Surreal-er than real
August 5th, 2009 | Published in Introduction
The inaugural post of nothing comes from nothing comes from an admittedly surreal reality. I am buried deep in the hills of Los Angeles (okay, it’s a gated house), surrounded only by the sound of jacuzzi run-off into a pool, breeze bristling through surrounding palms and shrubs, and the odd jet passing overhead. It is in this strange environment that I am spending my next two weeks, the place where I will begin charting the preliminary points of the nothing comes from nothing constellation.
I ought to come clean on what you can be expecting in the next couple of weeks (and likely months). In large part, this blog is designed to address two main concerns. First, it feeds my interest in having an accessible platform for continuous written expression and dissemination of critical thought. Second, the blog serves as a platform for a much more crude interest of mine. One that necessitates the summoning of all resources that will help me come October, when I tackle a PhD comprehensive exam in the field of International Relations (IR). So don’t get too excited if you aren’t already aroused by meta-theoretical discussions, the intersection of critical theory and world politics, and generally speaking, the poverty of mainstream approaches to IR.
Just to keep things friendly (and perhaps even to wash sawdust from the eyes of readers who unexpectedly step into the fray), I’ll be sure to splice the theoretical re-readings, criticisms and commentaries with only the most nothing comes from nothing-worthiest of links. There might even be some posts from one of the other quarters from which I’m intellectually indebted to, but you’ll find out more about that when the time comes. For now, I have to start celebrating International Beer Day with one of Oregon’s tastiest India Pale Ales and get some real work done before it strikes “all-you-can-eat-sushi-o’clock”. Sure as hell beats my days painfully waiting for the end of shift buzzer in the ‘ol box factory. Surreality, indeed.