By Reason or Force

One can only wonder what it would be like if two controversial topics like faith and knowledge went at it, in which the only acceptable outcome of the battle entitles the complete and utter destruction of the other! As admired by the New York Times' Janet Maslin, the novel ponders into exploring tools of ultimate power (other than nuclear arsenal) in to achieving "the mother load" of atheistic conspiracy theories. My own experience with Mr. Brown's book yields a point that is both similar and different. What I take away from my own experience with Angels and Demons is both understanding the reasons for the attacks of knowledge onto faith and the abstract message I believe the author is trying to get across to the fellow readers. As a result, I conclude that the battle between the seeking of knowledge and the attempting to understand faith has been one of hundreds of years of not thousands, in which epic names in history have been drafted to support one side or the other. Moreover, a second message I deduct from the fictional piece, is that even though the masses may defend and/or attack either idealism, the true nature of the book is to encourage the reader to critically analyze both sides of the book, along with one's own perspective, and retrieve the best from both sides to further advance personal wisdom.

The book starts with the murder of top CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) physicist, whom when killed is branded with the word Illuminati. From then the conflict begins to unfold of one between a Harvard Professor of symbology and a religious extremest monk. As the fog of misunderstanding begins to dissipate, the deeds of both sides include the assassination of the president of CERN and the Pope! It is an no-holds back battle that truly entertain the what ifs of the confrontation. I believe that the genius of the novel comes from including factual event that either side has had the courage to do in order to gain more followers.


With the same aspect in mind, as discussed in the novel, the blows towards to other have been more frequent from the religious side, thus, provoking a relentless attack from intellectual world upon the Vatican. Since this is not a black and white read, in other words: all against the Nazis!! Brown must explain the game plan for the attempted victory of intellectual world. In the book, Professor Langdon explains to his students the true meaning of terrorism, that the true concept is more than destructive rage, but instead to appeal to fear and paralyze of your opponent to remove the people’s faith in government. My own understanding with this tool of control yields a point that is similar. What I take away from my own understanding with terrorism is that when used effectively, terror has to be the most feared weapon of all. As a result I conclude that in order for a book to answer the question of "so what?" it does not necessarily have to have a lasting print in history, but it must at least sparked the question of “why?” within one’s personal beliefs. Angels and Demons is a true read because it not only addresses topics of interest, but because it has the capability to question one’s individual truth.

Swordfish: person vs. people

One movie that evokes attention for more than just some good entertainment is the movie Swordfish. One such illustrated in the movie is the idea of the struggle between America's safe keeping versus the values of the Americans which bump each other every time a conflict clouds the country's future. American expect the protection from "... all enemies, foreign and domestic..." However, the "how" execution of our safety has been a constant push and shove by judges, senators, presidents since the beginning of our war history. In the movie, the antagonist Gabriel insists that the need of the many outweigh the need of the few, and following that notion, the violation of certain American rights are an excusable action:

"They bomb a church, we bomb ten. They hijack a plane, we take out an airport ... Our job is to make terrorism so horrific that it becomes unthinkable to attack Americans". - Gabriel

The director's focus on the bold unorthodox methods for killing the American enemy can prove to be a glorified version of Bush's torture allegations. But, why risk criminal prosecution from courts? is the thought of preserving America's rights an act that naturally will go against article's of the constitution. On the other hand, in the end of the movie, Gabriel takes the life of a major terrorist why money he stole from the World Bank. By Gabriel's actions, countless American lives were saved, nevertheless, at the expense of a robbery! Would America condone the act of robbery to save Americans? or in a current application, would America allow torture of certain individuals for the much needed national safety? It is up to us to put our values in action and let future generation judge our decisions.