Author: Ian

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749)

Goethe was a German poet, dramatist, novelist, and scientist whose dramatic poem Faust is considered one of the world’s greatest poetic and philosophic creations. In it, he represents Faust, the legendary scholar who sold his soul to the devil, tragically, as a singularly modern figure who is condemned to remain unsatisfied by life. In his later years, Goethe was celebrated as a sage and visited by world luminaries. Goethe wrote which of his novels while suicidal over an unrequited love? Discuss

Mars Makes Its Closest Approach to Earth in Nearly 60,000 Years (2003)

In its most favorable position for viewing, when it is opposite the Sun, Mars is twice as bright as the brightest star in the sky. The Red Planet was even more visible in 2003, when it made its closest approach to Earth in nearly 60,000 years, passing within 35 million mi (56 million km) of us. An email sent during the 2003 approach has spawned hoax emails saying that during an upcoming approach Mars will appear as big as the Moon. When is the next time Mars will be as close as it was in 2003? Discuss

Philosophical Zombies

Widely used in thought experiments—imagined scenarios whose outcomes are reasoned but not physically played out—philosophical zombies are hypothetical beings indistinguishable from normal humans in all but one respect—they lack conscious experience. This quality makes the “p-zombie” an ideal subject for philosophical musings. According to physicalism, everything that exists is ultimately physical. How have philosophers used these hypothetical beings in arguments disputing this perspective? Discuss

Theodore Dreiser (1871)

Dreiser was a novelist and pioneer of naturalism in American literature. After working as a journalist, magazine editor, and publisher, he published his first novel, Sister Carrie, which was denounced as scandalous. In 1915, the withdrawal of his autobiographical novel, The Genius, from distribution on moral grounds ignited a national anticensorship campaign supported by most of the leading literary figures of the day. Whose murder inspired his An American Tragedy? Discuss

The Cool Biz Campaign

In 2005, the Japanese Ministry of the Environment launched the Cool Biz campaign, a program intended to reduce electricity consumption by limiting air conditioner use. Government offices were asked to set their air conditioners to 82°F (28°C), and workers were advised to wear short-sleeved shirts to keep cool. According to estimates, the campaign resulted in a 460,000-ton reduction in carbon dioxide emissions—the equivalent of shutting down some 1 million households for what period of time? Discuss

National Assembly of Quebec Adopts the Charter of the French Language (1977)

In 1976, the Parti Québécois, a party of French-Canadian nationalists formed in 1970, won control of the provincial parliament. Among its first acts was the passage of La charte de la langue française—the Charter of the French Language. Also known as Bill 101, the controversial legislation made French the official language of Quebec and prohibited the use of English on signs and in most commercial transactions. What effect did the charter have on businesses in Quebec? Discuss

Robert Walpole, First Earl of Orford (1676)

Walpole was an English statesman. Elected to the House of Commons in 1701, he later served as secretary of war. With the accession of George I, he rose rapidly to become first lord of the treasury and chancellor of the exchequer. With his consolidation of power, he effectively became the first British prime minister. He avoided foreign entanglement and kept England neutral until 1739, when he was forced into the War of Jenkins’ Ear against Spain. How did the conflict get its name? Discuss

Althea Gibson (1927)

Gibson, a US tennis player, was the first African-American woman to compete on the world tennis tour. Though tennis had essentially been segregated until that time, she was finally given an opportunity to play at the US Championships in 1950. Having broken the color barrier, she went on to become the first black person to win Wimbledon. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971. In 1964, Gibson became the first African-American player in what other sports organization? Discuss