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Welcome to: THE JAMES BURKE FAN COMPANION NEWSLETTER 12 - DECEMBER 2002:
This newsletter and previous ones are available on-line as web pages at: Please pass this newsletter along to other James Burke enthusiasts you know about, who may be unaware of its existence. DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this newsletter comes from a wide variety of sources and is selected for publication solely by the newsletter's editor/creator Tom Palmer. It is the editor's intent to address the common interests of the individuals who appreciate Mr. Burke's public offerings and to supply them with information that relates to any topic Mr. Burke has covered. Please be advised that James Burke does NOT necessarily endorse or associate himself with the information or organizations mentioned in the James Burke Fan Companion website and periodic e-mail news updates. Likewise, the information contained in this publication does NOT necessarily represent the views and opinions of Mr. Burke.
Welcome to the 12th issue of the James Burke Fan Companion news update. Well, this month things are pretty quiet on the James Burke front. We are all quietly waiting for Mr. Burke's next book to hit the shelves and James does not appear to have any speaking engagements planned until August of next year. Seeing as how I have not heard from Mr. Burke or the Knowledge Web development team recently, I can only imagine that things are progressing smoothly behind the scenes. Therefore, this newsletter is going to be very light in content. So, I suggest that you attend to the holiday season and have a wonderful time!
BURKE NEWS The only important news I have for readers is that James will be having a birthday on December 22nd. So, on behalf of me and all of the newsletter readers, Happy Birthday James!!! May you have many more.
--------- There is a distinct void in Mr. Burke's speaking schedule for a while. I suspect that engagements will appear from time to time to fill in the gaps. But for the moment, we may have to wait until August to hear Mr. Burke's stimulating voice in person. 08/02/03: Salt Lake City Public Library 10/07/03: Presbyterian College
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--------- Mr. Burke does have an informational website in place now that begins to describe the Knowledge Web project. You can visit it at: The K-Web site was updated with more information and a demo a few months back. Go have a look if you are new to the project or have not been to the site in a while. As always, Mr. Burke would appreciate help from Graduate Students and Academics in researching some of the 2200 biographies for the online Knowledge Web project. If you know anyone who would like to volunteer their time to this fantastic project, please send an e-mail to the K-Web team leader, Patrick McKercher at:
TV SCHEDULE (UPCOMING) So, it appears that the Connections series of programs have become a semi-permanent feature on the (Discovery) Science Channel. I think everyone will be pleased with that situation. You can see Connections 2 & 3 on The (Discovery) Science Channel through December!
Connections 2 - The Science Channel - Now thru at least Dec. 28, 2002
Connections 3 - The Science Channel - Now thru at least Dec. 26, 2002
Note: I do not know if either Connections series will be played in proper sequence or if the eventual final episodes scheduled will be the actual final episode for each series. Therefore, if you are planning to videotape these programs, don't necessarily wait for the beginning episodes to cycle through.
WAYS TO COMMUNICATE Below are the links that James Burke fans can use to communicate with one another. I am happy to see that some people are now using these resources on a regular basis. alt.fan.james-burke groups.yahoo.com/group/connectionswithjamesburke/
WEBMASTER NEWS As for me, I have recently left Kansas City and have deposited myself back in the inspiring seaside village of LaJolla, CA. For the moment, I am trying to get reorganized, so I unfortunately don't have much time to devote to my James Burke site, newsletter or other related interests. This is another reason that this particular issue will be brief.
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS FROM READERS "Happy Birthday James Burke. The caterpillar sees its world from the ground. The butterfly sees its world from the air. In a world where you're either on the ground or up in the clouds, you have allowed us to experience both at the same time. You have shown us that very rare thing: unique perspective. And for that, we as a species are eternally grateful to you. Happy Birthday. Enjoy."
Sincerely, --------- "All I can say is best wishes, many more birthdays to come, and fondest regards." With love from Anna Johnson, Memphis, Tennessee. --------- "Mr Burke, you helped stimulate my passion for history when I saw your program, you got me into SciAm when I serendipitously discovered your column, and my joy when I discovered you had written books as well knew no bounds. Have a fab birthday!"
Cheers
LINKS OF INTEREST TO BURKE FANS In previous issues, I have bombarded readers with lengthy lists of webpages that related to Mr. Burke and his favorite subjects. This month, due to my personal time restraints, I only have one entry for you. I think those of you who have an interest in playing computer games will find the following quite fascinating and very Burke-like. While staying at my cousin Tony's apartment here in San Diego, I happened to come across him while he was occupied with a game on his computer. It was called Civilization (version 3) and is one of those "sim" games where you construct a situation in an environment. In this case, you are trying to create a world civilization from scratch. You begin with a very primitive situation and evolve the society over time. You go from axes and bows to atomic weapons and space stations. Sound familiar? This game is highly complex and there is plenty of information on how a virtual society might progress in the devlopment of its culture and technological resources. I found it to have a lot of similarities to both the Connections programs and The Day The Universe Changed. So, if you get a chance, I recommend that you try it out, or at least find someone who will give you a demonstration. The official game site link is below. Sid Meier's Civilization 3 computer game
A TRIP TO THE BOOKSTORE Sadly to say, December has not produced very many eye-catching history or technology books. But, I did roam around LaJolla for a few days and came up with a selection or two that might be of some interest. Genius: A Mosaic of One Hundred Exemplary Creative Minds - Harold Bloom The History of Pirates - Angus Konstam Unknown Lands: The Log Books of the Great Explorers - Francois Beller Lost Civilizations: Rediscovery Ancient Sites Through New Technology - Austen Atkinson Evolutionary Wars: The Battle of Species on Land, at Sea, and in the Air - Levy The Complete Book of Spaceflight: From Apollo 1 to Zero Gravity - David Darling Full Moon - Michael Light Spoon - from Phaidon
EBAY LISTINGS (CURRENTLY UP FOR SALE) As found on eBay Dec. 16, 2002 www.ebay.com --------- BOOKS
Connections - 1 copy
--------- Connections: A Mind Game - 6 copies
DVD, VIDEO, BOOK, AUDIOBOOK LIST (ORDER ON-LINE) --------- DVDS
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--------- The Axemaker's Gift: Technology's Capture and Control of Our Minds and Culture Circles: Fifty Round-Trips Through History, Technology, Science, Culture Twin Tracks: The Unexpected Origins of the Modern World
--------- The Axemaker's Gift: A Double -Edged History of Human Culture
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