Stan Persky
Stan Persky teaches philosophy at Capilano University in North Vancouver, B.C. He's also the author of many books, including: Reading the 21st Century: Books of the Decade, 2000-2009 (McGill-Queen's, 2011); Robin Blaser (New Star, 2010; with Brian Fawcett); and The Short Version: An ABC Book (New Star, 2005; winner of the Hubert Evans Non-Fiction Prize). He is the recipient of the 2010 B.C. Lieutenant-Governor's Award for Literary Excellence.
Reporting beat: Books
Personal website: stanpersky.de
Stories by Stan Persky
My Dinner with a Prophet of the New World Disorder
An excerpt from Stan Persky's new book 'Post-Communist Stories.'
Gay Writers' Golden Era and the Power of Voice
Notes on Christopher Bram's 'Eminent Outlaws' and the love that dared to write its name.
Two and Nine-Tenths Cheers for Civil Liberties!
The BC Civil Liberties Association turns 50 this week. A supporter celebrates, recognizing some limits, too.
Gunter Grass's Inflammatory Poem
What happened when the German Nobel prize winner criticized Israel's stance on Iran.
Are Universities Roping in Too Many Students?
'Professor X' writes a fun account of toiling on the academic farm. But his thin-the-herd thesis needs polishing.
Tom Rachman's Hilarious Goodbye to Newspapers
'Stop the presses' used to be the reporter's cry of joy. Now it's a memo from accounting.
World Economy: That Sinking Feeling
Three top US economists say nothing's really been fixed. But where's the political will to do what's needed?
Letter from Berlin: Ashes to Ashes
As I mourned a personal hero lost in the Polish plane crash, volcanic dust taught us about business and morality.
'Empire of Illusion'
America is a defeated dream ruled by oligarchs who tame the populace through fakery, writes Chris Hedges. How real is his nightmare?
Sex and the Grad Student
Nino Ricci's portrait of a young, brainy boobie. Worth the acclaim?
'Vancouver: A Poem'
George Stanley's remarkable, conflicted ode to his 'city of death, city of friends'.
Can Paul Krugman Save Us?
The Nobel Prize economist would, for now, nationalize the banks.
How Dumb Can You Get?
Is the young book reader going extinct? Does it matter?
Jean-Luc Godard in Two Reels
He reinvented film for 'children of Marx and Coca-Cola'. Then we ignored him.
Don't Forget the 20th Century
Tony Judt's tough history lessons for Israel, Tony Blair and Washington's deluded warriors.
A 'D' for Margaret Wente
Why she is wrong that too many kids go to college.
The Urge to Burn Books
Notes on the Nazi bonfire, 75 years later.
Seeking Six of Six Million Murdered
This book is for the living; the dead don't need it.
'The Age of American Unreason'
New book argues that the US state of mind is irrational, dumbed down. How about ours?
Richard Rorty's Brilliant Gift
He gave us this: We can't know truth. But we can press for justice.
Political Riot? Send in the Clowns
Notes on media, violence, and the G-8 demo in Rostock.
Why We Still Bother To Read Novels
Simple pleasure, book club pressure or life explained?
Bad Science Serves Bad Ideas
A Vancouver author's book shows Nazi thinking on race remains surprisingly relevant today.
Right Now, Berlin is a Kick
Postcard from World Cup-fevered Germany.
The Web of Disappearances
We must start connecting our astonishing losses of both culture and nature, argues Terry Glavin.
Blind Man's Bluff
My friend's fading sight left him with irony or suicide. He chose to write.
Harper's Tough Sell for 'Change'
Oddly, he can't afford to really say what he'd change.
God's 'Intelligent Design' in the Classroom? Why Not?
Why I don't agree we should teach evolution, pure and simple.
The Marriage 'Saviours'
Be real. They’re not against same sex marriage. They’re fighting same sex sex.
Mr. Peanut Sees the World
The cartoony ad icon pops up in famous places, thanks to Vincent Trasov's absurdist pen