The Useless Tree

Taoism

  • A Taoist Maestro

    A nice piece in The Age about Vladimir Jurowski, conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, who apparently finds some inspiration in Taoism.  A key graf: Jurowski has always been inclined towards matters spiritual – he spent his first student grant… Continue reading

  • Chuang Tzu and the Nebula

    Long ago, a certain Chuang Tzu dreamt he was a butterfly – a butterfly fluttering here and there on a whim, happy and carefree, knowing nothing of Chuang Tzu.  Then, all of a sudden he awoke to find that he… Continue reading

  • Sun Tzu is not a Taoist

    I keep an eye out for American popular cultural references to ancient Chinese philosophy.  So, imagine my surprise when I chanced upon this story from ESPN: "Amare Stoudemire, Taoist?" It seems that the Phoenix Suns basketball player has gotten into… Continue reading

  • The Dao of Babies

    I am gradually getting back into a work routine.  Tomorrow will be two weeks since my surgery and, save for a bit of late afternoon/early evening fatigue, the effects of the procedure are receding.  I will not regale you all… Continue reading

  • Terry Francona, Taoist Sage

    As a Yankees fan, I am very much pleased by the events of this past weekend.  And I will admit a perverse pleasure: I read the Boston Globe sports columnists on days like today.  Indeed, I thought this piece a… Continue reading

  • The Tao of Woody Allen

    Went to see Whatever Works the other night.  I was ready to not like it, since I have never really embraced Woody Allen's comedy (too much upper-middle class angst for my taste).  But I was pleasantly surprised!  Perhaps because it… Continue reading

  • How ’bout those Yankees!

    Some of you may not know this (though others who have been reading this blog for some time will remember): I am a New York Yankees fan.  Indeed, as I explained three and a half years ago, I am a… Continue reading

  • In praise of the uselessness of cats

    Last week I noticed an NYT piece entitled "the uselessness of cats."  Needless to say, it piqued my curiosity.  It was a follow up of an earlier blog post by Nicholas Wade reporting on a recent scientific study that found… Continue reading

  • Sotomayor, Language and Chuang Tzu

    I was distracted the last two days by the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court designee Sonia Sotomayor.  Today, as I followed the proceedings on the excellent Scotusblog, I couldn't help but think of Chuang Tzu…. So much of the hearings… Continue reading

  • Chuang Tzu on the continuing AIG debacle

    Today we find this story in the NYT: Seeking to avoid the public furor that erupted last spring, the American International Group has been quietly seeking approval from the new federal compensation czar to pay a total of $2.4 million… Continue reading