King Richard III: Catholic burial in Westminster Abbey, please

I won't wax lyrical about this as it seems so simple. He was a King of England, his wife (Anne Neville) is buried in Westminster Cathedral and so it is obvious that he should be buried with her. Now, she hasn't got a grave marker, as (according to the Westminster Abbey site) was killed the same year at Bosworth. So somewhere near the alter seems fitting, but disrupting floors and foundations to get his bones sort of nearby seems excessive, but he was KING OF ENGLAND. If any recent monarchs' corpses were ignominiously tombed, wouldn't we want future citizens to take up the cause, pay respects appropriately and bury them with as much pomp and circumstance as their position deserves?

I can see that a State Funeral might be a bit of a damp squib (go on, how many of The IT Crowd fans wanted me to write damp squid?) given that throngs of adoring/morning subjects who felt the impact of his reign aren't available.

But he really deserves much more than he is getting. We're grateful that he's been found (shame that the female archaeologist busted open the cranium accidentally, though) but now we must muster more effort to recognise his contributions.

I also agree with this blog that correctly asserts that a Catholic funeral would be necessary given the faith he held upon his death (presumably).

X Men: First Class - belated retcon conversation

I don't know if it is the historian-archivist in me, but my revulsion of revisionist works really prevents my enjoyment of film series which offer poor continuity. I could start with the Hulk nonsense (how unnecessary it was to remake a movie so soon afterwards, how confusing it is to have different actors in the role within my living memory, etc.), or I could mention my surprise at the reboot of Spiderman: though this could be more to do with my concern that the reboot might have been timely but I am simply old enough to remember the first franchise properly and thus newer versions seem like heresy.

I understand that film studios are in the business of making money not life-changing, world-view-shifting art. It is commercial. It is also very wasteful, but I'll write about the lack of renewable elements of film sets and concomitant excessive rubbish it creates.

 Maybe it is the wastefulness of remakes to which I object. If the first films were fine, why mess around and waste money making another? Other than the obvious answer of 'make more money for the studio'.

However, my main chagrin has to be the lack of continuity and the sense that the makers don't really like the subject of the films or respect its fans enough to keep facts straight.

I know how hard it is to plough through material and make sure the argument is cohesive, avoiding repetition or omission that might change fundamental parts of the cannon. Perhaps I'm naive in assuming all official output has to be cannon, but for me it does. If the original creator or whoever owns the rights now says, "Yes, make this new comic/book/film/doodle using the content/ideas/characters that have previously been used." Then I really do expect there to be a shared sense of responsibility to make the new material sync with the previous; not just thematically fit, or 'you could see how someone would think that would be sort-of appropriate' - I want it belong cogently and cohesively in the same universe. I don't want a mind-fog moment of 'erm, I might be wrong but didn't she used to wear red shoes when she was in fighting mode' and then have to endure either of two equally insupportable situations:

1. Watch the movie assuming they are right, that your brain has somehow melted rendering all previous stored information muddled and worry about your ability to remember the order of door, lock, lid, pants, sit, wee when the occasion arises...

OR

2. Watch the movie assuming they are wrong, that they couldn't be bothered or had insufficient resources to properly research the previous output and worry about what other jarring inconsistencies may arise before the film concludes, releasing you into the sweet freedom of wiki checks proving that yes, you did remember that inconsequential detail correctly.
N.B. This is similar to my worry about live performances where a small dance misstep or incorrect chord or forgotten line can ruin the experience for me and leaves me on the edge of my seat with nervousness before the performance has even begun. I cannot even bear the anticipation of errors, I am involuntarily but irretrievably mortified on their behalf, guilty of aiding and abetting their mortification by choosing to view this performance and thus forcing them to present themselves for judgement by an audience (only one of which is me). It is irrational but unavoidable.

For those wanting a tiny taste of the furore that can be created when cannon is disrespected, please check out this X Men link which hints at the consternation bubbling away on the interwebs.

Stop being negative: you are harming economic recovery!

Foucault states that power can be discursive in both content and execution. The power of speaking about something, gives that thing power (just as the academe allow certain new permitted  knowledges to become accepted within their discipline). Which is why talking down the economy near a recession should be illegal – scaremongering just makes people jittery, risk averse and thus they keep their money ‘safe’ at home or in the bank – they don’t speculate, spend on new projects or plan new expenditures – they want to ride out the storm intact. Yet this conservativeness is the death knell to finance-based economies such as the UK. If you do not have money flow the economy will fall apart. If you don’t spend, then manufacturers and service-providers wont produce, then they wont buy materials, hire labour or pay taxes, the government will have insufficient funds to support the unemployed as well as meet their other obligations – safety, health, etc.

We didn't win WWI and WWII by being down-at-the-mouth depressed - we were positive, confident and brave - even if this bravura was created through propaganda films and encouraging posters.

V&A mechanical logo installed in London tube footpath tunnel

From CreativeReview.co.uk (H/T to Quipsologies) there is a welcome reminder of the new logo for V&A:

Stop what you are doing and head to Historypin!

A completely genius idea that is being used for good! Hooray! Historypin allows GoogleMap StreetView to meld with Picassa photo repository to create a verifiable comparison for any site in the world (that has been Google-SV mapped) with images of it in bygone times. Plus they are developing a way of informing your digital camera of when you are in the correct position to replicate a famous photograph (such as the VJ Day kiss in Times Square).

Simply marvellous!

Early start!

The Journal of Bisexuality from The American Institute for Bisexuality has the following editorial board:

• Editor-in-Chief: Jonathan Alexander, PhD - University of California, Irvine
• Assistant Editor: Regina U. Reinhardt, PhD - Board of Directors, American Institute of Bisexuality
• Book Review Editor: David van Leer, PhD - University of California, Davis
• Film/Video Review Editor: Wayne Bryant - President, Bisexual Resource Center

Editorial Board:

• Serena Anderlini-D'onofrio, PhD - University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
• Jana Evans Braziel, PhD - University of Cincinnati
• Amity Buxton - Director, Straight Spouse Network
• Eli Coleman, PhD - University of Minnesota
• Clive Davis, PhD - Syracuse University
• Sharon Dean, PhD -University of Cincinnati
• Sari Dworkin, PhD - California State University, Fresno
• Ron Fox, PhD - Saybrook Graduate School & Research Center
• Alexei Guren - BiNet USA and National Bisexual Advisory Board
• Marty Klein - Sex Therapist and Author
• Robyn Ochs -Tufts University
• Larry Peterson, PhD - University of Delaware
• Paula C. Rodriguez Rust, PhD - SUNY, Geneseo
• Ron Jackson Suresha, Rev. Br., ULC - Independent Queen Masculinities Author
• Geri D. Weitzman, PhD - Private Practice and Bisexuality-Aware Professional Directory
• Karen Yescavage, PhD - Colorado State University, Pueblo

These academics may well be worth keeping an eye on.

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How is it that I haven't heard of homonormativity until now? From Wikipedia:
"Homonormativity is the assimilation of heteronormative ideals and constructs into LGBTQ culture and individual identity. The term was coined by Lisa Duggan in 2003. According to Penny Griffin, Politics and International Relations lecturer at the University of New South Wales, homonormativity upholds neoliberalism rather than critiquing monogamy, procreation, and binary gender roles as heterosexist and racist. Duggan asserts that homonormativity fragments LGBTQ communities into hierarchies of worthiness. LGBTQ people that come the closest to mimicking heteronormative standards of gender identity are deemed most worthy of receiving rights. LGBTQ individuals at the bottom of the hierarchy (transsexuals, transvestites, intersex, bisexuals, non-gender identified) are seen as an impediment to this elite class of homonormative individuals receiving their rights."

• Duggan, Lisa. The Twilight of Equality?: Neoliberalism, Cultural Politics, and the Attack On Democracy. Beacon Press, 2003.
• Griffin, Penny. “Sexing the Economy in a Neo-liberal World Order: Neo-liberal Discourse and the (Re)Production of Heteronormative Heterosexuality.” British Journal of Politics and International Relations 9.2 (2007): 220-238. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. MCTC LIBRARY. 30 June 2009.

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Bilerico did two great things today: mentioned bisexuality AND Michel Foucault!
Check out their great article here.
This is a snippet:
"The public conception of homosexuality coincided with a growing concern with effeminacy that appeared in England in the eighteenth century. Boys typically wore girl's clothing until they were sent away to boarding school. Men's clothing was frilly in the Elizabethan Age. However, clothing became more sharply differentiated from the 1770s on. There were diatribes against fops and dandies. By the nineteenth century, men no longer dared embrace in public or shed tears."

It occurs to me that American history at some point has to switch to a shared British history, as the behaviours/cultural phenomena of today are fed by the origins of these practices. These origins are almost uniquely British (with some Dutch influence, etc.) - it isn't until much later that other countries come to the melting pot of cultures that became USA. As the arriving families came to seek a better life in the new land, the new West, they brought their own ideas and norms. But until then the reference points for Americans lay within British soil. Understanding American practices by referring to Elizabethan clothing may seem odd, but it is accurate - there are linkages that cannot be denied - a continuation of stories through the ages.

Becoming the property of others

The girl who was attacked by that Polish film director wants the whole situation to go away. So I haven't named her as a gesture of support. I haven't named him either (in this post) as his notoriety is becoming interwoven with plaudits for his movies and I don't want to support that.


That she has asked for the fuss to die down could be for multiple reasons, but she has not, as far as I have read, asked for the 'case to be dropped', 'charges dismissed', 'conviction quashed'. The first two aren't possible as the trial was over; he pleaded guilty in a deal to ensure no more jail time (according to what I've read). The latter is only possible if new information is provided or a mistrial is ruled. This is only possible if the absconded criminal returns to the law court in USA. There he will either face new charges for fleeing the country, get the time already spent in psychiatric evaluation and Swizz house-arrest counted, or a retrial will be requested (if they can prove coercion, etc.).

The victim has asked the the fuss go away, not that he does not deserve punishment, that the incident never happened or that she has forgiven him. She wants her life to be about her and her family. Not the memory of an event and the subsequent newsworthy legal wranglings.

In fact, she probably wants her history and her body back, because from where I am sitting both of these parts of her person have been taken from her by media pundits, legal advisors, random internet commentators [like myself  :(  ] and anyone with a prurient interest in what happened that night in Jack Nicholson's house (along with whatever pertinent events happened in the run-up). For the sake of argument, I am going to assume that the facts that have been presented are the truth, but I wasn't there, so I don't know for sure.

• The fact that she had a pushy, neglectful mother has been made public: driving your daughter to an unchaperoned photoshoot - despicable. I don't care that it was the 1970s with looser societal definitions of morality or a freer understanding of how to be a sexual being. It was disgusting and wrong. If I'd been the district attorney, I'd have charged the mother with aiding and abetting child cruelty, or whatever else was possible.
• The fact that this sexual encounter was not her first at the age of 13 has been made public. Do we really need to know about the immature explorations of a young girl's sexuality? No, we don't.
• The fact that this sexual encounter was brutal, forced, frightening and a result of drugging and emotional/mental manipulation has been made public.
• The fact that this sexual encounter involved very specific and degrading acts has been made public.

This poor woman has the most intimate aspects of her person revealed to the general populous for their fetid imaginations to ruminate over and for opinioned columnists to pull-apart as to their accuracy and legal significance.

She needs to have control over her body, including information about her body. Thank God, no-one released photographs of her injuries. All victims of assault or abuse need to feel in control, because that is what was taken from them. An attacker wants power over another human being. The media continue this lack of autonomy and agency by regurgitating details of the incident and her history.

Her story is no longer her own. Sooner or later some fool will want to make a TV special about it. I hope she has the strength and support to resist these terrible intrusions.

...and that is the last I'm going to say on the matter.

The truth will out!

There's nothing worse than not being believed, is there? Even more terrible is to be called a liar! You remember the scene quite clearly, you can hear them say those words, you can recall them reacting to yours - then you recount the situation later and no-one remembers it like that and you are in the wrong. Maddening! Now, memories are famously faulty, but I was always convinced that I was right and desperately wanted a tool to prove to my doubters that I did present the correct version of the event. I wanted someone to put a microchip in my brain, or a miniature camera in my eye to record all that happened to me and, if my truth was called in question at a later date, I could provide instant replay and prove them wrong.

I got superexcited when I learned about Steve Mann, "the world's first cyborg", whose 1994-1996 art installation/surveillance project was carrying a camera and recording his life for posterity (whilst live streaming it online, too). He is said to have invented blogging, too, calling it cyborGLOGGING! ShootingBack is a documentary about him making his life into a documentary - very meta and the rebellion and activist ramifications are not ignored: "Possible T-shirt design (to be worn by individuals entering establishments where video surveillance is used): 'For YOUR protection, a video record of you and your establishment is being transmitted and recorded at remote locations. All criminal acts prosecuted.' " -  - There was also the guy who was turning his brainwaves into music, but that was just weird.

Now, Canon have released an insight into future photography technology which will prevent those moments I hate so much. Truth will have a new meaning. Truth will have to become our interpretations of the facts provided by visual evidence. Doubting Thomases no more. Interpretation of memory will be eradicated. No need for memory. In fact, our brains may evolve to other functions, maybe learning to telepathically communicate or cook our dinner like a sonic microwave oven...

Anyway the new camera is set to record, in massive detail, digital video of any scene. Then you can zoom into any still of that video and identify within that scene items that previously escaped your attention. If there was some sort of audio-zoom, then it would be truly AWESOME!

Imagine a wedding videographer capturing the first dance, who pans the grinning audience, pleased parents and...the bridesmaids swapping whispers in the corner - ZOOM - and you see that the brunette's bra straps are showing and that the short one has forgotten to put mascara on her left eye, but more importantly, you hear how they are both noting that the bride's gown choice makes her back-fat worse!

Here is a handy preview of the technology (via Towleroad):





According to this video's narrator, a new camera like this will reduce the current status of photographic art because it wont be so specialist and technical. Capturing the perfect shot wont be either skill or luck, it will be the Canon camera capturing every scene in remarkable detail and with the ability to direct focus, after taking the shot, in any direction within the frame. So a mountain scene that focuses on the middleground can also capture a bird in the air and the frog in the grass in the foreground. Marvellous - it will make us all into spies, like the GoogleMap StreetView dudes in their weird little cars.

Plus it will provide me an endless supply of opportunities to say: 'See I told you, just like I said...'

I will be intolerable.

:)

Fashion forward

Cultural and costume historians agree that the mid-14th century marks the emergence of recognizable "fashion" in Europe. From this century onwards Western fashion changes at a pace quite unknown to other civilizations, whether ancient or contemporary. In most other cultures only major political changes, such as the Muslim conquest of India, produced radical changes in clothing, and in China, Japan, and the Ottoman Empire fashion changed only slightly over periods of several centuries.

There have been many styles that are so obscure to us today that we wonder how they ever became popular. What is more worrying is that the majority are directed at women and seem to hinder their progress and movement in not so subtle ways. Here is a list of the top ten extreme fashions from history.

Now we have fashions appearing and disappearing hourly - promoted then torn down by media commentators and the general public with their opinions writ large on the internet.

I wonder what latest fashion trend is emerging right now?

Timeline of philosophical publications

Now this link here goes to a visual timeline that very nearly encapsulates all that I am seeking. However, ideally there would be a timeline not of philosophers' lives but of their works. I want to have a pictogram showing which books, pamphlets, treatises were published in various markets at the specific years. I want to see if one book about subject X published in USA was followed the next year by a rushed version on subject X by another author in the UK, for example.

I want to be able to see that the development of areas of interest was formed not just by one person's particular academic direction, but by the scholarly environment, whereby the products of others' research stimulates refinement or new ideas and thusly new publications for the original author in question.

I am assuming that there is enough openness to others' work and that they may have time to read or attend lectures that engage a person to study new areas, or combine ideas in novel ways.

Funnily enough...

I've been wondering about world history in a not-so-specific sense. Not dates and battles, or necessarily kings and queens, but peoples. Where they were and when. What overlaps happened. So I scoured Google and found some helpful timelines. These chronologies are generally agreeing on the same data, some are more user friendly but I thought it worth collating them here in case I need them for future reference.

This is the timeline from http://chaos1.hypermart.net/fullsize/ancivfs.gif - on their site it is much more pleasing as you can zoom in. Their index is well-worth a lengthy browse - there are plenty of excellent resources there for the history fan.

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Marcywrites.com
Divinecaroline.com (Hat tip to Stubbleupdate)

Lost London

From Wikipedia:

• Following a victory at the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror, the then Duke of Normandy, was crowned King of England in the newly finished Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066.
• On 12 October 1934, in anticipation of his forthcoming marriage to Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, his third cousin, he was created Duke of Kent, Earl of St Andrews and Baron Downpatrick. The couple married on 29 November 1934 at Westminster Abbey. The bride was a daughter of Prince Nicholas of Greece and Denmark and a great-niece of Queen Alexandra. It was the last marriage between a son of a British Sovereign and a member of a foreign Royal House to date.
• At the Palace of Westminster, at the time of its completion, the Victoria Tower was the tallest and largest square tower in the world.
  

Inigo Jones, born in London of Welsh parents, was a famous architect who brought Italianate Renaissance design to England.
From Wiki:

Jones' best known buildings are the Queen's House at Greenwich, London (started in 1616, his earliest surviving work) and the Banqueting House at Whitehall (1619) – part of a major modernisation by him of the Palace of Whitehall – which also has a ceiling painted by Peter Paul Rubens.

Christ Church at Greyfriars was destroyed in the Second World War; the ruins are now a public garden. However, in an ingenious use of space and to maintain architectural relevance, the main bell tower has been converted into a remarkable residence by BoyarskyMurphy.

Male monarchy?

Why are there so few women in the current and historical British Royal Household? Apart from Ladies-in-Waiting, the rest seem to be male. Here is a Wiki list.

Cold-watered testicles?

A very entertaining lecture by Dr Lydia Syson on recorded 20 May 2009 on 'Making Sex Electric: Dr James Graham and his ‘Celestial Bed’ from the website: Royal College of Surgeons of England. Listen to recording

Where do we come from?

Check out this longish academic article on the earliest occupants of our landmass: First humans on the British Isles

My question now is what was the first language on the British Isles?