Blogging is no longer ‘the thing’ it used to be in the early ‘aughts,’ but it has certainly enriched my life, mainly by attracting like-minded people.
Among them, and in no particular order: Malcolm Pollack, Vito Caiati, Trudy Vandermolen, Steven Nemes, Vlastimil Vohanka, Lukas Novak, Daniel Novotny, Dmitri Dain, Karl White, Jeff Hammond, Josh Eskew, David Brightly, Edward Buckner, James Soriano, David Klubert, Keith Burgess-Jackson, Michael Gilleland, Horace Jeffery Hodges, Dale Tuggy, Ed Feser, Phil Flemming, Mike Valle . . . I’ll remember some more tomorrow. I thank you all.
And then there are the MavPhil ‘fallen’ who will not be forgotten: Ray Stahl Bill Tingley, Bill Keezer, Lady Dymphna , Thomas C. Coleman.
Living or dead, these are people I never would have met apart from the blogosphere.
And then there are those I won’t mention, some of whom succumbed to TDS, and others who turned against me for reasons unknown.
Bill,
Twenty-two years! I regret that I discovered Maverick Philosopher only a little more than a decade ago, missing its first ten years, but since then it has been an essential part of my daily life. I turn to it every morning, hoping to find a new post. Over time, you became, although at great distance, the friend with whom I could share my thoughts on those matters, including the great mysteries, the contemplation of which gives meaning to life. I look forward to joining you here for whatever time you and I have left. Cent’anni!
Vito
Twenty-Two years! I’ve been reading this blog for a long time, and even though I don’t understand everything, or find all the topics of equal interest, I have learned a lot and feel a real affinity with the author.
Same for me as for Ms. VanderMolen above!!
And may you have many more years contemplating footnotes to Plato from the foothills of the Superstitions.
Vito,
And may you too live a hundred years! Actually, I am shooting for 90 with faculties intact. To live indefinitely in a world like this is, to me, a horrifying thought. Up or out! But I am not quite ready to shuffle off the mortal coil. A major project wants completion.
I have been re-reading the last chapters in Tettemer’s book and hope to discuss them with you. So that’s on my agenda. The position I have come to with respect to the RCC and organized religion in general is very close to the one he came to. Unlike Merton, he never published anything (as far as I know) and was not driven by any need for recognition. And, unlike Merton, his views seem unaffected by any inner psychological conflicts. We are very lucky that his friends and family saw fit to publish his little book posthumously.
Bill,
I very much look forward to such a discussion. Coincidently, right now, at the age of 80, I am in the midst of a radical reevaluation of the RCC and, indeed, of organized religion in general, and I am not entirely sure where it will lead me. Some deep, unexpected spiritual stirring has upset the order of things in me.
Vito
Vito
Trudy, Dave, James: Thanks for the kind words.
And Dave, sorry to omit your name from the list. You are not the only one whose name slipped my mind. I am right now trying to remember the name of a very bright commenter who died a few years back. But I do remember that he studied under Wilfrid Sellars, worked in the medical field, and was born on Leap Day.
Happy blogging anniversary Bill! I was away so missed this milestone post. I enjoy reading your thoughtful and diverse (in the right sense of the word) posts here and in previous incarnations of the blog for a very long time. Thank you & please continue!
Bill,
I discovered your blog thirteen years ago on an extremely miserable New Year’s Day in Scotland during an extremely miserable part of my life. I was googling about Adorno’s critique of Heidegger for some reason I can’t precisely remember now and I found your post on the subject. Your conception of philosophy immediately resonated with me. I kept reading and started to feel a lot more cheerful. I’ve been reading ever since. I’ve learnt an enormous amount from your writing, certainly the most I’ve learnt about philosophy from any single living author and you have helped me clarify my thinking on many, many topics. Most importantly, your writing was by far the greatest influence on my becoming a theist and eventually a Christian and I am an immeasurably happier person because of that – no more miserable New Year’s Days for me! For that alone I could never thank you enough. I hope you know the good you do!