David Jones, artist and poet (1895-1974) begins his PREFACE TO THE ANATHEMATA :

'I have made a heap of all that I could find.' (1) So wrote Nennius, or whoever composed the introductory matter to Historia Brittonum. He speaks of an 'inward wound' which was caused by the fear that certain things dear to him 'should be like smoke dissipated'. Further, he says, 'not trusting my own learning, which is none at all, but partly from writings and monuments of the ancient inhabitants of Britain, partly from the annals of the Romans and the chronicles of the sacred fathers, Isidore, Hieronymous, Prosper, Eusebius and from the histories of the Scots and Saxons although our enemies . . . I have lispingly put together this . . . about past transactions, that [this material] might not be trodden under foot'. (2)

(1) The actual words are coacervavi omne quod inveni, and occur in Prologue 2 to the Historia.
(2) Quoted from the translation of Prologue 1. See The Works of Gildas and Nennius, J.A.Giles, London 1841.


18 January 2013

Lance Armstrong and the One Hundredth Monkey Effect

        
Lance Armstrong has admitted to bullying, lying and drug taking in his attempt to win the human race. 

"In his first interview since being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles, cyclist Lance Armstrong admits to Oprah Winfrey that he used performance-enhancing drugs in all of his victories. In an initial round of yes/no questioning, Armstrong confirms he used banned substances like EPO and steroids."  
The Guardian 
       
 
 image courtesy Theatre of the Actors of Regard
       
A spokesperson for Human Racers P/L has rejected expressions of concern that other races will copy the Armstrong example. 

On the evidence of the promotional document below, we think it may already be too late.
           
COPIEZ! COPIEZ TOUJOURS...
             

 click image to enlarge

 detail
 A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/
 someone looks at something ...

 LOGOS/HA HA