Grizzly's Growls podcasts

Hello ladies and gentlemen. This is David Grizzly Smith. You probably guessed that, of course. I normally wouldn't do what I'm going to do tonight. This is rather unusual for Grizzly's Growls -- though Grizzly's Growls doesn't have a strict format, and besides it's mine, I can do what I want. As you know, I've been getting a few episodes ahead in my recording of the Federalist Papers. Tonight I recorded Federalist #14, the whole of which you'll hear when it drops on February 1st. Every time I've recorded a book, it seems, there's that one part I have to record two or three times. It gets me right in the heart, and I break down a bit trying to get the words out. So I do it over till I can finish it intelligibly, more or less. This time, so far at least, it was Federalist #14. It purports to have been written by James Madison, and I can believe that, it seems the most heartfelt essays came from Madison. Some sources'd say Hamilton really wrote them. I'd go with Madison, even so. The first part of the essay is along the workmanlike likes of those just prior. And then I got to the last part. And I could hear in the words the voice of a warrior for American independence, and American innovation, at a time when Kings and Queens were the order of the day for much of the world. And at a time when some in this country were arguing for dividing us up into fragments, rather than preserving the Union which made the American revolution possible. Seems to me there are those forces and those voices today who likewise would like to divide us. And we need words that express those fundamental values and that fundamental unity in which almost all of us believe. We are quarreling amongst ourselves, as families do sometimes. And there are certainly those who'd like to encourage those quarrels, to weaken us and strengthen their own grasp on their wealth and power over us. I think James Madison said it well, so I'm going to let him say his piece. If you're interested, the background music is Johann Sebastian Bach's "Prelude in C Major" played by Kevin MacLeod, the theme music for the whole series. Enjoy. And I hope you take it to heart, as I did. The original text from Congress.gov Book Theme: "Prelude in C Major" from Kevin MacLeod Show Theme "Hot Swing" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.patreon.com/grizzlysgrowls

Hello again and welcome to Federalist #10. You may remember I mentioned I'd be recording this the same night as #9. I was startled to notice that #9, "The Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection" was written by Hamilton, and was rather intellectual. But #10, "The Same Subject Continued" came from James Madison, who seems so staid in the pictures, but who's a bit of a firebrand in this essay. There's a lot to love about this one. Once again the author wrote a couple of centuries back, but seems to have watched TV last night. While I'm sure there was a temptation to high-flown rhetoric, Madison was cold-bloodedly pragmatic about the vulnerabilities of the Republic. He knew it wouldn't be perfect, but he knew it could be protected and made better. I also noted Madison's reference to "the most numerous party, or, in other words, the most powerful faction," which reminded me of John Stuart Mill's mention in On Liberty, Chapter One, of "the majority, or those who succeed in making themselves accepted as the majority," more than a century later. Madison shows a realistic view of government one might not expect from the Federalist, if one approaches it as some sort of religious work, rather than what it is, a political work intended to convey rationally how one might form a durable republic, and to convince the citizens that this new Constitution would accomplish that. It has been pointed out elsewhere that the founders assumed the citizens, if provided with the facts, would make intelligent choices. I'd expect that to be necessary in the foundation of any Republic. If the citizens aren't equipped to choose correctly, then you either equip them, or you choose a different form of government. But I think this essay makes clear that the founders understood the people could also make incredibly bad choices. The hope was that there'd be enough people making enough choices that it'd all come out fairly well even so. I hope so, too. The original text from Congress.gov Book Theme: "Prelude in C Major" from Kevin MacLeod Show Theme: "Canon in D" from Owen Poteat Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.patreon.com/grizzlysgrowls

Tonight I'm recording Federalist number 9. I'm sorry that I'm way behind the weekly recordings I originally planned. It was such a lovely plan, wasn't it? I'm going to try to record two tonight, so I can get caught back up. I feel like there ought to be three aspects of this essay for me to comment about, but I can only think of two. First I note that Hamilton describes generally the best and worst of the ancient Greek and Roman republics. These descriptions feel all too well fitted around our own necks. Listen for yourself, tell me I'm wrong, because I'd like to be. Secondly I note that Hamilton defends the new Constitution by pointing out new innovations in republican government that should prevent the worst excesses of past republics. He's quite right, they should. But these new ideas aren't magical incantations, inscriptions and annointings that will frighten off all possible future demons. These are practices and processes, habits and jobs. And these jobs must be done every day by those we've hired to do them, or there are no protections, there are no checks and there is no balance. And now I see that third thing I figured must be there ... because there are always three things, ask anyone who's written a speech or an essay. Hamilton's republic demands that we are lead by our best and brightest, who we choose from among ourselves. If our best aren't all that good, and our brightest not always very bright, we elect enough of them that they will improve their results by working together. If we trust a few who are not worthy of trust, the rest will demand better behavior of them, and check their worst abuses. But if we fail, if we choose representatives who will not act in the public interest, or who will not act at all unless marching obediently behind the fools they follow, there is no magical incantation in the Constitution that can save us. No magic but time. If we and our Republic survive, perhaps we will have a chance to choose better next time. The original text from Congress.gov Book Theme: "Prelude in C Major" from Kevin MacLeod Show Theme: "Canon in D" from Owen Poteat Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.patreon.com/grizzlysgrowls

"The Symbol and the Saint," from "Christmas Tales and Christmas Verse," by Eugene Field, published in 1912. A very pretty story I found, and recorded on this date back in 2008, as Hiber-Nation 45. Still makes a good audio Christmas card, not perfect, but heartfelt. Best wishes for a joyous holiday season, whatever holiday you celebrate! And here's to better times in the coming year. Show Theme "Hot Swing" and other music from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls Or https://www.patreon.com/grizzlysgrowls

Some dangers we avoided early, but encountered later. And what I didn't know, but didn't want to spoil the surprise. The original text from Congress.gov Book Theme: "Prelude in C Major" from Kevin MacLeod Show Theme: "Canon in D" from Owen Poteat Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.patreon.com/grizzlysgrowls

OH MY GOD THE FCC JUST DESTROYED THE INTERNET AND MADE IT NOT NEUTRAL ANYMORE!!! Well, no. A brief quote at the end from "The Desiderata." Show Theme "Hot Swing" and other music from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls Or https://www.patreon.com/grizzlysgrowls

Reference to a shared YouTube clip from "The Newsroom" which is sadly on-point for this episode, and which you can see on my Podbusker.com blog. The original text from Congress.gov Book Theme: "Prelude in C Major" from Kevin MacLeod Show Theme: "Canon in D" from Owen Poteat Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.patreon.com/grizzlysgrowls

We fight amongst ourselves, but we're still family even so. The original text from Congress.gov Book Theme: "Prelude in C Major" from Kevin MacLeod Show Theme: "Canon in D" from Owen Poteat Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.patreon.com/grizzlysgrowls

Though these essays seem to be separate pieces, they are also organized to work together as a cohesive piece. Also, as with other old works I've recorded, there are lessons here that apply well to our modern circumstances. Every day we see "Dangers From Foreign Force and Influence," don't we? The original text from Congress.gov Book Theme: "Prelude in C Major" from Kevin MacLeod Show Theme: "Canon in D" from Owen Poteat Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.patreon.com/grizzlysgrowls

Everything new is old again. The original text from Congress.gov Book Theme: "Prelude in C Major" from Kevin MacLeod Show Theme: "Canon in D" from Owen Poteat Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.patreon.com/grizzlysgrowls

Upon further review ... one essay per podcast, for the moment. The original text from Congress.gov Book Theme: "Prelude in C Major" from Kevin MacLeod Show Theme: "Canon in D" from Owen Poteat Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.patreon.com/grizzlysgrowls

A possible change in format. But not this time. The original text from Congress.gov Book Theme: "Prelude in C Major" from Kevin MacLeod Show Theme: "Canon in D" from Owen Poteat Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.patreon.com/grizzlysgrowls

My first effort on the Federalist Papers. One of those learning experiences you've heard about. The original text from Congress.gov Book Theme: "Prelude in C Major" from Kevin MacLeod Show Theme: "Canon in D" from Owen Poteat Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.patreon.com/grizzlysgrowls

Talked briefly to Janet Kennedy who's a candidate for an At Large seat on the Duluth City Council. She was nice enough to ask, so I'll probably vote for her. I'd have her on the show sometime, too, I think. Dunno if she'd do it, though. Show Theme "Hot Swing" and other music from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls Or https://www.patreon.com/grizzlysgrowls

Tried a Youtube livestream recording for Federalist #1 as I mentioned a while back. Probably need to redo it. Wanted to see how the video file would be handled by Libsyn, though. (Bad video, since my room's a mess!) Show Theme "Hot Swing" and other music from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

Think I'll record all 85 essays in The Federalist Papers. But I'm not sure I should. Show Theme "Hot Swing" and other music from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

Chapter 5, The final (hour-long) Chapter. Mill provides some sample applications for the principles from previous chapters. And points out that though society could restrict liberty when others experience loss, that doesn't mean they always should. Some losses aren't as important as preserving Liberty. Hope you enjoyed the book. Show Theme "Hot Swing" and other music from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

Chapter 4 - Aren't there limits on liberty and individuality? Certainly. But there are also limits on society, and both are to preserve. And sometimes, liberty has costs. But liberty is worth the costs. Show Theme "Hot Swing" and other music from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

Chapter 3 Part 2 - It's important to be an individual, and to allow others to be individuals in thought and act. And it's important to preserve that liberty, even for individuals you don't like. Because they come up with good new ways of doing things. Bad new ways, too -- and then you learn what doesn't work... Something like that. Mill explains it better, just listen! Show Theme "Hot Swing" and other music from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

Chapter 3 Part 1 - Mill speaks about the importance of not just thinking and talking but acting as an individual (as long as you don't harm others) and preserving the right to act as an individual. One of the strengths of his arguments is that though he might well not approve of some of our new sorts of individuality, his truths about liberty are still true. And will drive some folks crazy. Which is why I do this! Show Theme "Hot Swing" and other music from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

The pursuit of truth, and the necessity for opposition, in politics and government. On point, anyone? Timely, even a century old. Show Theme "Hot Swing" and other music from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

Ten years of podcasts, and I almost missed the anniversary. I'm a bit down tonight, and I'd completely forgotten till the last minute, so nothing planned. So, it is what it is. Show Theme "Hot Swing" and other music from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

Chapter 2 Part 3 - Why even regular people still have to hear all the views, even though the Best and Brightest know what's best for them. Show Theme "Hot Swing" and other music from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

Chapter 2 Part 2. Mill talks about the idea that persecution is always good for new (religious) truths. Love this because so many of the new persecutors claim to be bringing back Old Time Religion. Here's an intelligent religious philosopher from a century ago petty much slapping them down in so many ways. Post truth? Yeah, right. It's in there. Show Theme "Hot Swing" and other music from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

Was going to to a blogpost or podcast about Political Correctness. I started by looking up the origins of the phrase, "Politically Correct." So I ranted a bit on YouTube. But video takes a whole lot of space on my Libsyn account, so... Show Theme "Hot Swing" and other music from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

And now it starts to get good! Chapter 2 Part 1, including some opening comments on freedom of the Press which kinda sting to listen to. I could tell Mill was getting rolling, and so did I. Enjoy! Show Theme "Hot Swing" and other music from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

Since I'm at a low ebb in confidence and energy, I'm bringing back a project I started back in 2012 and didn't finish till 2014, "On Liberty" by John Stuart Mill. I think it's on point for current events. And I think some things bear repeating right now. And this time I'll just put it all up right away. In the meantime, perhaps I'll manage to record something new for you? Still haven't gotten the recording I needed to finish Swinging Doors. And there's three or four other possible Next Projects. Show Theme "Hot Swing" and other music from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

A critique of "unbiased journalism," and why not everyone is a Journalist. Wanted to talk about a pet peeve, not really an issue as such. Unbiased Journalism. You're out there saying, "But wait, unbiased journalism is a very important issue!" I understand your feeling that way. But actually it's only an issue because of misuse of terms. Everyone who has a job in what we still call the Press for some reason, wants to be called a Journalist. This is understandable. Journalist sounds like a cool and hip job. Assuming anyone not my age still says cool and/or hip. Most jobs in the press, quite frankly, sound kinda geeky, and perhaps even sleezy. Journalist means one particular vocation, or perhaps an avocation, and not all of them. Let's go back in history for a bit. The Press actually started with folks who actually used presses, to print newspapers. On actual paper. And at least hypothetically, newspapers conveyed news. News was gathered by news reporters -- not journalists, reporters. News is very simple. It's what happened, who what when where and how. That's all. Not why. Why is not news. If someone said what they thought was why, I suppose that's news, the "somebody said" part is. That's something that happened or didn't. But that last bit is hopefully done with caution, because "why" itself, is not News. As for Bias, well, a news report is not biased, if it simply states who what when where and how. It can't be. What happened happened, and it's news. If it didn't happen, then it's not news, it's a lie. If someone lies, the lie is news, and the truth is news to demonstrate, if you will, the truth about the lie. And a news reporter, had better not be a Journalist. A journalist is a whole 'nother sort of animal. Back in the day, most people didn't travel much at all. It's still pretty rare for folks to go very far from where they were born. Travelling was something special, and usually very expensive. Sometimes some fairly well-known person would get to travel out of their own home area, maybe even to another country on another continent. They might keep a journal of their adventures on their travels, possibly so they could write a book later. And they might agree to occasionally share a page or two of their travel journal with a newspaper, and they might well get paid a bit for doing that. So they became a Journalist. Is a Journalist biased? Of course, absolutely. A journalist is supposed to be biased. We read the works of a journalist because an interesting person is visiting interesting places, doing interesting things for interesting reasons. We don't just want an elementary school "What I Did This Summer." We want their impressions. We want their opinions. We demand their biases. If they are not biased, they are boring, and we'll go read the news instead. Travel today is marginally cheaper, and it is marginally easier for regular folks to go some other places. But still, most of us don't leave the country without wearing a uniform and possibly carrying a government issued firearm. Journalists may go to places we could conceivably visit. But we still expect their impressions. We still demand bias. An "Investigative Journalist" is exploring another sort of place, the dark and stinking underbelly of a beast with an innocent and mostly pristine face. They often can't be sure what happened, they can only draw conclusions from what limited facts they can gather. Again, we demand bias, and hope they are biased in the same direction we are. We hope they value the truth, and strive toward it. But we want their attitudes to be part of their stories. The news is just the news. Does this mean a newspaper can't be biased? No, quite the opposite. In 1886, Adolph Simon Ochs applied the slogan "All the News That's Fit to Print" to the New York Times. Other papers were blatantly sensational. He wanted his paper to be a NEWS paper. From what I've read, he did his best to live up to that. Realistically, newspapers print "all the news that fits." They have to be selective about what they print. They are selective about what gets on the front page, if for no other reason than no more fits. They are also selling papers, which in turn sells ads. So, like it or not, they have to pick and choose. A news report that is News will state the simple truth, as I said earlier. But given the editors have to select anyway, they select what suits them and sells papers. A newspaper, with the best of intentions, will be biased. A headline, to capture reader attention, will be biased. But news is news, or it is not. An editor is not a journalist. An editor is an editor. And an editorial is opinion, not news. An editorial is intended to convey the opinion of the paper, usually of the owner, and sometimes of the editor which may not be the same. A columnist is not exactly a journalist. A columnist expresses opinions, on important or on frivolous subjects, but usually within the day-to-day experience of the reader. A column is not news. A colu

Originally a VIDEO: Theodore Roosevelt's column, "Citizens or Subjects" from the KC Star, April 6, 1918 -- My live reading for my Grizzly's Growls podcast, on YouTube earlier this evening. Show Theme "Hot Swing" and other music from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

Finally I'm done! A slight change in style, partly due to losing much of my voice... Conclusion - The Summary of This Book Appendix I - On Prehistoric Man Appendix II - On Authority and Accuracy Book Theme "Deliberate Thought" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Show Theme "Hot Swing" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via Audioboo and tag it #HeyGriz Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

Maybe strained my voice a bit recording this second- or third-to-last episode for this book, but I definitely want it on Podiobooks, too, so... Part II On The Man Called Christ Chapter VI The Five Deaths of the Faith Book Theme "Deliberate Thought" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Show Theme "Hot Swing" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via Audioboo and tag it #HeyGriz Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

"The Symbol and the Saint," from "Christmas Tales and Christmas Verse," by Eugene Field, published in 1912. A very pretty story I found, and recorded on this date back in 2008, as Hiber-Nation 45. Still makes a good audio Christmas card, not perfect, but heartfelt. Best wishes for a joyous holiday season, whatever holiday you celebrate! And here's to better times in the coming year. Show Theme "Hot Swing" and other music from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via Audioboo and tag it #HeyGriz Comments via the https://www.speakpipe.com/grizzlysgrowls Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

Preparing for Chapter V, I found out there's also a Chapter VI that I hadn't known about, as well as a Conclusion chapter, then there's the two appendices. So I better get to steppin'. Part II On The Man Called Christ Chapter V The Escape from Paganism Book Theme "Deliberate Thought" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Show Theme "Hot Swing" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via Audioboo and tag it #HeyGriz Or the "Voicemail" widget on Grizzlysgrowls.com Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

I can maybe get this book up on Podiobooks in time... along with my other project. But I'll have to be very quick! And then... Part II On The Man Called Christ Chapter IV The Witness of the Heretics Book Theme "Deliberate Thought" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Show Theme "Hot Swing" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via Audioboo and tag it #HeyGriz Or the "Voicemail" widget on Grizzlysgrowls.com Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

Only a couple subjects to cover tonight. Maybe a brief "get off my lawn" rant on this new Virtual Reality thing. First let me give you some rather bad news. Podiobooks.com has been sold to a site called Scribl. Podiobooks is still there. Sort of. The stuff I've already posted is still on that site. So far. Thing is, Scribl is all about _selling_ audio versions of books. Podiobooks was about giving away audio versions of books, and accepting donations, if any. There weren't many donations, or at least I didn't see many. Lots of downloads and listeners, not so much with the money. So, Scribl the sellers of audiobooks, don't accept anything using Creative Commons content. Can't sell something licensed for only non-commercial use. And even if I decided my recordings were not so licensed... I use Creative Commons licensed music and sound effects. I'd have to pay for commercially usable music to support the Public Domain books I record. And of course I can't afford to do that. Higher bitrates, that I could manage. A few minor technical changes, maybe. Paying money I don't have for audio I don't want to use just doesn't make sense for me. So while I've been preparing both the books I've been recording for posting to Podiobooks over the months I've been producing them... I can no longer put them on Podiobooks, because Scribl sets the rules there now, and I can't afford to fulfill their requirements. The only place my recordings of these books will be available will be on my own website. Which will be disappointing, because I don't have the audience Podiobooks has had. And I won't be able to do that final stage of posting Mike Hampston's book on Podiobooks, either, because I don't have the right licensing on the music I used to back those recordings, and I don't have the right permissions from the author to put it there anyway. Not on a commercial site like Scribl. I suppose I might put the recordings on Librivox. The old books like Everlasting Man would be fine there. Don't think I can put Mike's book there. So all in all, after years of work... that kinda sucks. I can understand Evo selling the place. He's not obligated to keep it up just for someone like me. But that kinda breaks my plans. And I don't know what to do next. And that other thing... I've seen a lot of coverage of all the swell new-ish tech they offer now for trying Virtual Reality. Got yer basic wrap-around headsets, and special motion controllers and whatnot. All very shiny, new and expensive. Tend to require more powerful computers and more powerful graphic cards. Also very shiny and new. But once I thought that through, the tech is all that's new. I've been playing around in a simulated three-dee environment for several years now, Second Life. No wrap-around goggles, just a keyboard and mouse to control interactions. But still, it's a three-D environment, albeit rendered in two-D. To be fair, sure the three-D effect is clever and new. The fancier controllers are new. To make all that work you'll need pretty heavy-duty graphics capabilities. So does Second Life, but I don't think the machine I use for SL could manage that. I'm sure playing with the new hardware will be fun for a while. And yet... What'll happen in these new VR worlds, in a social sense, will not be new. You'll start with the early adopters, and for a while the only people there will be those people. Exclusivity has a profound impact on the feel of any social environment, on computers or otherwise. If you were there, you know that about every previous social site, for as long as there have been computers. But then, of course, the companies trying to make money off all that will expand, and try to expand their audience. Crowds of new folks will come. The builders will come. And so will the griefers. The nice folks who treat each other well will be there, for a while. And the bad folks who treat others evilly will be there, too. The new tech might allow new ways to interact and experience the environment. That'll be swell. But the people will still be people. So I figure if you want to know how VR in virtual worlds, as compared to 3D video shows from real life, will turn out... you'll come to Second Life. The anonymity will most likely be the same. The interactions without apparent consequences will be the same. The loves will be the same, the hates will be the same. People will be the same. Only the technology will be different. VR will be, they say, immersive. Second Life is immersive, too. Takes some time to get used to. So will VR. It would be entirely possible to upgrade the existing SL to work somewhat with VR hardware. It might not work well, but it's liable to be doable. And for that matter, however hard, it'd likely be quicker and cheaper than building a whole new world from scratch. Probably won't happen. But it could. Anyway, if folks want to know what a real Virtual World, a real Metaverse would be like in a social sense, well, we can show you. Second Life started out as

Noticed an ironic typo in the title of the current chapter, and had to share that, but went with (probably) the correct version. Part II On The Man Called Christ Chapter III The Strangest Story in the World Book Theme "Deliberate Thought" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Show Theme "Hot Swing" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via Audioboo and tag it #HeyGriz Or the "Voicemail" widget on Grizzlysgrowls.com Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

Upgraded my computer a bit, new SSD, but I might have done it wrong. Whole lot of room now, though. And then, "The Everlasting Man..." Part II On The Man Called Christ Chapter II The Riddles of the Gospel Book Theme "Deliberate Thought" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Show Theme "Hot Swing" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via Audioboo and tag it #HeyGriz Or the "Voicemail" widget on Grizzlysgrowls.com Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

A little bit on starting work from home. Still feels odd, but probably good. Part II On The Man Called Christ Chapter I The God in the cave Book Theme "Deliberate Thought" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Show Theme "Hot Swing" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via Audioboo and tag it #HeyGriz Or the "Voicemail" widget on Grizzlysgrowls.com Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

Just a quick note, in case you've been wondering. I've recorded more G.K. Chesterton books than of any other author. I like his writing, and I like the way I sound when I read it. That doesn't mean I agree with everything he says, and I am not endorsing his beliefs. He was I gather considered a liberal by the standards of his day. By modern standards he'd be a bigot and a racist. He was profoundly parochial in every sense of the world, and proud of it. His views were those of a man of his time, place and background. He could use terms and language that in a public venue today would make jaws drop and fists rise. And yes, I quote them word for word. Because yes, that's what he wrote in the book. That said, he was an intelligent man and a good writer. And he spoke in a manner that has gone out of fashion. It seems the fashion lately to despise people who don't agree, and to see malice in every opinion and action, what one writer has called the "indig-nation," a whole society whose first response is anger and hatred. As mentioned in the introduction to "Heretics," Chesterton could disagree strenuously with his closest friends, and they remained his closest friends. He admired them and treated them with respect. They returned that view. That's refreshing, and it's sad how rare that's become. So I'm recording this book because I was asked. And I'm recording this book for the reason I recorded the others, because these books are worth exploring, it is valuable to be reminded that good ideas and wisdom weren't invented in last week's latest self-help book. Sometimes the old books ought to be dusted off and reread. And it's much easier if someone, me for example, can read them aloud to you so you don't just see what was typed, you know what was meant -- at least as well as I can figure that out. So now that I've got that off my chest, let's get on with recording the book. Part I On The Creature Called Man Chapter VIII The End of the World Book Theme "Deliberate Thought" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Show Theme "Hot Swing" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via Audioboo and tag it #HeyGriz Or the "Voicemail" widget on Grizzlysgrowls.com Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

I have a severe allergy to too-clever political speech. This is my abrupt sneeze on a timely topic. Sorry. Here's a tissue. Show Theme "Hot Swing" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Or the "Voicemail" widget on Grizzlysgrowls.com Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls Take the podcast survey, please? Here's a link for you.

I casually mentioned on Twitter that the late Chief Justice Warren Berger was wrong about the Second Amendment. And he was, indirectly. I got jumped on with both feet by someone with lots more followers than me. And when I responded without fawning, Twitter decided I must be hacked and took me offline. So here's my well-regulated "mansplanation" of what I'd only suggested I might say before. It's not as articulate as it might be, and I didn't make an effort to respond to the million-follower trolls and flamewars in detail. Just said my piece in 10 minutes or so, and stopped. It's a discussion we damn well better have now, while we still can. As some old white guy once said. Show Theme "Hot Swing" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Or the "Voicemail" widget on Podbusker.com Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls Take the podcast survey, please? Here's a link for you.

Got the Karaoke machine working. Turned out I simply needed to unplug and reseat the cable from the machine to the mixer, and it seems fine now. Here's hoping. And then The Everlasting Man... Part I On The Creature Called Man Chapter VII The War of the Gods and Demons Book Theme "Deliberate Thought" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Show Theme "Hot Swing" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via Audioboo and tag it #HeyGriz Or the "Voicemail" widget on Grizzlysgrowls.com Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

Just a brief mention of trying to get my Karaoke machine working for singing in Second Life. And I forgot to mention the new logo, based on a gift from a fan (on Second Life, dunno if he listens here)... which as you can see is gorgeous! Recorded this episode and this chapter of Everlasting Man on the Blue Yeti. Better? Took six hours to edit, especially the traffic noises. UPDATE: found an edit problem a month later and updated the file. Oopsie. Part I On The Creature Called Man Chapter VI The Demons and The Philosophers Book Theme "Deliberate Thought" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Show Theme "Hot Swing" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via Audioboo and tag it #HeyGriz Or the "Voicemail" widget on Grizzlysgrowls.com Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

About that iPhone encryption thing... Was listening to Leo LaPorte et al on This Week in Google 341, after so many other discussions of the Apple dispute with the FBI over access to the content of the one particular iPhone, and Leo made a passing comment about how some people think phones ought to have special legal protections... and I thought to myself, "you know, maybe they should!" So I spent a few minutes trying to explain off the cuff what I mean by that, why we are setting precedents now that will be critical for generations, well into the Singularity. So listen in, bear with my pontification, and let me know what you think. It's a discussion we damn well better have now, while we still can. Show Theme "Hot Swing" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Or the "Voicemail" widget on Podbusker.com Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls Take the podcast survey, please? Here's a link for you.

So, GRIZZLYSGROWLS.COM is back! And a brief discussion of what Podbusker and DigitalVoyageur mean. And I added a new @BlueMicrophones Yeti which hopefully improves the sound. Think I might do a review of the thing sometime. Followed by... Part I On The Creature Called Man Chapter V Man and Mythologies Book Theme "Deliberate Thought" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Show Theme "Hot Swing" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via Audioboo and tag it #HeyGriz Or the "Voicemail" widget on Podbusker.com Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

A reading from my blog, wherein I am "Speaking Freely," and then, my throat was a bit rough from allergies... Part I On The Creature Called Man Chapter IV God and Comparative Religion Book Theme "Deliberate Thought" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Show Theme "Hot Swing" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via Audioboo and tag it #HeyGriz Or the "Voicemail" widget on Podbusker.com Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

Various growls about the Podcast Awards, the Survey, and a couple of "job offer" phishes I got, claiming to be from Australian energy companies. Unfortunately no, I don't get to go to Australia. And then, The Everlasting Man... Part I On The Creature Called Man Chapter III The Antiquity of Civilization Book Theme "Deliberate Thought" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Show Theme "Hot Swing" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via Audioboo and tag it #HeyGriz Or the "Voicemail" widget on Podbusker.com Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

Devoted the whole show to my reactivated Donor's Choose Giving Page including three new projects from Duluth: Seating for Active Students Classroom iPads and Flexible Seating to Complete Our Classroom All three are from Piedmont Elementary, not too very far from where I went to elementary school. They actually closed down all three of my elementary, junior high and high schools, so this was close. Give early and give often! Show Theme "Hot Swing" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Or the "Voicemail" widget on Podbusker.com Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls Take the podcast survey, please? Here's a link for you.

Part I On The Creature Called Man Chapter II Professors and Prehistoric Men Book Theme "Deliberate Thought" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Show Theme "Hot Swing" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments via Audioboo and tag it #HeyGriz Or the "Voicemail" widget on Podbusker.com Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls

Autism blah blah blah Executive Dysfunction yadda yadda yadda podcast. Show Theme "Hot Swing" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Or the "Voicemail" widget on Podbusker.com Comment Line: 218-234-CALL 218-234-2255 Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls Take the podcast survey, please? Here's a link for you.