Head-dibs

 

  Finished reading “Prometheus Bound” by Aeschylus (c 525-456 BC). This launches a new study in Religion and Theology as I make my way through The Great Books in The Great Ideas Program (Volume 4).   This mythological Greek play is considered to be religious, or theological in nature because it explores the question of ultimate power in the universe and man’s relation to that power (Adler, Payne). Zeus gained the throne after killing his father and, “appointed various rights to various gods, giving to each his set place and authority of wretched humans. He took no account, resolved to annihilate them and create another race. This purpose there was none to oppose, but I, I dared I save the human race from being grounded to dust from total death. . . . I pitied mortal men.. . And seek to fix dishonor on the name of Zeus. . . “ So the Titan Prometheus stole fire from the gods and taught man to fend for himself. “All human skill and science was Prometheus’ gift.” In short: Prometh...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Dear Father We dream We dream We dream While we may Who are we to need We need We need While we wait While we wait (“Dear Father” lyrics by Neil Diamond)

 

 

Remember to set your bathroom scale back 10 pounds!

  I’m curious to see the new Gladiator movie coming out. The trailer looks amazing—but there’s this huge question about the rhinoceros in the “games.” Just this morning, reading some epigrams of Martial (38-104 AD), I came across this paragraph in his description of what we know as The Colosseum. Martial writes, “Shown along thy Arena's floor, O Caesar, a rhinoceros afforded thee an unpromised fray. what dreadful rage fired he with lowered head! How great was the bull to which a bull was as a dummy!” (Epigram ix, “On The Spectacles”)

  Even before the nuclear facility at Chernobyl was built, it was a disaster waiting to happen, and once it happened, it just wouldn’t stop. It still hasn’t stopped. The explosion was the result of human error—but which human? And which error? Everyone played their Communist-party assigned roles and read from their scripts so well. This powerful, sleepless, relentless page-turning account perfectly mirrors the 2019 HBO limited series, and fills many gaps left by the show. It is the story of what happens when pride collides with fear under pressure and blooms into a mushroom cloud of lies. It’s the end of an era.

Since I have to work on Thanksgiving Day, I’m posting this now. Celebrating early this year. 

  “ Booker T. Washington, the most recognized national leader, orator and educator, emerged from slavery in the deep south, to work for the betterment of African Americans in the post Reconstruction period. "Up From Slavery" is an autobiography of Booker T. Washington's life and work, which has been the source of inspiration for all Americans. Washington reveals his inner most thoughts as he transitions from ex-slave to teacher and founder of one of the most important schools for African Americans in the south, The Tuskegee Industrial Institute.” (Goodreads)

  Nymph, nymph, what are your beads? Green glass, goblin. Why do you stare at them? Give them me. No. Give them me. Give them me. No. Then I will howl all night in the reeds, Lie in the mud and howl for them. Goblin, why do you love them so? They are better than stars or water, Better than voices of winds that sing, Better than any man's fair daughter, Your green glass beads on a silver ring. Hush, I stole them out of the moon. Give me your beads, I want them. No. I will howl in the deep lagoon For your green glass beads, I love them so. Give them me. Give them. No. - Harold Monro (1879 - 1932)

 

 Feeling “Lightfoot” lately The oceans of the world were the home of Big Blue He was the greatest monster that the world ever knew And the place that he loved best Was the waters to the west Around the blue Pacific he did roam Big Blue moved alone for a mighty blue was he And the battles of the whales was an awesome sight to see And he took them one by one and he drove them all away In the mating of the day he was the king Big Blue had fifty wives and he sired forty sons Though most of them fell victim to the cruel harpoon guns Ah but he was too much wise to get caught by the gunners' eyes And so he lived at sea a hundred years His mouth was as large as a tunnel so they say His hide was thick as leather and his eyes quick and small And his back was all scarred by the times he got away And he knew the smell of whalers did Big Blue Big Blue passed away to his natural decay Beside the Arctic Circle as he travelled up that way And there never was a man who was born with a gunner's ...

 I love this song. Let’s sail. Take me away . . . 

  I’d like to say I’ve finished reading “On The Revolutions Of The Heavenly Spheres,” by Copernicus (1473-1543), but I haven’t. I have, however, completed the “Dedication of the Revolutions of the Heavenly Bodies: to Pope Paul III” (1543), as well as the commentary and reading guide. A guided tour of the work seemed more suitable for this tired old man than an all-out trek.   Copernicus knew he was onto something so controversial that the first printed copy of his work was not available until he was on his deathbed (note: the printing press was only 30 years old). The Dedication opens, “I can easily conceive, most Holy Father, that as soon as some people learn that in this book which I have written concerning the revolutions of the heavenly bodies, I ascribe certain motions to the Earth, they will cry out at once that I and my theory should be rejected. . . when I considered this carefully, the contempt which I had to fear because of the novelty and apparent absurdity of my vi...

  Finished reading the 1752 edition of “The Spirit of Laws” by Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieux. This concludes the 10th reading in the “The Development of Political Theory and Government” reading guide. A few highlights and timely observations: Montesquieux notes this work took 20 years to write, the product of careful study of mankind and the absolutes of self-evident truth. He held that a republic should be a small state, consisting of people who can manage because they are familiar with one another. A large state, or empire would be despotic while an intermediate state should be monarchical. He also held that mankind should make every effort to maintain peace but be ready for war, if necessary—and ready to restore peace. Public voting is necessary (show of hands) whereas secret ballots lead to fraud.   This translation was clear and the assisting footnotes provided helpful commentary. 

  Finished reading Book 1 (Sections 1-8) and Book 3 of The Almagest by Ptolemy (c 100. - 170 AD).    Ptolemy, known for his contributions in the fields of mathematics, geography and astronomy is perhaps most well known for the idea of an earth-central universe though the idea was not unique to him. While Ptolemy was wrong in some areas of astronomy, he should be credited for the depth and breadth of the science his attempts. For example, his argument for the spherical shape of the earth is held against the possibility that the earth could be no other shape: flat, square, pyramid or cylindrical. Ptolemy held that our seasons are controlled by the proximity of the sun to the earth as it circles the earth—closer in summer than in winter. Contrasted against Aristotle who held that heavenly bodies consisted of four elements (earth, air, fire, water), Ptolemy recognized differences in    stars and planets    they orbit, fixed in their enveloping shell.

 

 

  Finished reading “The Idea of a University” by John Henry Newman (1801-1890). This verbose collection of lectures and essays squeezes every ounce of the idea into a mere 584 pages. Newman’s trademark is being thorough with a wide expenditure of words. Part One consists of nine discourses on the kinds and roles of Knowledge in University Teaching. Part 2 consists of ten lectures on “University Subjects,” namely Christian and Catholic literature as they relate to Science, Medicine, Classical literature, Grammar, and Writing. This collection is not light reading, requiring full attention to systematic and logical arrangement of his lessons. The present-day academic might consider perusing certain sections as a kind of measuring tool to determine how academics may have changed since the Victorian time. Stay Hydrated! It’s dry!

  Finished reading “Twelve Years A Slave” by Solomon Northup. Kidnapped, beaten, sold into slavery, Solomon Northup recounts his experience in this masterwork that gives a genuine glimpse into a part of American history. Northup could not recount without pain so he cannot be read without pain. Of all he experienced, his description on his reunion with his family after twelve years a slave is most remarkable and moving. The 2013 movie might be more familiar to many, but his book is worth the read. Available on Kindle.

  Finished Reading “A Time To Die: The Untold Story of the Kursk Tragedy” by Robert Moore. This is the well-researched and reported account surrounding the August 2000 Russian submarine disaster in the Berents Sea. The author concisely explains all the reader needs to know about submarine warfare, mechanics and lifestyle as well international tension, philosophy and chain of command. While the story is tragic both above and below the waves, the reader should not miss point we are human beings with lives that matter. There’s a time and place for politics, but compassion can be more powerful. 

  Finished reading Euclid’s “Elements,” on Euclidean geometry and mathematics. You might say, “this is unlike you, to read a book on math and geometry. It doesn’t add up.” I’d say you were right, but here’s the angle: I’m a lifelong learner and I’ve never read this classic work that’s endured for centuries, that is, until now. Let me get to the point, I won’t talk in circles. Everything squares up in the end. Euclid describes the shape of space in a logical, systematic and unparalleled fashion. It’s plane to see. 

  What was the world like before “The Wizard of Oz”? Nobody reading this today has such a memory. If you do, your memory must be very good because each of us was introduced to Oz at a very young age. Rebecca Loncraine gives a masterful guided tour of the world in “The Real Wizard of Oz: The Life and Times of L. Frank Baum.” Loncraine’s carefully researched work shows us how far we are removed from the influences behind a story that always seems to have been.  The timeless story of “The Wizard of Oz” is the story of the world seen through a child’s eyes. It is a land discovered, not invented. While not an allegory, everything in Baum’s fantasy is intentional. He witnessed the world become fantastical. Work and play changed, along with imagination. Epidemics were widespread and the death rate was high. The mood was uncertain, mysterious.  A careful reader will discover that Baum’s imaginary world is not as far away as one might think. Baum’s personal story begins before the...

Starting a new section in my reading guide on “Foundations of Science and Mathematics.” This song came to mind as it’s back to the start, reading through the ancient then 16th, 17th and 18th centuries sources, the founders of mathematical and scientific ideas (Euclid, Archimedes, Ptolemy, Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, et al.) Maybe the cooler nights will bring clearer skies for stargazing, to follow the moon and reflect on how we understand our world, to be a better person.  “Man is now a world traveler, who sees his motions projected into the sky and thus becomes the measure of all things.” — Curtis Wilson, Dean, St. John’s College

Finished re-reading “Letter From Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King, Jr. Why re-read? First, everyone should read this letter. Second, Plato reminded me to re-read this letter. Then MLK reminded me to re-read Plato. Here’s what happened.  I’m working my way through a twelve volume reading guide through The Great Books. You read that right: I have a 12 volume reading guide for a 50 volume set of books. I don’t own that 50 volume set, but I’ve collected each work contained therein independently. But I digress. Why do I read?  Educational philosopher Robert M Hutchins wrote that “. . . citizenship requires that you understand the world in which you live and that you do not leave your duties to be performed by others, living vicariously and vacuously on their virtue and intelligence. A free society is a society composed of free men. To be free you have to be educated for freedom. This means that you have to think; for the free man is one who thinks for himself. It means that y...

 Fortunate to have not lost power or suffer heavy damage, but North Carolina and eastern Tennessee could be shut down for a year due to continuing mud slides and wash-outs. Entire towns gone. Search “North Carolina” in social media for more.  Our rivers are rising due to waters flowing down, some banks have overflowed. Reminiscent of 2015 floods for many. But still safe and dry here. Many areas here still without power. 

The hurricane just brushed us by. Much of the state was out of power but it’s being restored. Western and central North Carolina are devastated. Entire towns are gone due to mudslides and flooding. And another storm is forming in the gulf.  Always be ready

 “.  . . when a beautiful soul harmonizes with a beautiful form, and the two are cast in one mould, that will be the fairest of sights to him who has an eye to see it.” Plato, Republic, book 3 

 

“Keep constant guard over your perceptions, for it is no small thing you are protecting, but your respect, trustworthiness and steadiness, peace of mind, freedom from pain and fear, in a word your freedom. For what would you sell these things?” EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 4.3.6 b –8 

 

 

 

First, let me say “thank you for your patience.” My work schedule has not been kind and my health is not what it once was. I am obviously not writing as much but hope to get that machine running again soon. I’ll get to the health stuff another time. I’m just getting old, that’s all.  Second, though I’m working, I’ve not stopped filling out applications, trying to re-enter higher education. Something promising is on the horizon, but time will tell.  Third, I get my hearing aids next week. 30% hearing loss in both ears. Tinnitus never stops. I blame the Foo Fighters concert I went to a few years back (was near deaf for 3 days). Actually, it’s hereditary, so now it’s my time. Speaking of hereditary, I still have all my hair to the envy of my dad and uncle.  I have a project I’ve been working on, but I’ll share that in another post.

 “Where is the literature which gives expression to Nature? He would be a poet who could impress the winds and streams into his service, to speak for him; who nailed words to their primitive senses, as farmers drive down stakes in the spring, which the frost has heaved; who derived his words as often as he used them—transplanted them to his page with earth adhering to their roots; whose words were so true and fresh and natural that they would appear to expand like the buds at the approach of spring, though they lay half smothered between two musty leaves in a library—aye, to bloom and bear fruit there, after their kind, annually, for the faithful reader, in sympathy with surrounding Nature.” Henry David Thoreau, “Walking” (public domain)

 I love the summertime clouds 

 You were a pioneer 

 

 Playing with my camera settings. Taken around 11:15 pm