90s Indie Rock Bands and Albums: Tortoise and the Post-Rock Sound

This article is one in the 90s indie rock series on The World According to Clark.  It discusses the 90s independent music artists, Tortoise who are on Thrill Jockey Records.  This article looks at Tortoise’s albums and their influence on garage bands, independent music, and other indie artists and musicians.  It specifically examines Tortoise’s influence Read More… »

This article examines America, Americans history and the relationship between it and indigenous tribes and native American peoples like the Lakota, a member of  which is John Lame Deer who wrote Lame Deer, Seeker of Visions a novel about American Indian religion and Native American rituals from the point of a genuine Lakota Cowboy.  The Read More… »

Literature and Philosophy: Cartesian Dualism, David Hume, and Immanual Kant’s Copernican Revolution

This article examines the implications of Cartesian Dualism on Immanuel Kant, David Hume, and their influential works, including Hume’s Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding.  The article examines Hume’s enquiry, it’s take on the “gap” in Ontology, and Immanuel Kant’s revolutionary take on Hume’s philosophy that resulted in a shift in modern philosophy.  This article contains pictures, Read More… »

Literature and Philosophy: Cartesian Dualism in Rene Descartes’ Meditations on First Philosophy

This article examines Rene Descartes’ Meditations on First Philosophy. It looks at philosophy Descartes used in his first philosophy to develop the concept of the mind that would lead to Cartesian Dualism.  The ramification of Descartes meditations and Descartes metaphysics has been significant in the history of philosophy as well as Western Culture in general.  Read More… »

American Literature: Contemporary views on Charlotte Temple

This article examines one of American Literature’s classics, Charlotte Temple by Susanna Rowson.  It was one of America’s first best sellers and remains a favorite among American literary hardcover classics.  The article contains contemporary and original critical reactions.  It also has pictures and links as well as electronic versions of the novel and ebook readers Read More… »

American Literature and Culture: The Roots of Manifest Destiny

This article examines the American literary tradition, specifically early American writing, to understand the roots of the concept of Manifest Destiny.  It examines literature in America as well as literature and nature during colonialism in the Americas and on into the United States as it expanded westward.  The article also has links, books, ebooks, and Read More… »

100 Reasons the BCS just doesn’t work

This article is an unbiased introduction and explanation to the BCS and how the college football championship series works. It explains the football national ranking process and the bowl game selection process. Also, it introduces problems with the BCS, 100 reasons the BCS doesn’t work, and why some think it sucks. To read the full Read More… »

20th Century Classical Music: Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings

This article examines Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber.  The song, often referred to as Samuel Barber’s Agnus Dei, is a modern classical composition that has come to be recognized as one of the saddest songs ever written.  Barber’s Adagio for Strings is one of the most popular pieces composed in the 20th century.  This Read More… »

90s Indie Rock: The Flaming Lips’ Parking Lot Experiment

This article discusses The Parking Lot Experiment from 1996.  It was an experiment conducted by the Flaming Lips, who also wrote the album Transmissions from the Satellite Heart.  They are indie musicians who perform alternative music and independent music.  These experiments established the Flaming Lips as one of the most creative indie bands of the Read More… »

20th Century Composers: Harry Partch, “The Hobo Composer”

This article discusses Harry Partch, one of the best comtemporary music compoers of the 20th century.  Harry Partch is one of many classical composers to experiment with Just Intonation.  He designed over thirty musical instruments during his career and became well known for his hobo lifestyle.  This article has links to other resources on Harry Read More… »