The Magna Carta, 800 years last Feb 3rd

[Steve M]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magna_Carta

It's been rewritten more times than a Windows EULA, yet its still stands as an important element of British, American and Canadian law. The Magna Carta we think of today is miles from the one originally written.

[Webb]

King Obama doesn't seem to understand it.

[Hawkeye07]

King Obama doesn't seem to understand it.

I thought politics was a taboo subject here. By the way neither the Dems nor the Republicans seem to get it.

[OldAirmail]

Don't get "it"?

Or haven't got a clue.


I mentioned the Magna Carta to an exec. today.

"What's that?", he said.


Maybe he thought that it was the next "Game of Thorns".

He lost ALL interest when I told him it was something to do with history, and nothing to do with TV.



Would the average, 30+, Englishman ask "What's that"?

[Hagar]

Would the average, 30+, Englishman ask "What's that"?

Probably.

[Hawkeye07]

Don't get "it"?

Or haven't got a clue.
I mentioned the Magna Carta to an exec. today.

"What's that?", he said.

Maybe he thought that it was the next "Game of Thorns".
He lost ALL interest when I told him it was something to do with history, and nothing to do with TV.

Would the average, 30+, Englishman ask "What's that"?

OAM, how old was this exec you mentioned it to? I'm amazed at how little the younger (< 55 years old) generations seem to know about history, ANY HISTORY. THey just aren't taught much of it in schools these days, at least not here in liberal Minnesota. From what I've read in a book recently called "Founding Myths" by Ray Raphael what we have been taught is greatly lacking and/or distorted.

[jcj78]

King Obama doesn't seem to understand it.

I thought politics was a taboo subject here. By the way neither the Dems nor the Republicans seem to get it.

Not for Webb. The rules don't apply to him. I'm writing it off to senility, I don't know about you.

I'd also add now that he can take his teeth out, sucking that thumb is sooo much better as therapy.

[OldAirmail]

Thirty five to forty.



Back around 2002 - 2004 there was a "man in the street" question asked on a college campus.

As best I can recall, just less than 20% got this correct: On who's side were the Germans in WWII?



A history test in 2015

OK Class. There is no right or wrong answer, and we'll mark it on a curve anyway.

QUESTION: Does anyone remember someone named Paris Hilton?

The test is now over.

[jcj78]

Thirty five to forty.



Back around 2002 - 2004 there was a "man in the street" question asked on a college campus.

As best I can recall, just less than 20% got this correct: On who's side were the Germans in WWII?



A history test in 2015

OK Class. There is no right or wrong answer, and we'll mark it on a curve anyway.

QUESTION: Does anyone remember someone named Paris Hilton?

The test is now over.

He probably was equally unimpressed that you didn't know it is "Game of Thrones". I know because I read the first book the year I started to college, which (my old lady kindly reminded me last night) will be 20 years ago next year. So its hardly some newfangled novel, its older than FS98, and kids who are now in college.


Anyway, those of us who are still in our prime can understand both history, and modern popular culture. Sometimes we even percieve of one in the context of the other. We can pass not just the history test, but also a hearing test, driving test, dexterity test, agility test, and endurance test.

I can enjoy a Ken Burns Documentary AND think Dave Chappelle is funny, but I guess haters gotta hate.

[jcj78]

Oh yeah, and the MC will not be 800 until June. The exhibit in London just opened on 2-3-15, that's the significance of that date.

[OldAirmail]

Rather testy, aren't We?


I have no idea why you have to take everything as a personal affront, even those things that aren't directed at you in any way.

But as you have pushed yourself into a froth, let me offer some friendly advice - Grow up.

[jcj78]

Rather testy, aren't We?


I have no idea why you have to take everything as a personal affront, even those things that aren't directed at you in any way.

But as you have pushed yourself into a froth, let me offer some friendly advice - Grow up.

I have no idea why when I point out that you don't have a clue about something, you ask me "why are you so personally insulted?" Does it thrill you to imagine that you somehow got a reaction out of the kind of guy your grandaughter makes eyes at in the pub?

I'm not personally insulted that you don't have a clue about Game of Thrones. I'm not even really surprised. Personally, I think its pretty damn funny. Especially since you initially presented your own ignorant, geriatric position as the superior one.


But as you have pushed yourself into a trembling fit, let me offer you some friendly advice-you mad, bro?. I only wish you weren't too old and culturally disconnected to understand just how funny that really is.

[OldAirmail]

As I said before.

Sad, Michael is correct.



Anyway, better to keep flying. THAT, we can agree on.

[jcj78]

As I said before.

Sad, Michael is correct.



Anyway, better to keep flying. THAT, we can agree on.

I don't know who Michael is. If you're talking about Webb, I don't think I've ever seen him post about flying. Sim or otherwise.

The only sad thing I see here is a couple of grumpy old men. And if you were talking about Webb, he WASN'T correct. Either time. I understand Webb's kind. They are all around here, in southern Tennessee. Hateful old white men, who feel like the world is leaving them behind, and that they are increasingly irrelevant in it. And they feel that way for good reason. It is, and they are. In some more honorable cultures they'd have slit their bellies open years ago. Instead they sit at the local Hardee's till ten-thirty in the morning, drinking senior coffees and whining that a black man is POTUS, and he's probably a socialist. After that they have to go cash their social security checks, and go see the doctor for a medicare checkup. And they see no irony in that at all.

[OldAirmail]