Tuesday, February 09, 2010

French intellectual caught quoting fake philosopher

French intellectual caught quoting fake philosopher
Tue Feb 9, 5:30 am ET

PARIS (AFP) – Leading French intellectual Bernard-Henri Levy has been caught red-faced for praising the work of a philosopher who, it turns out, was invented as a joke by a journalist from a satirical daily.

In his latest book "De la guerre en philosophie" (Making war in philosophy), Levy quoted Jean-Baptiste Botul, an expert on German philosopher Immanuel Kant created by journalist Frederic Pages.

Levy acknowledged late Monday that he had often quoted Botul's work "The sex life of Immanuel Kant" during many public appearances and in the pages of his latest book.

"As it turns out, it was a hoax," admitted the author in an opinion piece posted on the website of his magazine La Regle du Jeu.

"It was a truly brilliant and very believable hoax from the mind of a Canard Enchaine journalist, who remains a good philosopher all the same," said Levy, known by his initials BHL.

"So I was caught, as were the critics who reviewed the book when it came out," he wrote. "The only thing left to say, with no hard feelings, is kudos to the artist!"

Levy's gaffe made the rounds of Internet websites with many commentators saying that France's leading expert on modern thought -- and a regular on TV chat shows and celebrity magazines -- had thoroughly embarrassed himself.

Levy last stirred controversy when he published an account in 2008 of his visit to Georgia during the war with Russia that French newspapers said contained excerpts that were made up.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

YouTube - Five Major Flaws in Guns, Germs, and Steel - Part 1 of 5

YouTube - Five Major Flaws in Guns, Germs, and Steel - Part 1 of 5: "Five Major Flaws in Guns, Germs, and Steel - Part 1 of 5"

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Is Blind Faith in God and the Bible a Modern Invention? | Belief | AlterNet

Is Blind Faith in God and the Bible a Modern Invention? | Belief | AlterNet: "Is Blind Faith in God and the Bible a Modern Invention?

By Devilstower , Daily Kos. Posted November 10, 2009.

A new book points out that the ancient Christians -- and even early Americans -- did not share the blind faith of today's fundamentalists."

Monday, November 09, 2009

nsf.gov - Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: Figure G-1 - US National Science Foundation (NSF)

nsf.gov - Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: Figure G-1 - US National Science Foundation (NSF): "Female share of S&E postdoctoral fellows, by field: 1996 and 2006"

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Focus on Technology

Focus on Technology: "From Sputnik to MySpace: The New Education Race, and How to Win IT, with Douglas Rushkoff"

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Yahoo! News

Yahoo! News: "23% Believe in Ghosts, Do You?"

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Demons on a Leash - Answers in Genesis

Demons on a Leash - Answers in Genesis: "Haunted houses, ghosts, demons—our Western culture can’t seem to get enough of the spirit world. The latest Gallup poll indicates that 42% of Americans believe in demon possession, 37% believe in haunted houses, and 32% believe in ghosts. (Not just Americans are enthralled—40% of the British believe in haunted houses, too.)"