Observations Archives

2 03, 2016

How the calendar runs our lives. The time of science in the season of love

Humanities Watch2019-02-13T08:51:28-05:00March 2nd, 2016|2016, Europe, Everything Else, February, History, Literature, Observations, Philosophy, STEM, Technology, Writing|0 Comments

Do we need a calendar for the season of love?

2 02, 2016

A Dream of Cicero

Humanities Watch2016-02-03T13:14:43-05:00February 2nd, 2016|2016, Academia, Debate / dialogue, Europe, Everything Else, February, History, Language, Literature, Observations|0 Comments

A Dream of Cicero Marbles: What’s wrong, Swan? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Swan: I have! I had a crazy dream last night I met Cicero. Marbles: You’re kidding. You’ve been reading your books too much. Swan: As little as I can, in fact, with all my teaching. I don’t have time [...]

2 01, 2016

Looking Both Ways

Humanities Watch2020-07-29T08:57:45-04:00January 2nd, 2016|2016, Debate / dialogue, Everything Else, Italy, January, Literature, Observations, Philosophy|0 Comments

Looking toward the past, and the future, on New Year's Day

26 11, 2015

Thinking and Thanking

Humanities Watch2015-11-28T16:21:23-05:00November 26th, 2015|2015, Debate / dialogue, Everything Else, Language, Literature, November, Observations, Religion|0 Comments

Rabbit: What are you doing, Hare? Hare: Nothing much, it seems. Rabbit: Ah, the dolce far niente again. It must be your modus vivendi. Hare: There's nothing like a mixture of languages to get me going. So what are you doing? Rabbit: Well, it's harvest season. I'm busy preparing for winter. Every day there seems more to do. [...]

10 11, 2015

STEM talks

Humanities Watch2016-11-02T11:52:46-04:00November 10th, 2015|2015, Academia, Articles, Debate / dialogue, Economics, Everything Else, History, Language, November, Observations, STEM, Technology|0 Comments

Grundlos: Watch out, you almost ran me over! Where are you rushing off to? Magnus: I'm off to give a talk and I'm in a hurry. Grundlos: What is the talk about? You're not very dressed up. Magnus: Look, that's not necessary. It's about the meaning of STEM. Grundlos: What is STEM? Magnus: Don't you [...]

12 08, 2015

Losing Greece

Humanities Watch2019-08-07T19:32:58-04:00August 12th, 2015|2015, Articles, Economics, Europe, Everything Else, History, Observations|0 Comments

Losing Greece: its meaning for Europe, past and future. Overheard in a train station at the height of the Greek financial crisis, between two men of business. One, in middle age, is wearing a light-grey suit. The other, somewhat younger, is dressed in a blue coat and red bow-tie. They speak in German over their [...]

24 07, 2015

Francis Drake Comes to Como

Humanities Watch2016-11-02T11:52:46-04:00July 24th, 2015|2015, Economics, Observations|0 Comments

It sometimes appears that we find the most interesting sights in the least expected places. Such an incident is one I wish to recount from a visit to a little restaurant in Como.