This makes me think about the experience I had in Morocco in 2017. I was at a Roman archeological site. A vast expanse of ruins including columnns, mosaic baths, foundations of homes etc. It was cool, but the most profound realization I had was looking at some giant maps they had showing the boundaries of the Roman and other empires in that area. Thinking about the fact that Rome occupied that part of the world for over 300 years and that was just one little chapter of their history brought so much into perspective. The Medina in Fez is over 800 years old. They don't think about endings of things like we Americans do. I doubt that you'd find anyone in that part of the world worrying about the end of anything. Empires come and go. Monarchs come and go and the people keep on doing what they've always done.
When I was there, it was soon enough after the election that that shock was still in the air, but my angst about it kind of dissolved in the context of feeling the presence of that vast stretch of time. I've never really felt the same fear about "what will happen if..." regarding politics and the great societal transition we're in.
This makes me think about the experience I had in Morocco in 2017. I was at a Roman archeological site. A vast expanse of ruins including columnns, mosaic baths, foundations of homes etc. It was cool, but the most profound realization I had was looking at some giant maps they had showing the boundaries of the Roman and other empires in that area. Thinking about the fact that Rome occupied that part of the world for over 300 years and that was just one little chapter of their history brought so much into perspective. The Medina in Fez is over 800 years old. They don't think about endings of things like we Americans do. I doubt that you'd find anyone in that part of the world worrying about the end of anything. Empires come and go. Monarchs come and go and the people keep on doing what they've always done.
When I was there, it was soon enough after the election that that shock was still in the air, but my angst about it kind of dissolved in the context of feeling the presence of that vast stretch of time. I've never really felt the same fear about "what will happen if..." regarding politics and the great societal transition we're in.
Have you peeked at the Chandra for 20 Aries?
thank you for turning me onto Athanasius Kircher! Also, great piece as always <3