We can look at all art as valid, and ask what of ourselves, if anything, we see in it. If we see nothing of ourselves we can ask ourselves why.
Author Archives: Karl Anthony Mercer
A New Lease of Life?
New year, new…floor? The Colosseum’s getting a new floor. Here’s what we had to say about it.
Bad History: Did Rome Ever Actually Fall?
It’s self-evident, right? We’re not Romans so at some point or other the Roman Empire must have fallen. I mean people don’t speak Latin anymore – well, not outside of law, medicine, biology, classics, the Catholic clergy and students of Roman history anyway – and they don’t have Roman baths anymore – well, outside ofContinue reading “Bad History: Did Rome Ever Actually Fall?”
Bad History: Boudica and Bullshit Nationalism
I didn’t know Boudica. Did you?
Bumbler’s Guide: So You Think You Want a Telescope?
Ya probably don’t. It’s not that nobody wants one, they’re awesome. They’re also the single biggest frustration and disappointment in astronomy in terms of expectation versus reality.
The Moon
Everyone has that overly needy friend, the one who desperately clings to you because they’re so socially inept that they need the protection of another individual. I should know, he’s me. At the same time, that friend absorbs a constant stream of meteorite strikes that actually protect the other friend, but they still think you’re annoying even though they love you – in a way. That’s the Moon. I’m the Moon.
Orion
There are warriors, kings, beasts and myths in our skies. If that kind of thing is your bag then I urge you to delve into Ancient Egyptian religion, because the whole thing is basically one elaborate star chart, it’s glorious. We in the so-called ‘Western World’, though, inherited most of ours from the Greeks, viaContinue reading “Orion”
Bumbler’s Guide to Astronomy 2
RULE 2: SPACE IS CONFUSINGLY BIG, AND REALISING THIS IS LIKELY TO CHANGE YOU. I wouldn’t usually begin with an introduction. I am the kind of person who believes you should confidently integrate and flow your words such that they do not, necessarily, need subheadings. The thing is, gazing at space is weird, and makesContinue reading “Bumbler’s Guide to Astronomy 2”
The Ignorant and Bumbling Beginner’s Guide to Looking at things in Space, from Earth, With Eyes
Confused about stargazing? Not sure where to start? Karl Anthony Mercer explains stargazing from a beginner’s perspective. I am Karl Anthony Mercer and what do I know about astronomy, stargazing and all things cosmic? Nothing. Nada. Zero. Fuck all! Well, that’s not strictly speaking true. I know a few things. Space is huge. Not hugeContinue reading “The Ignorant and Bumbling Beginner’s Guide to Looking at things in Space, from Earth, With Eyes”
Space: What’s the F***ing Point?!
I get it, you’re too wrapped up in work, school, what’s on TV, that latest videogame and you wonder quite what the hell the interest in space is. It’s massive, it’s far away and it seems it barely interacts with you at all.
