Inspirations Part II

Just thought I would share a few other photos that are inspiring me in terms of both my life and style:

Timothy Olyphant as Raylan Givins in Justified. I really love this show, the first season was great, and I think the style here of Raylan is interesting. southern Federal Agent Gentleman in Kentucky. I don't think I can pull of the Stetson in my neck of the woods but the mix of nice jeans, a good patterened button-down and blazer suits me I think. Its a look that works very well in Academia, especially if you are a young guy. Its also relatively cheap when done through thrift shopping. The most expensive part tends to be the jeans, hard for me to find good jeans at thrift shops that are in good shape.

Timothy Olyphant again as Sheriff Seth Bullock in HBO's too short lived (3 seasons) Deadwood. Raylan is a very similar character, and Olyphant does the stoic lawman archetype very well IMO. There are some things about this "Old West" style that I love, especially the prevalence of waistcoats, boots, and suspenders. Not much I can directly incorporate but I find it inspiring nonetheless. Also good inspiration in life. Bullock had a temper that sometimes made him act rashly, but he always stood up for what he thought was right, regardless of the consequences. I dig that. A lesson for any modern gentleman.

Neil Caffrey from Whitecollar. He rocks a very sophisticated wardrobe with a leaning towards 60's vintage styles and I really love it. I can't get away with wearing suits everyday to work, especially as a grad student, but I do like the thought of dressing this way every day. At least I can pull in some elements and definitely rock it for those occasions where a suit is appropriate.


I was also looking for some photos of Tom Hardy as Eames in Inception but not having much luck finding any good ones. The styling and wardrobe in Inception were particularly good, lots of stuff I liked there.

Copenhagen Declaration on Religion in Public Life

Not my usual post for this blog, but posting it here nonetheless :

The recent Gods and Politics conference in Copenhagen adopted the following Declaration on Religion in Public Life. The conference was the first European event of Atheist Alliance International, and was co-hosted by AAI and the Danish Atheist Society.

We, at the World Atheist Conference: "Gods and Politics", held in Copenhagen from 18 to 20 June 2010, hereby declare as follows:We recognize the unlimited right to freedom of conscience, religion and belief, and that freedom to practice one's religion should be limited only by the need to respect the rights of others.

• We submit that public policy should be informed by evidence and reason, not by dogma.

• We assert the need for a society based on democracy, human rights and the rule of law. History has shown that the most successful societies are the most secular.

• We assert that the only equitable system of government in a democratic society is based on secularism: state neutrality in matters of religion or belief, favoring none and discriminating against none.

• We assert that private conduct, which respects the rights of others should not be the subject of legal sanction or government concern.

• We affirm the right of believers and non-believers alike to participate in public life and their right to equality of treatment in the democratic process.

• We affirm the right to freedom of expression for all, subject to limitations only as prescribed in international law - laws which all governments should respect and enforce. We reject all blasphemy laws and restrictions on the right to criticize religion or nonreligious life stances.

• We assert the principle of one law for all, with no special treatment for minority communities, and no jurisdiction for religious courts for the settlement of civil matters or family disputes.

• We reject all discrimination in employment (other than for religious leaders) and the provision of social services on the grounds of race, religion or belief, gender, class, caste or sexual orientation.

• We reject any special consideration for religion in politics and public life, and oppose charitable, tax-free status and state grants for the promotion of any religion as inimical to the interests of non-believers and those of other faiths. We oppose state funding for faith schools.

• We support the right to secular education, and assert the need for education in critical thinking and the distinction between faith and reason as a guide to knowledge, and in the diversity of religious beliefs. We support the spirit of free inquiry and the teaching of science free from religious interference, and are opposed to indoctrination, religious or otherwise.

Adopted by the conference, Copenhagen, 20 June 2010.

Please circulate this as widely as you can among people and groups who advocate a secular society.