Books on belief

If anything is for sure in this age of expanding information it is that life is far more complex than we can comprehend. That’s why now we have experts in fragmented fields rather than the enlightenment geniuses of all knowledge. And the experts usually say how much has yet to be found out as we are always on the cusp of more understanding. I find it is always good to remember that for all current theories of physics to make sense we have to acknowledge that an estimated 83% of the matter in the universe is the currently-undetermined ‘dark matter’.

Even so our mind still strives to form a coherent narrative to make sense of this chaos we advance through. I think this is where religion steps in but should not be used to fill the gaps of the traditional sciences. These explain the external world by logical increments of evidence based research. For me this is why the Dawkins et al new atheism is speaking the wrong language to change the mind of any believers. The arguments set forth there are doing a great job of showing why the scientific method should be taught in schools rather that rote learning. As Christopher Hitchins summed up in God is not Great: “Religion has run out of justifications. Thanks to the telescope and the microscope, it no longer offers an explanation of anything important.”

And of course both of those instruments point to the external world; but what about the human spirit? The science of our inner world (psychology / neuroscience) shows our minds do not always follow logic like a computer. I agree with Hitchins that we should not dismiss the historical and cultural values of religions contributions to society. Alain de Botton says similar remarks in the Ted talk here.

And these types of arguments seem to be appearing now as people realise that it is not exclusively science verses religion. Indeed Hitchins book points out that:
“Sigmund Freud was quiet correct to describe the religious impulse, in The Future of an Illusion, as essentially ineradicable until or unless the human species can conquer its fear of death and its tendency to wish-thinking.”

For me Carl Jung’s work on archetypes explains how ancient religions have remained. They convey, in their own but similar way, ideas about the human experience we cannot put into words or explain with logic. I see beliefs as lenses to view the world through so it makes sense to your mind. We don’t all have the same mind so there’s a variety of lenses. If you find those that work for you – fantastic, just don’t insist we all use the same ones. And that goes for the atheist too as Julian Baggini puts so well in the Guardian Is religion really under threat?

Also it’s important to note a difference between secularism and atheistism. Lady Warsi made headline talking about a ‘militant secularisation’ but to me it sounded like the disagreement was with militant atheism. I’m all for militant secularisation, separating religious belief from politics, especially in a society with many different beliefs (including the belief in no god(s)). However I'd rather any belief should be kept personal – including atheism. Healthy discussion is to be encouraged if both sides are up for it but evangelical preaching, which recent atheists have fallen foul of, should be avoided. Mind you I figure it's interesting that the country with the most secular foundation (the USA) is now possibly one of the most evangelical.....

Finished Christopher Hitchins ‘God is not Great’
Reading Bruce Hood ‘Supersense’ (more on that later…)

Near Future Sci-Fi

Just read a couple of sci-fi books which did not involve whizzing around outta space (which I also enjoy a lot too). Both extrapolated current developments and painted versions of the future which were not too much of a stretch for the imagination.

First up was Genus by Jonathan Trigell which was set in Kings Cross, London, transformed into a ghetto of ’unimproved’ after genetic engineering and designer babies has become the norm for those that can provide it (which is most people as parents will mortgage their lives to give their children the best start). There’s also been a couple of religious wars thrown in which has made England a tiny enclave.

The book read like an enjoyable detective movie and the future setting made for some playful ideas (i.e. the Kray like gang who are all identical clones so no one ever knows who’s done what) but the characters were remarkably one dimensional. I kept reading as the plot was intriguing – like continuing to watch a movie to find out what happens. If it were a movie it would have been enjoyable with a good plot but nothing to rave about.

Air by Geoff Ryman is a book to rave about. Set in a remote Asian village which is the last to receive the latest technological innovation, air, which is basically the internet in your head. This book deals with more far-fetched innovations than Genus but by making the characters and setting so real and believable you go with it. The setting made for an intriguing read, not at all what I expected. Really showed off Ryman’s writing skills, I felt like I was there observing it rather than watching a movie. In fact I think what made the book so great was that the setting contrasted old world with new showing a dilemma we always face with new technology. As one character says in response to being asked if believe the old folklore:

‘Not really. Not with the top part of my head. But, this old stuff – it produces the right words. You just say what the old people would have said, and something is explained. Somehow it’s all easier to bear’.

That links nicely with the non-fiction books I reading on belief right now. But back to Air – it worked on so many levels and completely sucked me. Whereas most books have a predictable tidy up at the end this kept me guessing and I ended it with the feeling that was a completely satisfying read.

Soundcloud Shocker

Here's my new bass mix - not for the faint hearted!


This version is missing the first track. The first track should be an excellent Kouncilhouse mash up of Leftfield 'Melt' made all drum and bass with Alec Reece. However soundcloud has software that detected the track so I had to edit it out :(
Seems a bit overboard as that track (and the rest of the mix) is not sharing CD tracks for people to download but djing with them which is what they were made for. Welcome to the new age of the internet folks. Here's a great TED talk that explains it much better than I can.