Search Results for: how the mind works

Notes for the Book: Hierarchy of Science Fiction

Posted on Wednesday 3 June 2020 by Mark R. Kelly

(updated 8jul20, with additional para’s at the end) What is science fiction? Many things, and what interests me about science fiction is not reflected in all its forms, any more than any particular music fan, interesting in dance, say, or … Continue reading →

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Silverberg, DYING INSIDE (1972)

Posted on Sunday 31 May 2020 by Mark R. Kelly

This is Silverberg’s most highly-regarded novel, and one of his most unusual. It was published in 1972, near the end of a period during which Silverberg wrote one or two critically acclaimed novels a year, from roughly 1967 to 1976. … Continue reading →

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Notes for the Book: Hierarchy of Knowledge and Human Affairs

Posted on Saturday 30 May 2020 by Mark R. Kelly

[updated 8 Jul 2020] [updated 26 Jun 2020] Everything you need to understand the reality of the world, as discovered over centuries, and especially in the past century and past few decades, is out there, available to you. All the … Continue reading →

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My History with Pseudo-Science (Briefly) and Science

Posted on Monday 13 April 2020 by Mark R. Kelly

I went through a brief phase of interest in pseudo-science. Beginning at that 7th grade book fair when I bought (in addition to Blish’s Star Trek), an early edition of Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and a book by Frank … Continue reading →

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My History with Science Fiction

Posted on Sunday 12 April 2020 by Mark R. Kelly

Here’s another autobiographical post, probably repetitious with some of the others, about specific events or circumstances that triggered interests or beliefs, some brief, some that have lasted a life. 3500 words just today—a draft. Science Fiction There are several phases … Continue reading →

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Family Dynamics and Social Withdrawal

Posted on Friday 3 April 2020 by Mark R. Kelly

Family Dynamics I wish I could say more about what my younger sisters and brother were doing, the whole time I was growing up. I didn’t pay close attention mostly due to the age difference. I was the oldest, my … Continue reading →

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Santa Monica to UCLA

Posted on Monday 30 March 2020 by Mark R. Kelly

This is a narrative of my childhood from the time we lived in Santa Monica, to my young adulthood when I attended UCLA. A few photos are included, and there are links to separate pages of photos. 1961/1962: Move to … Continue reading →

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John Allen Paulos, A MATHEMATICIAN READS THE NEWSPAPER (1995)

Posted on Monday 23 March 2020 by Mark R. Kelly

John Allen Paulos, A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper. Basic Books, 1995. Author’s Conclusion: Always be smart. Seldom be certain. Journalists should ask, in addition to Who, Where, What, etc., How Many? And How Likely? And no matter how detailed the … Continue reading →

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Links and Comments: Socialism, Conspiracy Theories, Religion, Rationality, Liberalism, William Barr, Republicans

Posted on Friday 20 March 2020 by Mark R. Kelly

First, a David Brooks column from back in December: I Was Once a Socialist. Then I Saw How It Worked. I was a socialist in college. I read magazines like The Nation and old issues of The New Masses. I … Continue reading →

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My Religious Upbringing, Such As It Was

Posted on Wednesday 18 March 2020 by Mark R. Kelly

My upbringing was not especially religious; my parents attended church, and took their kids to Sunday school, but more out of social habit and propriety, was my impression, rather than from any deep-seated faith. My parents both grew up in … Continue reading →

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