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Sacred Techs is up!

I am very pleased to announce that the first post and podcast of Sacred Techs are now up! (The podcast is even available via iTunes.) This site is a collaboration between myself and Dr. Robert Cargill. We describe the site as, “posts and podcasts relevant to the study of things ancient using things very modern.”

With “Sacred Techs” we wanted to bring together information focused upon using technology in the real of biblical and ancient studies. It will be periodically updated, on a monthly basis at the least, with articles and interviews on various topics around this general theme. We are very hopeful that others will be willing to contribute to the site, there are many within the world of online ancient studies who are very (and more) adept in these areas, many who are creating the very technology that we will be reviewing, citing, and discussing. This is particularly true if you use something other than Apple products and MacOS, iOS, or Android software. It is not that we are prejudiced against other platforms, but the reality is that Robert and I both tend to use those products and platforms. If you are interested in contributing please drop us a line or leave a comment!

So welcome to Sacred Techs and stay tuned for what we hope will be a great year. First up on the podcast (see below!) is an introductory discussion and then we will follow up with a few interviews from 2011 SBL. Be sure to let us know whom you would like to hear us interview and what products you would like reviewed or compared.

Please do send us your suggestions so that we can make this site as useful as possible for everyone. @bbib already sent a great one via twitter:

@Targuman @sacredtechs @xkv8r Here’s one. How can Bible software help non-experts evaluate translations as never before? Long term effects?

What is your suggestion?

Eighth Annual Ralphies are up!

Dec 30th, 2011

by Christian Brady.

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My friend and colleague Ed Cook is the author of Ralph the Sacred River and the Eighth Annual Ralphies are up! Go and see what his picks for books, music, and movies are this year. As usual, I do not feel that I have much to offer in terms of top reading, listening, and viewing, but I will give it a go anyway.

In terms of music, one year I said that I had stumbled across The Shins and was told that was “old” and that I was way too behind. Oh well. (Still like them, BTW.) I followed the world to Esperanza Spalding and do not regret joining that bandwagon for a minute! If you like jazz, give her a try. (Close runner up: Renaud Garcia-Fons.)

As are as books are concerned, I read a lot this year, but most of it seemed to be strategic plans, thesis proposal forms, and applications. My pick is an oldie but a goodie, made better by the fact that I read it with my 7-year old son. The Hobbit is a classic and I am eager to see the new movie adaptation. But the fact that a novel with no images kept a 6, then 7 year old occupied and captivated speaks volumes in today’s context of iPads and iPods. In non-fiction I will strongly recommend Wrong: Why experts* keep failing us–and how to know when not to trust them *Scientists, finance wizards, doctors, relationship gurus, celebrity CEOs, … consultants, health officials and more by David Freedman. First, there hasn’t been a title like that since 1792. Second, it is a great study in “critical thinking” (and the lack thereof) and perfect for classes, even if it is not terribly penetrating. (I doubt that you will learn anything new, but it is nice to have someone else do the homework for you.)

Finally, I was unable to see many movie in the theatre but Netflix, iTunes, and Comcast have been my friend. I can whole heartedly name Cowboys & Aliens as my top pick. There were some fun animated and “hero” movies this year, but the combination of my two favorite genres (leaving out only spies, and Daniel Craig covers that with his presence) made C&A an easy favorite. Great fun and a nice twist on classic movies, with enough nods to antecedents to keep geeks thoroughly engaged. (Super 8 was a nice runner up for me and is Ed’s pick, but JJ Abrams would you please cut it out with the lens flare already!)

So, those are mine, or at least are a few that come to mind. What are yours? Go let Ed know at Ralph the Sacred River.

To blog or not to blog

Nov 1st, 2011

by Christian Brady.

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Is not really a question. I will blog, but on what and how frequently? Right now my schedule is ridiculously busy with my job (that thing which enables me to support my family and habits like registering useless domain names) which, during the semester, involves all sorts of other things aside from doing research. So if anyone is still reading, I apologize for my diminished production on any subject other than photography. I will return to things relating to biblical and rabbinic literature (and the occasional church issue) in the near future. Likely just in time for SBL.

See you in San Francisco and don’t forget to register your preference of time and location for a biblioblog meet up.

I also want to thank Thomas Verenna for the shout out regarding the upcoming announcement of Sacred Techs on November’s Biblical Studies Carnival: The Undead Edition.

Once more, what makes a biblioblogger?

Jul 11th, 2011

by Christian Brady.

5 comments

Scott Bailey brings up this nagging question and Jim responds with his usual…rhetoric. I am not going to try and answer the question (by most definitions I might well not be included as one), but I am going to ask, when was it that so many self-defined bibliobloggers became the TMZ or Perez Hilton or the religious world?

Perhaps we should have a new category, “The National BiblioEnquirer” for those who post solely about other stories that inflame, irritate, or otherwise make their undergarments get scrunched into uncomfortable shapes.

Anyone remember Phil. 4:8?

Suggestions for the August Biblical Studies Carnival (and why I am out)

Jul 8th, 2011

by Christian Brady.

5 comments

"Sun Setting on the Left" (No, it is not a political statement.)

To all those who enjoy the Biblical Studies Carnivals and care what is represented in them I encourage you to go over to Daniel McClellan’s site and post or email him your suggestions. I may send some links, but I won’t be hosting any more carnivals.

I know this topic has come up in the past and I want to emphasize that I am not doing this in a huff or out of anger (although it is out of frustration). In fact, I feel that, for me, the BS Carnival is both more relevant and less useful all at once. When we began, some of us 7+ years ago, there were just a handful of bibliobloggers. Then there were dozens and we needed some way to keep up, a nice summary of what was shaking in the bibliobloggersphere. But now we have hundreds and there is no way to keep up.

The BS Carnival is a helpful, handy collection of links to some of what is going on in the biblioblogging world. But it is not representative. I don’t see how it can be. It is always what the host has read or gathered by suggestions. As we saw last month, when none of the suggestions are from a particular group then it runs the risk of seeming biased. (It is true, there were almost no blog posts on exegetical matters, aside from translational issues. You never want to tick off exegetes.)

So while I will be reading and will link to the monthly carnivals since I do find them useful, I will not be volunteering to host them in the future. Which is also a good thing since it will allow others to host and bring their own perspective and selection to the mix.

The Carnival is dead, long live the Carnival!