Why? Well, partly to keep my little grey cells suitably oiled. Partly to spark some interest and debate. Partly to provide a point of view to add to all other points of view... and as we know, it takes many pixels to make a picture.
There is going to be a bit more revelation about the rising 'sap' in tomorrow's post. Let me here say that a major trigger for finally grasping the nettle was the realisation that I have slumped into such an auto-routine and hardly any proper mental energy has been expended. Then within the space of a week, I had two very excellent email exchanges; I signed up for the courses at Domestika; I discovered Sabaton - and their history channel... but also found that there were a couple of History Hit/Warfare podcasts that tied in with items on Sabaton's channel; by the magic of algorithms, I found another channel in which a classical music professor assesses rock and metal music... and a germ of an idea began to form.
By the time you read this, I will have, hopefully, completed viewing all the available episodes on Sabaton History (115 at the time of writing). I have learned stuff. Their focus is on documenting, in lyrics and music, events and people that history may be liable to ignore or just not note. There is also a 'no borders' policy to Sabaton's approach, and they take up tales from all sides. Anyway, I have decided to pick several of these episodes to sprinkle throughout 2023. Might be 12, might be 24, but not more than that. I will give reasons for their choice and presentation to you. More on that in due course.
The historian who assists them in the telling of the history, Indy Neidell, has previously run a vlog cast on WW1 and is now working through WW2. Meticulously researched from all available sources, these shows provide as full a coverage as can be imagined from all aspects. Move over, Ken Burns.
In some respects, this will form a 'spine' to my posts for 2023. As events in the world remain turbulent, not just in warzones but politically in many countries (the UK not being immune as we go through a barrage of strike action), we do well to remember the unsettlement of history and hope that we can spread the awareness enough to learn and grow beyond all the usual responses. I am no pessimist... but I confess it is difficult to hold too much in the way of optimism for our near future. Come back tomorrow to read a little more of my personal thoughts.
PS - in case you did not see it, or as a reminder, I put out a call to action on the
Christmas Eve Post. I am going to keep placing the link. Please spread the word, and quickly. The Collection Pot is only open until January 13th. Thank you.
the word optimism is not one I would use in a sentence with mankind future for sure. I am finding less people posting
ReplyDeletenow than a month ago. and some are changing drastically, as in days posted and pulling back from blogging. I am also finding a need to change but can't make a decision.
One thing for sure life is not like it was B.C. (before covid). And I don't expect it to return. Everyone is searching for their new normal. Or what they can accept as a normal. Each week I hear of things that will be in short supply.
ReplyDeleteRecently I heard canned goods and pet food.
Hugs cecilia
Viewing Sabaton's 115 episodes is quite a feat. I look forward to seeing which ones you chose to highlight and why!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Gail (who is currently deep into reading the diaries of Ivan Maisky, Russian Ambassador to London in the 1930s and early 40s. Russia has just been invaded by Germany! Maisky provides a lively and absolutely fascinating perspective on the political machinations during this period of history).
PS I should have said 'the Soviet Union' not 'Russia' above.
DeleteInteresting collection of responses there. Our posting has become one a week or so as F struggles to adjust, pick up some share of family responsibilities, commute, work, form new work relationships, find time for sport, write, adapt the diet to the good types available....yadder yadder yadder... optimism, pessimism, contentment....we a definitely in for a ride down (or up) a gravel track, but we are some of the lucky ones with a metaphorical good bike and F wonders how best to share some of our advantages. She envies you and Gail to some extent, the researching and the reading of new and challenging ideas, and here she is turning pages in a seed catalogue (reminds me must get that seed order in...such are the mundanities of our lives). Furrings and purrings Mr T
ReplyDeleteHari OM
DeleteNothing mundane about seeds, Tigger dear... F exhibits an energy level which I very much lack and can envy her in return! To have one's own food and flowers grow from those seeds is one of nature's wonderful gifts, the reward for the work put into them. Just as all those 'seeds of adaptation' will, ultimately, yield their fruit... Yxx