Friday, August 04, 2006 -- 9:29 AM

Because Everyone Wants to Know What I've Been Reading and Listening to

Thomas More's Utopia is what I've been reading. I thought it would be more of a dry read, but he has a sense of humour about the whole thing. For instance, More places this perfect communist society in the at-the-time newly discovered New World. Also, the names of various characters and places are oxymoronic; "No-man," "Babbler," and even Utopia means "No-land". These names are given to the places and people that More speaks most highly of, which makes me think that he wrote the entire thing tongue-in-cheek. I should look into that. That would explain the lack of any arguments against Utopia as being justified in the book. Over and over he says that utopia is perfect, there are no problems there, all of our petty problems in our society are completely done away with and even laughed at by the Utopians, etc.

Especially interesting was the very end, when he discusses religion. Very ecumenical and tolerant, considering that More was a Catholic. The Utopians see the obvious truth of Christianity, he says, but accept all creeds, and incorporate them into their worship so that everyone can worship together. Maybe this is some more sass thrown our way, but if not that would be interesting.

So, I've been listening to Thom Yorke's new CD, The Eraser thanks to Daniel's recommendation. Very electronic, as he said. Not immediately falling in love with it, as he said. It sure sounds like radiohead though, except less musical, and a lot more about the lyrics. The focus seems to be almost entirely on the lyrics, which is fine I guess, I just have to get used to it.