Comments on: How should a city meet its landscape in the twenty-first century?

By: Tom Turner

Tom Turner — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 06:10:08 +0000

The story is Knud Valdemar Gylding Holmboe is new to me – and amazing. I need to read the book.
Re the shores of the Mediterranean, I often wonder whether the future of the region Roman (ie for it to be incorporated with Europe). Its whole history is linked to the norther sea, not to Africa.

By: Christine

Christine — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 04:39:48 +0000

I have some vague memory that Libya was somehow involved in the Lockerbie bombings [ http://www.topnews.in/lockerbie-bomber-displays-sympathy-victims-2204342 ] so it seems that whatever is happening in Libya it has a very long history. [ http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=aa83#829 ] and [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripoli ].

Not sure Al Jazeera is a good source for knowing what was happening in Libya prior to the human rights protests. Is this an Islamic viewpoint? [ http://www.onislam.net/english/reading-islam/my-journey-to-islam/contemporary-stories/451448-knud-holmboes-journey-to-islam.html ] How is Knud Valdemar Gylding Holmboe and his life story is considered by the Cisterians, the Danes and by his family?

Is it possible that the children of Gaddafi are the genesis of the current situation within Libya? [ http://www.sandraoffthestrip.com/tag/hanna-gaddafi/ ] And there will probably be more than a few disappointed and ‘unemployed’ architects with the cancellation of projects in Libya.
[ http://www.burohappold.com/BH/NWS_2007_libya_gov_dist_BH_win.aspx ]

Hope you don’t mind Tom if we take Adam’s advice and lighten the mood a little and perhaps consider the cave art of Tadrart Acacus instead? [ http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/287 ]

By: Tom Turner

Tom Turner — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 10:50:56 +0000

I recommend Al Jazeera watch live for beginning to understand what is happening in Libya.
Oh, and I have thought of another use for your quotation from Hitler: http://www.gardenvisit.com/blog/2011/03/19/even-in-buscot-park-the-course-of-true-love-never-does-run-smooth/comment-page-1/#comment-8709

By: Christine

Christine — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 06:53:44 +0000

Yes the media is dominated by events in Libya at the moment. (I have only given it a sideways glance.) From a theoretical perspective perhaps a considerable appreciation of history, culture and politics amongst other disciplines would be needed to entangle the situation?

With the hindsight of history it is easier to understand the problem posed by Hitler who it is said was initially involved in the democratic process before the ‘effective’ end of democracy in Germany.

“The next day, Heinrich Bruening handed in his resignation, effectively ending democracy in Germany.”

One of Hitler’s campaign promises in the runoff for the presidential elections, for which he increased his vote but was ultimately unsuccessful, supposedly was ‘In the Third Reich every German girl will find a husband.’
[ http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/riseofhitler/runs.htm ]

It is possible to suppose the problem finding a husband in Germany at the time was linked to the huge (male) unemployment problem.

By: Tom Turner

Tom Turner — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 05:15:28 +0000

Unsurprisingly, as the UK begins its third ‘intervention’ in an Islamic country, the media are dominated by events in Libya. This made me think it must be the same everywhere – so I am glad if it is not the case. There is always support for stopping bullies in the UK but, as always, it is really better if the people being bullied can stop it by their own efforts. My favourite approach to dealing with dictators is making fun of them. Charlie Chaplin did this to Hitler (in The Great Dictator) without, unfortunately, achieving much. (No thoughts of the secret service for me).

By: Christine

Christine — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 03:24:01 +0000

Libya..? I am totally unfamiliar with international policy in the middle east and north africa.
Are you perhaps thinking of joining the secret service or the diplomatic service rather than a religious order?

Perhaps the landscape profession in Libya may have the answers you seek?
[ http://land8lounge.com/photo/urban-design-libya-a3 ]

By: Tom Turner

Tom Turner — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 06:25:56 +0000

I wonder if the monk would be my Ego or my Alter Ego? [Not sure if you have the intended link]
Insufficent nobility? I think trying to keep hold of Libya comes into this category, but then again one perhaps needs villains to inspire works of art. See Zenga Zenga Song – Noy Alooshe Remix. There are both girl and no-girl versions and nothing has done as much to bring Arabs and Israelis together.

By: Christine

Christine — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 04:58:10 +0000

Tom can I suspect you of harbouring an inner Cisterian monk?
[ http://mendocoastcurrent.wordpress.com/2009/02/11/new-wave-treader-attaches-to-offshore-wind-turbines/ ]

Sufficiently noble purpose? What would be an insufficent noble purpose (so that life was not enjoyable)?

What is this inactivity that you speak of? Warren Buffett has been quoted as saying “Much success can be attributed to inactivity. Most investors cannot resist the temptation to constantly buy and sell” and “Lethargy, bordering on sloth should remain the cornerstone of an investment style.”

By: Tom Turner

Tom Turner — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 06:59:17 +0000

I see growing vegetables and sweeping up leaves as sufficiently noble purposes to make life enjoyable. The curse of wealth is inactivity. Templeton had two great interests: making money and then spending the money to obtain a scientific proof of the correctness of religion.

By: Christine

Christine — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 04:25:17 +0000

Yes, a sense of noble purpose is a great boon in life. Perhaps all children should enter the Sir John Templeton essay competition both on entering and before graduating secondary school? [ http://www.noblepurposecontest.org/ ]