The Logic of Siri

Siri, of course, is the Apple product within the new iPhone that responds to voice commands, providing answers and solutions.

People now revel in the absurd questions asked of Siri, and Siri's insipid responses. Could give some examples, but don't have the time.

Suffice it to say that it is truly the mark of a successful product that when it makes a mistake, the customer responds, "How cute!"

We treat Apple products like they are our children.

The Logic of Black Friday

This morning's Des Moines Register carries this Headline: "Stuffed!"
Below the Headline is large print: "Biggest newspaper of the year"

And big it looked. Until one separated the news from the paper. The news maybe equaled (or slightly exceeded) the size of a Tuesday edition, pretty skinny.

You know Black Friday has gone too far when the ad begins: Sale starts yesterday. Well that did not quite happen. But one second earlier for many ads would be yesterday (making it today - Thursday).

To top all this off, my niece's husband flew to New York for Black Friday sales. Sound extravagant? Well get this. My niece and her husband live near Jerusalem.

So on the day after much of the country gives thanks for what it has, it goes out and buys what it has not. As Yakov Smirnoff used to say, "What a country!"

Dan Van Haften discusses Abraham Lincoln and the Structure of Reason

Chicago WGN Radio 720, "The Sunday Papers", book discussion with Rick Kogan. Click for Recording of complete interview.

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New Reader Review

There is a new reader review of Abraham Lincoln and the Structure of Reason. It is of the Kindle edition (which is the same as the bound version word-wise). Like virtually all reader feedback, it is both helpful and gratifying. If you have read the book, and would like to post Amazon or Barnes and Noble reviews, please do not hesitate.

The Six Elements of a Proposition

The Structure of Reason has a new section on its website. It defines the six elements of a proposition.

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum

The online bookstore for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum in Springfield, Illinois, describes the book: "David Hirsch and Dan Van Haften delve into the logic, reason, and cognitive tools that fueled Lincoln's political and intellectual genius."

The Declaration of Independence

This evening Dan Van Haften is among a hundred cultural representatives in Grant Park (downtown Chicago) who will read the Declaration of Independence in its entirety. Dan has a portion of one of the complaints listed in the the Declaration's Construction. What is meant by the Declaration's Construction? Examine one of the several significant discoveries in Abraham Lincoln and the Structure of Reason.

The reading is an annual production of the Remy Bumppo Theatre Company.