Head-dibs

 

 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 view, nearl

  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 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