HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MAN?
Armed with a microphone, an open mind and the thoughts and feelings of millions of Americans, Jack Weinstein is doing something truly (un)conventional
Michael Thomas
Issue date: 1/16/09 Section: News
For Jack Weinstein, delivering the message that philosophy is a discipline that can be approached by any human being is a key part of his vision for the institute.
"I want to create a space where it's okay for people to explore and it's one of my jobs as a professor to give people an avenue to explore and the permission to do so. Everyone has something valuable to bring to the table regardless of what they say."
Doing that in the intimate setting of a college classroom is one thing, broadcasting to potentially millions of listeners over the airwaves and giving them the opportunity to call in and offer their own insight is something completely different. But Jack believes that people out there want to express their ideas, they want to give their input; and the technology of radio and the internet enables them to do just that.
"I am advertising this as the world's first call in philosophy show," he said. "I think it's true. There is a renewed interest in philosophy, especially in popular philosophy … the time is right to create this fairly unique approach to bridging the gaps between philosophical research to its relevance and importance to everyday life."
His first guests: famed radio personality and host of the Jefferson Hour, Clay Jenkinson. Weinstein also hopes to have Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) as well as Boston University scholar Charles Griswold.
With the plains states representing a more rural part of the country, many would argue that free thought only seems to flow in places like New York and California. But this eternal optimist sees it a bit differently.
The radio program, 'Why? Philosophical Discussions for Everyday Life' will bridge that gap, he says.
"The radio and internet broadcasts puts North Dakota on the same playing field with places like Boston or Los Angeles or New York or Texas," he said. "This program isn't coming out of Harvard, it's coming from UND. And I want the world to see that North Dakota is a rich and amazing place."
"I want to create a space where it's okay for people to explore and it's one of my jobs as a professor to give people an avenue to explore and the permission to do so. Everyone has something valuable to bring to the table regardless of what they say."
Doing that in the intimate setting of a college classroom is one thing, broadcasting to potentially millions of listeners over the airwaves and giving them the opportunity to call in and offer their own insight is something completely different. But Jack believes that people out there want to express their ideas, they want to give their input; and the technology of radio and the internet enables them to do just that.
"I am advertising this as the world's first call in philosophy show," he said. "I think it's true. There is a renewed interest in philosophy, especially in popular philosophy … the time is right to create this fairly unique approach to bridging the gaps between philosophical research to its relevance and importance to everyday life."
His first guests: famed radio personality and host of the Jefferson Hour, Clay Jenkinson. Weinstein also hopes to have Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) as well as Boston University scholar Charles Griswold.
With the plains states representing a more rural part of the country, many would argue that free thought only seems to flow in places like New York and California. But this eternal optimist sees it a bit differently.
The radio program, 'Why? Philosophical Discussions for Everyday Life' will bridge that gap, he says.
"The radio and internet broadcasts puts North Dakota on the same playing field with places like Boston or Los Angeles or New York or Texas," he said. "This program isn't coming out of Harvard, it's coming from UND. And I want the world to see that North Dakota is a rich and amazing place."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
wilford299
posted 1/20/09 @ 11:52 PM CST
There's no need. There's no necessary.70-652Don't even think about it.640-816Keep in touch.642-444that's great.70-284Not your business. None of your business. (Continued…)
Post a Comment