19th June 2010, 01:07 PM
"intriguing new theory".
The problem with intriguing new theories and the new "spin" put on old information is that it leads to an assupmtion of FACT as this C4 programme suggested (hands up, haven't seen it...don't own a TV).
A classic example, if you will pardon the pun, is the number of English Literature "students" (term used very loosely) who now quote with confidence that Mr Darcy emerged from swimming in a pond (or even a swimming pool) before he met Elizabeth Bennet at his home in Derbyshire...thank you BBC! (And not a scrap of pond weed to be seen. Put me off Colin Firth for life!)
One could also cite Classic FM for passing off film scores as classical music..Star Wars...Lord of the Rings (<<yawn>>) ...that'll be the film Gladiator as well then!
It may be entertainment but it is also highly naive and irresponsible to think that what they create does not becomes engraved in tablets of stone for the easily impressed and intellectually challenged.
Perhaps the piece on gladiators was designed to hang on to the popularity of the film (see above) and "sex up" the find - but then again when a highly popular film sees a Roman Legionary General fight the Emperor in the arena what hope is there?
<<harumph, shake the Daily Telegraph in disgust>>
The problem with intriguing new theories and the new "spin" put on old information is that it leads to an assupmtion of FACT as this C4 programme suggested (hands up, haven't seen it...don't own a TV).
A classic example, if you will pardon the pun, is the number of English Literature "students" (term used very loosely) who now quote with confidence that Mr Darcy emerged from swimming in a pond (or even a swimming pool) before he met Elizabeth Bennet at his home in Derbyshire...thank you BBC! (And not a scrap of pond weed to be seen. Put me off Colin Firth for life!)
One could also cite Classic FM for passing off film scores as classical music..Star Wars...Lord of the Rings (<<yawn>>) ...that'll be the film Gladiator as well then!
It may be entertainment but it is also highly naive and irresponsible to think that what they create does not becomes engraved in tablets of stone for the easily impressed and intellectually challenged.
Perhaps the piece on gladiators was designed to hang on to the popularity of the film (see above) and "sex up" the find - but then again when a highly popular film sees a Roman Legionary General fight the Emperor in the arena what hope is there?
<<harumph, shake the Daily Telegraph in disgust>>
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, Merlot in one hand, Cigar in the other; body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, what a ride!