by love of his fellow
man—he does not perceive value in homeless people.
The Tragedy of Dr. Horrible
Dr. Horrible, then, is a classic conflict between a typical nerd and a
typical jock, except they are a supervillain and a superhero in a comic
book-style world where such people exist. Where is the tragedy?
We’ve already noted the death of Penny. That is enough to make the film
a tragedy, but not necessarily a nerdy one.
The tragedy of the nerd is to be trapped in alienation. Admittedly,
nerds seem to be increasingly popular nowadays, but the more traditional image
of a nerd is of one alienated from popular society because his machine-like
qualities are not valued in a culture that sees emotional display and
sensitivity as more worthy and human.
Nerds are not naturally loners, though. They have a long history of
building their own communities. Science
fiction fandom is a good example. Long before the Internet, sci-fi fans
built communities of letter
writing and zines around popular magazines.
Before long, they began gathering at clubs and conventions. This culture
carried over into comic book fandom (for more on this check out Men
of Tomorrow by Gerard Jones).
Nugent notes how a similar community of nerds, also readers popular magazines,
formed around ham radio,
where technological skill and rule-bound communication were prized.
We’ve noted that Dr. Horrible also seeks connection to a community. He
specifically identifies his desire to be part of the League. His quest for world domination is also motivated
by a desire to connect with the wider community of humanity. He wants to take
over the world not because he hates people, but because he longs for a logical
meritocracy that would rid the world of all the trouble cause by emotionalism,
celebrity culture, and doublespeak. In his fantasy, he would naturally rise to
the top of such a society.
Captain Hammer frustrates these efforts at connection. He reinforces a
culture of athleticism and emotional communication that Horrible cannot
participate in. When he finds a sympathetic soul who may be able to help him
make that connection, Hammer sweeps her away. At last, Horrible wins entry into
a community, but the League is evil and inhumane, and can only serve to further
dehumanize its members. The cost to Horrible to finally belong is high; he must
turn his back on the rest of humanity and give up the hope of ever loving or
being loved by another. He is completely alienated, cut off from meaningful and
fulfilling connections to others.
The Sequel
A sequel is reported in the works and expected to be released this
year. I would expect most of the major
characters to return.
I imagine many fans would like to see Day reprise her role as Penny,
though the character died in the first film.
Because this is a superhero movie, there are several ways around this: time travel,
cloning, robotic or
holographic doubleganger (it’s a word, and it doesn’t need an umlaut), or
reanimation (no zombies,
please). Maybe Dr. Horrible will try all
of these things, each effort going more wrong than the last. He could be forced
to team up with Captain Hammer to fend off an army of time-travel replicated,
cyborg zombie Pennies, but I probably wouldn’t watch it because I’m creeped out
by the walking dead.
Making Your Connection
You may be nerd seeking connection, too. I’ve provided a little information below
where you can find out about the people behind this film and the books I
mentioned. They’re involved in other things and you may find that work
interesting. Please do not cyberstalk them.
I don’t want that on my conscience.
Susan Cain
Book: Quiet (review)
Facebook: AuthorSusanCain
Twitter: @susancain
Web site: www.thepowerofintroverts.com
Felicia Day
Facebook: Felicia Day
Google+: +Felicia
Day
IMDb: Felicia Day
Twitter: @feliciaday
Web site: feliciaday.com
YouTube: Geek &
Sundry
Nathan Fillion
IMDb: Nathan Fillion
Twitter: @NathanFillion
Neil Patrick Harris
IBDB: Neil Patrick
Harris
IMDb: Neil Patrick Harris
Twitter: @ActuallyNPH
YouTube: Neil’s
Puppet Dreams on Nerdist
Gerard Jones
Book: Men
of Tomorrow (review)
ComicBookDB: Gerard
Jones
IMDb: Gerard Jones
Red Room: Gerard Jones
Web site: www.gerardjones.com
Benjamin Nugent
Book: American
Nerd (review)
Maurissa Tancharoen
IMDb: Maurissa Tancharoen
Jed Whedon
IMDb: Jed Whedon
Twitter: @jedwhedon
Joss Whedon
IMDb: Joss Whedon
Web site: whedonesque.com
Zack Whedon
IMDb: Zack Whedon
Google
Friday, November 28, 2008
Interesting Stuff Nov. 28, 2008
Bad Behavior Contagious, Study Finds (modern science confirms ancient wisdom)
Canadians Like Drinking Water
Collegiate Mining Competition
Cuban Bloggers Defy Government Control
Digitizing Books For Google: No Quick Task
Frog Breathes Through Skin
Gov. Blunt Announces New Resource to Assist Expectant Mothers, Reduce Abortion
Gov. Blunt Observes National Day of Prayer
High-Pitched Device Drives Away TeensHow does a stone “skip” across water?
In Taliban territory, a dam project forges ahead
Interesting Stuff Nov. 9, 2008
Is Generation Y Too Hooked On 'Tronics?
Newly Launched "Doing What Works" Web Site Adds New Feature to Provide Best Practices to Educators to Encourage Girls in Math and Science
Obama May Have To Quit Blackberry Habit
Seven-Hour Spacewalk A Success
Spacewalkers hope to revive hobbled solar-wing joint during in-orbit cleaning, lube job
Technology makes pump power child's play
Turning Urine Into Water For Space Station Recycling
U.K. Woman Unknowingly Paid Neighbor’s Water Bill for 16 Years
Canadians Like Drinking Water
Collegiate Mining Competition
Cuban Bloggers Defy Government Control
Digitizing Books For Google: No Quick Task
Frog Breathes Through Skin
Gov. Blunt Announces New Resource to Assist Expectant Mothers, Reduce Abortion
Gov. Blunt Observes National Day of Prayer
High-Pitched Device Drives Away TeensHow does a stone “skip” across water?
In Taliban territory, a dam project forges ahead
Interesting Stuff Nov. 9, 2008
Is Generation Y Too Hooked On 'Tronics?
Newly Launched "Doing What Works" Web Site Adds New Feature to Provide Best Practices to Educators to Encourage Girls in Math and Science
Obama May Have To Quit Blackberry Habit
Seven-Hour Spacewalk A Success
Spacewalkers hope to revive hobbled solar-wing joint during in-orbit cleaning, lube job
Technology makes pump power child's play
Turning Urine Into Water For Space Station Recycling
U.K. Woman Unknowingly Paid Neighbor’s Water Bill for 16 Years
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Monday, November 14, 2016
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Prior to reading Malcolm
Gladwell’s book Outliers, I had
seen it referenced by others in relation to the so-called “10,000-hour rule.”
This is the concept that mastery of a complex skill takes about 10,000 hours of
practice. This idea is not original to Gladwell, but his book popularized the
concept.
That is not at all the point of Outliers.
Instead, Gladwell takes on myths of success,
especially the myths of genius and the self-made man. Certainly people of
extraordinary achievement are intelligent and hard-working, but Gladwell shows
that they also the beneficiaries of opportunities provided by their culture,
sometimes very unique opportunities.
To start, Gladwell tackles our enchantment with intelligence
(or talent).
He describes research that shows that intelligence matters very little after it
reaches some threshold. Once someone has enough intelligence to succeed at
something, whether he succeeds for the degree of his achievement is not
determined by intelligence. Other things are more important.
One of those other things is the amount of work someone puts into
improving a skill (going back to the 10,000-hour rule). Even for a very
motivated person, it is hard to put 10,000 hours into learning and improving
any complex skill, especially while relatively young. Drawing from many cases
(including Bill
Gates and Mozart),
high-achievers were enabled by opportunities provided by the culture (family,
economic situation, law,
technological
development, etc.). In addition, they gained their mastery at a time when those
abilities were highly valued (another cultural contribution that is often
time-limited).
After establishing this foundation, Gladwell looks at other aspects of
culture and success. Culture can contribute to success and hinder it. Cultures
are persistent, yet some have found ways, at least in certain contexts, of
overcoming limits to opportunities and opening the doors to success.
Culture matters. We like stories of the lone genius or plucky
rag-to-riches go-getter. Without discounting their talent or effort, Gladwell
shows that these stories typically veil the many opportunities and lucky breaks
that were available to these successful people that very often were not
available to others.
The implication is that we rely on luck to produced highly successful
people, and luck doesn’t strike often. We could create cultures that provide
more opportunities for more people. There are plenty of smart-enough people.
Many of them are willing to work hard at something meaningful (itself something
that is a cultural heritage). We might have many more successful people, and
even more of those extraordinary performers, if we got serious about providing
opportunities for everyone.
Malcolm Gladwell also wrote
If you’re interested in this book, you may also be interested in
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