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The Neanderthals
[From “You’re dead to me” BBC podcast] Ironically Neander (valley in Germany where they were first discovered) means new man… Restricted to Eurasia, and not clear why it took Homo sapiens so long to move in. From 400 000 years ago, lived in parallel for a long time, with frequent intermingling – and since definition…
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David Mellor (the designer, not the politician)
Born in Ecclesall, Sheffield, started off making silverware but saw the potential for stainless steel – designed the first mass produced quality stainless steel cutlery set in the UK. Designed the new standard government cutlery for hospitals, railways etc, then designed UK bus shelters and traffic lights. Made a studio out of derelict Broom Hall,…
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The explorer, Katherine Rundell
“What if I crash?” said Fred. “You will have to refrain from doing so.” “You have not, I noticed, said you won’t. You have only said that you can’t. I say you can.” “I’m scared, alright?” said Fred. “Then you will make the decision to steer towards fear. I think you can. I think you…
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Uxbridge town hall
RMJM also did New Zealand House, probably the first modern tower to be built in central London, plus Royal Commonwealth pool and Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh, Tron theatre and Commonwealth games village in Glasgow. One of the biggest architectural firms in the world now. With Santiago Calatrava, building what is to…
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Microaggression and victim culture
Honour cultures developed in pastoral societies, where your worldlygoods could simply be lifted one night and you would be left with nothing. Itwas important to show your readiness to defend and retaliate withforce. Scottish immigrants to America may have brought some of this withthem, particularly to the Southern States! But as civil society developed and…
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Marriage mindsets
The 5 Rs – Resolute, Rational (esp men), Romantic (esp women but high divorce rate), Restless, Reluctant. Pretty evenly distributed otherwise! Get yourself psychologically healthy before looking to a relationship to fill a hole. Be self aware. Have your own goals and standards, rather than seeking approval from others. Be kind, able to give of…
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Panic over youth disorder is nothing new
Hooligans first described in 1898, when hundreds ended up in court on charges of drunkenness after an English August bank holiday weekend. “Manners of children are deteriorating,” said the magistrate for Brighton. The original hooligan “dress code” was donkey fringe, bell bottom trousers, neck scarves – every generation needs its style. In the 20s and…
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Gnosticism
A range of sects arising across Roman empire at same time as early Christianity. Myths related to Seth, 3rd son of Adam, multiple “emanations” of divine including Sophia who sought to know the unknowable, unnameable. Creator god (demiurge) of old testament as flawed, material world as evil. Redemption through knowledge (gnosis). Orthodox Christianity of bishops,…
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Culture of fear
Frank Furedi has written a couple of books about this (also about “paranoid parenting”). Historically, fear of God was seen as crucial for a moral life, so a positive thing. Fear then becomes understood as pathological eg social phobia. Unpleasant experiences in childhood become institutional problems to be fixed not life challenges to develop skills…
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What did the Romans ever do for us?
Introduced apples, pears, peas and probably fast food – for all the soldiers constantly on the move. Trademarks – having the Emperor on your coins was the start of a trend of potters stamping their products with their name. Toilets, baths and drains. Plus the acqueducts to get water to you. Roads of course, stone…