The Galli Report 07.31.20

Diversity, after COVID, Bad Conservatives, Good Theology--and Mars!

When Diversity Challenges Excellence and Efficiency
This week I ran across articles decrying the use of screened auditions especially in classical music orchestras.  I then ran across a couple of pieces alarmed at a few outliers that say even math, the most objective and rational of disciplines, is racist and call it “white math” (see here and here).   I’ve been pondering the issue of diversity ever since I was responsible for hiring when I was at CT.  Here are my considered reflections at this point.

The Economy after COVID
“Who wins and loses as COVID accelerates virtualization of the economy?” asks the subtitle of this piece, and the author’s answer is:

COVID is accelerating the “virtualization” of the economy and that the adoption of new technology and norms like remote work, Zoom meetings, and delivery commerce will drive lumpier (power) distributions of earnings.

It’s a long essay, but the author summarizes things at the beginning for those who just want the take-away.  But I couldn’t stop reading it, especially when he talked about virtualization as both a microphone and a forklift.  It helps me grasp the diverse things virtualization is doing to us and for us.

What’s Wrong with Conservatives?
I’m sometimes accused of linking to liberal critiques of liberalism but not conservative critiques of conservatism. Guilty as charged.  Here’s one act of penance.  In The American Conservative, author David Azerrad begins:

What is conservatism in America today? It’s hundreds of millions of dollars a year spent fiddling while Rome burns. It’s ideas with little to no consequence. It’s getting trampled all over by History, but while yelling Stop!

It’s a blistering take-down that doesn’t let up.  Unfortunately, the conservatism that Azerrad champions is even more distasteful to me.  All things being equal, I’m more conservative than liberal but I don’t see myself or my kind critiqued or described in this piece.

The Difference Theology Should Make
This is dangerous, but here is a book I can almost recommend, even though I haven’t yet read it: The Holy Spirit and Christian Experience by Simeon Zahl.  I know something of the book, because I corresponded with Zahl a few years ago about it.  The thesis has been long needed, but the price of the book currently hovers around, uh, $80!  I hope Zahl will release a version for a more popular audience in the next year or so.  In the meantime, let this review intrigue you theologians out there:

Theology might give elegant descriptions of God and theological doctrines like salvation and sanctification, but it usually ignores how these ideas might feel in relation to the everyday realities of life. Our “experience” isn’t just some extra reference for us to pay attention to (or not) when we think about God. Rather, our experiences — our relationships, memories, moods, prejudices, habits — already influence how we think about God and shape the potency of theological doctrines

On to Mars!
NASA’s 2020 Mars mission is on its way as of yesterday.  Here’s a nice summary of its mission in The Atlantic.  And here are some, stunning high-definition images from previous missions.  Beautiful place to visit, but I don’t think I’d want to live there.

Grace and peace,

Mark Galli
markgalli.com