Penelope’s Loom

 What do you know about quantum physics? Astrophysics? String theory? Anything?  Me neither.  I know someone who is studying to be an astrophysicist.  Impressive, right? Damn, I always wanted to skip around in the realm of higher mathematics and its' sister discipline quantum physics.  Together, with the other physical sciences, its' language has created a chaste, beautiful space.   As for me, I only know one mathematical phrase:  2 + 2 = 1,546,345,987. Now, we all know this guy:    Einstein's work didn't happen in a vacuum .  As with other pivotal moments in the theoretical sciences, E=MC squared was part of a larger body of work, from a collection of pretty bitchin' physicists.  This week, I want to tell you about a physicist and math dude who has been largely forgotten by non-scientifically (i.e. mathematically) inclined folks:  Arthur Eddington. I know, Dear Reader, I know:  you've probably never heard of him, right? Me neither.  But, hopefully, we live and

It could happen, Dear Reader. ****************************************** Yeah, I guess it may be good to be the king;  or dictator as the case may be.  OK. So who was Francois Duvalier, and why should we care? Americans should. Americans must. How would you like it if Donald trump was perceived as the second coming by his faithful followers? Oh sh$t.  He already is. Truth Social user @austinnegrete said: "Jesus is the Greatest. President @realDonaldTrump is the second greatest." Any cult of personality begins with a propaganda that asserts a person's identification with a popular deity. So, what is a cult of personality?  a situation in which people are encouraged to show extreme love and admiration for a famous person, especially a political leader https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/personality-cult I'm not sure I really like that definition.  It's too reductible.   I like this definition (although it's NOT exactly from

We were speaking, Dear Reader, of the Boer War.... What about the Boer War?  Sh&t.  Excuse me, the Second Boer War.  How did it start, and why has it been forgotten?  Did you know that the English imprisoned hundreds of Boer men, women, and children in what could only be called concentration camps? Goddamn--it must have been a real fashion of the early twentieth century.                                                                           *************** Alright.  Let's take a wee look at the conflict. The Second Boer War took place in South Africa, at the beginning of the 20th century.  South Africa.  Why would that less-than-arable land be so desirable?  Huh.  How about this: K Not this: Oh, yeah, there was also this: Which becomes this: And, eventually, this: NOT this: If you want to see a good timeline of the entire Anglo-Boer War conflict, go here:   https://www.boerwararchive.com/timeline/ If you followed the link, you'd know that this was a complicated and lengt

 OK, so who was Emily Hobhouse and why do we care? What was her role in the Boer War? What did this gal have to do with the British Empire, and why was she widely regarded (by the English) as a traitor? Here she is: ...and here she is. I think she has a good face.  A strong face.  She certainly had a strong will--being both feminist and cultural activist, in a time where both occupations were considered as an exercise in bad taste.   Let's take a fast look at GHANDI'S (yeah, that Ghandi) obituary for this woman: Newspapers tell us that Miss Emily Hobhouse is no more.  She was one of the noblest and bravest of women.  She worked without ever thinking of any reward.  Here was service of humanity dedicated to God....  She loved her country and because she loved it, she could not tolerate any injustice done by it.  She realized the atrocity of the Boer War.  She thought that England was wholly in the wrong....  She went to South Africa and her whole soul rose against the barbarity