Born in 1921 – Stanisław Lem, Ukrainian-Polish philosopher and science fiction writer.

“Faith is, at one and the same time, absolutely necessary and altogether impossible.”

Born in 1928 – Jean Vanier, Canadian philosopher and humanitarian, founder of L’Arche.

“I believe every act of violence is also a message that needs to be understood. Violence should not be answered just by greater violence but by real understanding. We must ask: ‘Where is the violence coming from? What is its meaning?”

Today in Oregon.

Born in 1926 – Ivan Illich, Austrian priest and philosopher.

Some of his thoughts on schooling:

“The public school has become the established church of secular society.”

“School prepares for the alienating institutionalization of life by teaching the need to be taught.”

“School is the advertising agency which makes you believe that you need the society as it is.”          

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Born in 1953 – Jean-Pierre Jeunet, French director, producer, and screenwriter.

Above: Still from Jeunet’s 1991 film, Delicatessen.

Born in 1939 – John Peel, English radio host and producer.

Born in 1938 – Elliott Gould, American actor and producer.

Above: Gould in Robert Altman’s 1973 film, The Long Goodbye.

Born in 1952 – Paul Reubens, American actor and comedian.

Born in 1949 – Leon Redbone, Canadian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer.

Listen: Diddy Wah Diddie

On this date in 1456, the first known printing of the Gutenberg Bible was completed.