Ozark Mind Games 2001 Report: Thursday

In the first morning session, Sue Bohlin taught on "Postmodernism and Political Correctness." Sue opened with a confession that "philosophy and logic makes my brain ache, so this is going to be 'Postmodernism for Dummies.'"

The second session for new students was Ray Bohlin's "Views of Science and Earth History."

The second session for alumni was Todd Kappelman's "Flow of Western Culture." Todd used a combination of art slides to demonstrate how art and philosophy mirror each other throughout the ages. He drew his world-famous timeline to help the students peg the shifts in thinking from Plato to the present.

(Click on each picture for a bigger view.)

Todd and Sue led a lively discussion on modesty based on Wendy Shalit's book A Return to Modesty. We talked about what is embarrassing, in both behavior and dress. Because most of the students won't see each other again, there was a freedom to be honest and direct in a way that many of them had never experienced before. So the guys shared how difficult it was to deal with the immodesty of female dress in things like tight and low-cut tops, short shorts and skirts, and backless tops and dresses. The girls asked questions about what specifically was questionable, and then talked some to the guys about the hurtful impact of men's use of pornography.

During the discussion on modesty, the subject of hugging came up. Here, Rick Wade demonstrates that if a girl hugs a guy with her arms around his neck and then leaves them there, fluttering her eyelashes up at him, that is just too hard for guys to keep their responses in check.

The Ozark Conference Center sponsored a coffeehouse during the afternoon free time for anyone to come sing, recite poetry, tell jokes, or any kind of performance.

Carey Wiese playing and singing.