Reading through the Y2K page about when the 19th century ended I suddenly remembered a primary (elementary) school teacher I had who tried to explain to our class that the twentieth century started in 1950!
I say "tried to", because half way through his explanation he stalled, thought about it for a bit, and then went next door to ask another teacher.
Oh, lordy, thank you for that page. Of course, like you, I've heard all the arguments, pro and con. But your slant definitely reinstated the comical edge in it, especially with comments from the Idiots.
What brings up my comment is that I was in Kuwait. They sell these large 5-inch diameter coins called Mary Theresa's, supposedly silver coins dredged from the wreckage of ships lost during the Arab Trader days of the 1600's. Basically, they're really base metal coins coated with a thin layer of silver and etched in acid to make them look old. For $12 (at that time) it was a fun souvenir to bring back for conversations. Of course, I'd tell guests the 'story' of the Mary Theresa's, in which everyone was properly awed and convinced that I had a very valuable historical item. Then I'd tell them about a coin I'd misplaced that I also brought back, which was dated 4 B.C.
Invariably, their eyes widened at losing such a rare antiquity, something that must be nearly priceless. And, of course, I'd have my laugh that no one ever considered that "B.C." couldn't possibly be defined until a reference point had passed when it was no longer B.C.
In other words, the reactions of some people are so predictable that I can't resist eliciting them for my own amusement. I suspect you do the same. Don't take that as an insult. People pay over and over to watch Shamu do the same tricks at Seaworld.
We Made It! - Comments
Reading through the Y2K page about when the 19th century ended I suddenly remembered a primary (elementary) school teacher I had who tried to explain to our class that the twentieth century started in 1950!
I say "tried to", because half way through his explanation he stalled, thought about it for a bit, and then went next door to ask another teacher.
Posted by: tony, japan | April 5, 2007 8:58 PM
Oh, lordy, thank you for that page. Of course, like you, I've heard all the arguments, pro and con. But your slant definitely reinstated the comical edge in it, especially with comments from the Idiots.
What brings up my comment is that I was in Kuwait. They sell these large 5-inch diameter coins called Mary Theresa's, supposedly silver coins dredged from the wreckage of ships lost during the Arab Trader days of the 1600's. Basically, they're really base metal coins coated with a thin layer of silver and etched in acid to make them look old. For $12 (at that time) it was a fun souvenir to bring back for conversations. Of course, I'd tell guests the 'story' of the Mary Theresa's, in which everyone was properly awed and convinced that I had a very valuable historical item. Then I'd tell them about a coin I'd misplaced that I also brought back, which was dated 4 B.C.
Invariably, their eyes widened at losing such a rare antiquity, something that must be nearly priceless. And, of course, I'd have my laugh that no one ever considered that "B.C." couldn't possibly be defined until a reference point had passed when it was no longer B.C.
In other words, the reactions of some people are so predictable that I can't resist eliciting them for my own amusement. I suspect you do the same. Don't take that as an insult. People pay over and over to watch Shamu do the same tricks at Seaworld.
Posted by: Mike from Dallas | April 9, 2007 3:22 PM
Read the article that everyone's commenting on, or post a comment about it.