Category Archives: History

WHY NATIONS FAIL.

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Philip

WHY NATIONS FAIL. The Economist (March 10) reviewed the new book by Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson, WHY NATIONS FAIL. The book takes on the explanation for why some countries have prospered in the last 300 years and others have … Continue reading →

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THE LONG HISTORY OF LYME DISEASE.

Posted on March 10, 2012 by Philip

THE LONG HISTORY OF LYME DISEASE. The article on the Iceman notes that traces of DNA from the bacterial pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease in humans, make the Iceman the oldest victim of Lyme Disease on record. This … Continue reading →

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TRADE IN OBSIDIAN AND LAPIS LAZULI.

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Philip

TRADE IN OBSIDIAN AND LAPIS LAZULI. The Iceman article noted that: “Archaeologists have found volcanic glass (obsidian) on the mainland that originated from Mt. Arci on Sardinia, indicating that trade existed between Sardinia and the mainland. Perhaps the Iceman’s parents … Continue reading →

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WAS THE ICEMAN FROM SARDINIA?

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Philip

WAS THE ICEMAN FROM SARDINIA? The Iceman was found in mummified condition in the Alps. He is estimated to have lived 5300 years ago. This article by Kate Wong in the Scientific American reports on a study which showed that: … Continue reading →

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THE GREAT VOWEL SHIFT—CHAUCER’S PRONUNCIATION.

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Philip

THE GREAT VOWEL SHIFT—CHAUCER’S PRONUNCIATION. Being a part of the Northern Cities Vowel Shift has a romance for me because it is reminiscent of the Great Vowel Shift which separates Chaucer’s pronunciation from ours. This wikipedia article describes the Great … Continue reading →

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“AUNT ALICE” IN CHICAGO AND SYRACUSE.

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Philip

“AUNT ALICE” IN CHICAGO AND SYRACUSE. This wikipedia article on the Northern Cities Vowel Shift says the area affected by it includes an area: “beginning some 50 miles (80 km) west of Albany and extending west through Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, … Continue reading →

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THE NORTHERN CITIES VOWEL SHIFT.

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Philip

THE NORTHERN CITIES VOWEL SHIFT. Jennifer Schuessler’s article also introduced me to the Northern Cities Vowel Shift, which has special meaning for me and Mary Jane. I had noticed that there were similarities between Mary Jane’s Syracuse accent and my … Continue reading →

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RICHARD FEYNMAN AND THE QUEST FOR TANNU TUVA.

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Philip

RICHARD FEYNMAN AND THE QUEST FOR TANNU TUVA. Here is a Youtube video of Richard Feynman and Ralph Leighton talking about their ten-year obsession with Tannu Tuva. Part One begins with postage stamps and music from Tannu Tuva (It seems … Continue reading →

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GRANT—ON THE WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY FOR MANY YEARS.

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Philip

GRANT—ON THE WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY FOR MANY YEARS. Ta-Nehisi Coates notes that: ‘there’s also a rather nasty political aspect to the charge that Grant didn’t really write his memoirs” and links to this post by Cynic for an elaboration. … Continue reading →

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SHAKESPEARE AND ULYSSES GRANT.

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Philip

SHAKESPEARE AND ULYSSES GRANT. Ta-Nehisi Coates says that the manuscript evidence that Grant wrote his memoirs means a lot to him. He says: “The beautiful thing about writing is it has no real respect for credentialism.” “Credentialism” is a good … Continue reading →

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