The next little bit is basically about Ishmael and his views on whaling and the sea.  He always stands of for the whaling proffession because he says it is heroic, necessary for the economy, and also because it has expanded geographical knowledge.  Some ways that he defends himself and his sayings is by pointing out that the bible and other books mention whales.  And also that there is a constellation in the southern sky called Cetus, which is named after a whale.  This also reminds me of my friends and i, and how we always stand behind what we say, even if it might be wrong.  But so far this is an enjoyable book.