Film, culture, history
In 1812, changes in technology, bank failures, and an economic recession (partly brought about because the European market was cut off by war) were putting people in Britain out of work. But one man saw a solution. Continue reading “A suggestion to the unemployment problem, from 200 years ago.”
When we read about Burma in history books, we read about war. However, the first representatives of the English speaking nations to that part of the world were Baptist missionaries who saw Burma as “the land of laughter.” Continue reading ““Land of Laughter”: British and American views of Burma, 1812-2012″
On CNN, Timothy Stanely compared Bush Junior to Harry Truman. Both Presidents left office with low approval ratings, both supposedly fought what seemed like unpopular wars (Truman in Korea, Bush in Iraq), yet both had “a gentle, honest personality that voters looked back on with fondness.”
Really? Gentle and honest? Really? Continue reading “Will history be kind to Bush (Jr)?”
The Times asked historical novelist Philippa Gregory why British school children stop studying history the moment they have that choice.
Like one third of all British 13-year-olds, Ms. Gregory chose to stop studying history at GCSE level. It was as if her teachers ‘sat down and said “What’s the most boring thing you can possibly study to put people off studying history forever.”‘ Continue reading “History ‘is boring’, says bestselling historical novelist”
Some people will point to “progress” and show how technology (or legislation) has made certain jobs obsolete.
Me, I prefer to have a positive outlook, and see how the number of insults people throw at each other has diminished since the Reagan/Thatcher/Gorbechev era. So, here’s a list of five insults that were prevalent during the 1980’s, but no longer seem to mean anything.
I often wonder why the so-called tea party keeps talking about “the past 100 years.” Do they see Woodrow Wilson’s election as the beginning of the downfall of America? Or are they still talking about William Howard Taft’s election, four years earlier?
Whatever the case, 1912 was one of America’s most crucial elections. Had an ex-President not given a third party a fighting chance, history could have taken a very different turn. Continue reading “What if Taft had won in 1912?”
11 May, 1812. Scourrier House (near Redruth) Cornwall.
Mr Williams was in quite a state when he woke up his wife.
Though the Williamses lived over 250 miles from the Houses of Parliament, Mr. Williams had a vivid vision, it was as if he were in the lobby of House of Commons. In Mr. William’s dream, an angry man sat waiting in the lobby. Continue reading “Dying for a cup of tea, the nightmare that became a reality”
If you read British history magazines, you’ve probably read Andrew Lambert. He’s an academic who writes in a style that flows so well, you don’t notice the footnotes.
This is in contrast to the man who Lambert claims is the founder of modern naval history, William James. James, according to Lambert, didn’t just write stories, he examined sources. James’ writing is exhausting because its filled with numbers and data (what James’ detractors might call “lies, more lies and statistics.”)
William James had a special motive for writing his polemical “History of the British navy.” Continue reading “Andrew Lambert and the War of 1812”
It has been more than 500 years since the first Portuguese ship carrying envoy Duarte Fernandes sailed into Trangque, but the celebrations of the long lasting relationship between Portugal and Thailand continue.
The celebrations began a year ahead of time, in 2010 when a Portuguese training ship called the Sagres sailed into port to commemorate the long relationship.
(The Sagres was on a trip around the world at the time, but rather than taking Vasco da Gama’s famous route around the cape of Good Hope, it cut through the Suez Canal. The ships first such trip in over a decade, it selectively stopped at several countries with strong historical ties to Portugal.)
After sailing to Siam, the Portuguese exchanged some food ideas with the Thais. Apparently, the Portuguese introduced dessert into Thai culture, before the two countries met people used to just drink a glass of water after meals.
Well, today Portuguese people are being influenced by Thai culture, and learning a thing or two. Here’s a picture of Andrew, a Portuguese in Thailand who is learning to dance as the celebrations continue. (He’s at the Vira do Minho in the Siam Museum.)
Well, I’ve been getting a lot of pictures about these celebrations, but not much information.
You may think you know what to do with the future, but do you? Are you just going to stand there picking your nose all day? If so, Chinny McGringo has a word or two to say to you.
If you can’t see the video for one reason or another, I’ll leave the following abridged transcript and screenshots.
Chinny: “You know what I always say? You know what I always say? Follow your dream, follow your dream.”
Chinny: “So the other day, by Boy comes over. And you know what I say to him? You know what I say? I say, are you just going to stand there picking your nose all day? And do you know what he says? He says-“
Chinny Jr: “Yeah dad, I’m just going
to stand here picking my nose all day…”
How would you react if you were Chinny? What career tips do you have for Generations X, Y and Z?
Well, Professor Chinny McGringo knew exactly what he wanted to say, and if you watch this video, Professor McGringo may be able to help you too.
