Someday...

I'll make this a real blog. :)

New Reading Material

The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt

I readily admit that I know very little about the history of ancient Egypt and am thus looking forward to this work.

Joseph Schumpeter, Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy

I've been told that this work has the best description of capitalism out there in the world. I can't wait to sink my teeth into just for that reason alone.

What I've Recently Read

Henry Hazlitt, Economics In One Lesson

Not much new there for someone with some understanding of Bastiat, etc., but I do think it is a good means for introducing the subject of free market economics, libertarianism, etc. to those unfamiliar with the arguments for such.

Eric Rauchway, The Great Depression & The New Deal

A nice introduction to the basic chronology of the subject as well as the substance of the various programs of the Hoover and FDR administrations regarding the financial problems of the Great Depression. While I disagree with what I see as its generally positive view of the New Deal, I think it does provide a good jumping off point for an understanding of that era and the government efforts the time.

Happy New Year!

Ok, so that is two weeks late!

I've been busy!

What Am I Reading?

Norval Morris & David Rothman, eds., The Oxford History of the Prison: The Practice of Punishment in Western Society

David Hume, Essays, Moral, Political, and Literary

Music

I am quite keen on Invisible Conga People. Check 'em out.

South Sister

Some pictures from the South Sister climb in 2007.

Yosemite

Had a wonderful time in Yosemite and the Sierras. Will post some pics sooner or later.

Medieval Form Letter

Some things never change.

To that magnificent lord [blank], I, [blank]. Since it is known familiarly to all how little I have whence to feed and clothe myself, I have therefore petitioned your piety, and your good will has decreed to me that I should hand myself over or commend myself to your guardianship, which I have thereupon done; that is to say in this way, that you should aid and succor me as well with food as with clothing, according as I shall be able to serve you and deserve it.

And so long as I shall live I ought to provide service and honor to you, suitably to my free condition; and I shall not during the time of my life have the ability to withdraw your or guardianship; but must remain during the days of my life under your power or defense. Wherefore it is proper that if either us shall wish to withdraw himself from these agreements, he shall pay [blank] shillings to the other party, and this agreement shall remain unbroken.

-- tr. E.P. Cheyney, "Frankish Commendation," Translations and Reprints of Original Sources of European History, vol 4, no. 3, Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Press, 1897, p. 3-4.

This Week In History

This week is the anniversary of the Battle of Manzikert (August 26th, 1071), a defeat which was the beginning of the end of the Byzantine empire. More here.

Today's Quote

"...the jump from the realm of necessity into the realm of freedom will be the inglorious death of the very possibility of human excellence." -- Leo Strauss

As I'm not inclined to think that necessity (in one form or another) will ever be erased from the human condition I do not think that such a "realm of freedom" will ever come to pass.

Today's Word

Desiderium

Odysseus

Of the Iliad that is.

Did he have the oppurtunity to see a solar eclipse? Check it out.

Treblinka

I didn't know that Treblinka closed basically as a result of a prisoner revolt. Unfortunately apparently none of the prisoners survived the incident. Still, their courage should be celebrated.

Messerschmitt Me 264

What a fascinating plane. I've thought for some time that it (along with a lot of other evidenced) demonstrated the Nazi regime's desire to have it out with the U.S. and that this desire preceded the outbreak of WWII. Which is not to say that war was inevitable, but it is to say that the Nazi regime presented a threat to the U.S. from the former's inception.