General Discussion

GreatGazoo

(4,087 posts)

2. Edison and Ford also

Fri Jan 3, 2025, 12:53 PM

Jan 3

And there is a paradox in many of these genius stories -- the person is presented as both a super unique individual but also a "man of the people".

Saw an exhibit on New Sweden (the failed colony near Philly) that pointed out it was the Finns who brought the log cabin to the Americas. The stereotype of Finns (Finnlanders) is best known now via Huckleberry Finn -- pragmatic, humble, hard working, honest too a fault. And log cabins carry that same image. The exhibit pointed out that 3 US Presidents claim to have been born in log cabins and 3 more claimed to have lived in one.

The 'humble origins' thing seems to be pushed to make genius and extraordinary abilities more relatable and less 'Dr Frankenstein'.

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Shakespeare and Myths About Genius [View all] GreatGazoo Jan 3 OP

Great post Prairie Gates Jan 3 #1

Edison and Ford also GreatGazoo Jan 3 #2

Huckleberry Finn had nothing to do with Finnish people. Finn is a Irish-derived name and Twain stated the inspiration Celerity Jan 5 #35

Yes - Blankenship was an inspiration but GreatGazoo Jan 5 #37

FWIW, everyone agrees it's the Irish origin. It came from a real "Jimmy Finn" muriel_volestrangler Jan 5 #41

I concede. GreatGazoo Jan 5 #42

This message was self-deleted by its author Celerity Jan 5 #44

That's a refreshing reminder peggysue2 Jan 3 #3

Shakespeare was observant, empathic, and quick witted. haele Jan 3 #4

We often use "art" or "artist" as a general complement GreatGazoo Jan 3 #8

Shakespeare had it easy in school... underpants Jan 3 #5

Loved Cunk on Shakespeare GreatGazoo Jan 3 #9

Hilarious underpants Jan 3 #13

I loved the bit with the gloves GreatGazoo Jan 3 #19

That's the most irreverent take on Shakespeare I've ever heard peggysue2 Jan 3 #15

And a case in point: Good Will Hunting localroger Jan 3 #6

Yes! GreatGazoo Jan 3 #10

Probably the best thing about that flick was the music. miyazaki Jan 3 #18

I have that soundtrack in my CD jukebox GreatGazoo Jan 3 #20

Ya it does have a certain moodiness for sure. miyazaki Jan 3 #21

This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Jan 5 #33

Armageddon makes specific reference to the K-T impactor. So what? localroger Jan 5 #40

It's relatively easy to explain how Shakespeare could have set his plays thucythucy Jan 3 #7

Exactly. Shakespeare's true gift was his knack for beautiful prose and poetry. Aristus Jan 3 #11

Respectfully, pub conversations don't fill the gap. GreatGazoo Jan 3 #12

He very well might have visited Italy thucythucy Jan 3 #14

I had heard about Patrick Stewart's Shakespeare roles but had not seen any clips GreatGazoo Jan 3 #17

Your work sounds fascinating. thucythucy Jan 3 #26

Thanks -- History is much more fun that I thought it would be GreatGazoo Jan 5 #38

The printing press was over a hundred years old Retrograde Jan 3 #28

I approach the Shakespeare biography as a historian GreatGazoo Jan 4 #30

Thanks for the info on Henslowe Retrograde Jan 4 #31

Marchette Chute's "Shakespeare of London" is also another valuable resource. C0RI0LANUS Jan 5 #34

Henslowe is a gold mine GreatGazoo Jan 5 #36

I dont want bloody knuckles or nose, I confess GusBob Jan 3 #16

Shakespeare was forgotten for 150 years Blue_Tires Jan 3 #22

Thanks for the wonderful post, GreatGazoo. C0RI0LANUS Jan 3 #23

Do you think he wrote Mucedorus? GreatGazoo Jan 3 #24

Having never read Mucedorus (but I will now) here is my analysis. Apologies for the length. C0RI0LANUS Jan 3 #25

Hi Great Gazoo C0RI0LANUS Jan 5 #32

Thanks for that. Now I have to re-read it... GreatGazoo Jan 5 #39

You're welcome-- it won't take long. The version I read has Mucedorus using a club to kill Bremo with one blow. C0RI0LANUS Jan 5 #43

A grammar-school education was pretty rigorous back then. The church also educated. viva la Jan 3 #27

Wonderful post, will re-read soon, thanks! UTUSN Jan 4 #29