Category Archives: Discursive Detours

A catch-all category

Mediums

Posted on May 25, 2018 by Brian H. Gill

“Séances date back to the 1800s…. Spirits were manifested, tambourines flew, ectoplasm impossibly erupted from entranced mediums. Then, after forty years of this, rather embarrassed by what they’d started, one of the sisters, Margaret Fox, confessed that they were frauds. … Continue reading →

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Homer, Hegel, History and Hope

Posted on May 12, 2018 by Brian H. Gill

Folks who saw virtue in unquestioning devotion to established values didn’t like the 1960s. No institution, custom or belief seemed safe from scrutiny. Even the idea of progress — a cherished heirloom from the Age of Enlightenment — was challenged, … Continue reading →

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Ghosts?

Posted on April 29, 2018 by Brian H. Gill

Whether or not I believe in ghosts depends on what’s meant by “believe in” and “ghosts.” And how I see myself, for that matter. I’ll be talking about ghosts and why I think seances are a bad idea. Also, briefly, … Continue reading →

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Gnosticism

Posted on April 21, 2018 by Brian H. Gill

Some folks act as if they think physical reality is bad and having a body is icky. The notion’s ‘Biblical,’ sort of. Galatians 5:19 through 21 call bad ideas like licentiousness, hatreds and idolatry “works of the flesh.” With a … Continue reading →

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Minnesota Spring Weather Continues

Posted on April 15, 2018 by Brian H. Gill

That’s what my webcam saw, a few minutes before 8:00 this morning. It’s now about 10:15 am here in central Minnesota. The view is still much the same: a bit more light, off-and-on snow and wind. Lighthearted poems about April … Continue reading →

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