Ed, I’ll say that reading (and watching) charlotte’s web with my kids has been foundational to their understanding of and our ongoing conversations about death. That’s one of the main themes White is tackling, and I think Wilbur’s self-centeredness (as it seems to us adults) is key to presenting that topic to kids. Wilbur is afraid of death and can’t conceptualize it, and his selfish worldview is exactly like that of a child. It’s appropriate from a developmental standpoint! Charlotte is mature, and she is ready for her own death. Her peaceful acceptance is what introduces the natural process of death to children in a way that is not traumatic, but rather fitting. Meanwhile, Wilbur is saved and we feel that life will go on!
Sorry, thought of another thing here- I was explaining to my kids at Halloween time why skeletons are used as decorations- because we think death is scary, and skeletons remind us of death! My at the time 3yo said, unprompted, “Wilbur is afraid of death! But charlotte isn’t.” So yes Wilbur is immature, but in a way that reflects humanity.
Annie, thanks for the comments. I think directing them to Ed, though, is putting pearls before swine. As discerning as he is about watches and meat, he seems out of his depth regarding children’s books and libraries.
Public, that is to mean government funded and controlled, libraries are clearly sinister. Public libraries as they were created and became common cultural institutions in this country began with Andrew Carnegie -- private institutions to further the commonweal
I do have my share of issues with various contemporary public library agendas. But as JD started to explore in that past episode, the current trajectory is not public libraries vs. private libraries and lots of folks’ illustrious home libraries- it’s increasingly “no interest in books on the part of the greater public”- I was touring an apartment almost 10 years ago and commented on the nice bookshelves inside, and the proprietor said something like “no one owns books anymore”! Patronizing my public library, exercising whatever influence there I can (I.e. requesting that they buy the books I want, checking out good books and not twaddle to indicate interest), and building up my own library are the way forward. Until I win the lottery.
This reminds me of Bellwether (Connie Willis)... main character discovers in a subsubplot that the local library discards books that no one has checked out lately, classic or not.
I think a weekly "Literary Review with Ed Condon" would be a fantastic addition to The Pillar! The discussions it would generate within the comments...sublime.
Ok granted. But let's be clear, Charlotte and Wilbur are roughly the same age. So it is a difference in quality of "person" rather than an adult/child dynamic.
I have eaten whale. It was, in fact, whale tongue sashimi, and the only reason I choked it down was because of the loud righteous indignation of the other Anglophones I was seated with. It's expensive, it was being presented to us as a delicacy, and the amount of angry offended disgust from the other guests just annoyed me. The poor whale is already dead, and our hosts' generosity was being (again, very outspokenly and rudely) rejected. So I ate it.
It wasn't good.
But maybe someone who likes tongue would like it better.
I don't know what species it was, apart from that it must be a type of whale that has a tongue - unless i misunderstood what they were telling me about the body part of the whale, which is always possible.
My family loves cow tongue, but I have no idea if it tastes similar to a whale's. But also, I cook it (slow simmer then fried) and then serve it in tacos. I feel like with sashimi there are just no secrets. Most of my strategy for organ meats and "weird" cuts is to mix it with something else or amp up the flavorings.
I would not have loudly protested (having been on the receiving end of it for competently prepared food I can tell you it's devastating), but I don't know if politeness could have made me worry down an entire portion!
I hate it when good hosts are mocked for their delicacies that aren’t ‘ethical’ or well beyond the simple palate of anglophone diets.
I spent six weeks in the Philippines and my rule was I’d try everything once. Especially in a country where malnutrition is a real problem and hospitality is so highly valued. I ate Balut when offered and did it with a smile much to the surprise of my hosts, most of whom didn’t like Blaut! 🤷🏼♀️
I admire you so much for this. Balut are the pickled eggs with the surprise chick fetus inside, right? I spent my week in the Philippines deeply worried that if someone offered it to me I wouldn't be able to manage it. Thankfully I dodged the bullet and nobody offered. Whale tongue, pork intestine, jellyfish tentacles, horse... but Balut might have been a bridge too far! (I would have done my best but I'm not sure I could have smiled. Respect.)
It’s cooked yes, either chicken or duck with a foetus inside. It’s an odd texture combination but otherwise quite savoury. I was spending a lot of time with my best friends cousins who made it their mission to try and gross me out. I was stubborn and wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. Being 19 also helped.
Right, I guess we already established last week that you guys are bad at podcasting but we love you anyway. Maybe we need some merch that says “The Pillar: Delighting subscribers who have bad taste in podcasts weekly.”
Regarding the priest who announced at Mass he was "gay" and received applause:
From most people, that would signify an intention to live the "gay lifestyle": same-sex dating, relationships and same-sex "marriage". From a priest who is obligated to celibacy, what does that mean?
I was a bit surprised that JD and Ed, having raised the issue, didn't attempt to explore it.
It’s rare to see JD a little hot under the collar over anything. No prisoners taken for priest who refused accent reduction class and rightly so! It takes a lot for a parishioner to complain about a priest’s accent or elocution and it should be taken seriously when it does.
It reminded me of a wonderful and humble Korean assistant priest at a neighbouring parish. His English grammar and vocabulary was technically far more proficient than us native English speakers but his accent was very thick. Our diocese lacks resources to provide extra elocution aid, so he would very humbly type up his whole homily and print it out for parishioners to follow along with as he red it out with very little deviation. They were excellent little homilies and he said a very reverent Mass.
We had another dear priest who has since passed away, had a major speech impediment as a young man. He was desperate to be a priest, but in wisdom, the order he joined made him a brother first and sent him off to work in their ailing farm with another brother who was almost deaf. Two years of shouting at this brother fixed his speech impediment enough to allow him to be ordained. He worked all over Australia from Wadeye in the remote top end to Sydney and was a good holy priest because he was humble enough. Rest in Peace Fr Jack Shalvey
I have visited a parish with a missionary priest who has a strong accent and who also provides typed copies of his homilies. I found it to work very well.
When I worked in a chancery, the vicar for clergy was made an auxiliary bishop and we were told to refer to him as Bishop-elect Fisher, which I thought was a bit odd
When in doubt, I often ask, "What would they do in Starship Troopers?"
He went on, “‘Line of command’ isn’t just a phrase; it’s as real as a slap in the face. If I ordered you to combat as a cadet the most you could do would be to pass along somebody else’s orders. If your platoon leader bought it and you then gave an order to a private—a good order, sensible and wise—you would be wrong and he would be just as wrong if he obeyed it. Because a cadet cannot be in line of command. A cadet has no military existence, no rank, and is not a soldier. He is a student who will become a soldier—either an officer, or at his former rank. While he is under Army discipline, he is not in the Army. That is why—”
A zero. A nought with no rim. If a cadet wasn’t even in the Army—
“Colonel!”
“Eh? Speak up, young man. Mr. Rico.”
I had startled myself but I had to say it. “But . . . if we aren’t in the Army . . . then we aren’t M.I. Sir?”
He blinked at me. “This worries you?”
“I, uh, don’t believe I like it much, sir.” I didn’t like it at all. I felt naked.
“I see.” He didn’t seem displeased. “You let me worry about the space-lawyer aspects of it, son.”
“But—”
“That’s an order. You are technically not an M.I. But the M.I. hasn’t forgotten you; the M.I. never forgets its own no matter where they are. If you are struck dead this instant, you will be cremated as Second Lieutenant Juan Rico, Mobile Infantry, of—” Colonel Nielssen stopped. “Miss Kendrick, what was Mr. Rico’s ship?”
“The Rodger Young.”
“Thank you.” He added, “—in and of TFCT Rodger Young, assigned to mobile combat team Second Platoon of George Company, Third Regiment, First Division, M.I.—the ‘Roughnecks,’” he recited with relish, not consulting anything once he had been reminded of my ship. “A good outfit, Mr. Rico—proud and nasty. Your Final Orders go back to them for Taps and that’s the way your name would read in Memorial Hall. That’s the way we always commission a dead cadet, son—so we can send him home to his mates.”
Having listened to the podcast (a little late) on this the feast of St Matthias, apostle, I am very naturally inclined to ask this saint to pray for the incoming bishop of Knoxville.
St Peter, in today's reading from Acts, quotes a Psalm that is a spicy meatball (and I can only assume his listeners knew an entire psalm from one line, as we are reminded when Jesus quotes a line from a Psalm or two on the cross). https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/109?8
I will ask St Peter to pray for the previous bishop (it would be far better to publicly repent in this life and to do penance in this life than to put it off) and also to pray for all bishops (there is a middle ground, the extremes of which are "say only nice things, because Jesus said to love one another and that means be nice" and "say whatever comes into your head, on the internet, because Jesus said to make sure the world hates you").
The Knoxville bishop-elect chose not to offer comments that could be construed as critical of his predecessor/Rome? Hardly a surprise. Outspoken bishops seem unappreciated in the hierarchy of the Church, don't you think? "If you want to change the culture, change the culture" might work -unless the culture change is conspicuously at odds with the culture or culture change supported by Rome.
St John Fisher died a bishop even though the cardinal’s hat was on the way. Great episode as usual guys!!
Love Charlotte’s Web—and Ed is 100% right about Wilbur.
"Speaking of a broad church... let's talk about the recent commentary on female deacons"
Ed, I’ll say that reading (and watching) charlotte’s web with my kids has been foundational to their understanding of and our ongoing conversations about death. That’s one of the main themes White is tackling, and I think Wilbur’s self-centeredness (as it seems to us adults) is key to presenting that topic to kids. Wilbur is afraid of death and can’t conceptualize it, and his selfish worldview is exactly like that of a child. It’s appropriate from a developmental standpoint! Charlotte is mature, and she is ready for her own death. Her peaceful acceptance is what introduces the natural process of death to children in a way that is not traumatic, but rather fitting. Meanwhile, Wilbur is saved and we feel that life will go on!
Sorry, thought of another thing here- I was explaining to my kids at Halloween time why skeletons are used as decorations- because we think death is scary, and skeletons remind us of death! My at the time 3yo said, unprompted, “Wilbur is afraid of death! But charlotte isn’t.” So yes Wilbur is immature, but in a way that reflects humanity.
Annie, thanks for the comments. I think directing them to Ed, though, is putting pearls before swine. As discerning as he is about watches and meat, he seems out of his depth regarding children’s books and libraries.
Oh, don’t get me started on the library thing!!!!
Public, that is to mean government funded and controlled, libraries are clearly sinister. Public libraries as they were created and became common cultural institutions in this country began with Andrew Carnegie -- private institutions to further the commonweal
I do have my share of issues with various contemporary public library agendas. But as JD started to explore in that past episode, the current trajectory is not public libraries vs. private libraries and lots of folks’ illustrious home libraries- it’s increasingly “no interest in books on the part of the greater public”- I was touring an apartment almost 10 years ago and commented on the nice bookshelves inside, and the proprietor said something like “no one owns books anymore”! Patronizing my public library, exercising whatever influence there I can (I.e. requesting that they buy the books I want, checking out good books and not twaddle to indicate interest), and building up my own library are the way forward. Until I win the lottery.
> exercising whatever influence there I can
This reminds me of Bellwether (Connie Willis)... main character discovers in a subsubplot that the local library discards books that no one has checked out lately, classic or not.
I disagree.
I think a weekly "Literary Review with Ed Condon" would be a fantastic addition to The Pillar! The discussions it would generate within the comments...sublime.
Ok granted. But let's be clear, Charlotte and Wilbur are roughly the same age. So it is a difference in quality of "person" rather than an adult/child dynamic.
Wilber is much younger, only a child, in pig years compared to Charlotte in spider years.
I have eaten whale. It was, in fact, whale tongue sashimi, and the only reason I choked it down was because of the loud righteous indignation of the other Anglophones I was seated with. It's expensive, it was being presented to us as a delicacy, and the amount of angry offended disgust from the other guests just annoyed me. The poor whale is already dead, and our hosts' generosity was being (again, very outspokenly and rudely) rejected. So I ate it.
It wasn't good.
But maybe someone who likes tongue would like it better.
I don't know what species it was, apart from that it must be a type of whale that has a tongue - unless i misunderstood what they were telling me about the body part of the whale, which is always possible.
My family loves cow tongue, but I have no idea if it tastes similar to a whale's. But also, I cook it (slow simmer then fried) and then serve it in tacos. I feel like with sashimi there are just no secrets. Most of my strategy for organ meats and "weird" cuts is to mix it with something else or amp up the flavorings.
I would not have loudly protested (having been on the receiving end of it for competently prepared food I can tell you it's devastating), but I don't know if politeness could have made me worry down an entire portion!
Tongue: the meat that tastes you back!
Nice thing about Japanese haute cuisine is the portions are tiny! Just one or two slices :)
I hate it when good hosts are mocked for their delicacies that aren’t ‘ethical’ or well beyond the simple palate of anglophone diets.
I spent six weeks in the Philippines and my rule was I’d try everything once. Especially in a country where malnutrition is a real problem and hospitality is so highly valued. I ate Balut when offered and did it with a smile much to the surprise of my hosts, most of whom didn’t like Blaut! 🤷🏼♀️
I admire you so much for this. Balut are the pickled eggs with the surprise chick fetus inside, right? I spent my week in the Philippines deeply worried that if someone offered it to me I wouldn't be able to manage it. Thankfully I dodged the bullet and nobody offered. Whale tongue, pork intestine, jellyfish tentacles, horse... but Balut might have been a bridge too far! (I would have done my best but I'm not sure I could have smiled. Respect.)
It’s cooked yes, either chicken or duck with a foetus inside. It’s an odd texture combination but otherwise quite savoury. I was spending a lot of time with my best friends cousins who made it their mission to try and gross me out. I was stubborn and wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. Being 19 also helped.
JD's microphone mishap will drive the woman suggesting our hosts are not proper podcasters to absolute distraction. I find this thought delightful.
Right, I guess we already established last week that you guys are bad at podcasting but we love you anyway. Maybe we need some merch that says “The Pillar: Delighting subscribers who have bad taste in podcasts weekly.”
I thought the coast guard writer was implying that the ship was speeding.
Regarding the priest who announced at Mass he was "gay" and received applause:
From most people, that would signify an intention to live the "gay lifestyle": same-sex dating, relationships and same-sex "marriage". From a priest who is obligated to celibacy, what does that mean?
I was a bit surprised that JD and Ed, having raised the issue, didn't attempt to explore it.
It’s rare to see JD a little hot under the collar over anything. No prisoners taken for priest who refused accent reduction class and rightly so! It takes a lot for a parishioner to complain about a priest’s accent or elocution and it should be taken seriously when it does.
It reminded me of a wonderful and humble Korean assistant priest at a neighbouring parish. His English grammar and vocabulary was technically far more proficient than us native English speakers but his accent was very thick. Our diocese lacks resources to provide extra elocution aid, so he would very humbly type up his whole homily and print it out for parishioners to follow along with as he red it out with very little deviation. They were excellent little homilies and he said a very reverent Mass.
We had another dear priest who has since passed away, had a major speech impediment as a young man. He was desperate to be a priest, but in wisdom, the order he joined made him a brother first and sent him off to work in their ailing farm with another brother who was almost deaf. Two years of shouting at this brother fixed his speech impediment enough to allow him to be ordained. He worked all over Australia from Wadeye in the remote top end to Sydney and was a good holy priest because he was humble enough. Rest in Peace Fr Jack Shalvey
I have visited a parish with a missionary priest who has a strong accent and who also provides typed copies of his homilies. I found it to work very well.
Are there transcripts of these anywhere?
Apple Podcasts provides AI transcripts now!
When I worked in a chancery, the vicar for clergy was made an auxiliary bishop and we were told to refer to him as Bishop-elect Fisher, which I thought was a bit odd
When in doubt, I often ask, "What would they do in Starship Troopers?"
He went on, “‘Line of command’ isn’t just a phrase; it’s as real as a slap in the face. If I ordered you to combat as a cadet the most you could do would be to pass along somebody else’s orders. If your platoon leader bought it and you then gave an order to a private—a good order, sensible and wise—you would be wrong and he would be just as wrong if he obeyed it. Because a cadet cannot be in line of command. A cadet has no military existence, no rank, and is not a soldier. He is a student who will become a soldier—either an officer, or at his former rank. While he is under Army discipline, he is not in the Army. That is why—”
A zero. A nought with no rim. If a cadet wasn’t even in the Army—
“Colonel!”
“Eh? Speak up, young man. Mr. Rico.”
I had startled myself but I had to say it. “But . . . if we aren’t in the Army . . . then we aren’t M.I. Sir?”
He blinked at me. “This worries you?”
“I, uh, don’t believe I like it much, sir.” I didn’t like it at all. I felt naked.
“I see.” He didn’t seem displeased. “You let me worry about the space-lawyer aspects of it, son.”
“But—”
“That’s an order. You are technically not an M.I. But the M.I. hasn’t forgotten you; the M.I. never forgets its own no matter where they are. If you are struck dead this instant, you will be cremated as Second Lieutenant Juan Rico, Mobile Infantry, of—” Colonel Nielssen stopped. “Miss Kendrick, what was Mr. Rico’s ship?”
“The Rodger Young.”
“Thank you.” He added, “—in and of TFCT Rodger Young, assigned to mobile combat team Second Platoon of George Company, Third Regiment, First Division, M.I.—the ‘Roughnecks,’” he recited with relish, not consulting anything once he had been reminded of my ship. “A good outfit, Mr. Rico—proud and nasty. Your Final Orders go back to them for Taps and that’s the way your name would read in Memorial Hall. That’s the way we always commission a dead cadet, son—so we can send him home to his mates.”
I think JD's audio was just fine for being recorded on a potato...
Having listened to the podcast (a little late) on this the feast of St Matthias, apostle, I am very naturally inclined to ask this saint to pray for the incoming bishop of Knoxville.
St Peter, in today's reading from Acts, quotes a Psalm that is a spicy meatball (and I can only assume his listeners knew an entire psalm from one line, as we are reminded when Jesus quotes a line from a Psalm or two on the cross). https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/109?8
I will ask St Peter to pray for the previous bishop (it would be far better to publicly repent in this life and to do penance in this life than to put it off) and also to pray for all bishops (there is a middle ground, the extremes of which are "say only nice things, because Jesus said to love one another and that means be nice" and "say whatever comes into your head, on the internet, because Jesus said to make sure the world hates you").
Ed, much to your dismay, I suspect someone hit you with a correction to Associated Press style in the capitalizing of the title in your newsletter.
That microphone. . .
The Knoxville bishop-elect chose not to offer comments that could be construed as critical of his predecessor/Rome? Hardly a surprise. Outspoken bishops seem unappreciated in the hierarchy of the Church, don't you think? "If you want to change the culture, change the culture" might work -unless the culture change is conspicuously at odds with the culture or culture change supported by Rome.