…and fact checkers. Reid had seen an article on Mongolia in which the reporter referred to a statue of Jengiz as being of “Khan”. He snapped: ” I love how the idiot reporter refers to the statue of “Khan” as if it’s Genghis Khan’s last name. Where do they hire these people?” I commiserated– and …
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Shadow from the Fourth Dimension
This one is for Odious and Peculiar, because they like this kind of thing: a three dimensional metal sculpture representing the “shadow” of a four- dimensional object.
The Golden Hoard
Here is an incredible story of an archaeological find far better than one by any Indiana Jones; its concealment by heroes under the Taliban; and its restoration, with the original Russian archaeologist in attendance. See also this page for some photos. Thanks to Debbie on our Tazilist.
Why we need more publishers in the West– and why real writers are better editors
Chas sent me this observation that Prairiemary made to a discussion group on the ethics of “Creative Nonfiction” (I guess that’s what I write, mostly). It is so good that I will reproduce it whole (though I have put a particular sore point in bold- face). “Another factor to consider in this discussion is editors, …
Lost Airman – Modern Iceman
The LA Times carried pieces yesterday and today telling the intriguing story of a body found last Sunday in a glacier in Kings Canyon National Park here in California. The location is on the slopes of Mt. Mendel, a 13,710 foot peak located southwest of Bishop. It is believed to be the body of a …
Ramen – Now and Then
This article in the LA Times discusses the booming sales of instant ramen noodles in Mexico. Traditionalists are horrified that ramen is displacing the consumption of beans and rice, the historic food of the poor in Mexico. I have always been fascinated by cultural change as shown in food consumption “tipping points” such as the …
Anasazi Kiva Abandonment
Steve and Chas Clifton at nature blog posted here and here about a fascinating article in the High Country News that discussed a snake skeleton found on the floor of a kiva in the Mesa Verde area, apparently part of a ritual performed at the time the structure was abandoned. It was really a very …
Robot Camel Jockeys
Not a joke: Qatar has developed a lightweight robot jockey for camel racing, to replace the children who were preferred before. Unfortunately this version does not have the photo from the original dead- tree WSJ version of October 3.
Karma Light?
One used to go to the BBC and such papers as The Herald Tribune for information. But according to this hilarious item by Canadian columnist Michael Higgins, you might best avoid it. Maybe it’s my age or upbringing, but even moderately educated non- Catholics used to know that “Carmelites” were nuns, and that LATIN was …
Zuni Rock Art Blogging 2
For your enjoyment, I’m back with some more prehistoric petroglyphs from Zuni Pueblo in west central New Mexico. As I mentioned in this post there are some beautiful examples of rock art from an area near the northern edge of the reservation. I have always liked this cliff face which has a variety of geometrics, …