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One of my favourite popular songs is the jazz standard Autumn Leaves, which I've heard an uncountable number of times sung by many different singers. I heard it again today on the radio, and for the very first time it occurred to me that the following verse is incorrect:
That's odd, I thought. Don't the days grow short in autumn and winter, and long in spring and summer? I realise that 'short' doesn't rhyme with 'song', but wouldn't it have made more sense - scientifically, emotionally, poetically and romantically - to moan about the nights growing long? Or was that perhaps a little too suggestive for 1949, when Johnny Mercer wrote the English-language lyrics? Other explanations would include poetic licence, and ignorance. Or maybe he's just saying that every day passes a lot more slowly now that you've gone. Any thoughts? Are there any other examples of song lyrics containing scientific howlers? JackofOz 02:43, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
What is cuba's view on microloans in Latin America? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 72.134.73.15 ( talk • contribs) .
What is cuba's view on the rights of women in religion?
What is the cuban government's policy on the rights of women in religion? What are solutions that can equalize women in religion around the world? As religion goes, how can women overcome being inferior to men? How can women get more rights aside from just being expected to take care of the household?
If the C major scale triad is C-E-G, or 3 + 3b, minor is C-D#-G, right? How about the first inversion? Should I take the third from the root note of the MINOR triad, then apply the same triad, OR take the third from the root note of the MAJOR, then apply the minor triad? Thank you - 220.237.135.117 07:42, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
Yeah, um, Eb. Thanks again - Imo eng 10:15, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
All I definitely remember about the lyrics is the opening, "Good morning sunshine", and it's definitely not the song with the same title by Aqua which is hindering me greatly when trying a google search. The chorus basically consists of nonsense lyrics with some syncopation and triplets thrown in - I'd probably be able to make a crude midi track if it'd help. I'd say it was released some time around the 60's or 70's as I heard it a few times on oldies radio stations. It was sung by an all-male group. Does this sound familiar? Graham 87 12:28, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
Does someone out there know any corpora of spoken language online for free with a scientific quality?
Trivia question, who is the longest serving member of the house of representatives, in all US history? Amists 16:16, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
When a speech is being broadcast live on several TV stations, how can the picture and sound be a second or fraction of a second out of sync? 66.213.33.2 16:59, 9 November 2006 (UTC) To clarify that question: I mean out of sync between stations, not that the picture doesn't match the sound on any channel. 66.213.33.2 17:02, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
Also, if it's coming in over satellite, each station might want a delay to confirm that it's the right program, etc., so they don't accidentally confuse a Bush speech with a speech by somebody intelligent. StuRat 01:41, 10 November 2006 (UTC)
How was Hinduism diffused over the past years?
207.69.137.41 17:25, 9 November 2006 (UTC)Samuel Dahmin
I would like some viewpoints on what exactly makes him a genius in history books. Why is it that he is seen as the original renaissanceman? I'm trying to work it out from different aspects of his work so if anyone knows of sites or experts on the matter...
sanne 18:29, 9 November 2006
Only a genius (or a madman) would draw a naked man doing jumping jacks: [1]. :-) StuRat 01:37, 10 November 2006 (UTC)
I'm doing an essay [lucky me!]. I wanted to see what modern US citizen's views of the vietnamease war. Can someone help me out? MHDIV Englishnerd 19:28, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
One lesson that can't be ignored is the argument that, if Vietnam fell to the communists, so would the rest of South-East Asia, like a series of dominoes. It didn't happen, however. This is critical now because of the argument that, if Iraq falls to the insurgents, so will the rest of the Muslim world, like a series of dominoes. StuRat 01:32, 10 November 2006 (UTC)
Hi.
- Sadie
Specifically, I am interested in finding out if there are references in history known, on when humans first began using ice as a major element in refreshments -- that is, in iced drinks. My haphazard research so far shows that in our current age, this sort thing mostly appears to coincide with the invention and subsequent widespread use of artificial refrigeration.
However, the drinking of iced tea and chilled soda pop, in both Europe and North America, seems to predate the invention of modern refrigeration. And ice cream, a related topic, was a popular dessert for some Americans dating from colonial times. A converasation with my father on the this topic recalled to him that he remembered learning that 19th century America's New England region as being an important exporter of ice to British ice merchants (then what was it used for…?). Many towns and citys in America, and other countries also, had ice houses during that vsame era for local use. The origins of these in America and other countries, apparently, also predate the invention of mechanical refrigeration.
I recall reading of an Islamic Spanish Caliph who ordered snow from the nearby mountains be brought down for use in cooling certain living areas of his palace during the warmer seasons And I also have heard of an English King who had ice stored in special barns taken from ponds in wintertime, in order to have cooling baths when it was hot later in the year. These two rulers lived during the Middle Ages, thus easily predating the invention of modern refrigeration. Might have that caliph also iced his fruit yogurt drink with snow. Might have possibly that king iced chilled his wine in a similiar manner?
Given that while our predicessors in earlier ages were less sophisticated than we are today, they were no less bright, then, than we believe ourselves to be now in this modern era. Someone in olden times, somewhere, must have figured out that a cool iced drink eases the sweltering pressing heat of a hot summer afternoon.
So is this known of, this use of ice as food? Or is this a historical question that is too hard to pin down? Now I will grant that the widesprread proliferation of iced drinks and such in human culinary experience nowadays probably came into existance 'hand in glove' with the invention of modern refrigeration technology. And that technology's now currently common and everday use, as mentioned previously. But the not the specific use itself. What I would like to know is if it is known of in historical references pregating modern times to be done as a practice, or even just as an idea. This, even if it was then and possibley, only a rare and/or exclusive privilage for an elite few.
Thank youi, Christopher D.
I believe the ancient Roman's would have ice brought down from mountains on insulated carts and make something similar to modern flavored ice. StuRat 01:28, 10 November 2006 (UTC)
Are there any sociological studies (or articles) on online/nternet friendships? -- Stacey 22:36, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
Yep. If you're thinking about writing one - don't. I'm a Sociology graduate and many of my classmates used to write studies on that topic. Try to think of a more original one. Moonwalkerwiz 23:09, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
Who, in your opinion, are the most important humans to have been born so far? This isn't a homework question, I'm just curious -- there are probably a lot of people who have had a huge impact on human life that I don't know of. My answers would be Hippocrates (for founding the medical profession), Charles Darwin (his work is massively important to biology and natural sciences), Winston Churchill (without him the Nazi Party may have survived to the present day), Alexander Graham Bell (the telephone is the most important device in modern technology) and Paris Hilton (because without her, where would we be today? No, wait...). Pesapluvo 23:18, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
I'm gonna have to say Friedrich Nietzsche was the most important human being who had ever lived for exposing modernity for what it truly is. Before Nietzsche, human beings were all under the illusion of progress both in morality and in science. Nietzsche showed that despite Christianity being trampled down by science, it's basic concepts and its morality are still within the very language we use and the lives we live. Postmodernism has its roots in Nietzsche. The madness of the modern world with its confusion over what is right and what is wrong, what is real and what is a copy can all be traced to Nietzche's hatred of empty idols. This man is the Redpill to modernity. Moonwalkerwiz 00:32, 10 November 2006 (UTC)
I agree with Loomis that religious figures have, for good or ill, influenced every society enormously. The problem is, when viewed from a neutral point of view it is often very difficult to conclusively prove that a given religious leader existed. Some would be harder to prove then others because of the variability of records in different societies.
After religious leaders, military commanders have probably had the greatest impact on the world. The conquest of Alexander the Great, for instance, left behind a cultural and genetic track that effected the world for centuries.
Also do not forget the great philosophers an artists of the ancient world. There influence is style felt today. Examples would be:
Finley I would suggest Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer as he played a very large part in the development of the atomic bomb. S.dedalus 01:01, 10 November 2006 (UTC)
"The most important humans that have ever lived." high words indeed. I guess it all depends of your own point of view (it always does). Ask a scientist and he might say: Albert Einstein. Ask a medic and he might tell you: Fleming. Ask a Mongol and he might answer: Genghis Khan. Ask a scholar and he might tell you: Gutenberg. Let me be a little more abstract: The most important person for you will be that one which in your personal opinion had the greatest impact on yourself and your country, culture, religion, etc.
Now, the most significant humans in history will necessarly have to be the ones who in hindsight had the greatest impact upon world culture (a nice vague word, by which in this particular case I mean everything: Religion, morality, laws, politics, military, tecnology etc) and in my personal opinion we have two main candidates:
First, we have Jesus of Nazareth and why? Resumedly, because of: In hoc signo vinces = by this sign you shall win/conquer. After the Battle of Milvian Bridge Constantine the Great legalized and contributed decisivly to the conversion of the Roman Empire to the Christian faith. Even with the fall of the Roman Empire the Christian faith survived and prospered. The Christian faith in turn influenced to a enormous extent Western civilation (Is anyone going to deny that?). Western civilization invaded, dominated, colonized, conquered, and influenced culturally the entire world with the Age of Discovery until today. I am not going to try to convince you that it was a good or bad thing, that again depends from your own POV, but is anyone going to deny the impact of Christian values upon world culture? Even if you don´t believe in the "divine nature" of Jesus, or even dislike him, Jesus of Nazareth and his teachings had and have to this date the greatest cultural impact upon this world. Simply stating a fact.
The second canditate is undoubtbly (in my opinion)
Adolf Hitler. The simple tecnological impact of WWII through massproduction, planes, veicules, medicine, communications, etc (Man, they even invented and used the atomic bomb during this war) and WWII had also a imense impact in morals and politics: the Holocaust, the Nuremberg trials, ONU, The Cold War after it, the rise of the USA, the retreat of the old British Empire to the UK, Decolonization, and the birth of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the ocupation and "re-education" (couldn´t find a better word) of Germany and Japan, the victory of Mao-Tse Tung in China.
Would all this things still happen if there were not a WWII? Probably yes, but they were certainly hugely influenced and shaped by it. Notice that in real history the IF question is not soo important, is more important that IT DID and HOW and WHY did it happen. Notice that all the main players in today´s political arena were hugely changed by WWII (USA, Germany, Japan, China, UK, Russia, France, Israel, Canada, India, Korea (both of them), the list goes on and on). I am not telling anyone that all these countries are important because of WWII or that everything happened only because of that war, most of these countries were allready quite important before WWII. But all of them (in fact the entire world to a varied extent) were hugely affected by WWII. Think of anything and try to find out if it wasn´t affected, improved or even created during WWII. And as Hitler is guilty of starting it, his impact upon this world is there, for good and bad.
The two most important persons in human history to this date are Jesus and Adolf Hitler.
But hey, everything is debatable and I only gave my personal opinion. I don´t claim to know the whole truth. Feel free to disagree (rationaly, please) perhaps you can even convince me and I will change my mind (or/and learn from you POV and improve my limited knowledge). Flamarande 03:42, 10 November 2006 (UTC)
Adolph Hitler was absolutely to blame for WWII (at least as we know it). Had there been no Hitler, there would DEFINITELY have been no Third Reich. Of course he wasn't the ONLY to blame, those who followed him must take their share of blame as well. Yet I repeat, without Adolph Hitler, though there may have been some war of sorts (after all, wars are unfortunately inevitable under certain circumstances), it would not have been a "World War". There would have been no Third Reich, and if indeed a war was inevitable, (of which I'm not convinced,) it would not have borne the absolutely unprecedented inhumanity that was WWII. Loomis 02:47, 12 November 2006 (UTC)
Humanities desk | ||
---|---|---|
< November 8 | << Oct | November | Dec >> | November 10 > |
Welcome to the Wikipedia Humanities Reference Desk Archives |
---|
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages. |
One of my favourite popular songs is the jazz standard Autumn Leaves, which I've heard an uncountable number of times sung by many different singers. I heard it again today on the radio, and for the very first time it occurred to me that the following verse is incorrect:
That's odd, I thought. Don't the days grow short in autumn and winter, and long in spring and summer? I realise that 'short' doesn't rhyme with 'song', but wouldn't it have made more sense - scientifically, emotionally, poetically and romantically - to moan about the nights growing long? Or was that perhaps a little too suggestive for 1949, when Johnny Mercer wrote the English-language lyrics? Other explanations would include poetic licence, and ignorance. Or maybe he's just saying that every day passes a lot more slowly now that you've gone. Any thoughts? Are there any other examples of song lyrics containing scientific howlers? JackofOz 02:43, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
What is cuba's view on microloans in Latin America? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 72.134.73.15 ( talk • contribs) .
What is cuba's view on the rights of women in religion?
What is the cuban government's policy on the rights of women in religion? What are solutions that can equalize women in religion around the world? As religion goes, how can women overcome being inferior to men? How can women get more rights aside from just being expected to take care of the household?
If the C major scale triad is C-E-G, or 3 + 3b, minor is C-D#-G, right? How about the first inversion? Should I take the third from the root note of the MINOR triad, then apply the same triad, OR take the third from the root note of the MAJOR, then apply the minor triad? Thank you - 220.237.135.117 07:42, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
Yeah, um, Eb. Thanks again - Imo eng 10:15, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
All I definitely remember about the lyrics is the opening, "Good morning sunshine", and it's definitely not the song with the same title by Aqua which is hindering me greatly when trying a google search. The chorus basically consists of nonsense lyrics with some syncopation and triplets thrown in - I'd probably be able to make a crude midi track if it'd help. I'd say it was released some time around the 60's or 70's as I heard it a few times on oldies radio stations. It was sung by an all-male group. Does this sound familiar? Graham 87 12:28, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
Does someone out there know any corpora of spoken language online for free with a scientific quality?
Trivia question, who is the longest serving member of the house of representatives, in all US history? Amists 16:16, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
When a speech is being broadcast live on several TV stations, how can the picture and sound be a second or fraction of a second out of sync? 66.213.33.2 16:59, 9 November 2006 (UTC) To clarify that question: I mean out of sync between stations, not that the picture doesn't match the sound on any channel. 66.213.33.2 17:02, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
Also, if it's coming in over satellite, each station might want a delay to confirm that it's the right program, etc., so they don't accidentally confuse a Bush speech with a speech by somebody intelligent. StuRat 01:41, 10 November 2006 (UTC)
How was Hinduism diffused over the past years?
207.69.137.41 17:25, 9 November 2006 (UTC)Samuel Dahmin
I would like some viewpoints on what exactly makes him a genius in history books. Why is it that he is seen as the original renaissanceman? I'm trying to work it out from different aspects of his work so if anyone knows of sites or experts on the matter...
sanne 18:29, 9 November 2006
Only a genius (or a madman) would draw a naked man doing jumping jacks: [1]. :-) StuRat 01:37, 10 November 2006 (UTC)
I'm doing an essay [lucky me!]. I wanted to see what modern US citizen's views of the vietnamease war. Can someone help me out? MHDIV Englishnerd 19:28, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
One lesson that can't be ignored is the argument that, if Vietnam fell to the communists, so would the rest of South-East Asia, like a series of dominoes. It didn't happen, however. This is critical now because of the argument that, if Iraq falls to the insurgents, so will the rest of the Muslim world, like a series of dominoes. StuRat 01:32, 10 November 2006 (UTC)
Hi.
- Sadie
Specifically, I am interested in finding out if there are references in history known, on when humans first began using ice as a major element in refreshments -- that is, in iced drinks. My haphazard research so far shows that in our current age, this sort thing mostly appears to coincide with the invention and subsequent widespread use of artificial refrigeration.
However, the drinking of iced tea and chilled soda pop, in both Europe and North America, seems to predate the invention of modern refrigeration. And ice cream, a related topic, was a popular dessert for some Americans dating from colonial times. A converasation with my father on the this topic recalled to him that he remembered learning that 19th century America's New England region as being an important exporter of ice to British ice merchants (then what was it used for…?). Many towns and citys in America, and other countries also, had ice houses during that vsame era for local use. The origins of these in America and other countries, apparently, also predate the invention of mechanical refrigeration.
I recall reading of an Islamic Spanish Caliph who ordered snow from the nearby mountains be brought down for use in cooling certain living areas of his palace during the warmer seasons And I also have heard of an English King who had ice stored in special barns taken from ponds in wintertime, in order to have cooling baths when it was hot later in the year. These two rulers lived during the Middle Ages, thus easily predating the invention of modern refrigeration. Might have that caliph also iced his fruit yogurt drink with snow. Might have possibly that king iced chilled his wine in a similiar manner?
Given that while our predicessors in earlier ages were less sophisticated than we are today, they were no less bright, then, than we believe ourselves to be now in this modern era. Someone in olden times, somewhere, must have figured out that a cool iced drink eases the sweltering pressing heat of a hot summer afternoon.
So is this known of, this use of ice as food? Or is this a historical question that is too hard to pin down? Now I will grant that the widesprread proliferation of iced drinks and such in human culinary experience nowadays probably came into existance 'hand in glove' with the invention of modern refrigeration technology. And that technology's now currently common and everday use, as mentioned previously. But the not the specific use itself. What I would like to know is if it is known of in historical references pregating modern times to be done as a practice, or even just as an idea. This, even if it was then and possibley, only a rare and/or exclusive privilage for an elite few.
Thank youi, Christopher D.
I believe the ancient Roman's would have ice brought down from mountains on insulated carts and make something similar to modern flavored ice. StuRat 01:28, 10 November 2006 (UTC)
Are there any sociological studies (or articles) on online/nternet friendships? -- Stacey 22:36, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
Yep. If you're thinking about writing one - don't. I'm a Sociology graduate and many of my classmates used to write studies on that topic. Try to think of a more original one. Moonwalkerwiz 23:09, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
Who, in your opinion, are the most important humans to have been born so far? This isn't a homework question, I'm just curious -- there are probably a lot of people who have had a huge impact on human life that I don't know of. My answers would be Hippocrates (for founding the medical profession), Charles Darwin (his work is massively important to biology and natural sciences), Winston Churchill (without him the Nazi Party may have survived to the present day), Alexander Graham Bell (the telephone is the most important device in modern technology) and Paris Hilton (because without her, where would we be today? No, wait...). Pesapluvo 23:18, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
I'm gonna have to say Friedrich Nietzsche was the most important human being who had ever lived for exposing modernity for what it truly is. Before Nietzsche, human beings were all under the illusion of progress both in morality and in science. Nietzsche showed that despite Christianity being trampled down by science, it's basic concepts and its morality are still within the very language we use and the lives we live. Postmodernism has its roots in Nietzsche. The madness of the modern world with its confusion over what is right and what is wrong, what is real and what is a copy can all be traced to Nietzche's hatred of empty idols. This man is the Redpill to modernity. Moonwalkerwiz 00:32, 10 November 2006 (UTC)
I agree with Loomis that religious figures have, for good or ill, influenced every society enormously. The problem is, when viewed from a neutral point of view it is often very difficult to conclusively prove that a given religious leader existed. Some would be harder to prove then others because of the variability of records in different societies.
After religious leaders, military commanders have probably had the greatest impact on the world. The conquest of Alexander the Great, for instance, left behind a cultural and genetic track that effected the world for centuries.
Also do not forget the great philosophers an artists of the ancient world. There influence is style felt today. Examples would be:
Finley I would suggest Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer as he played a very large part in the development of the atomic bomb. S.dedalus 01:01, 10 November 2006 (UTC)
"The most important humans that have ever lived." high words indeed. I guess it all depends of your own point of view (it always does). Ask a scientist and he might say: Albert Einstein. Ask a medic and he might tell you: Fleming. Ask a Mongol and he might answer: Genghis Khan. Ask a scholar and he might tell you: Gutenberg. Let me be a little more abstract: The most important person for you will be that one which in your personal opinion had the greatest impact on yourself and your country, culture, religion, etc.
Now, the most significant humans in history will necessarly have to be the ones who in hindsight had the greatest impact upon world culture (a nice vague word, by which in this particular case I mean everything: Religion, morality, laws, politics, military, tecnology etc) and in my personal opinion we have two main candidates:
First, we have Jesus of Nazareth and why? Resumedly, because of: In hoc signo vinces = by this sign you shall win/conquer. After the Battle of Milvian Bridge Constantine the Great legalized and contributed decisivly to the conversion of the Roman Empire to the Christian faith. Even with the fall of the Roman Empire the Christian faith survived and prospered. The Christian faith in turn influenced to a enormous extent Western civilation (Is anyone going to deny that?). Western civilization invaded, dominated, colonized, conquered, and influenced culturally the entire world with the Age of Discovery until today. I am not going to try to convince you that it was a good or bad thing, that again depends from your own POV, but is anyone going to deny the impact of Christian values upon world culture? Even if you don´t believe in the "divine nature" of Jesus, or even dislike him, Jesus of Nazareth and his teachings had and have to this date the greatest cultural impact upon this world. Simply stating a fact.
The second canditate is undoubtbly (in my opinion)
Adolf Hitler. The simple tecnological impact of WWII through massproduction, planes, veicules, medicine, communications, etc (Man, they even invented and used the atomic bomb during this war) and WWII had also a imense impact in morals and politics: the Holocaust, the Nuremberg trials, ONU, The Cold War after it, the rise of the USA, the retreat of the old British Empire to the UK, Decolonization, and the birth of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the ocupation and "re-education" (couldn´t find a better word) of Germany and Japan, the victory of Mao-Tse Tung in China.
Would all this things still happen if there were not a WWII? Probably yes, but they were certainly hugely influenced and shaped by it. Notice that in real history the IF question is not soo important, is more important that IT DID and HOW and WHY did it happen. Notice that all the main players in today´s political arena were hugely changed by WWII (USA, Germany, Japan, China, UK, Russia, France, Israel, Canada, India, Korea (both of them), the list goes on and on). I am not telling anyone that all these countries are important because of WWII or that everything happened only because of that war, most of these countries were allready quite important before WWII. But all of them (in fact the entire world to a varied extent) were hugely affected by WWII. Think of anything and try to find out if it wasn´t affected, improved or even created during WWII. And as Hitler is guilty of starting it, his impact upon this world is there, for good and bad.
The two most important persons in human history to this date are Jesus and Adolf Hitler.
But hey, everything is debatable and I only gave my personal opinion. I don´t claim to know the whole truth. Feel free to disagree (rationaly, please) perhaps you can even convince me and I will change my mind (or/and learn from you POV and improve my limited knowledge). Flamarande 03:42, 10 November 2006 (UTC)
Adolph Hitler was absolutely to blame for WWII (at least as we know it). Had there been no Hitler, there would DEFINITELY have been no Third Reich. Of course he wasn't the ONLY to blame, those who followed him must take their share of blame as well. Yet I repeat, without Adolph Hitler, though there may have been some war of sorts (after all, wars are unfortunately inevitable under certain circumstances), it would not have been a "World War". There would have been no Third Reich, and if indeed a war was inevitable, (of which I'm not convinced,) it would not have borne the absolutely unprecedented inhumanity that was WWII. Loomis 02:47, 12 November 2006 (UTC)