When NYC landmarks are voluntarily cutting back on lights because of the latest heatwave, well, it’s a pretty big sign that this is pretty bad. Hmm. I’m really feeling like I ought to heed Al Gore and other environmentalists…
Probably related to my having read C.S. Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letters” (see my previous blog entry), I just finished reading Elaine Pagels’ “The Origins of Satan.” Very readable, fascinating book on the social history of the idea of Satan, a.k.a. the Prince of Darkness, a.k.a. Lucifer, a.k.a. the fallen angel, a.k.a. the one who opposes or makes obstacles. Judeo-Christian history keeps repeating, but with variations, in how how one group demonizes the other group, whether it’s trashtalking the subgroup (such as when early Christians broke away from Judaism, or when later early Christians opposed easrly so-called heretics and established as canon the accepted Gospels as we know them today; language of debate and opposition that became the vocabulary for further division during the Reformation and so forth), or making scapegoats or total enemies of the outsiders (Christians vs. Jews; Christians vs. the polytheistic pagans; etc.). It makes wonder if society will finally learn its lessons, or again, repeat habits in variations.
There’s this informercial out there that I get a real kick out of watching – no, not the Greg Brady “Get the 70’s Music Collection!” (which is also quite campy, I must say, just for having Greg Brady); it the informercial for the 80’s Gold music collection, with Rick Springfield (once also of “General Hospital,” I believe!) of the hit “Jessie’s Girl” in place of Greg Brady. Rick doesn’t have Greg Brady’s campy pizzazz (Rick seems way too serious in saying “And I know music…”), but the music – good stuff. Made me almost want to pick up the phone and call… (no, not going that way; but they actually have a webpage – good grief!).
Have I ever said that I love the air conditioned subways? Really, I do. Forgive me for all my criticism, MTA, I’m at least grateful for the AC. (just not grateful for the oven conditions of the subway platforms).