Benedict XVI on faith and politics

Great stuff from Ben 16, even if he doesn't want to acknowledge me as any but a separated bro:

...Faith does not make reason superfluous, but it can contribute evidence of essential values. Through the experiment of a life in faith, these values acquire a credibility that also illuminates and heals reason. In the last century (as in every century), it was in fact the testimony of the martyrs that limited the excesses of power, thus making a decisive contribution to what we might call the convalescence of reason. Values in a Time of Upheaval, p. 29

So long as they aren't Protestant martyrs, I guess..!

I think this idea of faith healing reason is quite a contribution. Martyrs, by showing in extremis that human power is relative, temporal and not as powerful as it thinks it is, actually contribute to general human flourishing. That is, they are not anti-social, but rather help politics learn its true meaning for the greater human good.

The passion of Mac-users: a theory.

My new Toshiba laptop arrives today.

Thanks for all your help. What amazes me though is why, even though I gave no indication of dissatisfaction with PCs, Mac users thought I just had to know about the Mac option and ought to change. I have been a Mac User. I know the product. It is OK, I guess. I don't find it much easier to use or more logical than PC. I don't find it more reliable at all (that bomb sign haunts my dreams!). It is still the case that you can't assume Mac is compatible with everything. Mac is much more expensive. I know that in institutions who have a network running Mac and PC compatibility means that the institution has to invest in extra equipment that duplicates the function and also in the man-hours to fix everything up. But, you know, if that's what you want to do...go for it. I just don't think the difference is so great that it matters. I really don't care, except when I get made to feel defensive by you one-eyed Macmen and women!

Why is that Mac users are so passionate about their brand choice, so evangelistic and fervent? I really think this is a one way debate in terms of passion: PC users just don't exhibit the same dewey-eyed brand loyalty. I think it is just that when you outlay significant sums of money on an item which effects your whole interaction with the digital world, you so badly want to have made the right decision that your talk becomes part of convincing yourself you have... I think this applies to other consumer items, like cars, too. Your identity can really get caught up in having a Ford.

It would be fascinating to me to learn whether Mac use was at a higher rate in the Christian world than it is in the rest of the community. Could this be true? Anecdotally I feel that it is!