understanding the economics of time and attention, which are the ultimate scarce goods
In National Gallery exhibits, facial features of the Gaul Telesphoros in a Corinthian domestic statuette contrasts strikingly with those of the Dying Gaul. … Read the post Telesphoros at National Gallery's Heaven & Earth
Al-Harizi’s puffing and flattery in Tahkemoni is part of his larger program of creating entertaining Hebrew literature that surpasses Arabic literature. … Read the post al-Harizi's superlative self-touting in Tahkemoni
Counting sheep for falling asleep has long been a widely recognized practice. If you’re having trouble sleeping, try counting sheep. That’s good science. … Read the post ancient origin of counting sheep to fall asleep
Ibn al-Muqaffa’s introduction to Kalilah and Dimnah served his worldly interests in moving from Zoroastrian Persia to the Islamic Arabic Abbasid caliphate. … Read the post ibn al-Muqaffa vigorously promoted Kalilah and Dimnah and himself
Like the Tale of Sindbad the Sailor, the Tale of the Jerusalemite presents the attraction of seafaring as irrational and ineluctable. … Read the post Tale of the Jerusalemite's lure of the sea in historical context