Since 2005, the U.S.-based blogger Judeosphere has served up often-irreverent commentary on anti-Semitism and current events in the Middle East. He recently gave up blogging full time, but he still comments and guest posts at other blogs, such as Harry's Place. You can read his blog archives at Judeosphere.
Why do you blog? > It's more efficient than screaming on street corners.
What are your favourite blogs? > Harry's Place, Engage, Andrew Sullivan.
Who are your cultural heroes? > Joss Whedon.
What is the best novel you've ever read? > Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck.
What is your favourite movie? > Blade Runner.
What is your favourite song? > 'Sympathy for the Devil'.
Can you name a major moral, political or intellectual issue on which you've ever changed your mind? > I've become more aware of the positive role that religious faith has played in American history.
What is your favourite piece of political wisdom? > The closing dialogue of the film Sleeper. Diane Keaton: 'Erno's going to lead the revolution and head the new government.' Woody Allen: 'In six months we'll be stealing Erno's nose. Political solutions don't work. It doesn't matter who's up there, they're all terrible.'
If you could effect one major policy change in the governing of your country, what would it be? > Implement a carbon tax.
What would you do with the UN? > Convert it into a public housing project for NYC.
What do you consider to be the main threat to the future peace and security of the world? > Nuclear weapons. The failure of governments and the wider public to seriously address the reduction of armaments in the post-Cold War world is a disgrace.
Do you think the world (human civilization) has already passed its best point, or is that yet to come? > The new iPhone will be released next month. After that highpoint, it's all downhill.
What would be your most important piece of advice about life? > Look both ways before crossing the street.
Do you think you could ever be married to, or in a long-term relationship with, someone with radically different political views from your own? > Yes. The only political views that I will not tolerate are those steeped in any sort of racial or religious bigotry.
What do you consider the most important personal quality? > Kindness.
In what circumstances would you be willing to lie? > If the end result was an opportunity to meet Natalie Portman.
Do you have any prejudices you're willing to acknowledge? > I tend to stereotype academics as elitist and narcissistic.
What is your favourite proverb? > 'Hope for the best, expect the worst.'
What commonly enjoyed activities do you regard as a waste of time? > Cricket. (Sorry.)
What would you call your autobiography? > Fuck You: Rants of a Liberal Zionist.
Who would play you in the movie about your life? > John Cusack, if he would only answer my calls.
Where would you most like to live (other than where you do)? > London (despite the cricket).
What do you like doing in your spare time? > Cooking, especially Asian cuisine.
What is your most treasured possession? > A tallit that my father gave me.
If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to? > Something Gaelic, without any vowels.
What talent would you most like to have? > Fluency in multiple foreign languages.
What would be your ideal choice of alternative profession or job? > Chef.
Who is your favourite comedian or humorist? > Stan Freeburg. I think he was way ahead of his time.
How, if at all, would you change your life were you suddenly to win or inherit an enormously large sum of money? > I'd probably travel non-stop.
What animal would you most like to be? > A cat, living in my own home.
[The normblog profile is a weekly Friday morning feature. A list of all the profiles to date, and the links to them, can be found here.]
