A Modest Proposal Regarding Eating Animals *

October 16, 2020October 17, 2020 / Oran Ryan

*This is a talk I gave a few years ago on World Vegetarian Day. I am not a climatologist. Neither am I a nutritionist. I write fiction. And, occasionally I have the pleasure of giving talks on world vegetarian day. Vegetarianism is something close to my heart and I was chuffed when asked to speak. … Continue reading A Modest Proposal Regarding Eating Animals *

Notes for a 21st Century Artistic Manifesto

August 23, 2020August 24, 2020 / Oran Ryan

The Place of Literature.Art is the imitation of life by means of signs, symbols and plastic objects. Literature is the imitation of life using symbols and signs to tell stories. To understand what life means we use art as a skeleton key into what has always been the greatest of mysteries and challenges. Here in … Continue reading Notes for a 21st Century Artistic Manifesto

The Dragon

December 20, 2016December 20, 2016 / Oran Ryan

It’s extraordinary how much a city can change in a short period of time. Take Dublin. In 2013 when I last lived here full time, Dublin was a vibrant city in the midst of change, just pulling out of the last vestiges of a huge economic slump. There was a sense of hope, of expectation, … Continue reading The Dragon

Dont Believe The Hype

November 23, 2015November 23, 2015 / Oran Ryan

You and I are being lied to. There is no war on terror. There is a war. But it is not a war against terrorists or terror. Its a war for territory. For land. And Oil. For power. People with power want more power, and they will do what is necessary to pursue their goals. … Continue reading Dont Believe The Hype

World Vegetarian Day 2015

September 13, 2015 / Oran Ryan

Its an honour to speak on something this close to my heart. I am looking forward to it and to listen to these other very learned speakers. Its looking rather like an excellent day. Do drop by on Sunday 27th September St Andrews resource Centre 114-116 Pearse St. Dublin 2.

THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH ( I Mean Really )

March 5, 2015March 8, 2015 / Oran Ryan

EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE HEARD OF ALEXANDER GERSHENKRON ALEXANDER GERSHENKRON (1904-1978) was a Harvard Professor of Economics from the late 1940's to the 1970's. He was known particularly as a historian of economics and among other things postulated the 'Backwardness Theory'. His paper Economic Backwardness in Historical Perspective (1962) was and is to the best of my knowledge, … Continue reading THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH ( I Mean Really )