“Tell me anyway. Maybe I can find the truth by comparing the lies.”

“Life is not an easy matter ... You cannot live through it without falling into frustration and cynicism unless you have before you a great idea which raises you above personal misery, above weakness, above all kinds of perfidy and baseness.” 

― Leon Trotsky [1875-1940], Diary in Exile, 1935

First scientist

Thales of Miletus, [c. 624–620 BCE — c. 548–545 BCE] used a scientific method which didn't resort to mystical or mythological explanations, but he did believe that the Earth was a flat disk floating on a vast sea.

dent

“I want to put a ding in the universe.”

– Steve Jobs [1955 - 2011]

soph·ist·ry

Sophist teacher from Smyrna [Izmir, Turkey]

[noun]

        The use of fallacious arguments, especially with the intention of deceiving.

tough

"Glaswegians have more fun at funerals than they do at weddings."
- Scottish axiom

Ace

“I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall.”

- Serena Williams [born 1981]

The Red Vineyard

“As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas and colors enough to paint the beautiful things I see.”
- Vincent van Gogh [1853-1890]

19th century cruise

“Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things can not be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”

Mark Twain [1835-1910] wrote "Innocents Abroad" about his trip to as far as Palestine, which launched his career.

Marine Thwarts Robbery

 

paradoxical philosopher

“There is nothing permanent except change.”

– Heraclitus [535 BCE - 475 BCE] 

Saving the White House

 

even Martha Stewart is into NFTs

 

Order here. Or quicker just to burn your cash in one of her signature casserole dishes.

Breaking the law in style

In one anecdote, David Niven [1910-1983] talked about colluding with another bloke to eat free - they'd enter the restaurant separately and Niven would order a cup of tea and a bun. The friend sat at another table and ordered a full steak dinner. Towards the end the friend would move to Niven's table and they'd request the bills. The friend would go to the front and settle up for the bun and tea. He'd leave and Niven would gently say he had only the tea and bun and pay the 25 cents. And leave. They'd pull the same scam the next day at another place, switching roles. Niven's background was full of thievery and everyone would laugh. His charm was beguiling. Now they'd be prosecuted and careers would be killed - eg Winona Ryder [born 1971]. He said he had regrets, but didn't go to counselling etc. A much different time.

the world at war

 

The first of 26 sixty minute episodes available on YouTube.

cheaper than a Tesla

 

The trip, dubbed the “ultimate world cruise,” will make stops in 65 countries. The more than nine-month trip will take place on the “Serende of the Seas” vessel and will set sail in December 2023. Royal Caribbean says tickets start at $60,999 per person, plus taxes and fees.

Details here.

in foreclosure

 

"a stupendous liar with a remarkable memory"

“The absence of alternatives clears the mind marvelously.”

– Henry Kissinger [born 1923] who in the words of Christopher Hitchens deserves prosecution "for war crimes, for crimes against humanity, and for offenses against common or customary or international law, including conspiracy to commit murder, kidnap, and torture."

racism in the auto industry

 Summary here.

Neutron

“Control your own destiny or someone else will.” 

 – Jack Welch

from nothing to biggest ice cream maker

 

what did medieval monks do all day?

new art already appreciating

 

Anti-Marx

“Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love.” 

― Fyodor Dostoevsky [1821-1881], The Brothers Karamazov

Basque axiom

"How did I do it? A little bit often."

A Brief History of Everything

 

on manners

Lady Churchill

I have noticed a recent deterioration in your manner. You're not as kind as you used to be. You've become rough and sarcastic and rude. I don't want you to be disliked.

Winston Churchill

More than I already am?

on eclecticism

 

"A change is as good as a rest."
- Sting [born 1951]

Faking It

 

 

With the help of then still little known alpha chef Gordon Ramsay, a timid fish and chips vendor quickly tranforms formidably. 

But he rejects the prospect of a new "Tier 1" life for what's familiar, comfortable.

“the king of chefs and the chef of kings”

"Prepare at the table as much of the meal as possible."

- Georges-Auguste Escoffier, [1846 - 1935]

On teamwork

                                

                                   Who built Thebes of the 7 gates ? 

In the books you will read the names of kings. 
Did the kings haul up the lumps of rock ? 

And Babylon, many times demolished, 
Who raised it up so many times ? 

In what houses of gold glittering Lima did its builders live? 

Where, the evening that the Great Wall of China was finished, did the masons go?

Great Rome is full of triumphal arches. 
Who erected them ? 

Over whom did the Caesars triumph? 

Had Byzantium, much praised in song, only palaces for its inhabitants ? 

Even in fabled Atlantis, the night that the ocean engulfed it, 
The drowning still cried out for their slaves. 

The young Alexander conquered India.
Was he alone ? 

Caesar defeated the Gauls. 
Did he not even have a cook with him ? 

Philip of Spain wept when his armada went down. 
Was he the only one to weep ?  

Frederick the 2nd won the 7 Years War. 
Who else won it ? 

Every page a victory. 
Who cooked the feast for the victors ? 

Every 10 years a great man. 
Who paid the bill ? 

So many reports.  

So many questions.

Bertholt Brecht [1898-1956]