12857 réponses à ce sujet

[Skadi_the_Evil_Elf]

@Costin: God, I love House. I watched it in the states and in England, but when I moved to Spain, I could no longer get it. Which sucks. It was probably the only show my mother and I could sit down and watch together. I wonder if Loghain eats Ferelden's equvilant of Vicodin like candy, too.



@KoP: Yes, you should definitely make it a point to explore Spain, but mainly, Andalucia. I mean, the village wash house in my village was providing fresh water for bathing to mere peasants when European kings thought bathing more than once a month was extravagant. Water that was engineered to come all the way from the Sierra Nevadas' glaciers and springs.. The rest of Europe was drinking near-sewage, and it rained far more there than here. This village is typical of the region: the Moorish infrastructure is still being used, with little changes other than some basic modernization.



Naturally, when it comes to history, the things that I am most curious about are technological things, so Moorish engineering and architecture gets most of my attention. The old hammams still work, and I've been to two of them. Again, little has changed beyond basic moderination (electricity, connection to city infrastructure). I would actually like living here better if the subregion I lice in, the Alpajurras, wasn't populated by complete cretin.

[Costin_Razvan]

@Costin: God, I love House. I watched it in the states and in England, but when I moved to Spain, I could no longer get it. Which sucks. It was probably the only show my mother and I could sit down and watch together. I wonder if Loghain eats Ferelden's equvilant of Vicodin like candy, too.

You can always find it on torrents or on the Fox website. ( which is what I do ). Loghain has a way to cope I imagine, though one can't tell what. I personally learned about it from my mother oddly enough. She as a doctor found it very interesting in the terms of cases presented. She found House a "complete and utter ****" but said he reminded of an old doctor who taught her when she was an intern.

As for history. Eh, I can't say how much it pisses me off that so much of it is unfocused on. In my country it's for instance the Romanian-Hungarian war of 1919 which was pivotal for the formation of Greater Romania as we know it today...and yet virtually no one knows about it nowadays despite it's importance. Sigh.

Modifié par Costin_Razvan, 05 février 2011 - 11:08 .

[KnightofPhoenix]

Skadi_the_Evil_Elf wrote...
@KoP: Yes, you should definitely make it a point to explore Spain, but mainly, Andalucia. I mean, the village wash house in my village was providing fresh water for bathing to mere peasants when European kings thought bathing more than once a month was extravagant. Water that was engineered to come all the way from the Sierra Nevadas' glaciers and springs.. The rest of Europe was drinking near-sewage, and it rained far more there than here. This village is typical of the region: the Moorish infrastructure is still being used, with little changes other than some basic modernization.

Naturally, when it comes to history, the things that I am most curious about are technological things, so Moorish engineering and architecture gets most of my attention. The old hammams still work, and I've been to two of them. Again, little has changed beyond basic moderination (electricity, connection to city infrastructure). I would actually like living here better if the subregion I lice in, the Alpajurras, wasn't populated by complete cretin.

Yea personal hygiene was rather impressive. How can it not be when the religion itself emphasizes the importance of cleaness. Heck, a Muslim is supposed to undertake ablution five times a day before prayer. Prophet Muhammad was almost compulsively clean in fact.  So I think this translated into the civilization as a whole.

If you are interested in technology, I think al Jazari would be one of the most important scientists in this field. I read an article that dubbed him "the father of robotics", because he, alongside other contemporaries, did something the Greeks were not interested in doing and that's the pactical application of robotics (and science in general in fact). There is also Taqi Al Din in the Ottoman period. And of course many many more.

[Skadi_the_Evil_Elf]

Costin_Razvan wrote...

You can always find it on torrents or on the Fox website. ( which is what I do ). Loghain has a way to cope I imagine, though one can't tell what.

As for history. Eh, I can't say how much it pisses me off that so much of it is unfocused on. In my country it's for instance the Romanian-Hungarian war of 1919 which was pivotal for the formation of Greater Romania as we know it today...and yet virtually no one knows about it nowadays despite it's importance. Sigh.

Yeah. When I went to school, every year in history was a basic rehash of the same generic, broad spectrum crap. And half the time, no one was paying attention. I know alot of Americans who do not know why 1776 is a year worth remembering in US history. Pathetic, really.

But in the case of Al Andalus, it's tragic. When I was learning world history as a kid, my school lessons on Al Andalus could be summed up as such: "In the year 711, the Moors invaded Spain, but were stopped in France. And now we move on to Charlemegne.". I learned about it in my own time, when I was looking up the origins of various inventions or tools throughout history. Andalucia is brushed over, despite it gave birth to the first university in Europe, as well as brought many sciences and innovations to Europe in general.

Serious WTF.

[KnightofPhoenix]

Skadi_the_Evil_Elf wrote...
But in the case of Al Andalus, it's tragic. When I was learning world history as a kid, my school lessons on Al Andalus could be summed up as such: "In the year 711, the Moors invaded Spain, but were stopped in France. And now we move on to Charlemegne.". I learned about it in my own time, when I was looking up the origins of various inventions or tools throughout history. Andalucia is brushed over, despite it gave birth to the first university in Europe, as well as brought many sciences and innovations to Europe in general.

Serious WTF.

Not surprising. History is far from being de-politicized, neither did it go beyond basic prejudices and biases especially in schools.

[Costin_Razvan]

The sad part is that it goes like this in Uni as well.

[KnightofPhoenix]

Costin_Razvan wrote...

The sad part is that it goes like this in Uni as well.

Indeed. But to be honest, I stopped relying on lectures years ago. I prefer self research.
Most of the courses I took, it was about things I already knew or had a very good idea what it's about (and sometimes profs make errors that annoy me). 

Modifié par KnightofPhoenix, 05 février 2011 - 11:24 .

[Skadi_the_Evil_Elf]

KnightofPhoenix wrote...

Yea personal hygiene was rather impressive. How can it not be when the religion itself emphasizes the importance of cleaness. Heck, a Muslim is supposed to undertake ablution five times a day before prayer. Prophet Muhammad was almost compulsively clean in fact.  So I think this translated into the civilization as a whole.

Yeah, I remember seeing that in Saudi Arabia. Right around prayertime, people close up shop 10 minutes before so they could wash up first. During Rammadan, when it became more frequent, people were bringing out these huge water tanks so people could just wash there quickly. The hammams that still run here in Spain are incredible.  Plus, people in some cities like Cordoba actually had in house plumbing instead of having to use a communal well.

If you are interested in technology, I think al Jazari would be one of the most important scientists in this field. I read an article that dubbed him "the father of robotics", because he, alongside other contemporaries, did something the Greeks were not interested in doing and that's the pactical application of robotics (and science in general in fact). There is also Taqi Al Din in the Ottoman period. And of course many many more.

Yes, the Arabs were more interested in practical application. The Greeks were overly fond of theory and philosophy, but not much interest in making it a reality. The Romans were actually superior in that respect, they were more interested in the bottom line and practical matters. The Arabs were also incredibly advanced in medicine. Performing surgery with clean instruments and anasthesia, opening the first happy houses to humanely deal with societies lunatics, ect. It is ironic, the region that once had the highest standard of living and technology in Europe is now amongst the poorest and most backwards. Ever since 1492, Andalucia has been the most volatile region in Spain, a headache for any monarch or leader.

[KnightofPhoenix]

Skadi_the_Evil_Elf wrote...
Yes, the Arabs were more interested in practical application. The Greeks were overly fond of theory and philosophy, but not much interest in making it a reality. The Romans were actually superior in that respect, they were more interested in the bottom line and practical matters. The Arabs were also incredibly advanced in medicine. Performing surgery with clean instruments and anasthesia, opening the first happy houses to humanely deal with societies lunatics, ect. It is ironic, the region that once had the highest standard of living and technology in Europe is now amongst the poorest and most backwards. Ever since 1492, Andalucia has been the most volatile region in Spain, a headache for any monarch or leader.

The bigger irony is how a people that was once this great and civilized is now a backward pathetic mess.  But that subject ends up boiling my blood.

Sigh, despite it all, I'm still proud to be one of them.

[Skadi_the_Evil_Elf]

KnightofPhoenix wrote...

The bigger irony is how a people that was once this great and civilized is now a backward pathetic mess.  But that subject ends up boiling my blood.

Sigh, despite it all, I'm still proud to be one of them.

You want to know what else is ironic? Alcohol distillation. The discovery of how to distill pure ethanol from feremented brew, from a people whose society and religion frowns heavily upon the consumption of it.

If it wasn't for that little miracle of chemical engineering, family reunions would be far more painful.

[DragonRacer13]

Yeah, don't even get me started on House. Love him to pieces!

Oddly enough, I was drawing comparisons between him and Loghain in my head today while working on the next chapter of my fic. Loghain and House and Snape are pretty much my triumvirate of awesomeness and snark. lol

[KnightofPhoenix]

Skadi_the_Evil_Elf wrote...

KnightofPhoenix wrote...

The bigger irony is how a people that was once this great and civilized is now a backward pathetic mess.  But that subject ends up boiling my blood.

Sigh, despite it all, I'm still proud to be one of them.

You want to know what else is ironic? Alcohol distillation. The discovery of how to distill pure ethanol from feremented brew, from a people whose society and religion frowns heavily upon the consumption of it.

If it wasn't for that little miracle of chemical engineering, family reunions would be far more painful.

Alcohol is an Arabic word
الكحول

[Skadi_the_Evil_Elf]

KnightofPhoenix wrote...
Alcohol is an Arabic word
الكحول

Yep! Just like alchemy and chemistry. And, um, hashish.....

@Dragonracer: Yeah, House and Loggy both tend to be brutally honest and not really care. Now that you mention it, I am trying to visualize Loghain as a doctor.......

[KnightofPhoenix]

Skadi_the_Evil_Elf wrote...

KnightofPhoenix wrote...
Alcohol is an Arabic word
الكحول

Yep! Just like alchemy and chemistry. And, um, hashish.....

Admiral also originates from an Arabic word, from Emir Al Bahr. Magazine, sugar, cotton, algebra of course.
And assassin

We were so cool.

[Skadi_the_Evil_Elf]

KnightofPhoenix wrote...

Admiral also originates from an Arabic word, from Emir Al Bahr. Magazine, sugar, cotton, algebra of course.
And assassin

We were so cool.

And lettuce, candy, gerbils, zircon,guitar, and zero.

Zero is my favorite. I still can't believe it took people thousands of years before someone figured it out.

[KnightofPhoenix]

Candy? Really? lol I didn't know.

To be fair, the "zero" was "created" by Indians. The Muslims perfected the concept and integrated it in algebra in a more definitive manner and of course transmitted it to Europe. And gave it its name. 

Modifié par KnightofPhoenix, 06 février 2011 - 12:49 .

[Skadi_the_Evil_Elf]

Was it the Indians? Dunno why I thought it was the Persians. But yeah, again, it's a matter of theory vs practical application. Theory is great on its own, but when it is manifest into practical applications, it's even greater, because it can be shared and understood by a wider audience. With wider benefits.



Yeah, Candy comes from Arabic. I think it's part of the same root we get cane, as in sugar cane, from.



And don't forget couscous!

[Giggles_Manically]

So I beat Fallout New Vegas again.

I tried to think what Loghain would have done when confronted with such a mess.
Then I realized he would turn the NCR citizens, and all the regular people against the moronic leaders: House, Caesar, Lee Oliver and reshape the wastes.

I tried and then laughed thinking about how Loghain would obliterate Caesar's Legion.
I am tempted to do a Loghain Courier run now though.

I already know that Caesar's Legion is going down.
No way in hell Loghain would side with a horde of murdering, mysoginistic rapists. 

Modifié par Giggles_Manically, 06 février 2011 - 01:27 .

[Addai]

KnightofPhoenix wrote...

Well it's not hero worship in my case lol. I am interested in the Islamic early-high medieval period in general,

An interesting time period and you're right, from what I know of it there is a lot of work to be done there.

I like to explore them from the perspective of exceptional individuals like the Falcon of Quraysh.

This was my approach as well.  I was always interested in the charismatic individuals.  Lately I am more interested in the lives of ordinary people.  Kings come and go.  Folk ways come and go, too, but much, much more slowly, and ultimately I find them more interesting.  Fortunately for me, a lot of work in western medieval history has been done in this area in the past couple decades, trawling through birth and death records, wills, that kind of thing, also archaeology.  Atm I'm reading an account of the archaelogical dig at Towton, site of one of Britain's bloodiest battles, during the War of the Roses.  Such savagery over such petty things...

Anyway, what will you do when you're done?  Teach?

Too bad we're not likely to get a Loghain cameo in DA2.  I'd like to see him in some of the new armor.

Modifié par Addai67, 06 février 2011 - 03:33 .

[Addai]

I finally got the Awakening cameo on Not-Ellie.  All I can say is squeeeee.  Can't believe how happy he looks.  And flirty, the old devil.  I made a video of course.

Modifié par Addai67, 06 février 2011 - 05:54 .

[Giggles_Manically]

He sounds almost giddy,,,, when he says:

Daggers and all.

[Addai]

Loghain speaking.... Orlesian?!!  My brain just 'sploded.

[Persephone]

Knowing this cameo was coming got me through the bugfest called Awakening.

I went AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW when I picked "Well enough. It's good to see you!" . His response is heartwarming. It's wonderful to see him this happy. And yes, the flirting..... If only there could be a cameo in DA2....Well, one can dream, no? 

[Skadi_the_Evil_Elf]

Oh yes, the Loghain cameo in Awakening....it was when I first decided that Loghain was indeed quite hawt and doable. He's far more relaxed, and relieved to boot, that he's no longer saddled with the burden of ruling. My only complaint being he wasn't stopping by for a bootay call.

[Skadi_the_Evil_Elf]

[quote]Addai67 wrote...

This was my approach as well.  I was always interested in the charismatic individuals.  Lately I am more interested in the lives of ordinary people.  Kings come and go.  Folk ways come and go, too, but much, much more slowly, and ultimately I find them more interesting.  Fortunately for me, a lot of work in western medieval history has been done in this area in the past couple decades, trawling through birth and death records, wills, that kind of thing, also archaeology.  Atm I'm reading an account of the archaelogical dig at Towton, site of one of Britain's bloodiest battles, during the War of the Roses.  Such savagery over such petty things...
[quote]

I agree on the life of ordinary folk, it is something I always tried to look for, because there is precious little info on it in History. Peasants and msot commoners could not read or write, and the people who could seldom ever recording the doings of the average person. But like you, I am fascinated by people in history who were exceptional in someway, beyond the common motives of simple power and expansion. People with unique visions, talents, and personalities, who were extraordinary in some fashion. It's such gems of humanity that make history actually worth reading about.