2007/12/15 New York, NY
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The only commodity

In Boston

Over dinner in Brooklyn a friend of mine remarked: “In Boston even the atheists are believers.” Whereas in New York the only commodity is money i.e. trade.
Maybe, I don’t know Boston too well. But yes, atheists can be believers, very much so.
What exactly makes a believer a believer -- the willingness to die or to kill for his belief? Or maybe it is the refusal to accept that his belief is part of a game, a fear of doubt? Hate for the non-believer? Of course you can believe in doubt as well. Or in marriage, and in posh wedding parties, or in foie gras. Peace, for that matter. Some people believe in peace, others in war, a few in war and peace.
When I was young and fearful of human beings with the exception of my parents I believed in Camus. Sometimes I still believe in him. But not in his novels.


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15 comments Last_comment
Arnon
Have you read Paul Bloom's article "Is God an accident"?
said Oscar Wilde 15/12/2007 06:27 • x
When I was young and fearful of human beings, including my parents, I believed nobody.
Now, I can even believe in Arnon Grunberg, his assistant and his web master.
(A nice little book by Tolstoy ‘Confession’, by the way.)
said Jan Thys 15/12/2007 09:51 • x
Commodity
Are the non-believers the one with the strongest minds ?
It takes quite a strong will to not believe in a lot of things...
so for me non believers are the true fundamentalists.
said Ybe de Rooij 15/12/2007 10:33 • x
A lot of people believe in science. Many of them are atheists. Lucky enough they are not ready to kill for their belief. But they can be fundamentalists.
said Lila L. 15/12/2007 15:11 • x
just saying hi (hope it's ok)
said Ilanit 15/12/2007 20:20 • x
Kamagurka (Luc Zeebroeck) said he'd like to read out of Topor (translated by a fund of Mr. Arnon) and he loved the CD by Topor where the artist is learning Dutch. Yes, Kamagurka did mention Mr. Arnon.
said Dens Powells 15/12/2007 20:42 • x
Oscar W
No, should I read it?
said Arnon Grunberg 16/12/2007 00:59 • x
Arnon
I will send you a copy of the article.
said Oscar Wilde 16/12/2007 01:10 • x
Oscar
Received the article. Will read it soon. What are your plans for the holidays? Are Laura's grandmothers going to be visited?
said Arnon Grunberg 17/12/2007 02:10 • x
Arnon
We are spending the holidays in the Netherlands. Tomorrow, Laura and I will be visiting my one remaining grandfather.
While we're in the Netherlands, would it be possible to meet up with your godson?
said Oscar Wilde 17/12/2007 17:24 • x
Oscar W
My godson is presently in New York; he will be travelling to Bolivia on December 20.
He will be back in New York around April 20.
What does Laura think about the Netherlands?
said Arnon Grunberg 17/12/2007 19:44 • x
Arnon
We hope that your godson is not trying to avoid us. We will make an effort to meet up with him in April. Do you think that your godson would play us his "Jazz for kids" CD?
Laura commented that everything in the Netherlands appears to be very orderly. She is also amused by the traffic signs. Laura's favorite word so far is "toetje".
said Oscar Wilde 18/12/2007 00:18 • x
Oscar
I'm sure my godson is willing to let you listen to his cd "Jazz for kids". He is not avoiding you at all. Is it my godson you are really interested in? No offense.
said Arnon Grunberg 18/12/2007 05:49 • x
Arnon
We are very invested in your godson. Did he show you the postcard we sent him?
said Oscar Wilde 18/12/2007 17:53 • x
Oscar W
This brat didn't bring your card to New York. But I have heard good things about it.
said Arnon Grunberg 19/12/2007 02:00 • x
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