Anytime I hear an update about the Ashes, I remember the famous draw in Cardiff back in 2009. Was operating in Helmand with UK Forces at the time and decided if war was like a game, then it must be like cricket. Have to know when to declare and move on.
A comment on Western Civilization: In contrast to other civilizations such as Chinese or Islamic, the configuration of different nations and their cultures not only produce wars but also different directions of thought and inquiry. This brought about the scientific revolution.
Jaques Barzon, a cultural historian, predicted the end of our civilization but had no prediction of its replacement may be. Looks like this is happening sooner rather than later.
Interesting thesis, but it needs tweaking, considering Eastern and particularly East Asian cultures ran ahead of Western ones in terms of scientific innovation for most of civilizational history. Why the West briefly pulled ahead in the 20th century (sans Japan, which more than kept up) with its own scientific revolution—born coextensively with industrial capitalism—is an interesting question on which there is a lot of writing. Probably all the more interesting now that the West has essentially given away its advantage by cannibalizing itself from within, rather than by being conquered from without, as is traditionally the case when the balance of technological and sociopolitical power shifts.
I always feel smarter on Saturdays due to TLP. Did not know about the wee hours. At least relative to Sinatra.
Anytime I hear an update about the Ashes, I remember the famous draw in Cardiff back in 2009. Was operating in Helmand with UK Forces at the time and decided if war was like a game, then it must be like cricket. Have to know when to declare and move on.
A comment on Western Civilization: In contrast to other civilizations such as Chinese or Islamic, the configuration of different nations and their cultures not only produce wars but also different directions of thought and inquiry. This brought about the scientific revolution.
Jaques Barzon, a cultural historian, predicted the end of our civilization but had no prediction of its replacement may be. Looks like this is happening sooner rather than later.
Interesting thesis, but it needs tweaking, considering Eastern and particularly East Asian cultures ran ahead of Western ones in terms of scientific innovation for most of civilizational history. Why the West briefly pulled ahead in the 20th century (sans Japan, which more than kept up) with its own scientific revolution—born coextensively with industrial capitalism—is an interesting question on which there is a lot of writing. Probably all the more interesting now that the West has essentially given away its advantage by cannibalizing itself from within, rather than by being conquered from without, as is traditionally the case when the balance of technological and sociopolitical power shifts.