I remember eminent historians from Wisconsin, including Harvey Goldberg, George Mosse, and John Barker (all passed away now). The Humanities Building is literally decaying, and I fear that one of these years I will return and find that it has been replaced by a boring piece of cheap architecture or worse, a parking garage.
Lynn, thank you. The metaphor is for what's happening in history in general, but yes even at UW. History, the jewel in the crown of education, is contemptuously relegated to these awful Stalinesque buildings by the army of grifter-ogres who now now run higher education, and are running it into the ground for their own profit. Disgusting doesn't even begin to cover what's happened to ALL of American education
I always found the building to be aesthetically pleasing, especially the inner courtyard. Admittedly, it is hard to locate your classroom. The pyramid shaped base and few lower windows may have been designed to withstand the pressures of campus riots. The components of concrete are going to run out (as it requires a special type of sand that is becoming harder to find). This means that the building should be restored now and it will become more valuable in time when concrete is no longer available (concrete will then be admired). In short, this is a historical building that should be preserved (not something that short-sighted Americans are good at doing).
Oh my, @Annette Laing, I'm moved to tears. I'd never even heard the song. 🥹
After reading the poem and your first few paragraphs I set off to find a recording and it wasn't till I got to the end that I saw you had one there too. The contrast seems fitting. https://youtu.be/re0K9KMTi3M?si=IgW7LI3KInaVLhlE
I'm truly moved and privileged to have you in this community here as family historians look to your work for inspiration as they till what amount to family plots of history.
As others have said - Outstanding! And oh yes, the feels. And dare I add, your writings have been enriching my life experience. I'm noticing... reading... researching... History is more alive for me, it now seems. Keep it up, I've got almost 2 decades until I hit 100, lots of time to learn more. Cheers!
Absolutely gorgeous! Look for a picture book titled Knight Owl by Denise Christopher - the illustrations flowed through my brain as I read your lovely words. To arms my friends!
"Though the knights are no more". I think that was the first line of any song that really thrilled me - I loved singing it.
Oh, Annette ..!
I know, right? Written in floods, knew I had to send it today, or I might never. ❤️
I remember eminent historians from Wisconsin, including Harvey Goldberg, George Mosse, and John Barker (all passed away now). The Humanities Building is literally decaying, and I fear that one of these years I will return and find that it has been replaced by a boring piece of cheap architecture or worse, a parking garage.
Lynn, thank you. The metaphor is for what's happening in history in general, but yes even at UW. History, the jewel in the crown of education, is contemptuously relegated to these awful Stalinesque buildings by the army of grifter-ogres who now now run higher education, and are running it into the ground for their own profit. Disgusting doesn't even begin to cover what's happened to ALL of American education
Lynn, just spotted this. https://madison.com/opinion/editorial/our-view-tear-down-ugly-failing-monstrosity-in-heart-of-uw-madison-campus/article_cc7bfcd0-616a-11ef-9602-5b3a5948e30c.html#tracking-source=mp-in-article
The contempt in which the humanities are currently held in the US never fails to blow my mind.
I always found the building to be aesthetically pleasing, especially the inner courtyard. Admittedly, it is hard to locate your classroom. The pyramid shaped base and few lower windows may have been designed to withstand the pressures of campus riots. The components of concrete are going to run out (as it requires a special type of sand that is becoming harder to find). This means that the building should be restored now and it will become more valuable in time when concrete is no longer available (concrete will then be admired). In short, this is a historical building that should be preserved (not something that short-sighted Americans are good at doing).
I grew up in Stevenage, Lynn. 😂😱😱😂 Enough concrete for a lifetime,!
It will soon be over. Sand is the second most consumed resource on the planet after water. Desert sand is useless for concrete. See Why the World is Running Out of Sand: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20191108-why-the-world-is-running-out-of-sand
😱
Oh my, @Annette Laing, I'm moved to tears. I'd never even heard the song. 🥹
After reading the poem and your first few paragraphs I set off to find a recording and it wasn't till I got to the end that I saw you had one there too. The contrast seems fitting. https://youtu.be/re0K9KMTi3M?si=IgW7LI3KInaVLhlE
I'm truly moved and privileged to have you in this community here as family historians look to your work for inspiration as they till what amount to family plots of history.
Thank you, Barbara
Oof - right in the feels.
Well done, Dr. Laing!
❤️
Oh my friend, as I begin year 27 waging the ‘long defeat’ here in Georgia this post hits home like few have. Outstanding…just outstanding.
Much love, Kevin.
As others have said - Outstanding! And oh yes, the feels. And dare I add, your writings have been enriching my life experience. I'm noticing... reading... researching... History is more alive for me, it now seems. Keep it up, I've got almost 2 decades until I hit 100, lots of time to learn more. Cheers!
Oh, such music to my ears, Celia! Thank you!! And of course! My Granny almost made it to 100, marbles fully intact, so why not? 😍
No reason at all! I just renewed my passport till 2034.
Absolutely gorgeous! Look for a picture book titled Knight Owl by Denise Christopher - the illustrations flowed through my brain as I read your lovely words. To arms my friends!
Oh, I will! Thank you, Muff! And yes: Battle plan coming soon!