Welcome to the weekend,
It’s been quite a long week, in most of the world, it seems. As usual, this week’s links are free from current headlines, in favor of more curious and historical fare.
This look at the phenomenon of hot air balloon riots highlights two truths about humans: The first is that crowds of people have a long history of being fickle. Secondly, new technology, as a rule, is greeted with a mix of trepidation and enthusiasm.
“Be careful what you wish for.”
This is a complex, and quite sad, story of a Lithuanian library of significant historical value has disappeared into another more recent compilation of books. I’m left asking, “How often does history get erased in the process of being preserved?”
An anthropological and neuroscientific look at the critical importance of leisure.
I enjoyed this piece on Stalin’s marginalia: ‘Among his choice expressions of disdain were “ha ha,” “gibberish,” “nonsense,” “rubbish,” “fool,” “scumbag,” “scoundrel,” and “piss off.” ‘
Currently reading: Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life by Justine Picardie
Have a creative weekend.
