Dr. Metablog Posts from 2005
November 2005
Abkhazian Consonants
November 18, 2005
An exploration of the Abkhazian language’s remarkable 58 consonants (compared to English’s 23) and its unique features, including just one vowel sound. Details the language’s origins in the North West Caucasian family and discusses the cultural background of Abkhazian speakers.
The Clocks of Rome
November 21, 2005
Reflections on ancient Roman timekeeping, prompted by reading a biography of Catullus. Explores how Romans divided daylight and darkness into twelve hours each, resulting in hours of varying length throughout the year - a fundamentally different concept from our modern fixed-length hours.
A Thanksgiving Conversation
November 25, 2005
A short, witty dialogue between two people discussing how they met, with neither able to remember the details of an alleged insult that occurred decades ago.
The Black Sea; Lermontov
November 27, 2005
Thoughts on the Black Sea region and its peoples, prompted by a visit to Nessebar. Includes reflections on Mikhail Lermontov’s novel “A Hero of Our Time” and its depiction of the Caucasus, with observations on how the novel addresses Russian imperialism.
Bushlingo 1 – Malapropisms
November 29, 2005
An analysis of President George W. Bush’s linguistic errors, focusing on malapropisms like “misunderestimate” and “resignate.” Examines these verbal slips as reflections of the president’s limited vocabulary and reading habits.
December 2005
What We Read in the Fifties: The Late George Apley
December 3, 2005
A review of John P. Marquand’s novel about a wealthy Bostonian whose editor reveals more than he understands. Discusses how the novel satirizes upper-class Boston values and restrictions, with the author wondering why his father so strongly recommended this book.
Addendum to Lermontov
December 4, 2005
A correction to the author’s earlier criticism of Lermontov’s “A Hero of Our Time,” noting that the character Azamat’s trading of his sister for a horse may have been an accurate representation of 19th-century Caucasian customs rather than a plot contrivance.
More on Malapropisms in Bushlingo
December 7, 2005
A continuation of the analysis of President Bush’s language errors, examining terms like “uninalienable,” “subliminable,” and “vulcanize” (instead of “Balkanize”). Notes how these errors reveal his unfamiliarity with written forms of certain words.
What We Read in the Fifties: H. M. Pulham, Esquire
December 9, 2005
Review of another Marquand novel about an upper-class Bostonian trapped in social conventions, observing that it repeats many themes from “The Late George Apley.” Connects these novels to the 1950s preoccupation with conformity.
Thing Is
December 10, 2005
An examination of the colloquialism “thing is” and its origins as a shortened form of “the thing of it is.” Questions whether this casual phrasing belongs in newspaper writing and traces its usage in American speech.
What We Read in the Fifties: Point of No Return
December 13, 2005
A disappointed review of Marquand’s 1947 novel, finding it too long and its resolution unsatisfying. Notes how the novel celebrates corporate success rather than critiquing conformity as in Marquand’s earlier works.
Bush’s Knowledge of Geography
December 14, 2005
A critique of President Bush’s geographical knowledge, questioning whether his understanding of Iraq’s size and population influenced his decision to invade, and drawing parallels between Iraq and Texas.
Edward Gibbon Comments on Randall (Duke) Cunningham, Halliburton, etc.
December 15, 2005
A brief quotation from Gibbon’s “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire” about corrupt officials, implied to be relevant to contemporary political corruption scandals.
Flower Names
December 17, 2005
A charming essay lamenting the replacement of traditional flower names (snapdragon, sweet pea, marigold) with scientific Latinized names. Celebrates the poetry of common flower names, with reference to Milton’s “Lycidas.”
“Crosspatch, draw the latch” and Industrial Capitalism
December 18, 2005
An elaborate interpretation of a simple nursery rhyme as a commentary on industrial capitalism, isolation, and communal celebration. Analyzes the transformation of the “crosspatch” from alienated laborer to social participant.
What We Read in the Fifties: The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit
December 23, 2005
Review of Sloan Wilson’s 1955 bestseller, noting its pervasive alcohol and tobacco use. Discusses how the novel addresses post-WWII trauma and suburban marriage difficulties rather than just corporate conformity.
The Caucasus; Hadji Murad
December 24, 2005
Reflections on the Caucasus region, Imam Shamil’s resistance to Russian conquest, and Tolstoy’s novella “Hadji Murad.” Notes how Tolstoy’s work powerfully depicts the brutality of the Russian-Caucasian conflicts.
What We Read in the Fifties: Women and Thomas Harrow
December 28, 2005
Review of Marquand’s final novel, exploring why the author’s father so admired Marquand’s anti-modernist, conventionally structured works that consistently depicted a deteriorating modern world.
Otto Preminger’s Laura (1944)
December 28, 2005
An analysis of the film noir classic, focusing on Waldo Lydecker’s character and his possessive, art-collector-like relationship with Laura. Explores the film’s complex sexual psychology and how it transforms Laura into an untouchable work of art.