January 10, 2017.
VOL. XVIX NO. 1

Sports and God at Yale
(Music and Reuning, too)

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IDEAS

Stars and God at Yale
(the omitted article)

Is God Lost in the Stars?


Below are two short items stirred by recent, nearly-incomprehensible counts of how big the universe is. You're invited to react on our comment board (click here).

First, muse on the pictures below sent by Bill Stott (who got them and the splendid caption material from his friend Fred Close). Bill writes: "In this holiday period, I hope our thoughts can transcend the horror of current politics to contemplate more eternal matters." Then, scroll down further for George Snider's thoughts about how astronomy might change what we once called, with implicit religiosity, the "heavens."



My Problem with Religion

By George Snider


To repeat, we hope for discussion on this. Once you've read it, don't forget to toss in your thoughts, briefly or at length (click here). Is, as George asks, "faith in knowledge which 'passeth all human understanding'" now "a cop-out"?

As I have become fascinated in recent years with advances in our understanding of the enormity and complexity of the universe, I also have become concerned with Western religion's reliance on concepts of God formed many centuries ago - before modern-day science. I have become increasingly fascinated with the dual worlds of astrophysics (ultra large) and quantum mechanics (ultra small). At the same time ... (Click here for the rest.)

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RUMORS

Is Yale Starving Sports?

By Neal Freeman

From a Harvard friend of mine, and thus of suspect provenance, comes the statement that Yale's current policy sets athletic admissions at seven percent, that is to say, that seven percent of each class is awarded bonus admission points for demonstrated athletic proficiency. This figure compares, again according to my Harvard friend, with 14 percent at Harvard and "most of the Ivies." I cannot vouch for either of these numbers, but if they are even roughly accurate, they might explain multiple competitive embarrassments. Perhaps a classmate can tell us the real story. And then other classmates can tell us why in the world Yale would choose to field teams with half as many high-quality athletes as our principal competitors. If I'm reading the application stats correctly, we could more than double the number of athletes each year without lowering academic standards.

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ARTS

Concertos and Duck:
A Conversation with
a Major American Composer
who Doesn't Take to Deconstructionism
or Twelve-tone Music


Trust me, guys.

Imagine yourself on a warm summer day and click on the "Play" arrow in the center of the player below to start hearing "Basketball Game at the Park," which is one minute and forty-eight seconds of music. You'll hear the ball on the court, and maybe sense the warm weather, competition, and camaraderie. Click on the pause lines below it ( || ) if you want to stop before it ends.


"Basketball" is part of "A Summer's Day" by Lew Spratlan, and speaks of the wit and drama of his more than 50 major compositions. They've made him one of this country's major composers. Think Mozart, but without royal patrons.

Lew's music is approachable (one composition is titled "Vocalese with Duck"), and often commissioned and recorded as the appetite for "new" music grows. Click here for a unique dialogue with Lew about the role of Yale in his development (in spite of one professor!) and about today's music scene. He talked with John Stewart, a knowing professional tenor, voice teacher, choral conductor, occasional composer, and friend. You'll also find links to more Spratlan music, and even a chance to collect Lew's autograph! Click here...

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FABLES

Cutting Edge

By Fred Appell (from a work in progress)

It was about a month after the old man died that people in the kitchen started cutting themselves. Remembering that the patron seemed to have a fixation on knives, they ascribed their misfortune to his return to haunt them.

In fact, it wasn't until they were about to flee this haunted house that the young boy who was in charge of shining shoes dared to suggest that perhaps it was the old man himself who had kept the knives sharp. This, of course, was dismissed as nonsense by older and wiser folks; but soon accidents became less frequent with the knives.

Fortunately none thought to consider the young boy who had taken over honing them.

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REUNION

"Companionship and Appreciation"

"Whether you arrive at Yale in June, '17 with positive life changes or trying challenges, you will find companionship and appreciation among your classmates."

Which classmates will be with us in New Haven between June 1 and 4? Already, by clicking here, you can get a good idea of who is planning to attend (as of early January). Our planners expect about five times the current list. Add your name now.

Because of this website's other features, checking here for updates will be the most fun, but you also can find all the letters and documents on the official site. For the most recent announcements, click here to learn about free expression, conversation groups, the Whiffs, swing (music), swing (golf), art, Shakespeare, cities, health care, and an invitation to give further comments. I said, click here.

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NECROLOGY

We report with sorrow Henry L. "Mick" Caulkins' death in October, 2016. An obituary will be posted on this site in due course.

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NOTIFYING CLASSMATES OF SERVICES

If you would like classmates to be notified about your funeral or memorial activities, if we get the information in time the Class of 1962 will send information to the names on our class email list. Please ask those who will be in charge to send the details to Bob Oliver at oliver@moglaw.com, 203-624-5111, and for backup to John Stewart, Co-Corresponding Secretary, at johnhargerstewart@gmail.com, 845-789-1407. We will not send out information unless someone makes this request.