Science and Imagination

[gurdonark]

"Truth necessarily is taught in paradox"--Elizabeth Delvine King

This week I've been pondering my many inconsistencies and minor hypocrises. One in particular is my feeling that I am by nature a much more shy and assurance-seeking person than my LiveJournal might otherwise suggest. I've also been reading a lot of early 20th C. literature which appropriates the language of science in pursuit of metaphor for the spiritual life. By coincidence, the radio program "This American Life" played the episode today about using science theorems as metaphor for everyday life dilemmae.

Before I begin this poll/post properly, let me hasten to declaim to the world that in a world of flawed souls, I certainly have feet as clay as anyone's. I hope my journal always shows that, and if it does not, I hope to write it more clearly to do so in the future.
But this Sunday afternoon, I want to share with my LJ friends in a little poll exercise I have drafted.

Today's poll uses images of science and images of myth and faith to try to arrive at an inquiry as to individual truths on many minor points.

[Poll #166860]

Comments

[marstokyo.livejournal.com]

Interesting poll, but where are YOUR answers??

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

As with today, I usually wait for a half dozen or so answers to get up before I answer. Mine are up now.

[marstokyo.livejournal.com]

I misunderstood the second to the last question-- about the mythical land from a novel?? I think you meant *fictitious* land from a novel. I thought you were talking about a real *mythical* place--as in fantasy fiction. All I could come up with was The Jumblies from Edward Lear's poem.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I'll bet you could think of a dozen places, but it would be nice to just keep having 2003 style success in this one!

[nacowafer.livejournal.com]

Best poll ever!

So, I'm dying to know...do you keep a notebook with all of these poll answers? What do you take away from them? They are quite revealing in their own way, I think. They really get me thinking.

It's cool someone else would feel at home in Yoknapatawpha County!

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you like the poll! I keep this LiveJournal, and never lock it, so I don't have to keep a notebook with all the answers.
I always feel I learn something from the answers, although it's not a one to one fact kind of thing, but a general "ah" sort of thing.

Here's a bit of trivia for you--the other person who chose the Faulkner County was born in Gurdon, Arkansas, and my father was his attending physician! he's a good guy otherwise, though we were unacquainted prior to LJ. But isn't it a small world?

[kayre]

Theorem I'd like to see proven: a genetic basis for homosexuality.

Denial of science I'd like to wipe out: belief that the "Aryan race" is somehow superior.

And my aura is pale purple and sparkly. :)

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I was hard up for good poll choices on those, ,and I wish I'd hit upon yours! What a great aura color!

I loved this! But changed my mind on one answer....

[niyabinghi.livejournal.com]

...to the mythical land question.

I'd love living inside a William Joyce painting/illustration.

Re: I loved this! But changed my mind on one answer....

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I'd never have thought of that one! But what if one got put in a Thomas Kinkade instead?

Re: I loved this! But changed my mind on one answer....

[niyabinghi.livejournal.com]

That would be a nightmare!!! EEEEE!

Great poll!

[wayofthelotus.livejournal.com]

Wonderful, thought-provoking questions. Thank you for taking the time to do this!

As an aside, you come across very down-to-earth in your journal, clay feet and all. ;)

Re: Great poll!

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

I'm glad to hear I seem down to earth. Sometimes I worry about the self-glorification aspect of keeping an on line journal!

Re: Great poll!

[wayofthelotus.livejournal.com]

Sometimes I worry about the self-glorification aspect of keeping an on line journal!

You're not alone. I often wonder how much of my journaling is ego-nurturing and constantly fret over whether or not I sound sincere.

[asphalteden.livejournal.com]

I like my advice quote. But I came close to using the [extremely tongue-in-cheek] advice given to Sonny Chiba/Terry Tsuguri aka THE STREET FIGHTER by his dying father (caps added for Asian emphasis):

"Terry. Terry. You must listen ... to ... me. Never let anyone BEAT you. You ... must ... TRAIN ... to become a ... NUMBER-ONE MAN."

Best seventies kung-fu movie ... ever

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

You, sir, should indeed become a Number One Man.

Me, I just watch Ambient Review each day for a certain parody review :)!

Hey, how was the bachelor shindig?