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Good morning, everyone. Today's topic is our reading habits, particularly our preferences for fiction or non-fiction. Me? I'm mainly a reader of non-fiction. Give me a dry, meticulously footnoted academic treatment of some minutiae related to Egypt and/or MENA, ancient or modern, and I'm as happy as a marmot in clover (it's a thing: see Madyu Look's “Psychotropic Effects of Trifolium gymmocarpon,”
International Journal of Marmota Studies 14.3 [2007]: 82-94).
Did I mention footnotes? Aaaaahhhh.... give me a moment to collect myself. As Anthony Grafton describes in his The Footnote: a Curious History (Harvard UP, 1997), the form emerged in nineteenth-century scientific inquiry as a supplementary narrative: while the main text narrates the results of inquiry, the footnote narrates the “journey to the results.”1 Yet well-crafted footnotes are more than utilitarian. They can be delightful things, an art form within the genre of non-fiction. It is there in those small editorial and supplementary asides that the personality of the author and her/his value-judgments of others' work—forbidden de rigueur in the main body of the text—are most often discerned. Footnotes are where the flesh-and-blood author actually lives... where the myths of academic objectivity and collegiality may be shaken... where exuberance, humor, snark or derision may raise their heads for brief moments to blow some of the dust from the fusty text. In that sense a well-crafted footnote is reminiscent of one of my favorite sub-genres of non-fiction: namely “the book review.” Finding the right (wrong?) reviewer for a text can be an absolute hoot.2
This is not to say that I don't read fiction. I do. Yet fiction is almost exclusively reserved for the “decompression” of bedtime reading. And while I purchase quite a bit of non-fiction (rendering my desire to live in a Tiny House a physical impossibility), I get my fiction from the library. With the exception of a few specific authors, I just don't collect fiction in the same way. Surely I'm not alone here... Bueller? Bueller?
There's some thought, and some supporting polling data, that there are gender and age aspects to our preference for fiction or non-fiction. There's also an interesting study showing that reading “literary fiction” (disguising that bodice-ripper behind a dust-jacket for Ulysses doesn't count) actually increases one's social perception.
So, before you call social services on me (“APB out for a footnote-obsessed marmot, last seen giggling to himself while clutching a book about mud-brick architecture in ancient Egypt”) tell me about your reading habits:
FICTION OR NON-FICTION?
1. Footnotes are preferable to endnotes, imo. There's no reason to interrupt the flow of a text by making me flip back and forth. Immediate gratification, baby. And yeah, I said “flip” rather than “scroll.” What of it? No e-reader for me. I love the smell of dead-tree books: smells like victory.
2. I once worked as the assistant to the Book Reviews Editors of a fairly prestigious journal and can attest that while most reviewers were solicited for their erudition, some were indeed selected for entertainment value.†
†. Oh, nothing to add. But footnoting a footnote is something I've always wanted to do. It's like the journey to the journey to the results. Wheels within wheels. The meta of meta. Really, you should comment before calling this in.
Latest Updates on Regional Meet-Up News Can Be Found Below the Orange Group Hug.
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Our team is here to provide support and guidance to new and existing volunteer leaders of each regional and state group, helping them with recruiting, organizing and executing social and action events.
We invite you to join in this effort to build our community. There are many ways to pitch in.
If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one.
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THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
by AndyT ♥ for Dallas Kossacks
For our first Meet-up we kept it social for the most part. We discussed our histories in activism and what got us involved. Our lurker, CJ, had some questions about how Daily Kos works and we were happy to explain the basics. Some of the topics discussed were fracking, trans teens, LGBT activism, police violence, increasing the minimum wage and income inequality. We also got to know each other a little bit.
It's always a treat and privilege to meet fellow progressives. I personally feel right at home with them almost immediately. I had a great time and I believe everyone else did as well.
So come see us on May 23rd at Ojeda's!!!
Texnance, dalfireplug and Andyt photographed by lurker CJ
Please visit
AndyT's diary. You can still REC it. You can join
Dallas Kossacks by sending a
Kosmail to AndyT.
by randallt ♥ for DKos Asheville
DKos Asheville brought its eighth community meet up to life this past weekend with a historic appearance of a civil rights icon, Dr Fergie Reid, in Roanoke Virginia.
As reported by Roanoke's NBC Station, WSLS10:
A living legend was honored in Roanoke on Saturday. A special event was held at Hotel Roanoke recognizing William Ferguson Reid. Dr. Reid was the first African-American elected to the Virginia General Assembly in the twentieth century.
In March of this year, Reid celebrated his 90th birthday. In an effort to continue his long history of expanding voters' rights, people are taking part in a campaign called "90 for 90." The goal is to register new voters for the election. People across the state are working to register 90 new voters in each of Virginia's precincts.
randallt (Connect! Unite! Act! State Leader for North Carolina), Chris LaGrant (Campaign Manager for Virginia State Senate candidate Mike Hamlar), Dr. William Ferguson Reid, Sr. (Civil Rights Leader & 90 for 90 Icon), Freeda Cathcart (Democratic Activist), Dr. William Ferguson Reid, Jr. (Son of Dr. Fergie, Sr.) and Gordon20024 (DKos Meet-up Benefactor)
Please visit randallt's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join
DKos Asheville by sending a
Kosmail to randallt.
by Chris Reeves ♥ for Kansas & Missouri Kossacks
&
by navajo ♥ for Connect! Unite! Act!
More than 140 readers of Daily Kos and friends came together in Kansas City to discuss the future of Kansas, Missouri and the Democratic Party - as well as what they can do about it. All of the speakers were excellent and many of the attendees loved meeting the writers at Daily Kos and underlining the fact that we are there for them. We had a great day starting with a continental breakfast and enjoyed the spaciousness of a really swell theater for the presentations. There was a greeting by navajo, a presentation by Chris Reeves and Reuben Eckels, a speech by David Nir and a talk by Joan McCarter. We had a casual pizza buffet for lunch. We resumed with Markos giving a preview of DK5 and then an Ask Me Anything session. Next up was an interview by Monique Teal of Patricia Bynes, Dr. Jacob Wagner spoke next and then we finished off with a Meteor Blades's summary of the purpose of the event and then we Skyped in the Roanoke event and an address by Dr. Ferguson Reid, Sr.
Markos addressing the crowd
Markos chatting during a break
Please visit Chris Reeve's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Kansas & Missouri Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Chris Reeves.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast the date of your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Saturday, May 2nd
5th Annual Baja Arizona Kossacks Picnic
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Garfield Park
Tombstone Canyon Rd. • Bisbee
ORGANIZER: Send Azazello a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Azazello
2. ItsaMathJoke
3. rasbobbo
4. ramara
5. sneakers563
6. DaNang65
7. Bisbonian
8. itzadryheat
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Maybees:
pwoodford
Mother Mags
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Latest diary: Baja Arizona Kossacks Open Thread: 5th Annual Picnic
Saturday, May 16th
NYC Kossacks Welcome Peregrine Kate!
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Spitzer's Corner
101 Rivington Street (corner of Ludlow) • NYC
ORGANIZER: Send kathny a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. kathny
2. peregrine kate
3. belinda ridgewood
4. asterkitty
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Maybees:
Its the Supreme Court Stupid
wader
rubyr
NancyWH
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Latest diary: NYC Meetup May 16 - with Special Guest PEREGRINE KATE!!
Saturday, May 23rd
Dallas Kos Meet-up, Let's Build Community!
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Ojeda's Mexican Restaurant
4617 Maple Avenue • Dallas
ORGANIZER: Send AndyT a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. AndyT
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Dallas Kossacks Meetup Report and Next Event
June 26, 27 & 28th, 2015
EPIC Glacier National Park Meet-up II
ACTIVITIES:
June 26: TBD
June 27: TBD
June 28:
Day - TBD
Evening - 5:00 PM, BBQ potluck with Jen Hayden at the lower picnic area at the Historic Tamarack Lodge, 9549 U.S. 2, Hungry Horse, MT 59919. Entertainment at 6:00 PM by Truckstop Honeymoon
TIME: 24/7
LOCATION: Exact location inside park TBD
[Address] • Glacier National Park
ORGANIZER: Send Ojibwa a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Ojibwa
2. state of confusion
3. Thinking Fella
4. side pocket
5. Mrs. side pocket
6. navajo
7. jakedog42
8. paradise50
9. Jen Hayden for 6/28 only
10. Joan McCarter
11. peregrine kate
12. BoiseBlue
13. Mrs. BoiseBlue
14. figbash
15. mcmom |
Maybees:
woolibaar
NormAl1792
markdd
dharmasyd
hulibow
mr. hulibow
714day
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Latest diaries:
• A 2015 Glacier National Park Meetup?
• The 2015 EPIC Glacier Park Meet Up: Travel and Lodging
• The EPIC 2015 Glacier National Park Meet Up: Camping
• The 2015 EPIC Glacier National Park Meet Up: Tours
Announcing Asheville, North Carolina as the location
for our next Regional Event! 9.26.15
Asheville, N.C. is the destination for September 26, 2015! DKos Asheville, the In-Real-Life group under the leadership of randallt, has been setting the example for other IRL groups across the nation regarding registering people to vote, getting out the vote, having a state open thread and setting up strategy conferences for their region. Because of this impressive leadership we've asked randallt to be the State Leader for all of North Carolina. We've got important work to do on the ground there and randallt has shown he's the person to make that happen.
All states are welcome to attend this event and if you do you can expect to meet Markos Moulitsas in person, as well as some of the Daily Kos staff. More details regarding this regional event will be shared in the future so please stay tuned to Connect! Unite! Act!
For now, SAVE THE DATE and spread the word!
navajo maintains the above event list. Kosmail her if you have any diaries
about your event or if you have changes or additions.
EVERYONE is welcome, tell us what you're working on,
share your show and tell, vent, whatever you want.
This is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.