The Hunger Games

I think The Hunger Games was the most refreshing fictional book series I've ever read. As easy a read as Harry Potter, shorter, and with tons of suspense and action. I also loved the romantic conflict that Katniss is put into. A dilemma not easily solved in real life (if ever such a situation could occur). Katniss' inner dialogue was terrific, and both Peeta and Gale had heroic characteristics. Mix humor from characters like Haymitch and Finnick to the incredible violence of the games, and you've got the makings of a New York Times best seller (i'm pretty sure it reached that already). I just hope the movies that start in 2012 won't ruin the story for everyone who doesn't read the books. I really liked these books and highly recommend them to everyone who reads.

P.S. - My only complaint is the ending to book three.

Rawls' Trail of Ignorance

John Rawl's essay "A Theory of Justice" is basically a theory of fairness. He equates what is just with what is fair. And he simplifies he theory into two principles.

1. (Liberty Principle) Each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive scheme of equal basic liberties compatible with a similar scheme of liberties for others.

2. (Difference Principle) Social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are both (a) reasonably expected to be to everyone's advantage, and (b) attached to positions and offices open to all...

First lets look at how he comes to this conclusion. Rawls posits this idea he calls the "veil of ignorance". Behind this veil of ignorance, man (the term "man" refers to both male and female) is completely ignorant of his social, racial, and gender status, and he is unaware of his abilities, education, and opportunity. Thus a man would know if he was rich or poor, black or white, male or female, book smart, street smart, or mentally handicapped. Rawls calls this the "original position. And from the original position, behind the veil of ignorance, all men, being reasonable, would want equality and would be able to see what is just and fair. And they would all reason to Rawls' two principles of justice.

The first principle is very egalitarian and aligns with social contract theory posed by Locke and Hobbes. Like a Natural Law argument, you give every member of society as much liberty as possible such that it doesn't infringe on the liberties of others.

The second principle is more controversial, and mainly because part (a) is not egalitarian. Rawls says that because there are inevitable inequalities in society, they should be arranged as to be to everyone's advantage. An example he gives is "to the distribution of income and wealth and to the design of organizations that make use of differences in authority and responsibility. While the distribution of wealth and income need not be equal, it must be to everyone's advantage..." In American society this is played out in the higher tax rates for parties in higher income brackets.

One reason this is such a problem is that people will lose incentive to earn more if they know it will be taken from them. Rawls' theory hints to very socialistic ideals.

My problem with Rawls' theory starts behind the veil of ignorance. First, can we ever get there? Can we every reason from the "original position"? Thomas Kuhn argues that we can't ever get beyond our own paradigm. But suppose, like Edmund Husserl, we could bracket out all experience, historical circumstance, and personal situation, would all men reason to the same idea of what is "fair"? This point seems less likely. If you look at the history of philosophy, men have been reasoning differently from the beginning of time. If men didn't reason differently, this issue wouldn't be controversial. Just because Rawls names his original position as being behind the veil of ignorance, that does not mean that all men will reason the same. Also, if you talk to some, you'll come to conclude that some men don't reason at all.

If you ask me, Rawls' theory of justice originating from behind the veil of ignorance originates from Rawls' trail of ignorance on the condition of humanity.

The Great Divorce

I always thought "The Great Divorce" by C.S. Lewis was another one of his essays. But I was pleasantly surprised to find out it is a short story, a fiction, about the afterlife. It joins only two other books that I have read in one night. C.S. Lewis is one of the best writers I've ever read because he communicates thoughts that normally seems hard to express, like unto to how the Spirit prays to God the Father for us with "groanings that cannot be expressed" (Rom 8:26).

Here is one excerpt I found to be phenomenal:

"Don't you remember on earth--there were things too hot to touch with your finger but you could drink them all right? Shame is like that. If you will accept it--if you will drink the cup to the bottom--you will find it very nourishing: but try to do anything else with it and it scalds."

Hogwarts for the Holidays

I am now lost in the wonderful wizardry world of Harry Potter. And understand when i say "lost" i really mean in the middle of the series and enjoying them alot. I just finished the second book today, and i only have good things to say about it. All the characters are great. It is funny. The ends have wonderful twists. And everyone says it doesn't get good till book 4, so i have alot to look forward to.

I remember back in the day when everyone was making a big fuss about not reading the books or watching the movies. Now most of my close friends love the series, talk about them alot, and highly recommend reading them. So i finally decided to listen to my friends and pick the series up. They have been refreshing to my soul, as i often now get to sit with my own imagination and read a fun and easy story. "An easy read" is what i heard the most from everyone who had read the books. And this easy read is exactly what i needed. Between some of the heavy theological books i've picked since the summer and all my college textbooks, i feel like i've been running long distances as fast as i can. Harry Potter has been more like stroll in the park. Like a nice easy walk in the fresh air, just looking at big houses and old trees, wondering what it'll be like to grow up.

Hopes and Dreams

I've had this reoccurring dream a while

Mountains stack and I am underneath the pile

When I am under, wake's a mile away

You are my sun but I can't seem to find the day

My hopes are tangent to my dreams this time

My hands want to be warmed by you rather than rhyme

I know it's out of reach but I must try

Though passion melts the cold it invites the fire

I have a fear of being on the ground

Might miss my flight

Walk away, don't make a sound

But this charming sound has made its way to me

It's such a shame to leave the passenger's company

I'm so afraid to get off this plane

Because I fear I won't get on ever again

The ground may be safe but it's the air I love

Take me up high, I like the view from up above

Plans of War

You are such a clever lie

Cuz I can never figure why

I keep running back to you

Why I do the things I do

I smell the fresh scent of your breathe

But know you merely breathe out death

The trick and scheme is never new

You mask the lie, and hide what’s true

So here is what I’ll do:

I’ll curse the man you’ve built in me

And tear apart each stone building

I’ll run to the nearest open road

And rip off all these shameful clothes

I’ll wait till your memory is gone

As long as the light in the sky lives on

And still I’ll wait just to be found

And until then I won’t make a sound

A Widsom Riddle

I need this every single day

My lack of this is why I pray

It holds me safely from myself

In between poverty and wealth

I love it as my major find

Its secrets I try to unwind

Its enemy will bend and bind

And keep you wounded, deaf, and blind

It’s worth a fight and worth a blow

A treasure many never know

It has its limits like the rest

But it will help you pass the test

It goes a long way, that’s for sure

It points you to what will endure

Your love for it will love you back

It won’t deceive and won’t attack

Its praise is shouted throughout time

Both throughout pros and throughout rhyme

It’s virtuous by its own will

Its truest form is humble still

- Castor