Your time is finite. Your phone and the internet stand ready to help you squander it. Here are my latest picks for spending it well instead. Feel free to add more in the comments. Books, what else? The idea that there was civilization before Greece and Rome seems self-evident to us today. But it wasn’t that long ago that the societies of the ancient Near East were perceived as such vague legends and flimsy shadows, that a
I saw your comment at FdB re open thread comments - in my head, FdB is operating more on opinion and tribalism in the modern moment. You are posting about facts and emerging new ideas, and so are more a (very interesting!) reference book than a weekly tabloid journal. I might have more opinions about the takes in the tabloid journal, but more respect for the reference book. And I know which one I would keep around longer. Keep doing what you are doing.
Having said that - I would be interested in any discussion of the findings about medieval warhorses, or any talk about the genetics of food stuff (seeds, etc) found in archeological sites, and how that weaves in with what we know of the people.
1) if someone is already going through your interview transcripts to check for errors, may I suggest they also "find and replace" excessive verbal ticks, such as "like" and "you know", with a few blank spaces. It is probably a generational preference, but for me that would make the transcripts more readable. And reading them is easier and faster than listening, at least for me, due to minor hearing (and listening) issues.
2) topic concerning the influence of Christian "morality" on Western culture and "civilization". I know from your SR days that you are very widely and deeply read on various religions (content, impact, etc.) and thus I would welcome your review of the following three books as a collection:
a) Larry Arnhart: Darwinian Natural Right [1998] -- provided me with a beginning appreciation that morality would have both a genetic (inherent/ absolute) element and a cultural (relative) element
b) Larry Siedentop: Inventing the Individual [2014] -- discusses the influences of Christianity on the Western view of morality, on our legal structure, and on our views concerning human rights or natural rights. In your view/ experience, is this viewpoint valid? Is this Christian view really that unique compared to other societies/ civilizations?
c) Tom Holland: Dominion [2019] -- a companion to, and reinforcement of, the ideas advanced by Siedentop.
Or perhaps you have already addressed these items somewhere already??
I saw your comment at FdB re open thread comments - in my head, FdB is operating more on opinion and tribalism in the modern moment. You are posting about facts and emerging new ideas, and so are more a (very interesting!) reference book than a weekly tabloid journal. I might have more opinions about the takes in the tabloid journal, but more respect for the reference book. And I know which one I would keep around longer. Keep doing what you are doing.
Having said that - I would be interested in any discussion of the findings about medieval warhorses, or any talk about the genetics of food stuff (seeds, etc) found in archeological sites, and how that weaves in with what we know of the people.
Razib, two items for your consideration:
1) if someone is already going through your interview transcripts to check for errors, may I suggest they also "find and replace" excessive verbal ticks, such as "like" and "you know", with a few blank spaces. It is probably a generational preference, but for me that would make the transcripts more readable. And reading them is easier and faster than listening, at least for me, due to minor hearing (and listening) issues.
2) topic concerning the influence of Christian "morality" on Western culture and "civilization". I know from your SR days that you are very widely and deeply read on various religions (content, impact, etc.) and thus I would welcome your review of the following three books as a collection:
a) Larry Arnhart: Darwinian Natural Right [1998] -- provided me with a beginning appreciation that morality would have both a genetic (inherent/ absolute) element and a cultural (relative) element
b) Larry Siedentop: Inventing the Individual [2014] -- discusses the influences of Christianity on the Western view of morality, on our legal structure, and on our views concerning human rights or natural rights. In your view/ experience, is this viewpoint valid? Is this Christian view really that unique compared to other societies/ civilizations?
c) Tom Holland: Dominion [2019] -- a companion to, and reinforcement of, the ideas advanced by Siedentop.
Or perhaps you have already addressed these items somewhere already??
can recommend "how civil wars start"
"origin" by jenn raff is decent but the woke parts are quite a test to get through. she makes you pay