Radiate and Dance

I dunno why I chose this as the title of my song - maybe because I am divided in the question on synthetic music. In any case, this is my first ever fully synthetic piece. Still, I tried to keep it sounding somewhat natural, which was surprisingly difficult.

Song was made as a part of the course "Introduction to Music Technology" at Carnegie Mellon. We used the software Reason.

Why Breivik may still win

After the horrendous attacks in Oslo and Utøya, Norway has been united in hope and sorrow. Our leaders have repeatedly stressed that we will remain an open and friendly society, and that we should not be frightened. "The answer to the attacks must be more democracy and more openness," said our PM Stoltenberg repeatedly in the news, sincerely and well intended. "If not, then those who were behind this will have achieved their goal." The terrorist seemingly doesn't want democracy or openness; but in response to his terror, that is seemingly exactly what we are going to give him.

But: the entire argument may be upside down.

It could be that Breivik felt that his voice was ignored. It could be that Breivik were angered and frustrated that his viewpoints were locked out of the public debate. It could be that the cultural conservative ideologists and Islam-critics actually want more openness and democracy. Now, Stoltenberg is claiming that we will meet this attack with more openness and democracy. However, it might be the case that the viewpoints of cultural conservative ideologists and Islam-critics are even more stigmatized and outlawed than ever. Yes, it might even be the case that such stigmatized people will be angered and frustrated.

There is no basis for democracy when all patriots and nationalists are ignored, ridiculed or persecuted.
- Anders Behring Breivik

First of all, a word about the opinions of terrorist Anders Behring Breivik: they are not wildly uncommon. Surely, Breivik is going way far in his manifesto, and to most of us he would also be an unpleasant encounter in an internet debate. But the general idea that Islam is dangerous and growing in the West at an alarming rate is not uncommon. The idea that we should revitalize Christianity in the West on the expense of Islam and in some cases secularism is not uncommon. And the arguments that the most sophisticated among the cultural conservatives are perpetuating are not as stupid or ungrounded as the left-center spectrum of politicians and commentators portray them to be.

This fact should not disturb any of us more than just slightly. Because even though they are many, they are averagely sensible and empathetic people. Heck, they might even have a point or two. Unfortunately however, there is already a certain stigma towards cultural conservatives, something that by nature screws up the brains of the people in question; if you isolate a voice from the debate, its viewpoints will miss the corrections from other ideas, and will grow to a beast like a forsaken hedge. It may create for itself an entirely isolated worldview.

Screenshot from Breivik's
YouTube video

Breivik had obviously lost his faith that traditional politics in Norway would have any effect, and his worldview had had the time and space to grow into something very different than ours. He even came so far as to see himself as a sort of commanding templar knight in his own fairytale. But Stoltenberg is wrong when he suggests that the terrorist did not want democracy at all. In his manifesto, Breivik underscores that he indeed supports democracy, but also that the democracy of today is not legit. His reason is primarily that schools and media are biased, so that cultural conservatives like him are ridiculed and locked out of public debate. Such arguments are clear signs that he feels stigmatized by the power elite.

Still, cultural conservatives are being further stigmatized by this event as we speak. In many of the speeches that are held, people are condemning not only Breivik's horrendous actions, but also his political opinions. In times of sincere sorrow they forget that a significant amount of people have similar views to Breivik, and that they too may be mourning over this terrible tragedy. I only see that such speeches will stigmatize and isolate the broader group of cultural conservatives further. (The spirit of unity and brotherly love that this country is experiencing right now does not really welcome everybody, does it?) I fear that such an atmosphere could indeed recruit more extremist templar knights. Then Breivik will win.

So in light of the applauded stand of our Prime Minister, I find it ironic and slightly troubling how sincere voices on the relatively sane side of politics are advocating that Breivik's manifesto should be ridiculed and silenced. Google is even working on changes in its algorithm that will make it difficult to locate the manifesto online! This is precisely the opposite of what Stoltenberg was celebrated for suggesting as a response, namely more openness and more democracy. This feels more like censorship and manipulation.

I suggest that we actually follow up the words of our dear Prime Minister. I suggest that we indeed meet this tragedy with openness and democracy. Then let us not embrace tools of censorship and surveillance, but rather remember that more openness and democracy includes welcoming both cultural conservatives and fundamentalist Muslims to the honest debate. This, I suggest to you, is the better way to fight violent extremism.


More:
Warrior of Agape: Is Anders Behring Breivik a Christian?
Dr Robert Ford: What do we know about Anders Behring Breivik? Very little

Is Anders Behring Breivik a Christian?

My simple and uneducated reflections on the Oslo bombing and shooting at Utøya, the terrorist Anders Behring Breivik, his manifest, his religion, and Christianity.

When I first heard about the Oslo bombing last Friday, I was afraid. I was afraid it was some sort of fundamentalist Muslim who had done it. I genuinely hoped it was not by Muslims. I was afraid that the Norwegian society would become paranoid and hateful if it was. So in some sense, I was relived as the Muslim theory became less and less likely, and eventually culminated when a friend posted his name and profile on Facebook: Anders Behring Breivik
I have long suspected that ultra-conservative Christianity is of equal concern to public safety as Muslim fundamentalism is. Though not surprised, I was outraged and deeply saddened. Maybe even more than I would have been had it been Muslims.

Of course, I told myself, this man cannot truly be a Christian. That was the reaction of some of my pastor friends on Facebook as well. "The atrocity in Norway is not the action of someone who has a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ," said one, another said, "I do not acknowledge him as a brother, because his actions clearly shows that he is not a Christian, that is, a follower of Jesus Christ." A third pastor stated, "He was as much a Christian as he was a policeman," referring to his costume during the massacre.

I decided I could not conclude with any of that yet, though I of course appreciated the idea. Well, it could actually be that Breivik was a man of serious faith, such as the Christian fundamentalist Scott Roeder who killed an abortion doctor on 30 May 2009. His victim was only one of eight people killed over the abortion issue in the US in the last two decades. We thus have enough examples of people of devote faith that are being violent in deed, heart or word by today's standards. Not to mention the many screwed up ideas that Christianity, including popes, "church fathers," and devotees, has had over the last millennia and a half. I could not be certain.

At some point I decided to find out what Breivik said about the matter himself. I started by watching his 12-minute video introduction to his manifesto. About ten minutes into the video, I found signs of what I was looking for, where Breivik is distinguishing his organisation "Knights Templar" from other Christian organizations:

  KT is a “cultural Christian” (Christian Identity) military order and NOT a “religious Christian” (Christian fundamentalist) organization. Logic and reason will always take precedence over biblical texts. KT is open for members from all denominations of Christendom, even agnostic and atheist Christians. Our Christian profile does not mean that we oppose Odinism or Odinistic principles. KT believe Odinism make out a central and important part of Northern European culture and traditions.

We thus start to see that maybe my pastors were right in their immediate analyze of Breivik. Reading in the manifesto, the culturality/secularity of Breivik's Christendom is repeated, and he is also citing entire articles in which the nationalist blogger Fjordman is discussing whether Christianity is supporting or opposing "the issue." Fjordman is underlining his non-religious standpoint in the discussion many times, and in sum I think it is pretty safe to assume that also Breivik embraced this position. It is clear that Fjordman is less concerned with the actual truth-value to a religion, and far more interested in its practical effects. These are excerpts of what Fjordman is writing:

  Although not a religious person myself, I am usually in favor of a revitalisation of Christianity in Europe. However, I sometimes have my doubts when I see how many, too many, church leaders consistently end up on the wrong side of issues related to Islam and Muslim immigration.
Fjordman, The Church – Part of the Problem or Part of the Solution?

  As long as there is separation between religion and state, those of us who don't have any religious belief should prefer religions which tend to create reasonable and prosperous communities. Our traditional Judeo-Christian religions have proven this capability. Islam never has, and probably never will.
Fjordman, Thou Shalt Hate Christianity and Judaism

(I would like to pause for a moment and consider the role of Fjordman and other unaware contributors to Breivik's manifesto. Remember how sometimes it feels embarrassing if someone of your friends or one in your family does something inappropriate, like, your little sister refusing to eat the food in a fine dinner? Remember how I felt angrier with Breivik than I would have felt with Muslim terrorists? Now consider how angry Fjordman must be about Breivik killing his own people and thus bringing great disgrace to their names and reputation. So even when we strongly disagree with him, let us not blame him for an act of violence he probably hates and condemns.)

In Breivik's manifesto, he himself makes a point out of the difference between cultural Christendom and religious Christendom. In the words of Breivik himself:

  If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and God then you are a religious Christian. Myself and many more like me do not necessarily have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and God. We do however believe in Christianity as a cultural, social, identity and moral platform. This makes us Christian.
(p. 1309)

Thus, I can conclude with pretty high certainty that this man is not a Christian in my and most people's sense of the word. As it turns out, I am even the worst kind of Christian this guy can imagine:

  The pacifist/suicidal Christians must never be allowed to dominate the church again which one of the reasons why I personally believe that the protestant Church in Europe should once again should reform to become Catholic.

(I think by suicidal we can assume someone who is willing to give up his own life and rights and rather turns the other cheek :-)

Despite that Brevik underlines his unreligious Christianity, he does include an extensive theological defence for the use of force and sword, primarily based on the Old Testament (with a few weak supporting verses from the New Testament). He goes on to discuss how he planned to become religious in time of fear, somewhat as the rational thing to do.

  If praying will act as an additional mental boost/soothing it is the pragmatical thing to do. I guess I will find out... If there is a God I will be allowed to enter heaven as all other martyrs for the Church in the past.
  I am pursuing religion for this very reason and everyone else should as well, providing it will give you a mental boost. There is no shame in praying minutes before your death. (...) Sure, many deny God now. But when they're looking death in the face, when they're sick or in an accident or staring down the barrel of a gun, they'll change their mind. They'll beg for God then. There are no atheists in foxholes.
(p. 1346)

Even though it is clear that Breivik was no current follower of Jesus Christ, he were still using the label Christian, and in some sense he used violent theology to justify his actions. The church certainly got some new challenges in regards to liberal hostility. However, I find it comforting to see how an entire population still have been seeking to the church in this difficult time. I am also proud of my government for propagating the true Christian ideals when faced with such horrendous evil.

  Tonight, the streets are filled with love.
  We have chosen to answer cruelty with intimacy.
  We have chosen to answer hatred with brotherhood.
  We have chosen to show what we stand for.
Crown Prince Haakon

  Hatred is an evident feeling. A wish for revenge is a natural reaction.
  But we, Norway, shall not hate. And we shall not seek vengeance.
  We shall stand united. In sorrow, in hope and in faith in what the youth at Utøya fought for: A better society
  (...)
  The Norwegian people have met hatred with love.
Eskil Pedersen

More:
Warrior of Agape: Why Breivik may still win

Everything matters

It matters how it is built. It matters how the electrons are moving through transistor to form gates, final state machines, processors, operation systems and computers for use in industry and in our homes. It matters how the atoms and molecules are holding on to each other to create the taste of pineapple and chocolate. It matters how gravity is holding us in place, and how the speed of light is related to space and time.

Academics matter. Philosophy matters, history matters. Discussions about life, the universe and Douglas Adams matter. Science matters, sociology matters, medicine matters, law matters, computer science matters, yes, even politics matter. At least a little bit. Engineering matters.

It matters if there is an airbag in the car. It matters what energy rating your house has. The quality of the wood; the sharpness of the knife; the accuracy of the pencil; it all matters. How the chair is formed, how hard the mattress is, how many birds you can count on one hand.

It matters how white blood cells and doctors are eager to heal us from terrible diseases. It matters if we wash our hands. It makes a difference if we walk to work, if we take the stairs and where we go hiking. It matters. What we watch on TV, what we buy in the grocery store, what we do for a living.

Who we chose as our friends. Who we chose as our girlfriends and boyfriends. It is actually important. It matters also how we treat our friends. Heck; it matters how we treat our enemies! It matters that we visit grandma. It matters that we say hi on Skype once in a while. Skype matters.

The words we say. The blogs we write, the comments we leave. The conversations we have. Words have matter. As WikiLeaks so eloquently have shown us, words is the most amazing matter. Because words are always more than just words; words are feelings, agendas, love and hatred. Words really matter. But hearts matter even more, for the mouth only speaks what the heart is full of.

Attitude matters. How you dress, what shoes you wear, if you hold your head high when you walk down the street, if you look people in the eyes when you shake their hand. What seat you choose in the bus. What perfume you wear. How much makeup you use. How you do your hair. What tone you use in your voice. How genuine you are when you say you care.

The birds in the sky matters, as do the fish in the sea, the mammals of the earth, the reptiles, the dinosaurs, the bugs, algae, mushrooms, and every tree and every flower. Every star at night, every drop of rain and every ray of sunshine. Everything matters.

You matter.

Can I matter together with you?

Reading Norwegian poems

So, halfway through the semester I decided to take on a new class: Sound recording! It is a really cool class where we get to play around in a really high quality studio, and I already feel like a much better sound engineers than what I was before. The studio is in fact so awesome that it is equipped with a entirely separate power supply from the rest of the building, so that the power drills down in the the wood shop will not disturb our signal! These outlets are yellow, as opposed to the regular white outlets.

Also, we get to use really good microphones and and pre-amps, the recording rooms are super-silent, and so everything is prepared for wonderful recordings. My first real assignment was to read a text in my native language, and then set music to it. Text by Sondre Bratland. Music by Michael W. Smith. Love by Maria.

Michael W. Smith: Freedom

Sondre Bratland: Syng Meg Heim

Questions

Sometimes, questions are easy to answer. Sometimes, people ask me, “What are the control points of this datapath,” or “Where should we eat?” Actually, that last question can be a challenge, because there is so much that should be factored in to the answers. Not only the taste of the food needs to be taken into account, but also your mood, the time of day, the distance, the price, the atmosphere and everything else. But eventually you find an answer. I like those questions.

Other questions can be harder to answer, but interesting to discuss. Such questions would be, “What is the best programming language,” “What classes should I take next semester” or maybe even something existential such as “How can God be good when the world is so evil?” These are questions with answers that not everybody agrees upon, but we might still say that some answers make more sense than others. I like those questions.

Then there are those tough questions. Those questions we don’t like to hear, and don’t want to answer. Those are questions like “How should I respond to this,” or “What am I going to do with myself?” To have the courage to face these questions and to have a humble and loving spirit in dealing with them, I think is more worth than all knowledge and insight and wisdom and debating technique altogether.

TBA was today. My only answer is, “I don’t know. I really don’t.” (The pictures are from last years' approach. What do you think of them?)

The Tartan: TBA

New semester and me

I feel like I am in the right place. I started my third semester at Carnegie Mellon this week, after an amazing summer back home in Norway. I thought it would be terrible to leave home. But it was not. It actually feels really good to be here in Pittsburgh right now. I have a mission here, and I feel good about working towards my degree here. I also have a deep conviction that going home is not far away. I will go home. Soon. And it will be wonderful. But right now, my world is here, it is beautiful, and I am at peace.

I am taking four classes this semester. That is not an awful lot, and the classes neither have a reputation of being awfully difficult. That said, three of my classes are required for my major, so I am not falling far behind by this. The four classes I am taking are:

15-123 Effective Programming in C and UNIX

18-240 Structure and Design of Digital Systems

21-127 Concepts of Mathematics

79-350 Early Christianity

The three first classes are all having a pretty slow start, and I expect them to speed up in the coming weeks. They are also classes that are not very interesting to discuss unless the audience is educated in software, logic or mathematics. Hence, the class material I will discuss here on the blog is mostly limited to Early Christianity. So let me tell you about that course:

We are about twenty students taking the class. I don’t know the various flavours of belief we represent, but a fair guess is that most of us are Christians in some sense or another. I know a few of them from before, but they are mostly strangers to me.

Professor Miller is an historian, and the course is teaching us how to look at the Bible from an historian’s perspective. Miller does not, however, impose on us that the historical perspective is the only correct way to read the Bible, though he certainly would argue that it is a valid way to read the Bible; Jesus may or may not be the Christ, but regardless of your answer to that he is also an undeniable historical figure, and the Jesus movement was also a very true and historical movement. And it is this historical aspect of Jesus and the early church that is under the scope of this course.

As for Miller’s own belief, it is hard to tell exactly what it is. I certainly do not think he is not holding the Bible as infallible, as opposed to what many evangelicals do. However, he has a great respect for Jesus, so either he considers him the one and only Christ, or he considers Jesus as one of many “Christ’s”, or he may also just consider him as a great human being.

You see, historians do not take for granted that what is recorded in the gospels is always a true record. A historian is considering the views and belief of the writer as well. So whenever Jesus claims that he is the Messiah, a historian can opt to believe that those claims were written into Jesus’ words later. Written, of course, in the belief that he actually did say those words, but as any historian would tell you: Human memory is closer to what the brain can make sense of than what actually happened.

To accept this premise does not, however, imply that you cannot believe the gospels are inspired, and that what they tell is mostly true. For what I know, Miller himself may very well believe the gospels are inspired and true. If so, he is just more aware of his own beliefs than most of us are.

Anyways, I think this will be an interesting semester, and I am looking forward to all of it. Oh, and I am also hired by the University as a course assistant in 15-110, which is an introductory programming course in Python. Funny thing, though, I have never used Python before! When I took that course, it was taught in Java (see one of the assignments here). Wish me luck :-)


More:
Joseph H. Lynch: Early Christianity: A Brief History