Albert Murray, author, critic and friend to Ralph Ellison and Duke Ellington, dead at 97 . . . foe of Marxists, Freudians, academics, black nationalists and white segregationists; Like Ellison, he believed conflict was a given, that life was not a formula to be solved but a dance to be danced. Albert Murraybluesduke ellingtonmusicphilosophy and…
Two great complementary works: Tommy Sancton and Lars Edegran Patty Griffin Downtown ChurchgospelLars Edegranmusicnew orleansPatty GriffinRobert PlantTommy Sancton
An alternative take on NOLA nosebag. Not the usual suspects . . . which is refreshing. foodMichael Doylenew orleans
This article from the latest issue of JMB. CognitionCognitive neuroscienceCognitive scienceconsciousnessDavid Chalmersdualismmind-bodymind-brainpanpsychismphilosophical psychologyPhilosophy of mindqualia
Beyond the obvious substantive reasons check out the performance of philosophy grads on test scores. History of PhilosophyPhilosophy
This slight piece from NPR Artificial intelligenceCognitioncognitive closureCognitive neuroscienceCognitive scienceColin McGinnconsciousnessDavid ChalmersHard problem of consciousnessmind-bodyPhilosophy of mindRay Kurzweilthomas nagel
Adam Smith Le Grand Tour (H/T to Gavin Kennedy for this, who by the way is contributing to my edited Propriety and Prosperity). Adam Smithinvisible handLiberalismSocial SciencesSpontaneous orderTheory of Moral SentimentsWealth of Nations
New Orleans is the only place I know of where you ask a little kid what he wants to be and instead of saying “I want to be a policeman,” or “I want to be a fireman,” he says, I want to be a musician”. — Alan Jaffe (H/T to Muriel’s) Allan Jaffemusicnew orleanspreservation hall
A decent piece in contrast to the recent Atlantic article. Franz Kafkaphilosophical literatureReiner Stachthe years of insight
JazzLouis ArmstrongmusicpopsSatchmo
manwithoutqualities 