Another Departure

On his eCosmos web site, my friend Greg Perkins writes:

There are several references below to my working with TOC, and I want to note that after delivering my lecture on religion in 2003 I was growing increasingly frustrated by the organization's lack of direction and output -- so much so that I stopped attending their conferences after the next year and then withdrew financial support in March 2005. Since that time my opinion of TOC has plummeted dramatically as my diligent friend Diana Hsieh drew attention to their deeper philosophical problems. As it stands now, I cannot support TOC and encourage those interested in the study and promotion of Objectivism to look elsewhere. -- Greg

I've been consistently impressed by and grateful for the serious attention that Greg has been willing to give the long-ago-decided issues surrounding his support for David Kelley. Given his serious commitment to and solid understanding of Objectivism, I knew he'd come around sooner or later. It was just a matter of offering some compelling arguments -- and giving him the time required to properly think them through. After all, anyone who can put together an awesome lecture like "God, Faith, and the Supernatural" isn't going to put up with TOC's now-routine appeasement of religion!

Due to turmoil at work, Greg wasn't able to attend this summer's OCON. However, I have extracted an Unbreakable Vow from him that he'll be in Boston in 2006. (That will mean even more fun than this year, if that's possible!)

Greg is also an awesome jazz sax player. If I weren't married, I'd surely be a dedicated groupie:



Oh, I should also mention that I'm running a bit behind on my Final Flurry on the False Friends of Objectivism. I was hoping to finish by August 31st, but I actually have four posts to finish up:

Lessons from my personal history with the Brandens

The meaning of Objectivism as an open or as a closed system

David Kelley's mind-body dichotomy in moral judgment

The smear tactics used by Barbara Branden in her biography

After I finish and post those -- soon, I hope -- I'll finally update pseudo-Objectivism page. Then I'll be done done done with this unpleasant topic!