Mark Laxer's Blog: The Monkey Bible, page 9
November 8, 2010
Human - bear relations
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=454135548860&set=a.193647753860.129305.190011153860
Statistics: Posted by marklaxer — Tue Nov 09, 2010 12:51 am — Replies 0 — Views 1
November 6, 2010
Nonfiction Edition
So much of The Monkey Bible is nonfiction, plucked directly from the real world,
plucked from the realm of science, plucked from my own experiences. I've been
contemplating the creation of an edition of the book that is nonfiction, that
provides a behind-the-scenes look at the science and the story behind the story.
plucked from the realm of science, plucked from my own experiences. I've been
contemplating the creation of an edition of the book that is nonfiction, that
provides a behind-the-scenes look at the science and the story behind the story.
Statistics: Posted by marklaxer — Sun Nov 07, 2010 12:21 am — Replies 0 — Views 1
October 29, 2010
Goat versus Man
A sad story that points to a larger tragedy:
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/27/goat-vs-man/?scp=1-b&sq=goats+death&st=nyt
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/27/goat-vs-man/?scp=1-b&sq=goats+death&st=nyt
Statistics: Posted by gobble — Fri Oct 29, 2010 11:10 am — Replies 0 — Views 3
Creation film humanizes the man who many demonize
Run, don't crawl, to http://creationthemovie.com/ Creation: The Movie. Saw it last night...kudos to the people behind this film...deeply moving...it humanizes the man who many demonize...like The Monkey Bible project the movie explores, gently, the line which separates and connects religion and science, humans and non-humans...it is a stunningly beautiful and thoughtful story...if you're not crying during this film it may be you're already dead. More soon on this important film which is just now opening in North American cities.
Statistics: Posted by marklaxer — Tue Jan 19, 2010 11:03 am — Replies 0 — Views 5
BORGo Is Concerned
The legend of BORGo, mentioned in an earlier post, describes an ape-human hybrid, the exact nature of which is unclear and open to interpretation. One story describes a creature which looks rather human, with both chimp and bonobo features. BORGo, goes the story, is articulate, dapper, and concerned.
Why is BORGo concerned? It's because he's confused and anxious. Confused about who he is, confused about the story of his creation. Anxious because it matters.
BORGo looks in a mirror and wonders to what extent he is bonobo and to what extent he is chimp.
It's not a frivolous question. Bonobos, according to many scientists, are matriarchal apes who resolve tension through sex. Frequently. They are known to some as the hippie ape. Make love, not war.
In contrast, chimpanzees resolve tension largely through force - often through violence.
While BORGo is a legend, it may be that the legend is more than what it appears to be. It may be that BORGo actually shows up on the east coast of the United States. Should that happen, some of the thoughtful humans might find themselves wondering about angels and apes and the story of their own creation.
Why is BORGo concerned? It's because he's confused and anxious. Confused about who he is, confused about the story of his creation. Anxious because it matters.
BORGo looks in a mirror and wonders to what extent he is bonobo and to what extent he is chimp.
It's not a frivolous question. Bonobos, according to many scientists, are matriarchal apes who resolve tension through sex. Frequently. They are known to some as the hippie ape. Make love, not war.
In contrast, chimpanzees resolve tension largely through force - often through violence.
While BORGo is a legend, it may be that the legend is more than what it appears to be. It may be that BORGo actually shows up on the east coast of the United States. Should that happen, some of the thoughtful humans might find themselves wondering about angels and apes and the story of their own creation.
Statistics: Posted by marklaxer — Mon Jan 25, 2010 1:50 am — Replies 0 — Views 2
Creationist Museum Video Sparks Responses
The Monkey Bible has a facebook page and below are posts which occurred after I posted the URL to a http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TME30pPBw58 youtube video about Kentucky's Creationist Museum.
Statistics: Posted by marklaxer — Wed Feb 17, 2010 1:28 am — Replies 0 — Views 7
How did we get here? Where are we going?
How, really, did we get here? Did we derive from related species in a process known as evolution? Did God create us exactly as we are (if so, when)? Can both explanations be true? How so?
A related question: where are we going? Will we continue to gather genetic variation, some of which will be more suited for survival and reproduction? Will we remain exactly as we are for millions or billions of years? Can both possibilities occur? How so?
Do you think scientific observation - observing physical phenomenon - degrades religious truths? Do you think scientific theories - which, based on observations, describe the physical world - takes away from the belief in a Supreme Being?
A friend sent me http://topstories.foxnews.mobi/quickPage.html?page=17224&content=34633338&pageNum=-1 this link which reminded me how fundamental and divisive these questions can be. And, yet, where two currents meet is often where the nutrients are richest.
A related question: where are we going? Will we continue to gather genetic variation, some of which will be more suited for survival and reproduction? Will we remain exactly as we are for millions or billions of years? Can both possibilities occur? How so?
Do you think scientific observation - observing physical phenomenon - degrades religious truths? Do you think scientific theories - which, based on observations, describe the physical world - takes away from the belief in a Supreme Being?
A friend sent me http://topstories.foxnews.mobi/quickPage.html?page=17224&content=34633338&pageNum=-1 this link which reminded me how fundamental and divisive these questions can be. And, yet, where two currents meet is often where the nutrients are richest.
Statistics: Posted by marklaxer — Mon Mar 08, 2010 2:28 am — Replies 0 — Views 3
CEASE FIRE!!
How could it be? How could we have let it happen? First the mountain gorillas, then the orang utans, then the bonobos. Next on the list for extinction: the chimpanzees...
The above paragraph isn't true - not yet. But it's a possible, even likely scenario, perhaps just around the corner. Humans are likely to drive wild populations of great apes to extinction in our lifetime. Think I'm being alarmist? Think I'm overreacting? Do the research, do the math, think again.
Image waking up to the news of the demise of a wild population of ape. How would that feel? What would that mean? What would be lost? According to scientists, we'd lose creatures remarkably similar to ourselves. According to Creationists, we'd lose creatures created by God.
Creationists and evolutionists: please - stop the bickering! Let's start working together! Let's join forces and protect enough habitat to keep these and other magnificent creatures off the extinction list!
Here's a few organizations worthy of support:
http://www.unep.org/grasp/
http://www.orangutans-sos.org/
http://www.janegoodall.org/
http://coalitionforprimateprotection.org/
http://www.sadabe.org/
http://www.wcs.org/
http://www.awf.org/
This list should contain religious organizations...please, suggest to your place of worship that they become actively involved in protecting the Creation!!
The above paragraph isn't true - not yet. But it's a possible, even likely scenario, perhaps just around the corner. Humans are likely to drive wild populations of great apes to extinction in our lifetime. Think I'm being alarmist? Think I'm overreacting? Do the research, do the math, think again.
Image waking up to the news of the demise of a wild population of ape. How would that feel? What would that mean? What would be lost? According to scientists, we'd lose creatures remarkably similar to ourselves. According to Creationists, we'd lose creatures created by God.
Creationists and evolutionists: please - stop the bickering! Let's start working together! Let's join forces and protect enough habitat to keep these and other magnificent creatures off the extinction list!
Here's a few organizations worthy of support:
http://www.unep.org/grasp/
http://www.orangutans-sos.org/
http://www.janegoodall.org/
http://coalitionforprimateprotection.org/
http://www.sadabe.org/
http://www.wcs.org/
http://www.awf.org/
This list should contain religious organizations...please, suggest to your place of worship that they become actively involved in protecting the Creation!!
Statistics: Posted by marklaxer — Sun Apr 11, 2010 11:57 pm — Replies 0 — Views 6
Questions and answers with the author
Soon after the publication of your first book, Take Me For a Ride, you were sued $30 million. How do you think The Monkey Bible will compare in controversy?
Mark: The Monkey Bible touches controversial subjects - such as how humans actually came to be - in ways that gently attempt to bridge seemingly incompatible worldviews. Is it controversial to explore, and ask questions about, the story of our creation?
The Monkey Bible tells the story of a young man who isn't fully human. Is something like that really possible?
Mark: Genetic transfer from one nonhuman species to another is hardly fiction and takes place each day in laboratories around the world. Genetic transfer from nonhumans to humans may not be legal or ethical but it's possible.
Each character in the book is on their own fascinating journey. How did you shape Emmanuel, Evelyn and Lucy? Is any one of them particularly your favorite?
Mark: Evelyn, Lucy, and Emmanuel are a part of me and their journeys resonate with journeys of my own. These characters are like my own children: if I had a favorite, I wouldn't admit it, not even to myself. I do have favorite moments, though, such as when Lucy jumps into the world of religion, and when Evelyn jumps into the world of science. I love when the characters move outside their respective zones of comfort.
You are bravely taking on the issue of evolution vs. creation and have received endorsements from many top religious leaders and scientists. How did you manage to get both sides on your team?
Mark: If people are supportive of the project, it may be that they support the core message, which is: we should work together to protect what some call the biosphere and others call God's creation.
The book features interesting projects like vEcotourism, story-telling groups and a protest against loud cell phone users. Are these things you are working on outside the fictitious world?
Mark: In real life, I'm leading a team of wildlife conservationists and technologists to ramp up virtual ecotourism or vEcotourism around the world. In real life, I founded and run the Traveler's Circle (tc), a monthly wildlife and travel storytelling gathering. In real life, I'm working to create a free iPhone app called iRude which may be used to educate rude cell phone users. While The Monkey Bible book is fiction, the line separating the fiction from the real world is thin in some places, porous in others.
So what does it mean to be human?
Mark: More importantly, what do you think it means to be human? The Monkey Bible raises mirrors, asks questions. I'd recommend looking to yourself, not me, for answers.
What do you hope people get out of reading The Monkey Bible?
Mark: That the line separating humans from all other creatures is not as thick, dark, and inflexible as some of us once believed.
As the Producer of The Monkey Bible Project, which includes a book, CD and stage production, as well as the cofounder and President of Chimp-n-Sea Wildlife Conservation Fund, what actions do you recommend people take after reading The Monkey Bible? Anything we can do to help save endangered species and protect our Earth?
Mark: The short answer: give money to Wildlife Conservation Society, the Jane Goodall Institute, The New Nature Foundation, or to a similar organization on an ongoing basis. The deeper answer: change attitudes, behaviors, and stories within society and within yourself. I once asked Jane Goodall a similar question and she encouraged me, in so many words, to look within and get creative about it. I pass along her words of wisdom.
Mark: The Monkey Bible touches controversial subjects - such as how humans actually came to be - in ways that gently attempt to bridge seemingly incompatible worldviews. Is it controversial to explore, and ask questions about, the story of our creation?
The Monkey Bible tells the story of a young man who isn't fully human. Is something like that really possible?
Mark: Genetic transfer from one nonhuman species to another is hardly fiction and takes place each day in laboratories around the world. Genetic transfer from nonhumans to humans may not be legal or ethical but it's possible.
Each character in the book is on their own fascinating journey. How did you shape Emmanuel, Evelyn and Lucy? Is any one of them particularly your favorite?
Mark: Evelyn, Lucy, and Emmanuel are a part of me and their journeys resonate with journeys of my own. These characters are like my own children: if I had a favorite, I wouldn't admit it, not even to myself. I do have favorite moments, though, such as when Lucy jumps into the world of religion, and when Evelyn jumps into the world of science. I love when the characters move outside their respective zones of comfort.
You are bravely taking on the issue of evolution vs. creation and have received endorsements from many top religious leaders and scientists. How did you manage to get both sides on your team?
Mark: If people are supportive of the project, it may be that they support the core message, which is: we should work together to protect what some call the biosphere and others call God's creation.
The book features interesting projects like vEcotourism, story-telling groups and a protest against loud cell phone users. Are these things you are working on outside the fictitious world?
Mark: In real life, I'm leading a team of wildlife conservationists and technologists to ramp up virtual ecotourism or vEcotourism around the world. In real life, I founded and run the Traveler's Circle (tc), a monthly wildlife and travel storytelling gathering. In real life, I'm working to create a free iPhone app called iRude which may be used to educate rude cell phone users. While The Monkey Bible book is fiction, the line separating the fiction from the real world is thin in some places, porous in others.
So what does it mean to be human?
Mark: More importantly, what do you think it means to be human? The Monkey Bible raises mirrors, asks questions. I'd recommend looking to yourself, not me, for answers.
What do you hope people get out of reading The Monkey Bible?
Mark: That the line separating humans from all other creatures is not as thick, dark, and inflexible as some of us once believed.
As the Producer of The Monkey Bible Project, which includes a book, CD and stage production, as well as the cofounder and President of Chimp-n-Sea Wildlife Conservation Fund, what actions do you recommend people take after reading The Monkey Bible? Anything we can do to help save endangered species and protect our Earth?
Mark: The short answer: give money to Wildlife Conservation Society, the Jane Goodall Institute, The New Nature Foundation, or to a similar organization on an ongoing basis. The deeper answer: change attitudes, behaviors, and stories within society and within yourself. I once asked Jane Goodall a similar question and she encouraged me, in so many words, to look within and get creative about it. I pass along her words of wisdom.
Statistics: Posted by marklaxer — Tue Jul 20, 2010 9:12 am — Replies 0 — Views 10
Sex in the Bible
Click below for guest-blog entry on this subject
http://scififantasyhorror.blogspot.com/2010/08/guest-post-mark-laxer-author-of-monkey.html
http://scififantasyhorror.blogspot.com/2010/08/guest-post-mark-laxer-author-of-monkey.html
Statistics: Posted by marklaxer — Sat Oct 16, 2010 11:40 pm — Replies 0 — Views 21
The Monkey Bible
Dear friends, I'm just setting up GoodReads system now, and hope to participate in discussion about evolution, religion, wildlife conservation, storytelling and .....more soon.
best,
mark
...more
best,
mark
...more
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