Cultured Views

What would you say is man’s greatest invention since the wheel?

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The answers to such a question could fill a book I suppose; some people might propose the car, some people might answer air travel and others may be convinced that television is the best innovation ever.

I am going to say what I think has been man’s most significant invention of modern day times…technology-wise of course. The Camera.

Just think about it. Up until the very first camera’s were created back in the 19th century the only way for man to record history and events was through the written word and art(painting). We only have an idea of what Henry VIII looked like through those who painted his portraits; we only have an idea of what the Battle of Waterloo or Trafalgar seemed like because of those who captured those events on canvas - and even then those artists used their imagination as to how the action would have been.

Photography changed everything through capturing the actual image of a person or event on paper. Until the 1800’s the history of man, the planets and universe existed only in books; through the camera we have been able to record an entire century. The people, the events, the best and the worst moments in those times and they are all on film.

And the camera itself has evolved in order to record our history more effectively - from the lithograph and the daguerrotypes, to the studio camera, the box brownie to the portable self-developing cameras to those today with their flash memory and memory cards. The Camera has come a long way just as humankind has; it has captured for prosperity man’s greatest achievements such as walking on the moon - it has also captured the worst times in man’s history and shall serve to remind us all whenever we choose to forget.

Surely it can be said that the camera signalled a second age in the history of mankind? and all thanks to two French men - Charles & Vincent Chevalier - who invented this little gadget and made it all possible.

Popularity: 18% [?]

British Youth make the cover of Time

US Time Magazine has published a damning indictment of the youth of Great Britain today. The article claims, correctly, that British youth are violent, drunken and out of control. The front cover of the renowned Time Magazine also depicts a young man in a hoodie with mugshots of others across a Union Jack.The headline reads: “Unhappy, Unloved and Out of Control - An epidemic of violence, crime and drunkenness has made Britain scared of its young.”

It also pours scorn upon the parenting abilities of the British, claiming they do not spend enough time with their children and cannot cope.  The magazine criticises the British class-driven society, the education system and the widespread binge-drinking culture. And so well it should. Every day, every day, the papers in the UK report stories of teenagers killing other teenagers; 12 year old boys knifing 10 year olds; 11 year old girls having babies whose own mothers are just 15 years older than themselves. In many areas up to three generations of families live in council housing and on benefits having never worked a day in their unproductive lives… the only thing they all seem able to produce with little or no effort are children.

Just a few weeks ago a a young woman was beaten to death by two boys, 15 and 16, just because she was dressed as a  Goth. Men protecting their homes and families are stabbed or beaten to death by savage, drunken youths still in their teens. And this is not just a passing phase, these are not isolated incidences. This is every day life in the UK today. Thanks to Nu-Labour, Tony Blair and now Gordon Brown. Victims have no rights, criminals have plenty; parents have no authority, nor do teachers, to control the kids whilst the kids have more rights than they know what to do with. Many parents simply do not care what their kids do, or who they do it to.

All rights and no responsibilities. No obligations. The UK has a welfare state which encourages unproductive human beings to do nothing other than produce other, eventual, unproductive human beings. Children are being dragged up rather than brought up. Children are being born having no idea who their father is because Mum probably has no idea either; multiple children to multiple men… that’s the career choice of many young British females today. It is happening and something must be done to stop it.

The UK already has a generation made up of countless savage and feral youth; no conscience, no feelings and no morals. And the worst generation of parents probably in British history.

Popularity: 29% [?]

It’s Saint Patricks Day!

It’s a great day for the Irish!…so say the words of that well known song. And it is true, St Patricks Day always brings out a bit of cheer and those of us who have even just the teensiest drop of Irish blood in us always feel like celebrating in some way. How do you like my cheeky wee leprechaun…? I reckon St Patrick would have a laugh at him too.

The biggest parade in the world might be in New York but if you really want to do it the genuine way then head, not to Dublin (even though we all love Dublin ) but to the town of Downpatrick in Northern Ireland.  This is where Patrick built his first church in Ireland (at nearby Saul ) and where his bones are said to be buried in the grounds of the Downpatrick Cathedral. The grave is right underneath a huge boulder now as pilgrims from the past were taking handfuls of soil away with them.

This is a lovely town in a lovely part of the world; the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ulster and is steeped in legend and Christian heritage.  The surrounding countryside is just magical, the people are warm and friendly and there is a fantastic little fish and chip shop across from the Cathedral. One place you must visit is the St Patrick Centre; it has a wonderful interactive exhibition, lots to see and learn about the Saint himself as well as a gift shop and restaurant.

Go and enjoy some real craic for the day, and yes, they really do serve green ale on this special day!

Popularity: 28% [?]