History Pivots
Weigh in on the next round at the Oxford Medievalist. Gutenberg’s in the lead. Hard to argue with that.
I went with Internet as the true Gutenberg revolution, taken to its full potential, when you don’t need to own printing presses or barrels of ink to be heard. You feel that? History pivoting? The medievalist’s quick take:
The printing press (which I believe you were leaning toward) is in the lead by 8 votes, but the lead is shrinking rapidly, as the Greco-Persian War gains traction. Saul’s conversion, the Frankish defeat over the Muslims at Tours (Poiters), and Exodus round out the top five.
Not to disparage Gutenberg or movable type, but I’m hoping the voters don’t make me write on that!
Not a lot of blockbusters out there on movable type, its true. “The Paper Chase” was no “300.” Then again, neither was “Citizen Kane.”
Posted by Jules Crittenden at 10:11 am on Thursday, August 9, 2007
6 Responses to “History Pivots”
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August 9th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Some fairly rapid recalculation seems to be going on with those Democrats who have a decent regard for their future. The infatuation with the netroots, while intoxicating in the early stages of a campaign, leads to nasty hangovers when the general election rolls around. As for the contemptible Durbin, no weathervane swings as smoothly. A few more months of success in Iraq and the man will be a frothing warmonger.
August 9th, 2007 at 11:04 am
I still say the formulation of the Ten Commandments and/or the Greco/Persian War set the stage for everything that came after. Both events are the psychological and philosophical underpinnings of the West, demanding an adherence to duty but a freedom of thought which has driven everything, especially the development of technology.
August 9th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
I thought frozen pizza and sliced bread defined Western Civilization. Why all this hype about printed books?
;-P
August 9th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
Those are byproducts, JeffS. Actually, the true hallmark of civilization is beer.
August 9th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
Perhaps it’s better to say that beer and pizza together are the true hallmarks of civilization. If naught else, that covers all of the basic food groups.
August 10th, 2007 at 2:59 am
“I went with Internet as the true Gutenberg revolution”
Oh sure! Like a newspaper guy isn’t going to go for Gutenberg?