Dr. Velociraptor
My blogs
Blogs I follow
| Occupation | writer (philosophy, psychology, poetry, songs), musician (guitar/vocals). |
|---|---|
| Location | Victoria, B.C., Canada |
| Introduction | From working class non-literate family, Sheffield, U.K. B.A. Exeter University, M.A. Keele, PhD. University of Calgary. Taught philosophy at various colleges and universities as sessional or visiting prof. Earned living as a busker Victoria BC. 1986-1990. Divorced, single, 2 adult sons: one math prof Delaware, other pharmaceutical research Switzerland. Privileged to be partner 1994-2003 of Sandra Martin artist, child and youth counsellor, 3rd year philosophy undergrad. Some work in mental health. Started and ran community philosophy club - Diotima Victoria BC. Started and run Velociraptors Cycling and Philosophy group. Some Tai Chi, Yoga, Meditation. |
| Interests | Advocate of: 1.Universal women's rights - higher education, birth control, abortion, athletics, free choice in lifestyle, religion, and marriage, access to executive positions in religion and society. 2. Upper limits on wealth, inheritance, and income. 3. Personal responsibility as well as equal opportunity. Critical of: 1. Emphasis on economic growth. 2. Emphasis on jobs instead of contribution to society. 3. Human overpopulation. 4. Political correctness, 5. Belief that religion is basis for moral values - sense of something beyond selfish hedonism. 6. Religion being unfairly privileged by the state, e.g., tax breaks and grants for organisations which openly discriminate against women and gays. 7. Belief in religious/ideological dogma and ritual rather than kindness, compassion, selflessness, evidence for and against. 8. Celebrity culture. 9. Monarchy - privileging people because of who their grandparents were rather than because of their own abilities and accomplishments. |
| Favorite movies | Seventh Seal (Bergman), La Traviata (Zeffirelli). |
| Favorite music | Mahler, Richard Strauss, Beatles, Beethoven, Roy Orbison, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Sinatra, big band swing. |
| Favorite books | Shakespeare, Keats, Rimbaud, Michael Frayn, Augusten Burroughs, biography, romans jeunesse en francais. |