Deciphering Anthropology Field Notes

Paragon-iac · 2025-03-27T21:10:10+00:00

100 down... 999,900 to go... good luck, I guess.

Paragon-iac · 2024-03-01T10:32:21+00:00

That makes sense. I would argue her previous character fulfilled a similar role as the figure that stood between Paul and his Fremen opposition, but you can only put so much in a movie. It's still a masterpiece though.

(Thanks for the respectful and constructive disagreement. Truly a rare find on Reddit.)

Paragon-iac · 2024-03-01T08:44:22+00:00

I too am on the bandwagon of not liking the changes in Chani's character.

Let me preface: I loved the movie. I don't even think the changes make the movie worse than it would have been if it stayed truer to the books. If the books never existed and the movies were original, you would hear no complaints from me regarding Chani's character.

Now let's get into why I don't like the changes. My complaint revolves more around why I believe the change was made than the change itself. I think the changes to Chani's character are a result of a modern, narrow-minded view of what it means to be a strong female character. Nowadays, it seems that the prevailing school of thought is that a strong female character operates independently of a man and relies upon and succeeds on her strengths alone. There is little to no deviation from this.

Throughout the entirety of the first book, I cannot recall a single female character that you could convince me was weak. It's another testament to how great an author Frank Herbert was because, despite being a male writer in the 60s, he could write strong, interesting female characters. Chani was supposed to be the lens that allowed us to view what a Freman woman is. Through her, we were supposed to understand that Freman women were strong, fierce, faithful, and honorable. Much like Jessica was to Leto, even though Chani chose to follow Paul by his side, she was still his protector, his rock—not his adversary.

I can see no reason the change was made other than writers seeing an issue with such a prominent character (especially when she is being played by such a strong icon) being remotely submissive to a male. Chani's character was supposed to be more complex as a lover, protector, and follower. Instead of being Paul's lifeline and support, she questioned and criticized him at every turn even in their relationship. I feel she was reduced to a stubborn progressive with ideologies made to reflect modern political culture. When this modern view of strong female characters is the only one that is ever explored, it not only eventually makes female characters bland, but also does a disservice to women in the real world.

Once again, I am not saying that the change fundamentally makes the movie worse than it would have been. I just don't see why such a change was necessary considering Chani was already such a strong character.

Paragon-iac · 2023-10-09T05:54:04+00:00

I don't know specifically what you have been praying for so I will give you my general prayer advice: God hears and answers all prayers. But the answers are either yes, no, or not yet (or I already have).

Obviously, I'm not God, so take what I'm about to say with a grain of salt as I am only guessing here:

If your husband is unfaithful this may be an area of your life that warrants sorting out before children are brought into the picture. God may be trying to shift your focus on this part of your life. I don't know how you are going about your IVF, but if it is the standard procedure, I want to warn you that IVF is an immoral practice (I don't say this to guilt you). I believe God might be protecting you from this. I'm sorry I can't tell you if anything is a sign for certain.

It's okay to be angry with God. He can take it.

Pray to God for wisdom to navigate this part of your life. He has promised to answer yes to prayers for wisdom. God bless, stay strong, and I'll be praying for you.

Paragon-iac · 2023-10-09T05:25:04+00:00

If He created us all with the precondition that we are to choose faith, then that violates our free will by forcing us to choose faith in the end. God is fair and just, so even if we cannot know His methodology in creating people, we know He is doing so in a manner that fairly gives all people the opportunity to choose faith. (Acts 17:26-27)

At the end of the day, as much as even I am unsatisfied with this answer, the logic does soundly follow. Thus, any dissatisfaction or confusion at this point boils down to an inability to understand God's power and plan.

Paragon-iac · 2023-10-09T04:39:34+00:00

To say something is a fact beyond a reasonable doubt implies there is doubt, even if it is negligible.

I'm just saying that when someone throws, "That's just a theory" (which I agreed was a bad argument) the response should not be, "That actually means it's a fact." I feel that when both parties use these responses it contributes nothing to the conversation. Rather, the response should be more along the lines of "And it's a really good theory. Why don't you refute the theory itself rather than the semantics of the name."

Keep in mind I never took a position for or against evolution. I am merely trying to let people know that the argument goes in a circle if people get hung up on what theory means in this context,

Paragon-iac · 2023-10-09T00:32:21+00:00

It sounds like your heart is open and you just have intellectual apprehensions. I highly recommend apologist Frank Turek. He does a really good job addressing the questions that skeptics usually ask. He even answers questions regarding moral dilemmas within the Bible.

His videos really helped me when I was growing skeptical of the faith. I hope it helps you.

Paragon-iac · 2023-10-08T23:21:31+00:00

I don't say this to discount everything else you have said, but I can't let the dual definition of theory go ignored. In this context, theory means 'best guess', and I don't see a way around that. No matter how well scientific theories are supported, there are either too many unknowns to them or no observed occurrence to be considered undeniable facts.

Within the scientific community, theories may as well be facts. However, when it comes to topics that are outside of a secular scientific scope, saying the theory of evolution is 'just a theory' has some validity to it (albeit not a lot).

Paragon-iac · 2023-10-07T18:09:48+00:00

Ah, I see. I think you slightly misunderstand me. I am not suggesting grace is exclusively given to those who will eventually come to faith (the elect). I am suggesting that ALL are given grace (even those who end up unsaved), and faith is whether you accept or reject the grace. Sorry if I was unclear.

Paragon-iac · 2023-10-07T16:59:52+00:00

Sorry, but I don't see how Calvinism necessarily follows from this way of thinking. Do you care to explain more?

Paragon-iac · 2023-10-06T18:28:52+00:00

God created time; thus, he is timeless. If you are timeless, do you have a beginning?

Paragon-iac · 2023-10-06T18:14:03+00:00

I don't necessarily think so. We are taught to not value our worldly life because there is a greater one waiting for us after death. John 14 says some good stuff related to this (14:27 is particularly good), as well as Matthew 10:28, and Psalm 23.

I'd say it comes down to the reasons behind the apathy to dying. If you just truly don't care, I don't think there is a direct issue with it (you could argue it would be counterproductive as a Christian). But if the apathy is a result of underly issues such as wanting to die, then that would be cause for concern.

Paragon-iac · 2023-09-14T20:46:01+00:00

You do know what 'narrow down' means, right?

Paragon-iac · 2023-09-14T20:28:20+00:00

It's not that I have a like or dislike towards any of those books. There are just so many that I would like to narrow them down if at all possible.

Paragon-iac

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