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Derek Beres's blog

Psyche

The Resurrection Before Jesus

Derek Beres

Why did it take a recently discovered stone tablet for scholars to recognize that the resurrection myth is about society, not a particular person? (more)

7-10-08

Life

Sound Against Flame: The Process of Yoga and Atheism in America

Derek Beres

Yoga has been used to describe everything from the physical asana practice to bread, tea, clothing, and spa services. While there are many ways to dissect and explore this aged philosophical system, we will focus on the yoga of knowledge -- otherwise known as the art of discrimination. Atheism is, believe it or not, rooted in a similar soil. (more)

6-18-08

Eco

Buy Organic, Buy Local, Buyer Beware

Derek Beres

We pay more for sustainably produced items. But we need to be sure that their quality is superior to the conventional goods. (more)

4-2-08

Psyche

High on Mount Sinai

Derek Beres

Hebrew University professor Benny Shanon argues that Moses was tripping on some serious drink when he declared the Torah.(more)

3-10-08

Life

Stay Grounded in This World

Derek Beres

The lessons we learn on the yoga mat are of no use if they stay inside the studio. Yet some in the yoga community use scriptures as a call to arms in a righteous battle where a side (theirs) wields an alchemical formula for goodness, and all else is misguided. (more)

3-6-08

Arts

Somewhere Inside the Rainbow

Derek Beres

This year, Radiohead showed us that digital sales empower artists. They also forced the question: Why are we so concerned with the fiscal status of superstars? (more)

12-28-07

Psyche

Where's Tony Joe White when You Need Him?

Derek Beres

During the recent drought, Georgia governor Sonny Perdue held a public vigil to pray for rain. When exactly did sympathetic magic return to vogue for pseudo-religious American politicians? (more)

11-30-07

Arts

That Music You Like—What Brand is That?

Derek Beres

Is music "the religion of humanity," or is it just another commodity? And what happens when the situation is so indistinguishable from its shadow that separating the sincerity from the sale becomes impossible? (more)

11-7-07

Arts

Digital Archeology and New Mythologies

Derek Beres

Long before the music-as-commerce mindset came to dominate our perception of sound, the ceremonial rituals of voice and instruments were a sort of cosmic salve between humans and communities. Today these sounds are being dropped into laptops and recreated anew for the modern temple: dance clubs. The computer is the first world folk instrument.(more)

10-24-07