Tues, Dec 22 @ 7:30 PM (Denver)

Please join us via Zoom to discuss selections from A Paradise Built in Hell by Rebecca Solnit.

Find it on page 51 of Imperfect Ideal: Utopian and Dystopian Vision.

Zoom Link

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89726732176?pwd=d2lsMHhTRU9VcjZNVHBzZXlRSkRRQT09

Password: books

Discuss Gender Studies by Curtis Sittenfeld

 Folks,

Please join us via Zoom to discuss Gender Studies by Curtis Sittenfeld. Find it on page 255 of The Best American Short Stories - 2017. This is a short story, but it could be an example in a scholarly article cleverly titled: Booty Call: Norms of Restricted and Unrestricted Sociosexuality in Hook-Up Culture

Sociosexuality, sometimes called sociosexual orientation, is the individual difference in the willingness to engage in sexual activity outside of a committed relationship.

Read Gender Studies or listen to the author read her story at: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/08/29/gender-studies-by-curtis-sittenfeld Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89726732176?pwd=d2lsMHhTRU9VcjZNVHBzZXlRSkRRQT09 Meeting ID: 897 2673 2176 Password: books

Zoom Discussion Tues, Nov 24 @ 7:30 PM (Denver)

Please join us to discuss the Shield of Achilles.  We have an excerpt from the Iliad Book 18, lines 368 - 617, as well as a poem by W. H. Auden (1907-1973): https://poets.org/poem/shield-achilles.

Find both on page 37 of Imperfect Ideal: Utopian and Dystopian Vision – Great Books Foundation.

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting

Meeting ID: 897 2673 2176
Password: books

Updated Schedule - with new Short Story Collection

 

Zoom discussion - Tues, Nov 10 @ 7:30 PM (MT)

 Please join us via Zoom to discuss Telemachus by Jim Shepard.

Find it on page 232 of the Best American Short Stories 2017.

Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89726732176?pwd=d2lsMHhTRU9VcjZNVHBzZXlRSkRRQT09#success

Zoom discussion - Tues, Oct 27 @ 7:30 PM (MT)

Please join us to discuss Utopia.  We have selections from Thomas More and a poem.

Find both starting on page 15 of Imperfect Ideal: Utopian and Dystopian Vision – Great Books Foundation.

Zoom Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89726732176?pwd=d2lsMHhTRU9VcjZNVHBzZXlRSkRRQT09#su

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Utopia by Wislawa Szymborska

 Island where all becomes clear.

Solid ground beneath your feet.

The only roads are those that offer access.

 Bushes bend beneath the weight of proofs.

The Tree of Valid Supposition grows here
with branches disentangled since time immemorial.

The Tree of Understanding, dazzlingly straight and simple,
sprouts by the spring called Now I Get It.

The thicker the woods, the vaster the vista:
the Valley of Obviously.

If any doubts arise, the wind dispels them instantly.

Echoes stir unsummoned
and eagerly explain all the secrets of the worlds.

On the right a cave where Meaning lies.

On the left the Lake of Deep Conviction.
Truth breaks from the bottom and bobs to the surface.

Unshakable Confidence towers over the valley.
Its peak offers an excellent view of the Essence of Things.

For all its charms, the island is uninhabited,
and the faint footprints scattered on its beaches
turn without exception to the sea.

As if all you can do here is leave
and plunge, never to return, into the depths.

Into unfathomable life.

Zoom discussion: Tues, Oct 13 @ 7:30 PM, (MT)

 Please join us to discuss Novostroika by Maria Reva.  

Find it on page 219 of The Best American Short Stories - 2017.

On line: Fiction: Novostroïka

Fiction: Novostroïka

Here is the Zoom link:

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting

Meeting ID: 897 2673 2176

Password: books

Maria Reva has this story as the first chapter in her new book:

Wednesday, Sept 30 @ 7:30 PM (MT) via Zoom

 With a debate on Tuesday, we are meeting on Wednesday to discuss The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas.  Find it on page one of Imperfect Ideal: Utopian and Dystopian Vision – Great Books Foundation.

Here is the Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89726732176?pwd=d2lsMHhTRU9VcjZNVHBzZXlRSkRRQT09

Meeting ID: 897 2673 2176
Password: books

Schedule Update (29 Sept meeting moved to Wednesday 30 Sept)

Beginning Imperfect Ideal next meeting.

 

Tues, Sept 15 @ 7:30 PM (MT) via Zoom

Join us to discuss Last Day on Earth by Eric Puchner.

Find it on page 202 of The Best American Short Stories - 2017

Zoom Link:

Zoom link:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89726732176?pwd=d2lsMHhTRU9VcjZNVHBzZXlRSkRRQT09 

Password: books 

Imagine what it might be like for a boy, one who tragically idolizes his father, to accompany his mother to the pound to have two dogs she could not care for put down.  The father had left for a younger woman and left his aging hunting dogs behind.  

Tues, Sept 1 @ 7:30 PM (MT) via Zoom

Join us to discuss Out Here, No One Can Hear You Scream by Kathryn Joyce.

Is it possible to overcome the dangerous culture of male entitlement and sexual hostility hiding within America's national parks and forests?

Find it on page 253 of The Best Science & Nature Writing - 2017.

On line read it is at: 

https://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/park-rangers/

Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89726732176?pwd=d2lsMHhTRU9VcjZNVHBzZXlRSkRRQT09 

Password: books

cheyenne-portrait

Tues Aug 18th @ 7:30 PM (Denver) "Ancient Rome" by Kyle McCarthy

Join us via Zoom to discuss Ancient Rome by Kyle McCarthy.  

Find it on page 192 of The Best American Short Stories - 2017.

I did not find an online copy.  Here is a link to a review with some selections from the story: https://sloopie72.wordpress.com/2017/12/03/bass-2017-kyle-mccarthy-ancient-rome-from-american-short-fiction-62/

Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89726732176?pwd=d2lsMHhTRU9VcjZNVHBzZXlRSkRRQT09  

Schedule Update:

Zoom Tues, Aug 4 @ 7:30 PM (Denver): Unfriendly Climate

Folks,

Please join us to discuss Unfriendly Climate by Sonia Smith.

Zoom Link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89726732176?pwd=d2lsMHhTRU9VcjZNVHBzZXlRSkRRQT09.

Find it on page 296 of The Best American Science and Nature Writing - 2017.

On Line: https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/katharine-hayhoe-lubbock-climate-change-evangelist/

You may want to watch the Bill Moyers interview with Dr Hayhoe. https://www.pbs.org/video/moyers-company-climate-change-faith-and-fact/

Moyers & Company | Climate Change: Faith and Fact | Season 3 | Episode 36 Scientist Katharine Hayhoe on ending the gridlock between politics, science and faith.

Zoom meeting: July 21 @ 7:30 PM (Denver time)

Join us to discuss Let’s Go to the Videotape by Fiona Maazel.
Find it on page 181 of Best American Short Stories – 2017.
On line: https://harpers.org/archive/2016/06/lets-go-to-the-videotape/

Zoom Link: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89726732176?pwd=d2lsMHhTRU9VcjZNVHBzZXlRSkRRQT09.

Schedule:

Zoom Meeting: July 7 @ 7:30 PM

Please join us to discuss "The Man Who Gave Himself Away" by Michael Regnie.

Find it on page 285 of The Best American Science & Nature Writing -- 2017

Read it on line at: https://mosaicscience.com/story/George-Price-altruism-equation/

Interesting discussion of George Price 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMpJHxzenTI

Zoom Link: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89726732176?pwd=d2lsMHhTRU9VcjZNVHBzZXlRSkRRQT09.

Zoom Meeting June 23 @ 7:30 PM

Please join us to discuss "Gabe Dove" by Sonya Larson.

Find it on page 164 of The Best American Short Stories -- 2017

I could not find a free link to the story on-line.

Zoom Link: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89726732176?pwd=d2lsMHhTRU9VcjZNVHBzZXlRSkRRQT09

Zoom Meeting June 9 @ 7:30 PM

Here are some more links related to this discussion:

https://cloudappreciationsociety.org/

https://www.ted.com/talks/gavin_pretor_pinney_cloudy_with_a_chance_of_joy

https://cloudatlas.wmo.int/en/home.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjPoWpkBzmM

Join us via Zoom to discuss The Amateur Cloud Society That (Sort Of) Rattled the Scientific Community By Jon Mooallem.

Find it on page 271 of The Best American Science and Nature Writing - 2017.

Zoom link:

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting now

Meeting ID: 897 2673 2176

Password: books

Read it on line at https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/08/magazine/the-amateur-cloud-society-that-sort-of-rattled-the-scientific-community.html

Zoom Meeting: May 26 @ 7:30 PM

Please join us to discuss "Richard of York Gave Battle in Vain" by Danielle Evans.

Find it on page 107 of The Best American Short Stories -- 2017

Learn more about us at: http://greatbookssedenver.blogspot.com/.

Zoom link: Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/89726732176?pwd=d2lsMHhTRU9VcjZNVHBzZXlRSkRRQT09

Meeting ID: 897 2673 2176

Password: books

Discussion of the story, but not the full text:
 https://sloopie72.wordpress.com/2017/11/07/bass-2017-danielle-evans-richard-of-york-gave-battle-in-vain-from-american-short-fiction-63/

Zoom Meeting May 12 @ 7:30 PM

Please join us to discuss "He Fell in Love with his Grad Student – Then Fired Her for It" by Azeen Ghorayshi.

Find it on page 234 of The Best American Science & Nature Writing -- 2017

Read it on line at: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/azeenghorayshi/ott-harassment-investigation

First 40 min: 

Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71864189789?pwd=MmdleEVBSUg2YllObUJsbkhvbkpNQT09 Meeting ID: 718 6418 9789 Password: ymK2v9

Second 40 min: 

Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78200043042?pwd=YnBoSDlLYVpydzZTc2Z6Mmt3V1ZZUT09 Meeting ID: 782 0004 3042 Password: 1b0713

Zoom meeting: Apr 28 @ 7:30 PM

Please join us to discuss Campoamor by Patricia Engel.
Find it on page 92 of Best American Short Stories – 2017 edited by Meg Wolitzer

First 40 Min Zoom meeting starting at 7:30 PM:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78763660263

Meeting ID: 787 6366 0263

Second 40 Min Zoom meeting starting after 8 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71371143094

Meeting ID: 713 7114 3094

Campoamor interior

Location in Havana - red box

Zoom meeting Tuesday, April 14 @ 7:30 PM

Please join us to discuss "Inside The Breakthrough Starshot Mission to Alpha Centauri" by Amy Finkbeiner .

Find it on page 223 of The Best American Science & Nature Writing -- 2017

Find the article on line at  https://forums.sherdog.com/threads/space-tech-exploration-discussion-nasa-not-sure-the-way-spacex-fuels-its-rockets-is-safe.3439139/page-3

Zoom has a 40 min limit for those of us who use it free.

Metting 1 of 3

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/965351277

Meeting 2 of 3

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/237424641

Metting 3 of 3 if needed

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/669085988

Zoom meeting Tues, Mar 31 @ 7:30 PM MDT

Lets discuss Tally by Noy Holland via Zoom next Tuesday.  

Use this link to Join the Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/780778917?pwd=Uko4L2hYNnpQU0dIWlhWWGxhcFZFZz09

Find it on page 162 of The Best American Short Stories - 2017. 

Updated schedule with many changes
from previous versions.

Zoom Meeting, Thurs, Mar 26 @ 7:30 PM MDT

Thanks to Zoom, we should be able to discuss "Woman Who Might Find Us Another Earth" by Chris Jones.  

Just before 7:30 PM, Mar 26 use this link to join the discussion: 

Join Zoom Meeting part 1 limited to 40 Minutes

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/818492994

If after 40 minutes we still want to continue, join part 2

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/449776613

We will not be able to discuss "Woman Who Might Find Us Another Earth" by Chris Jones.  Instead, enjoy reading it on your own and viewing some videos of Sara Seager.

Find it on page 241 of The Best American Science & Nature Writing -- 2017

Read it on line at: The Woman Who Might Find Us Another Earth

The Woman Who Might Find Us Another Earth The star-crossed life of Sara Seager, an astrophysicist obsessed with discovering distant worlds.

Sara Seager: How Close Are We To Finding Life On Another Planet?

Sara Seager - MacArthur Foundation

Sara Seager - MacArthur Foundation

I will let you know when we are able to resume meeting.

Tues, Mar 3 @ 7:30 PM

Please join us to discuss "The Chicane" by Amy Hempel.

Find it on page 157 of The Best American Short Stories -- 2017

SNOW CANCELLATION - Wednesday, Feb 19 @ 7:30 PM

Please join us to discuss "He Fell in Love with his Grad Student – Then Fired Her for It" by Azeen Ghorayshi.

Find it on page 234 of The Best American Science & Nature Writing -- 2017

Read it on line at: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/azeenghorayshi/ott-harassment-investigation

Tues, Feb 4 @ 7:30 PM

Please join us to discuss "The Midnight Zone" by Lauren Groff.

Find it on page 147 of The Best American Short Stories -- 2017

Read it on line at:  https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/05/23/the-midnight-zone-by-lauren-groff

CANCELLED - I have no voice -- Tues, Jan 21 @ 7:30 PM

Look for this 4 Aug 2020 when I do the next schedule update.

Please join us to discuss "Inside The Breakthrough Starshot Mission to Alpha Centauri" by Amy Finkbeiner .
Find it on page 223 of The Best American Science & Nature Writing -- 2017.

Tues, Jan 7 @ 7:30 PM

Please join us to discuss "Ugly" by Mary Gordon.

Find it on page 126 of The Best American Short Stories -- 2017

Download a PDF copy of "Ugly" from https://yalereview.yale.edu/volume-104-1