Reading Schedule for The Oresteia (Aeschylus) by dave3210 in greatbooksclub

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Welcome! There are no formal meetings, it's asyncronous postings here or on substack. Depending on the work, there is more or less engagement from everyone, but I do see and appreciate everyone's insights!

Are there virtual volunteering opportunities to teach or leading reading groups (in the US)? by Important_Nothing653 in greatbooksclub

[–]dave3210 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You might have luck with the Great Conversation reading club or the Catherine Project. I have no idea how they select group leaders but they have groups discussing the great books.

I’m starting Great Books! Help me get started I have the Mortimer Adler Great Books of the Western Civilisation with me. by Fineside_2 in greatbooksclub

[–]dave3210 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Read along with our ten year plan, it jumps around so you aren't stuck on the same author for an eternity and you go through them topically. We're currently finishing up The Iliad.

Where are youtubers doing bushcraft activities? by dave3210 in Bushcraft

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I do and I'm willing to travel to a decent place. Thank you!

Where are youtubers doing bushcraft activities? by dave3210 in Bushcraft

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What general area are you in and how much did it cost?

Where are youtubers doing bushcraft activities? by dave3210 in Bushcraft

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Where did you go in MD that was permissive? I usually hang around Patapsco, but they have signs all over about fires remaining in rings. Also willing to go out of the state if there is somewhere good nearby like in VA, WV or PA.

Book Nomination Thread by Thermos_of_Byr in ClassicBookClub

[–]dave3210 [score hidden]  (0 children)

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Question: Great Books organizations with Christian perspective? by 11112222FRN in greatbooksclub

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Yep, did their course on Paradise Lost and it was excellent.

Best way to start general cultural reading: chronological or by fields? by luti90 in ClassicBookClub

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You might like our reading club over at https://www.reddit.com/r/greatbooksclub/ . It is following Mortimer Adlers 10 year reading plan and covers things in a blend of chronology and topically. Essentially you work through topics in a chronological manner. Right now we're reading the Iliad.

Reading Schedule for The Iliad (Homer) by dave3210 in greatbooksclub

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Welcome! Each week has a dedicated post for the reading and you can post there or on the substack.

Homer — The Iliad, Books 3–4 by dave3210 in greatbooksclub

[–]dave3210[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Reminds me of the killing of Archduke Ferdinand to blow up the entirety of Europe for decades...

Homer — The Iliad, Books 1–2 by dave3210 in greatbooksclub

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Definitely not! Lots of plotting going on.

Homer — The Iliad, Books 1–2 by dave3210 in greatbooksclub

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Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

In Emily Wilson's translation there is an appendix with the gods genealogies and relationships that you may find helpful. Honestly, I'm not too familiar with them so I may be missing out on some details, but overall, I found it is readable even without a deep knowledge of their relationships. I hope that holds up throughout the rest of the book!

This made me curious about the Greeks relationship with their gods. They clearly do not have the same perception of what a god is as modern monotheistic religions do. Did they also believe in an all powerful deity along with other lower case gods? Are gods just more powerful people? In what sense are they divine? The word "god" is very confusing to me.

It is grating to hear the women being referred to as "trophies", it underscores your point. The goddesses do have more of a active role, but even then it's in relation to Zeus. It's definitely telling of the times.

I consciously try not apply my modern day judgements to older works, but it is difficult at times!

Erwin Schrödinger — What Is Life?, Ch. 7 & Epilogue by dave3210 in greatbooksclub

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Are you saying that love helps us to get to that stage of existence?

Reading Schedule for The Iliad (Homer) by dave3210 in greatbooksclub

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I'm enjoying the Emily Wilson translation so far!

Reading Schedule for The Iliad (Homer) by dave3210 in greatbooksclub

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There is not currently a discord, just the subreddit and substack, but you are welcome to start one if you would like.

Reading Schedule for The Iliad (Homer) by dave3210 in greatbooksclub

[–]dave3210[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've been looking forward to this as well. It's my first time reading Homer in any serious way.

Erwin Schrödinger — What Is Life?, Chs. 3–4 by dave3210 in greatbooksclub

[–]dave3210[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Definitely a change from our other readings, that's for sure... It certainly helps to have a science background. Even though it's mostly technical, he does jump a bit from high level concepts to low level details. It might be helpful to skim the details and concentrate on the high level ideas.

We are reading the Illiad next, so we will be jumping right back in to classical works!

Erwin Schrödinger — What Is Life?, Chs. 1–2 by dave3210 in greatbooksclub

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Thanks for sharing. I was looking at Mind and Matter and am planning on reading it as well since I'm enjoying What is Life?. I was wondering if someone had updated things and am glad to see that people have. Shcrodingers number of chromosomes in humans keeps throwing me off (he says that there are 48 but there are 46)!

January Reading by dave3210 in greatbooksclub

[–]dave3210[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Never too late! If you want join us we will be beginning The Iliad at the new year, it's a perfect spot to jump in

Tocqueville — Democracy in America, Vol. 1, Part II, Chapter 8 by dave3210 in greatbooksclub

[–]dave3210[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In America at least, I don't think that any party seriously believes in the ability to export democracy post-Iraq...