Is there Intelligent Design?
Dear Mr. Frog-in-the-Well:
I read the Appendix of Frog in the Well. Can I assume you believe in Intelligent Design? And do you think it should be taught in the science class. I found Master Xeno's argument on the creation of the universe fascinating.
Sincerely,
Thomas G.
Dear Thomas:
I try to be tolerant of all views, and although I'm not a Christian, I think it is okay to teach Intelligent Design in public schools. However, I think science class would not be appropriate for this. The Intelligent Design activists try to make it look as if there is debate within the scientific community over Creationism vs. Evolution. This is a bit misleading. The controversy might be on the finer points of Evolutionary theory, but I don't know of any credible scientist who really believes that the Earth is no more than 6,000 years old!!
I think Intelligent Design should be explored in Social Studies or English class. Or perhaps, it should be looked into in Ethics class.
In my opinion, Creationist theories lack the robustness and rigor that Evolutionary theories have.
In regard to my Appendix: 'The Wise Old Pill Bug' — according to the great Parmenides, because nothing or zero cannot exist by nature or definition, existence of the highest order is inescapable. If this is the case, then creation of the physical universe at the Big Bang — not of specific life forms — is probable.
F.I.T.W.
Is Anothina and Scarletta really America and the Soviet Union?
Dear S.S. Wong:
I love your book. Your book is a reflection of our world. In the “Romance of the Two Empires”, is Scarletta the Soviet Union (or China), and Anothina America?
Regards,
Shirley C.
Dear Shirley:
The key to understanding my motifs is that there are recurring cycles in the universe. Notice that the flag of Scarletta is quite similar to that of the theocratic dictatorship, the Holy Savior’s Kingdom. And if you’ve read the Appendix, nature really polarizes everything in the universe into two opposing forces, even though at first glance the combinations and permutations seem quite varied.
In regard to your theory, the answer is yes; I had those two countries in mind when I created the subplot. But I also had other models, such as Nazi Germany and the Taliban. Scarletta could also represent autocratic Sparta of ancient Greece, and Anothina could be democratic Athens. Freedom and tyranny always come back in different forms, but the essential spirit and structure of tyranny and freedom in any society throughout history are really the same. For example, the Taliban’s destruction of sacred artifacts of other religions is really no different from the Communists' destruction of religious artifacts during the Cultural Revolution in China (1960s). But at first glance, communism and religious dictatorship are ideological opposites. In fact, they are the same tyranny coming back in different forms.
F.I.T.W.
(Your cult leader)
Lunar Month
Mr. Frog-in-the-well:
I think you made a mistake in your novel. It said that a lunar month is twenty-nine and a half days. Isn't it around twenty-seven days instead?
B.N.
Dear B.N.:
First, let me remind the readers that a "moon" (or lunar month) for the bottom-dwellers in the well is tantamount to one solar year for humans. Bottom-dwellers would celebrate the Savior's Festival every full Moon, like the way we celebrate New Years.
It takes approximately 27.3 days for the Moon to orbit around the Earth (sidereal month). It also takes 27.3 days for the Moon to rotate once on its axis (rotational period). However, these are not lunar months
The time period between one new Moon to another (or one full Moon to another) is approximately 29.5 days (synodic or lunar month).
Learn about the moon at www.i-Astrology.com! Click here!
F.I.T.W.
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Stereotypes hurt
Re: So There's This Italian, This German and..., Barbara Kay, July 21, National Post.
(This letter was published in the National Post's "Letters to the Editors" section on July 23, 2003. It was a response to Ms. Barbara Kay's July 21st article in which she supported ethnic stereotyping in humor, with the headline of "Ethnic stereotypes like Apu are about humour, not hate" on the front page. The National Post is a national newspaper in Canada.)
Dear Editors:
Ms. Kay admits that stereotyping is related to its ugly cousins of intolerance, chauvinism and xenophobia. Still, she thinks it should be tolerated. She says there are obvious differences between peoples and the multicultural Thought Patrol has indoctrinated us into feeling guilty about pointing these differences out. Ms. Kay obviously has no understanding of multiculturalism -- which is to celebrate differences in Canadian society.
What she is really saying is why should we criticize cartoon characters such as Apu on The Simpsons?
Perhaps the character is funny to many Canadians, but I don't think they are funny to some East Indian Canadians I know.
Once I heard a late-night talk-show host crack a joke about Asians. I not only felt hurt by him, but also by the laughter of the audience. By their laughter, they are saying to me that they really don't care what Asian-Canadians think. They are saying I'm not really a part of their community.
In essence, stereotypes separate and dehumanize groups. It takes that tiny anomaly in the group and projects it toward the entire group. Satire is a form of criticism, usually of an individual, an institution, or a social condition. When someone makes an ethnic joke, what is he really making fun of? It is clear that the butt of the Apu character is an entire race. Ms. Kay is right, stereotyping is like marijuana, and racism is like heroin. But she fails to point out that some young people who use the former might eventually use the latter.
Stephen Wong, Toronto.
Dear Mr. Frog-in-the-Well
In my experience I have found that the issue regarding ethnic stereotyping and attributing certain behaviors and personality traits to certain races has less to do with one's ethnic origin and more to do with one's culture. One of the better real life examples is my training partner who is black. He was born in Poland and grew up there; he has a full grasp of the language and culture and shares the sense of humor and mentality of most Polish people I know.
Chest M.
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Sorry, because of this
cute picture, this poll is
not scientific!
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On the issue of trust.
Dear Mr. Frog-in-the-Well:
On the road of life we often find ourselves faced with a decision as to whether or not trust someone whom we believe holds some key to our success or failure. Often we do not make such a decision consciously and do not go through the process of weighing the evidence as to whether or not to trust. We simply place our faith in the individual in proportion to the degree to which we believe the individual has the ability to improve our lives/give us what we want. Sometimes we simply close our eyes and hope the bus does not hit us head on, so to speak.
But such a deer in the headlights inevitably leads to disappointment and wasted energy. I believe the key to knowing whether or not to trust someone is to examine the person's current environment/life situation by asking qualifying questions. The purpose of knowing the individual’s life situations is to determine the forces that influence the individual’s decisions, beliefs, values, and others. Once you have an idea of what influences your subject’s decisions and values, you can determine whether or not his current life situation and interests coincide with yours. In other words, make sure the other party understands your situation and you understand his advice.
Wolfman
Dear Wolfman: Good advice! — F.I.T.W.
Answer to "On the issue of trust"
Dear Mr. Frog-in-the-Well:
In response to Wolfman, I was not aware that it is most advantageous to treat people like they're in a corporate interview.
Unconditional faith in life is what we should strive for, otherwise if it is probabilistic outcomes we use to pursue a quality of life then we should burn down all the inner cities.
Only through the willingness of our inner core can we then transcend the shackles of life. And that my friend, requires faith with no strings attached!
S.C. Jung, China
Dear S.C. Jung: You must be young! Still, refreshing answer. — F.I.T.W.
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