I have a friend who is not at all on social media, and also lived in China for ten years before coming back a couple of years ago. I notice when I’m with her how much I use podcast/internet speak in a way that she really doesn’t - I catch myself saying all kinds of group-speak that she doesn’t use, it really makes me notice it and how pervasive it is with most people i know!
I totally support bringing back Humbug as a heckle especially when people are blithering on but not actually conveying any information! Plus it makes me think of Michael Cain as Scrooge in the Muppets Christmas Carol.
I haven't read Why I Write but have just ordered if from the library it will be a good companion to Wifedom (also on order) which is the story of Orwell's wife, perhaps throwing light on not just why he wrote but how he had the time and space to write.
Sep 17, 2023·edited Sep 19, 2023Liked by Hannah Meltzer
Culture, heritage, celebrating the New Year and humbugs. That's a very eclectic mixture.
As I said previously, I am 0.5% Ashkenazi Jew. I'm mostly Italian on my father's side and I have the blood of gypsies on my mother's side. Maybe I even carry the DNA from Alexander the Great because my Romanian grandfather actually lived in Macedonia? But mixed in there is also Egyptian, a lot of Iberian and some other DNA from far off lands.
I don't understand why the Jews have been persecuted throughout history. Although I am not a religious person I think that the Jewish culture persists because of the strength of Jewish religion. The vengeful Golem, made of clay, is one of my favorite superheroes.
As for the celebration of the New Year I always go back to this song because it's just like it should be when celebrating the New Year: romantic and full of hope. https://youtu.be/Tqw0-SKVsZ0?si=KsSfECblf8lfH1Oi
BUT this song will usher in the best New Year ever...and ever
George Orwell is 100% correct. Especially about how the English language is battered about in the States. I think part of it is the hubris of nationalism in the States. We were founded by rebellion and we've been rebelling ever since. Mostly to our own detriment.
But I love the word "humbug" because of its use by Scrooge in Dickens Christmas Carol; which as far as I'm concerned is a story that carries more impact about empathy, compassion and fellowship than anything in the Bible. Marley's Ghost says it all when he says to Scrooge that the common good should have been their business.
One song to share: the car company Kia has a commercial and the background music is this French song about an amusement park party. I think the bridge in the middle sounds a lot like Lou Reed's Walk on the Wild Side. Overall I think La Fete Noire is great. Had you heard of it, Hannah? https://youtu.be/04ZPUi5g86M?si=0rl-mShor9zKXbas
I have a friend who is not at all on social media, and also lived in China for ten years before coming back a couple of years ago. I notice when I’m with her how much I use podcast/internet speak in a way that she really doesn’t - I catch myself saying all kinds of group-speak that she doesn’t use, it really makes me notice it and how pervasive it is with most people i know!
I totally support bringing back Humbug as a heckle especially when people are blithering on but not actually conveying any information! Plus it makes me think of Michael Cain as Scrooge in the Muppets Christmas Carol.
I haven't read Why I Write but have just ordered if from the library it will be a good companion to Wifedom (also on order) which is the story of Orwell's wife, perhaps throwing light on not just why he wrote but how he had the time and space to write.
Culture, heritage, celebrating the New Year and humbugs. That's a very eclectic mixture.
As I said previously, I am 0.5% Ashkenazi Jew. I'm mostly Italian on my father's side and I have the blood of gypsies on my mother's side. Maybe I even carry the DNA from Alexander the Great because my Romanian grandfather actually lived in Macedonia? But mixed in there is also Egyptian, a lot of Iberian and some other DNA from far off lands.
I don't understand why the Jews have been persecuted throughout history. Although I am not a religious person I think that the Jewish culture persists because of the strength of Jewish religion. The vengeful Golem, made of clay, is one of my favorite superheroes.
As for the celebration of the New Year I always go back to this song because it's just like it should be when celebrating the New Year: romantic and full of hope. https://youtu.be/Tqw0-SKVsZ0?si=KsSfECblf8lfH1Oi
BUT this song will usher in the best New Year ever...and ever
https://youtu.be/qvNjOFMo6LI?si=tglYEdi4RAcV-UeW
George Orwell is 100% correct. Especially about how the English language is battered about in the States. I think part of it is the hubris of nationalism in the States. We were founded by rebellion and we've been rebelling ever since. Mostly to our own detriment.
But I love the word "humbug" because of its use by Scrooge in Dickens Christmas Carol; which as far as I'm concerned is a story that carries more impact about empathy, compassion and fellowship than anything in the Bible. Marley's Ghost says it all when he says to Scrooge that the common good should have been their business.
One song to share: the car company Kia has a commercial and the background music is this French song about an amusement park party. I think the bridge in the middle sounds a lot like Lou Reed's Walk on the Wild Side. Overall I think La Fete Noire is great. Had you heard of it, Hannah? https://youtu.be/04ZPUi5g86M?si=0rl-mShor9zKXbas