Hampstead Authors' Society No. 68 Issue 11 Dec 2007
Rite of Spring HASParty - Taboo
Photo © Zsuzsanna Ardó
Whenever a taboo is broken, something good happens, something vitalizing. Taboos after all are only hangovers, the product of diseased minds, you might say, of fearsome people who hadn't the courage to live and who under the guise of morality and religion have imposed these things upon us.
– Henry Miller
Come along to this year’s Rite of Spring HASParty; bring your guests and some spring mood. Given that this year our Rite of Spring Party is on 13th of January, bring your favorite poem, image, song, piece of music, a text extract to share about the theme of taboo.
Date: 13th January, Sunday |
To get you going about taboo, here is a Tom Lehrer song about one of the strongest and most ancient of taboos:
From the Bible to the popular song,
There's one theme that we find right along.
Of all ideals they hail as good,
The most sublime is Motherhood.
There was a man, oh, who it seems,
Once carried this ideal to extremes.
He loved his mother and she loved him,
And yet his story is rather grim.
There once lived a man named Oedipus Rex.
You may have heard about his odd complex.
His name appears in Freud's index
'Cause he loved his mother.
His rivals used to say quite a bit,
That as a monarch he was most unfit.
But still in all they had to admit
That he loved his mother.
Yes he loved his mother like no other.
His daughter was his sister and his son was his brother.
One thing on which you can depend is,
He sure knew who a boy's best friend is!
When he found what he had done,
He tore his eyes out one by one.
A tragic end to a loyal son
Who loved his mother.
So be sweet and kind to Mother,
Now and then have a chat.
Buy her candy or some flowers or a brand new hat.
But maybe you had better let it go at that!
Or you may find yourself with a quite complex complex,
And you may end up like Oedipus.
I'd rather marry a duck-billed platypus,
Than end up like old Oedipus Rex.
© Tom Lehrer
Seventh Seal
– Playing the Game of Life
HASTalk by Philosopher Anja Steinbauer
Followed by Bergman’s Film Metaphor Classic
What does it take to give meaning to human life? Faith? Virtue? Friends? How does the meaning of death impact on the meaning of life? Mortality is an undeniable fact, but is philosopher Martin Heidigger right when he claims we should be mindful of our deaths at all times?
Dr Anja Steinbauer has lectured in philosophy for more than 10 years. She is on the editorial team of Philosophy Now magazine, and is the founder and president of Philosophy For All (http://pfalondon.org).
27th January, Sunday 12:45 Seventh Seal Screen on the Hill, Haverstock Hill, NW3 4QG. |
The Writer as Publisher
- Riding the Internet Revolution
Illustrated HASTalk by Natalie D’Arbeloff
The internet has made it possible for creatives to present their work directly to the public. How can writers and artists benefit from the internet revolution, and adapt it to their own ideas and working methods? What is the step-by-step process to create, design, publish and promote your book? How does print-on-demand work, what are the decisions one must make, the promotional strategies and the internet resources available?
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Time: 14:00 – 16:00 p.m.Date: 24th February, Sunday |
Blade Runner Final Cut
- … therefore I am? What Makes Us Human?
HASTalk by Philosopher Anja Steinbauer
Followed by Scott’s Film Metaphor Classic
How do you distinguish between a human being and a machine? Is the difference really obvious? Descartes offers us a solution: "I think therefore I am." Yet computers seem to be very efficient thinkers. So how can you be sure you're human?
Dr Anja Steinbauer has lectured in philosophy for more than 10 years. She is on the editorial team of Philosophy Now magazine, and is the founder and president of Philosophy For All (http://pfalondon.org).
2nd March, Sunday 12:45 Screening & HASTalk |
For your diary
11-12-13 April, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Engaging the Sky – HASTalk at the Hampstead Observatory.
The talk will be on the first of these three nights with a clear sky for us to admire and engage.
HASMembership
and HASNotes contributions
HASMembership is £10 for SoA members; otherwise £14/year.
To apply, email your short bio and list of publications to Zsuzsanna
Ardó, HAS Chair: ardo 'at' pobox.com Contributions to HASNotes
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is hereby granted for any article published herein to be reproduced
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