Writing Competition

Monday, 1st August 2011

Welcome to the "It's all Greek to me" educational blog series with Dr. Paul Kiritsis. We are now roughly two-thirds of the way through the blog tour. Hence there will be a short hiatus in the program for the inception of the writing competition. See details below.

Postmark deadline: 3rd October, 2011

Task: You need to answer one of the following questions in 750-1250 words:

History is the study of our collective memories. It evaluates our evolutionary path by looking at the consequences of decisions made by the administrative order of our day. In studying these consequences, we strive to better ourselves and the human condition so that the world might be made a better place for the lives of our children, and their children, and so forth. Sadly, for anyone studying the subject long enough it becomes clear that we continue to make the same mistakes, over and over and over again. So, if we’ve been made aware of these mistakes through historical analysis, then why do we continue to make them? Discuss.

OR

What we find in history is that the prevailing culture of the times usually appropriates quantitative “science” or religion or a syncretisation of both to assert the undisputed reality of its own cosmogony, and to declare the cosmogonies of all cultures that have come beforehand to be either erroneous, inferior or primitive. Interestingly, when we study history we see that what constitutes and defines law and knowledge in one era is rudely dismissed or banished by insights and developments of a subsequent era. In light of this, would it be right to assume that our knowledge, our reality, the world as seen through our eyes, is more ‘real’ than that which defined the world of our ancient ancestors? Discuss.

Contest Requirements: All entries are to be in the English language and submitted electronically to paul@paulkiritsis.net. The competition is open to all universities and schools, and to all ages. Your name and an e-mail/phone contact must be included with your entry.

1st place: 200 dollar cash prize, publication on my educational blog tour on evolver.net as well as on my website. You will also have the opportunity to read your winning entry at the launch of Shades of Aphrodite. You will receive signed copies of my three published works.

2nd place: 50 dollar cash prize, publication on my educational blog tour on evolver.net as well as on my website. You will have the opportunity to read your winning entry at the launch of Shades of Aphrodite. You will receive signed copies of my three published works.

3rd place: Publication on my education blog tour on evolver.net as well as on my website. You will have the opportunity to read your winning entry at the launch of Shades of Aphrodite. You will receive signed copies of my three published works.

Contest decisions: The winners will be posted at www.paulkiritsis.net on October 23rd 2011 and in the English edition of the Neos Kosmos newspaper the following week. Contest entries judged by Dr. Paul Kiritsis, whose decisions will be final.