I am. Come over and join us. Religion is the topic tonight.
Update: Xan is right, i should post the whole mess here. Enjoy, loyal readers. You are the audience I want to engage.
Evening, Pups. So in my previous post, I mentioned that I'd done a little Hard Time in Divinity School. Tonight, I'd like to talk a bit about religions that aren't so well known or popular these days, but some of which are making a comeback.

Forgive me if this is a tad sloppy, this is "niece and nephew" weekend for me, and as they are both under three, they are rather insistent that I continue to play "flying tractor pirates" with them as I attempt to write this post.

Anyway, I love to discuss individual journeys down the path of religious and spiritual belief. It's true: I'm an atheist, but that doesn't mean I hate spirituality or religion. My "faith" is in the human spirit; I don't find this inconsistent with atheism, as I define the human "spirit" as something that science will one day be able to quantify, and once understood, will eventually replace the need for belief in the human-created mythological superbeing-substitute. Simply put, to me what people call "god" today is actually the limitless potential of the human intellect and creative ability.

Also, I believe that the universe is filled with unending wonder, more than enough to inspire a sense of awe and amazement in people and sentient beings, for all time. When I contemplate the range of human ability, and contextualize that within an endless, boundless universe, I don't have any need at all for an ancient myth that informs my understanding of reality. There is so much to learn, to know, to appreciate- why limit myself to those questions that concerned a bunch of ancient tent dwellers without the simplest understanding of science? Science and what it has uncovered itself is awesome, and I grok why some fundies call it a "false religion."

But still, there is much to appreciate when it comes to the mythology with which humanity has long concerned itself. One essential question that has consumed me for no small amount of time: the endless and eternal battle between the male and female elements of the divine.

Academic books and papers on this topic, of which I have read many, are quite boring. It's a shame, but then again that is the Academe. So let me offer you some links via the eminently more accessible world of fiction and substandard "serious" writing. If you're a Great Goddess fan in this age, there are two people you have to thank for your understanding of what that means. Bachofen and Gimbutas.

Both have been discredited in academic circles, for reasons that I more or less accept. But that doesn't mean their work lacks value. The heart of the question: was there ever a time when goddess worship had a different value than it does today, and if so, what does that mean to patriarchal religions of today? Let's back up for a minute and unpack that.

You are probably aware that "history" as we can understand it begins with the invention of writing. With writing, we can come closer to knowing what people of ancient times were thinking, where we can only guess for those periods of time before writing left a record. Writing began in the ancient Middle East, in Mesopotamia/Iraq, to be exact, and although it was later invented independently elsewhere, the "meme" of writing that spread from the cradle of civilization took hold in a way that has affected "history" ever since. The ancients understood, as our corporate masters do today: writing, and control of the written word, is Power.

It's probably not a coincidence that the first writing was about...religion. Gods and mythology were everywhere in ancient writing, even those most early texts we have that are mostly about the accounting of sheep and grain. There is a lot of High Theorizing about this topic, but to me it's pretty clear: the ancients understood that if you were to make something "permanent" by writing it (putting it onto a clay tablet), you had better be sure to give the immortals their due. So, from the earliest times of "civilization," people understood that Someone was looking over their shoulders. And that Someone was a/some being(s) that Were Not to be Pissed Off.

Going before the invention of writing, we have all sorts of indications that people venerated superbeings that can be approximated with both sexes. Paleolithic "Venus" figures abound in the archaeological record, and to the modern eye, they are rather blunt and sexual. They have exaggerated hips and breasts, ubiquity in ancient sites, and there were giant shrines with female effigies. Many people theorize that in some way, the near universal Paleolithic veneration of the female form suggests that pre-literate humans worshipped the feminine ability to give birth. Without a clear understanding of how procreation works, I suppose that's plausible. But I don't buy it, because I think it's a mistake to underestimate the intelligence of the ancient human. Simply, if they could breed cattle or sheep or goats, they "got" how sex and reproduction worked. The people who were making these figures were also husbanding and herding, so I don't think a primitive need to venerate the female mystery is the reason behind these figurines.

Still, it's an interesting question. The ancient world is chock full of more female-friendly mythology than is found in religion today. That, I no longer dispute or doubt. But still, even in today's "feminist" reality, there are many who don't want to look at the archaeological evidence and understand that the ancients had a different way of viewing gender and divinity. This is important to me, because as an atheist, there is little difference between basing policy upon an all-powerful Father god and an all-powerful Mother lifegiver goddess- neither should have any role in public governance. But it's "ridiculous" to talk about the latter, where today, ~90% of the American population subscribes to one or another form of the former.

Here are some fun books that I recommend, which will expand your mind about these concepts.

Wraeththu. Evolution towards a third gender, inspired by a Goddess who gives birth to her lover/son/self and recreates that process in the evolution of humanity.

The Firebrand. What if Cassandra wasn't really crazy? What if she was the pivotal figure between Old Goddesses and New Gods? What if we completely misread the ancient world, and the coming of the Greeks in it?

What is the dystopian conclusion of patriarchy? It could be like this. At the same time: how do women who are denied everything that could give them agency and independence find those things in themselves, in the face of horrible oppression? This book will change the way you think about the Fundies, I promise.

And finally, what would a matriarchal religion look like if the Goddess were a harsh, realistic and highly cynical figure so distant from human reality as to offer little more than the comfort of death? What kind of society would that create? Can science and religion ever become one, and seek to change humanity for the better by a process as brutal as is found in raw nature? Very few people, IMHO, grok the power of this book. But there is still a chance some will.

I have gobs to say about matriarchy and religion, but I'd like to hear your thoughts. It's Friday night, and the Goddess has put Her hand on Her daughter, Valerie, who lays poised to slay the ogre of Republican/Authoritarian government and oligarchy. Goddess worshippers should rejoice, right alongside us atheists. As a side note: is it just me, or does it seem like the people who "blow the whistle" on the Rove Republicans are frequently women? Perhaps I'm wrong, and the Divine hand of the Goddess moves within us all still...

Update: I went to school with the author of this review of a grammar book, and if you're looking for a true ancient Mystery, read this and begin to find out about "Emesal."

Damn, girl. I am so proud of you. Good job.

FDL comments so far:

angie says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
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The Golden Rule!

Thank you.

2
Pectopah says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
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Political Cartoon Idea:

Boris and Natasha are sitting at home.

Valerie Plame is standing out front, with one hand raised to the door.

Boris says to Natasha: “Victoria, I think there might be a kNOCk at the door.”

3
egregious says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
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Fitz!

Valerie!!

JUSTICE!!!

4
TeddySanFran says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
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Hi Chi!

5
Suzanne says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
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Excellent post, CD.

6
LoudounLib says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
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Valerie indeed! Never underestimate the power of a woman.

7
Alison says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
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Jane, Christy and Valerie.

Goddesses all.

8
LoudounLib says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
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And don’t forget Marcy!

9
LoudounLib says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
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Pectopah @2, good one - send it to Toles!

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Titanyum says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
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I wonder how TRex is doing on his date tonight.

11
darkblack says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
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CD, you done dropped me off in the Marianas Trench of cognitive thought tonight…Too deep.

;>)

So I’ll play a video instead, and stand in the corner with my pointed cap at a jaunty angle.

Great writing, there

12
Alison says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
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Oops, Marcy too.

But what about TRex and Pach? Can they be goddesses if they want?

13
Bionic says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
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Interesting post ChiDyke. It’s too bad that I am on my last legs and off to bed. ;o(

One quibble I have to make about it though, is that the first writing was not about religion but bookkeeping.

I’ve been reading an interesting book by Robert Logan called The Sixth Language which has gone through the history of information processing basically from the first written language, written numerals, etc to the Internet.

Oh gah, I have to stop I am too tired.

14
Fiyero says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
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“Also, I believe that the universe is filled with unending wonder, more than enough to inspire a sense of awe and amazement in people and sentient beings, for all time.”

Well said ChiDy - that’s where I’m usually coming from, too. “Atheist” Carl Sagan suggested as much in his Cosmos series back in the 80’s (ahh… where have those good old PBS days gone? Ancient history, I guess, having absconded with David Brooks and the schnooks at CPB, it seems).

This is why I want to throw my arms up in exasperation when I hear wingers like O’Reilly say (actual O’Reilly quote from a couple years back): “I don’t believe in the Big Bang” - as if a) it were a matter of faith and not evidence, and b) such “belief” threatened any appreciation for the awe and mystery–or even potential sacrality–of the universe.

It’s related to what Phoenix Woman was alluding to when she referenced “meta-competence” in comments on the last thread.

Nice post, ChiDy.

15
susan says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
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And, I’d like to know just who started this Babylonian custom? Women can be such schmucks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishtar

“Ishtar’s sacred harlots belonged to an organized hierarchy, painstakingly recorded by the Babylonians. In addition to the activities of the sacred temple whores, there were sacramental sexual initiations as well. The Greek historian Herodotus (3 BC) tells us: ‘Babylonian custom compels every woman of the land once in her life to sit in the temple of love and have intercourse with some stranger…the men pass and make their choice. It matters not what will be the sum of money; the woman will never refuse, for that were a sin, the money by this act made sacred. After their intercourse she has made herself holy in the sight of the goddess and goes away to her home; and thereafter there is no bribe however great that will get her. So then the women that are tall and fair are soon free to depart, but the uncomely have long to wait because they cannot fulfill the law; for some of them remain for three years or four. There is a custom like this in some parts of Cyprus.”

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brownandserve says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
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I only got to listen to Ms. Plame’s testimony while at work but it was very impressive. My cubefarm neighbors were wondering why I was saying “Wow” so often. I’d certainly vote for her if she ever decided to seek elective office.

As an aside, I think one side-effect of the Bush presidency is that the term “presidential” doesn’t mean what it once did.

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Titanyum says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
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I think religion would be better served with godesses than with gods, just as the country is better served by godess Pelosi than god Bush.

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mm says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
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Kucinich! Very powerful from today–this video features Dennis Kucinich asking Valerie Plame about links to the White House.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0K-pSNw_O4

Kucinich: Did you know what happened to Secretary O’Neil . . . was falsely accused . . . investigated . . .

In another instance . . . Gen. Shinsecki . . . dismissed

The case of Richard Foster . . . told he would be fired if he told the truth . . . about drug benefits

These . . . seem to be part of a larger pattern . . .

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Pectopah says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
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brownanserve @ 16

I only got to listen to Ms. Plame’s testimony while at work but it was very impressive. My cubefarm neighbors were wondering why I was saying “Wow” so often. I’d certainly vote for her if she ever decided to seek elective office.

She is moving to NM, so maybe she can run for Domenici’s seat! Or Heather Wilson’s (Wilson vs Wilson)

20
chicago dyke says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
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alison- all my love to you! for this:

But what about TRex and Pach? Can they be goddesses if they want?

there’s another way of asking that question:

can an all powerful, all knowing god, play a “real” game with its own creation? think about that for a minute. if the answer is “no,” why is there creation at all?

bionic, sleep well. still:

One quibble I have to make about it though, is that the first writing was not about religion but bookkeeping.

i’ve read the earliest writing. literally, in the originial languages. translated them. you are not wrong: they are “bookkeeping.” (which is one of the very few words in english which has double letters three times in a row [oo-kk-ee])

but the point i’m making is: why then, if these records were all about # sheep and # goats, did each being with dingir? for those who don’t know, that means, “god, i recognize you, i know you’re reading this text, i honor you. now i pray this count of sheep is accurate, and that you strike down those who falisfy my count?”

that, my friend, is the question. also: why did that question get addressed to a god or goddess, and not vice versa? does having a penis/womb mean you can count better?

21
angie says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
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I grew up in a home of different faiths and with aquaintances of many different faiths and varying degrees of their beliefs. My parents taught us of the different faiths (still do) and to never, ever exclude any of them from our thought.

All faiths struck me a long time ago as similar in many ways. The holidays are in synch– almost all of them. There is not much difference at all and so many are linked to the harvests and the planting, etc. Yet, many would like there to be a bright line between their faiths, as in a major superiority dance and being the chosen.

I much prefer not to dabble in the communal aspect of religion and that venue of “fellowship” that some find so reinforcing. I like to instead have it live inside me– however I choose to “believe”.

Finally, people often use their faiths in wicked, warring ways.

It’s not the religions; it’s the folks who twist and contort and seek the language that divides all of us, of all faiths/spiritualities.

(PS– loved Kucinich today, mm.
He’s a good man– his “faith” is in the department of Peace; how cool is that?)

22
LoudounLib says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
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Darkblack! That was an excellent video!

23
Mabel’s Wig Shack says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
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I am interested in both poetry and ‘cultural anthropology’ and was intrigued by Robert Grave’s ‘The White Goddess’ and currently I am reading (along with poetry by James Tate and Sam Shepard’s account of traveling with Dylan’s ‘Rolling Thunder Revue’ in the 70s) The Great Cosmic Mother: Rediscovering the Religion of the Earth by Monica Sjoo & Barbara Mor. So I look forward to tomorrow morning’s cup of coffee and your post above.

24
chicago dyke says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
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“Ishtar’s sacred harlots belonged to an organized hierarchy, painstakingly recorded by the Babylonians. In addition to the activities of the sacred temple whores, there were sacramental sexual initiations as well. The Greek historian Herodotus (3 BC) tells us:

folks, i’m here to tell you. herodotus = bunk.

the short version: he was a…well, to put it kindly, an “armchair anthopologist.” the kind of guy who heard second and from second hand of kingdoms ancient and foreign, and who came to the table with his own prejudices. not that any of us are free of that, but think “bernard lewis.”

herodotus was the Original Western Imperialist White Guy making fun of Those Funny Brown People Who worship a different god. his whole point was to make greek men, who knew most of what they understood had been developed and critiqued elsewhere by non-greeks, feel important.

bottom line: like a bush republican, herodotus just made shit up. of whole cloth.

there is a long, complicated explaination of the “hieroldules” of babylon. i won’t get into it now, it’s too late. but think of it this way: if all you knew of sex workers today came from dobson, passed down to you thru six languages and three religions over two thousand years, would you trust it? prolly not.

so take good ole H with a grain of salt. *I* speak sumerian (the ritual language of babylon) better than he did. nuff said.

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Ed*ard Teller says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
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Hey, Chicago Dyke,

You never know when this subject - early matriarchal societies - will come up. The dearth of spiritual books by women changed in the 19th century. My favorite spiritual book, the Kybalion, is speculated to have been written by three women at the beginning of the 20th century:

Other names frequently mentioned in connection with The Kybalion are Harriet Case (Paul Foster Case’s wife at the time), Ann Davies (who succeeded Paul Foster Case as head of B.O.T.A.), Mabel Collins (a prominant Theosophical writer), and Claude Brogdon (a well-known stage magician).

Whether or not written by women, the descriptions of what God might be and how we might act upon that are purely trans-sexual.

26
Ed*ard Teller says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
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Speaking of sexual roles, was it males or females who put an end to development of the zigguret culture at firedoglake?

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darkblack says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
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why then, if these records were all about # sheep and # goats, did each being with dingir?

Even the mundane nature of totalling domestic stock in a pasture needs soul

;>)

28
Suzanne says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
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ET, it was the live blog of the Waxman hearing. The quote button will be back I have been assured.

29
Renee in Ohio says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
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Off topic, but, just wanted to mention I wrote something up about the 60 Minutes segment on Daniel Tammet (who has Asperger’s Syndrome with savant abilities) and my own memories of coming to understand our son’s Asperger’s.

30
angie says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
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Let’s see. Female whistleblowers.

Bunnatine Greenhouse
Sibel Edmonds
Karen Kwiatkowski

…

31
johnSwifty says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
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I would postulate, as did Heidegger, that the concept of “history” begins in some degree with the spoken word. As such, it would seem reasonable that his concept of hermeneutics was first employed to bring the divine to the campfire as the poetry and thought expressed by shamen in religious observance. Then, no doubt, they got around to creating symbolism and written word to fill up the rest of the Golden Bough volumes; but I tend to think that gods first came to humans through the original shaman rap. That’s right, I said it. The concept of god came from cavemen doin’ the dozens around the fire.

32
taylorbad says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
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Try this:

God is what happens. Divinity is what people do in response.

33
Mabel’s Wig Shack says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
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the kuchinich/plame video: glorious

34
Suzanne says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
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The concept of god came from cavemen doin’ the dozens around the fire.

Or was it the concept of goddess?

35
LJ says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
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If I missed it, I apologize. The frieze you are using I have always seen as this as the male god Mithras, popular with lower-ranking Roman soldiers.

http://agonist.org/don/2007031.....tal_d...

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darkblack says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
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The concept of god came from cavemen doin’ the dozens around the fire.

There goes my ergot poisoning theory…Drat!

;>)

37
Mabel’s Wig Shack says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
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btw in 2001 I stood in St.Peter’s Square watching the tourist/pilgrims straggle through; you know, nuns from the Phillipines, the faithful from Peoria, etc.etc..etc…

and boy did it strike me that that place was cold and dead. Like the int. hq of a cola company or some such.

but the kicker? we missed the Sistine Chapel by an hour!!!

38
bonkers says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
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Having assisted my wife through two doctor-less pregnancies and home-births, and then the infant years, I’m convinced that if there is a “higher power,” it’s female. The emotional strength I’ve seen from her is mind-boggling, and even though I consider myself very strong and disciplined emotionally, I’m a baby compared to her.

Our male-dominated society teaches us boys to be tough and manly (whatever the hell that means!), and this often leads very condescending opinions towards women in adulthood. This is a very sad and disturbing aspect of American society for me.

Instead of men making jokes about a woman President, with her finger on the nuclear button during “that time” of the month, being a dangerous thing, we should be celebrating the female spirit.

I’ve always thought women would be the best Presidents, Generals, etc. Most women, with or without children, can see pictures of blood-stained babies in foreign lands from American bombs, or hungry children here in America, and think this has to stop. At the same time, there is no more fierce protector than a mother protecting her child, hence making a woman the ultimate leader of the Dept of DEFENSE.

Hope this makes sense, since the aforementioned kids have got me totally sleep-deprived, but thanks for the excellent post!

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Ed*ard Teller says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
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Chicago Dyke,

I announced earlier that I was going to post the comments I had culled from FreeRepublic’s freeper live log of Friday’s Waxman hearing before today was over. I’m putting some up in memory of this important day. The hearing saw some vindication of the truth for Valerie Plame and government workers who were intimidated by the actions against Plame.

Today’s the 4th anniversary of Rachel Corrie’s death. I think she sought justice too, but like thousands of young people from whatever background in the Middle East, she was denied justice.

Freeper comment gallery, part 1:

There is a huge difference in the Dems treatment of Valerie Plame and of Terri Schiavo — both from Huntingdon Valley, PA, both born 1963, both married to liars who gave false testimony.

I love this Congressman from Georgia, Lynn Westmoreland
He is giving the good ol’ boy easy drawl impression while asking really sharp questions!!

Did Plame actually take the oath, or was it a promise to tell the truth to Waxman. Role it back and watch, compare it to the normal oath — It’s hilarious.

Victoria Toensing will clear that up in her testimony. She wrote the law.
You know what time she’ll be up?

Maybe B. O’Reilly will get the body language gal on this. Would take up the whole hour!

In his opening comments, Tom Davis said he was very reluctant to participate in this farce (paraphrased).

The really bad thing is that at this hearing she can pretty much say whatever the hell she wants to say because, since the Libby trial, the White House is too scared to fire back with the truth.
Sucks.

These people should be ashamed of themselves..the questions were obviously scripted, and given her in advance…

.the questions were obviously scripted, and given her in advance…
and rehearsed. I noticed a while ago, before I had to mute this for my mental health, that one congressman got confused and VPW had to coach him on his question: “Do you mean…” and he parroted her words as he “clarified” his question.

She’s not that dopey or unattractive. She is however a total left wing democrat who intends to have a position in Hilary’s administration. And I swear to you IF I were on that committee I’d say it to her. But they won’t.

WHERE THE HELL ARE THE GOP REPRESENTATIVES!!!!!

Why are the Rats asking all the questions?

The Reps are boycotting the hearing. That is why it is mostly Dems are asking most of the questions.

40
johnSwifty says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
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Here is Micrososmos, my favorite ’spiritual’ book (it does at least bring in the biological concept of Gaia hypothesis) and I had alway assumed that the author, Lynn Margulis, was female. But watching Lynn Westmoreland today makes me wonder. I hope she is female because Westmoreland is questionably human.

41
newtonusr says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
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Mabel’s Wig Shack says
I am interested in both poetry and ‘cultural anthropology’ and was intrigued by Robert Grave’s ‘The White Goddess’ and currently I am reading (along with poetry by James Tate and Sam Shepard’s account of traveling with Dylan’s ‘Rolling Thunder Revue’ in the 70s) The Great Cosmic Mother: Rediscovering the Religion of the Earth by Monica Sjoo & Barbara Mor. So I look forward to tomorrow morning’s cup of coffee and your post above.

I’d love to get RevDeb in on this… very late back east, though…
Great topic, piece CD!

42
Mabel’s Wig Shack says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
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in honour of Rachel Corrie…

43
johnSwifty says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
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The concept of god came from cavemen doin’ the dozens around the fire.

Or was it the concept of goddess?

I’ll amend it to the concept of ‘divine.’ It’s easier to rhyme!

44
Balrog the Fascist Troll says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
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Hey ChiDy!

I don’t even know what in the fuck you are talking about.

But any friend of FDL and TRex is a friend of mine!

45
chicago dyke says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
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Then, no doubt, they got around to creating symbolism and written word to fill up the rest of the Golden Bough volumes;

frazier: another hack.

i don’t mean to be all elitist on folks, especially since my own akkadian and assyrian are weak these days from lack of use, but i get pissy about the “armchair” generation.

let me put it in a modern form. once, not so long ago, “great” tracts were written about “primitive” peoples, still living (and dying) in the face of Modernist Imperial oppression. those “Primitive” peoples didn’t venerate a monotheistic god, they didn’t “wear clothesl,” they were “inscrutable.” why were they described that way?

plainly: because a bunch of rich, old, white guys at oxford and in germany etc., decided they were “not civilized.” those same rich, mostly old, mostly white guys wrote a bunch of books, and everyone knows them now. frazier, etc, never bothered to learn even 10% of the languages of the peoples upon which he presumed to “explain” to all us “civilized” people. “look, this is what their primitive belief really means” he said. and for decades, smart people have just accepted that he must’ve been right- it’s not like people are going to take the time to figure out the remaining ancient and non-Western languages and traditions themselves. no, let’s let some white guy with tenure at some fancy school speak for them, and we’ll “trust him.”

same dif today: who here speaks any one of the dozens of languages of afghanistan? no one? right, didn’t think so. but somehow, people here feel qualified to speak about “why the war is/is not going well” and of why the taliban is or is not popular, depending on your political orientation. i could drop a scary list of all the “smart” people who presume to explain to you the strange and odd ways of the darkies neoliberalism seeks to control, and you’d be shocked to learn how few of them have, like, actually been to those places or speak their native tongues or have read, in the original, their sacred texts.

as a former philologist, i condemn my own field. for i know just how much imperialism informs it, and racism.

Quothe "Persephone" in Matrix 2: "have fun, my love."