My Big Road Trip is actually beginning with a professional gig at the Aspen Ideas Festival. This appearance involves an hourlong discussion with Eliot Gerson, executive VP of the Institute, about my book Faith versus Fact. It will take place on Friday, July 3, in the Lauder Room of the Koch Building in Aspen, Colorado. That will be followed by a book signing at the venue. I believe there’s another signing at 4 p.m. the same day at the Festival bookstore.
I’ll be participating in Festival 2, one of whose themes is “Faith, Conflict, and the Future of Religion”. I’m not sure who else will be speaking in that track, but I see from the list of speakers three possible candidates: Karen Armstrong, Reza Aslan, and Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and I also suspect that all three of these, and perhaps one more person, will be on a panel about the effects of faith. I just noticed that Richard Dawkins will also be there, so perhaps he’ll be the fourth. Now that would be a panel!
I don’t care about meeting the unctuous Armstrong or the mendacious Aslan, but I’d love to meet Hirsi Ali, as she’s a hero of mine. Reports will follow.
The Koch building? How did this institute come to be involved with those guys?
$, no doubt.
Apparently, the Koches also funded a building at MIT.
Dawkins and Hirsi Ali vs Aslan and Armstrong? They’ll be eviscerated, and no one needs to ask who I mean by “they”. I’d love to see it!
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I thought I read somewhere that at least one of the Kochs is an atheist?? Not that I like any of the Repuglican stuff the are sponsoring…
Sounds like a great conference, Jerry, and in Aspen, which is gorgeous. Look forward to hearing about it. I’m sure you can get yourself some really cool boots there, but for mega$$.
As I understand it, the Koches are non-believers.
Remember that Marxism of a kind is popular amongst Republican leaders! (The “religion is the opiate of the masses – and that’s a good thing!” attitude is just part of it.)
So was Ayn Rand, and the Tea Party Reps and Libertarians seem in love with her. She was even pro-abortion rights, and they love her! I can’t figure those Rebiblicans out.
“I’m not sure who else will be speaking in that track, but I see from the list of speakers three possible candidates: Karen Armstrong, Reza Aslan . . . .”
Well, no one need presume to advise you to steel yourself to the inescapable unctuous, fatuous white noise of Armstrong and Aslan, should you find yourself with them on a panel. Were it possible, you might wish to undergo a Vulcan mind meld with Mr. Spock to help you bear up under it. (“Spectre of the Gun,” third season)
Maybe you don’t want to meet Aslan but he might want to meet you! Run! Run! 🙂
Duck!
I thought there was a duck emoticon, but couldn’t find it.
The ceiling cat sitting next to Armstrong and Aslan. Hope they get a picture of that. How long before an explosion occurs?
Karen Armstrong… Now ‘OBE’ for services to literature and interfaith dialogue.
*rolls eyes*
The Koch Building?
See comment 1. 🙂
Ayaan is also a heroine of mine. She has a new book out, as well. I can hardly wait for follow up on this experience from PCC!
So how does this festival goes? Think I am interested.