More dialogue cannot save democracy
David Allred/Going on Faith
In part one of what I am calling, “Meditations for a New Year,” I thought I would begin with one of the conclusions that I am taking away from 2020. Simply put, I learned last year that more dialogue cannot save democracy. We are going to need something else. We are talking around, above, and over each other these days. If talking has been a big part of the problem, I struggle to see how more talking could be the solution.
Allow me to back up a minute. In 2017, I was afforded an opportunity to join a group of spiritual innovators at Harvard Divinity School. It was an opportunity that this outsider, often marginalized, rural-educated Oliver Springs High School graduate would not normally receive. My friend and co-laborer in ministry, the Rev. Jake Morrill of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, put in a good word for me and I was accepted to the program. In Boston for nearly a week, the academic elite (fo
Entanglements: Tomorrow’s Lovers, Families, and Friends, Sheila Williams, ed. (MIT Press 978-0-26253-925-8, 240pp, $19.95, tp) September 2020.
Artificial intelligence, genome tampering (eugenics), sex bots, and other forms of technology descend upon the middle class in
Entanglements
Asimov’s. Originally launched in 2011 by MIT Technology Review,
Twelve Tomorrows is an annual anthology series that explores the role of technology in near and far futures. This year each author has written an original story revolving around the central theme of relationships, or “entanglements” as made infamous by Jada Pinkett Smith and Twitter memes. In these carefully constructed worlds, entanglements are built, destroyed, and sustained with AI and tech that serve as neutral forces, even if utilized by villainous tropes (greedy scientists, fundamentalist groups, ambitious women, etc.). As Sheila Williams’s introduction promises, technology might fill in the weaknesses of a wilting r
Rose Art Museum receives new director, chief curator
Community Content
Brandeis University has named Gannit Ankori as the Henry and Lois Foster Director and chief curator of the Rose Art Museum, in Waltham, effective Jan. 1, 2021.
Ankori, a professor of art history and theory in the departments of Fine Arts and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Brandeis University, has been serving as interim director at the Rose since July.
A Jerusalem native, Ankori is an acclaimed author, curator and educator who brings knowledge of the Rose Art Museum’s role as a “world-class museum” within a university setting. During a time of uncertainty due to COVID-19, her leadership and expertise has been considered invaluable to the museum.
Assistant director tapped for interim role as Potter Center leader leaves for Pittsburgh university
Chris Purcell, director of Vanderbilt’s Office of LGBTQI Life since 2013, will leave the position Dec. 31 to become assistant dean of students at Chatham University in Pittsburgh.
Vanderbilt.edu reports that Rob Nelson, assistant director of LGBTQI Life, will serve as the interim director while a national search is conducted to fill the role. The director of the K.C. Potter Center and Office of LGBTQI Life at Vanderbilt serves as a campus expert and resource regarding issues of sexuality, gender identity and social justice. In addition, the director oversees personnel decisions, educational and programming efforts, policy implementation, strategic planning, budgeting, facility management, branding and assessment efforts for the office.
Jamaica Plain Community Minister/Associate Interim Pastor Benjamin Perkins has joined Wholesome Wave, a national 501(c)3 non-profit that addresses nutrition insecurity by making healthy produce available and affordable for people who need it most. Serving as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer, Perkins will grow the strategy and mission, and ultimately lead the organization through the next decade of influence and impact.
“Since our inception thirteen years ago, we have connected over a million and a half families across the country to affordable fruits and vegetables, encouraging healthier eating to prevent, reduce, and reverse diet-related diseases,” said Michel Nischan, co-founder, Wholesome Wave. “Because of the pandemic, we are at a pivotal point in our nation’s history when more people than ever are in need of affordable access to healthy food options through financial assistance. I am delighted to welcome Benjamin to the helm of our organization to lead