nourishing obscurity

Much of the social history of the Western world over the past three decades has involved replacing what worked with what sounded good. In area after area – crime, education, housing, race relations – the situation has gotten worse after the bright new theories were put into operation. The amazing thing is that this history [...]

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Your French may be a little rusty but you’ll still catch the drift here: C’est une découverte sensationnelle : le seul et unique enregistrement de la voix de Otto von Bismarck, chancelier allemand à la fin du XIXème siècle. Avec une surprise de taille pour l’auditeur, quand le vainqueur de Sedan se met à réciter [...]

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Filed under: Diversions, History & Culture, Music

Courtesy of Rossa, Chuckles titled this “Jonty” but of course he means “Ponty”. Simple error for a South African to make. And who can forget the delightful banter between G “underarm” Chappell and T “players’ comfort zone” Greig?

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Filed under: Diversions, Leisure, travel & sport, Rossa

Question 1: What was Basilica di San Marco originally [it wasn't always a cathedral]? Question 2: What did it become in 1807? Question 3: How did the Venetians supposedly get the relics out past the Muslims?

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Filed under: Chuckles, Diversions, Technology & ideas

The photo below shows Jem Marsh and Mike Costin, the founders of Marcos, with one of their early race cars. Question: What else did Mike Costin work on that had a significant input into this car? What material was used? Answers later as usual.

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Filed under: Art, Diversions

These are just two of the foods you can cook without the use of pots and pans: 1. Oatmeal Put two packets of instant oatmeal into the carafe. Add an individual packet of honey, an individual packet of fruit jam, and a pinch of salt. Put an herbal tea bag (e.g. orange flavored) into the [...]

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Filed under: Diversions, Leisure, travel & sport, Rowan, Society & human issues

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Filed under: Art, Diversions

1.  If we tell you it’s Lake Bosumtwi, can you tell us what’s unusual about it? 2.  We’ve all heard of landlocked countries.  How about sealocked seas?  Can you name one? 3.  Without peeking, what’s the story behind this:

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Filed under: Diversions, Earth and cosmos

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Filed under: Diversions, JD

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1.  Name a major river other than that running through the capital, in France and Germany. 2.  Where would you find the Cassini Division, followed by the C ring? 3.  Difference between fiscal and monetary policy? 4.  In medicine, what is the difference between a sign and a symptom? 5.  Who’s the prettiest national leader? [...]

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From Wiggia: Yes, there is a hint. Questions: 1 what is it and what was its nickname 2 who built it 3 what was it made of Answers later.

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Filed under: Diversions, Wiggia

Were you ever into model trains or trainsets?

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Filed under: Diversions, Leisure, travel & sport, Technology & ideas