Head-dibs

  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 Civil War and

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 you have t

 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