Wednesday, September 28, 2005 ARI, AWA, Diana Hsieh, and other topics.
Well, I just spent an hour writing a blog and then accidently closed out my browser. There is no way I'm going to rewrite it all. Instead, here's the short version:
My paternal grandmother died two weeks ago. Luckily, I wasn't that close to her so it didn't devastate me or anything. It sucks for my uncle though, because, you know, it's his Mom.
I got my computer from my house in Brunswick and have internet access now.
I saw Yaron Brook's "State of ARI" talk at the Westin in Buckhead. I also listened online to another of his lectures "Neo-conservatives Vs. America", in which he criticises the philosophy behind the war in Iraq. (You can listen to it by registering for free at ARI's website). I was very impressed. As a result, I joined the Ayn Rand Institute.
I used to be a very harsh critic of ARI. But after seeing a lecture by Dr. Brook earlier in the year, I wrote this article recanting my position. To my delight, the article has been linked to and commented on at Diana Hsieh's website. (You can find the comments here under "Noodle Food", with the title, "Tall Tales"). I will write more on the issues raised in the article very soon.
I also spent all day last saturday at Anime Weekend Atlanta (AWA). I watched a series called "Midori no Hibi", about a girl who has a crush on a guy and magically turns into his right hand. (!) I also saw the movie "Appleseed", about a futuristic city where humans live alongside cybernetic "bioroids" who's emotions are dulled. The city's government involved a complicated system of checks and balances designed to prevent humans from waging war against each other or against bioroids while at the same time keeping them from becoming second class citizens.
I also saw a concert by Yoko Ishida, a singer who performs many Anime theme songs. I'd say that concert was the high point of the day.
At night, I tried to stay late enough to watch Katsuhiro Otomo's new movie, "Steamboy", but it was delayed due to the fact that they had to play Final Fantasy XII an extra time because of so much demand. As a result, I didn't get to see it as I was just too exhausted and wanted to go home.
In short, I have been doing very well lately. It is too bad I couldn't save that earlier blog. So this will have to do.
