Bought the “Classics” book. Two actually. One for my daughter and one for myself. Also the book “The Preparation” by Doug Casey. The latter, I’m discovering, is somewhat autobiographical. The thesis also somewhat in parallel to Charlie Kirk’s own story. As a deist myself, all I will say is that “God works in mysterious ways”. Thanks to you Dan for your research as well as your timely thoughts. Hope you can also agree with me that our dogs go to heaven and wait patiently by “the pearly gates” for their masters to return home.
Excellent, Dan! The Essential Classics is a great book to have. I will never regret buying it. And the Nepalese story reminds us that in spite of all that’s wrong with social media, it is primarily a tool.
Thank you Dan, you’re always a knowledgeable read! I’m a member of Joel and his brilliant wife’s Classical Wisdom family, and now we know where the Snow White story came from😊. I couldn’t agree more with you on everything, especially enjoying the time with those we love and praising our Lord for all the gifts we have received in life. 🙏💕
I completely agree; most of the world's finance ministers and banksters deserve the same fate as that poor doof in Nepal. And whether it be by choice or by force (did he jump or was he pushed?) doesn't matter that much to me.
Your story of the Judgement of Paris reminded me of another Judgement of Paris which happened on May 24, 1976. You are probably familiar with it and I am certain that the Bonners are but for your readers who aren’t I will recount it here. Of course it is well documented online for anyone curious.
Here is the synopsis:
A British wine merchant named Steven Spurrier had a very successful wine shop in Paris in the 1970s. He had an American friend and colleague who had been suggesting to him that he should start selling some California wines in his shop, telling him that they were really excellent and that offering them would prove the point to Parisians and perhaps create a bit of a positive “stir” around his wine shop, increasing his sales of French(and American) wines. He initially refused, telling his friend that he didn’t want to bear the risible derision of his wine peers in France, because at that time everyone in France and in Europe knew that American wines were the oenological equivalent of tree pitch. His friend didn’t drop the idea but rather persisted, sending Mr. Spurrier a bottle of Califorinia Cabernet. This seemed to turned the tide, however Mr. Spurrier still would not agree to simply place an order for California wines for sale in his shop. His colleague suggested that he host a blind tasting competition in his Paris shop between the best French wines versus the best California wines, inviting the who’s who of the French wine industry, along with the media, to the competition. Surely this would result in a bit of trans-Atlantic wine bonhomie while settling the obvious answer to the question, that French wines remained the world standard for quality and could not be challenged by the American upstart California. Mr. Spurrier, well connected in French wine circles, agreed to pursue the idea. The idea intrigued his wine peers as a bit of fun combined with a PR and marketing boost for French wines. The plan was afoot. The competition was set for May 24, 1976 in Paris. It would be no basement gig of the shabby gentile, that in spite of the fact that only one person from the media showed up(over a dozen were invited). The French hosts would include the inner circle of the French wine industry, with representatives from its Bordeaux region and its finest wines. The 11 judges would include 9 French wine experts, Steven Spurrier and his American colleague and friend Patricia Gallagher. The Napa County contingent from California arrived with their selected Cabernets and Chardonnays. It was game time. By now those that are unaware of this historic event may be guessing the outcome. A Napa County wine was awarded first place in each category, winning 3 of the top 5 places in the white wine category and 6 out of the top 10 in the Red category. When the results were announced one of the French judges who happened to be the editor of La Revue du Vin de France demanded her ballot back. During the competition, one of the French judges was heard whispering to himself upon tasting a Stags Leap Cabernet: “Ahhh, back to France”.
This was a seismic event in the wine industry and a pivotal one for the California wine industry, placing it permanently on the world stage and solidifying a reputation that would persist into the 21st century. The only journalist present at the completion was the Paris bureau chief of Time magazine. When the competition results were announced he immediately knew what he had. The next issue of Time featured a cover with the title “The Judgement of Paris”
Roland Friestad - Bought the "Essential Classics" book as well and enjoyed it too. Using the Greek Gods and mortals to explain the universality of discord is refreshing. However the use of sanitized references to various crude words popularized by high school and college sophomores just doesn't seem to fit your mini-essay. I read your analysis regularly even though I don't fully understand it all but closing out with the following struck a bad note - "My brother’s dog Bandit crossed the Rainbow Bridge this week, which sucked." A bit like "f--k" which avoids the word in what some feel is a terminally "cute" way.
Bought the “Classics” book. Two actually. One for my daughter and one for myself. Also the book “The Preparation” by Doug Casey. The latter, I’m discovering, is somewhat autobiographical. The thesis also somewhat in parallel to Charlie Kirk’s own story. As a deist myself, all I will say is that “God works in mysterious ways”. Thanks to you Dan for your research as well as your timely thoughts. Hope you can also agree with me that our dogs go to heaven and wait patiently by “the pearly gates” for their masters to return home.
Excellent, Dan! The Essential Classics is a great book to have. I will never regret buying it. And the Nepalese story reminds us that in spite of all that’s wrong with social media, it is primarily a tool.
Thank you Dan, you’re always a knowledgeable read! I’m a member of Joel and his brilliant wife’s Classical Wisdom family, and now we know where the Snow White story came from😊. I couldn’t agree more with you on everything, especially enjoying the time with those we love and praising our Lord for all the gifts we have received in life. 🙏💕
I completely agree; most of the world's finance ministers and banksters deserve the same fate as that poor doof in Nepal. And whether it be by choice or by force (did he jump or was he pushed?) doesn't matter that much to me.
Great post Dan
Your story of the Judgement of Paris reminded me of another Judgement of Paris which happened on May 24, 1976. You are probably familiar with it and I am certain that the Bonners are but for your readers who aren’t I will recount it here. Of course it is well documented online for anyone curious.
Here is the synopsis:
A British wine merchant named Steven Spurrier had a very successful wine shop in Paris in the 1970s. He had an American friend and colleague who had been suggesting to him that he should start selling some California wines in his shop, telling him that they were really excellent and that offering them would prove the point to Parisians and perhaps create a bit of a positive “stir” around his wine shop, increasing his sales of French(and American) wines. He initially refused, telling his friend that he didn’t want to bear the risible derision of his wine peers in France, because at that time everyone in France and in Europe knew that American wines were the oenological equivalent of tree pitch. His friend didn’t drop the idea but rather persisted, sending Mr. Spurrier a bottle of Califorinia Cabernet. This seemed to turned the tide, however Mr. Spurrier still would not agree to simply place an order for California wines for sale in his shop. His colleague suggested that he host a blind tasting competition in his Paris shop between the best French wines versus the best California wines, inviting the who’s who of the French wine industry, along with the media, to the competition. Surely this would result in a bit of trans-Atlantic wine bonhomie while settling the obvious answer to the question, that French wines remained the world standard for quality and could not be challenged by the American upstart California. Mr. Spurrier, well connected in French wine circles, agreed to pursue the idea. The idea intrigued his wine peers as a bit of fun combined with a PR and marketing boost for French wines. The plan was afoot. The competition was set for May 24, 1976 in Paris. It would be no basement gig of the shabby gentile, that in spite of the fact that only one person from the media showed up(over a dozen were invited). The French hosts would include the inner circle of the French wine industry, with representatives from its Bordeaux region and its finest wines. The 11 judges would include 9 French wine experts, Steven Spurrier and his American colleague and friend Patricia Gallagher. The Napa County contingent from California arrived with their selected Cabernets and Chardonnays. It was game time. By now those that are unaware of this historic event may be guessing the outcome. A Napa County wine was awarded first place in each category, winning 3 of the top 5 places in the white wine category and 6 out of the top 10 in the Red category. When the results were announced one of the French judges who happened to be the editor of La Revue du Vin de France demanded her ballot back. During the competition, one of the French judges was heard whispering to himself upon tasting a Stags Leap Cabernet: “Ahhh, back to France”.
This was a seismic event in the wine industry and a pivotal one for the California wine industry, placing it permanently on the world stage and solidifying a reputation that would persist into the 21st century. The only journalist present at the completion was the Paris bureau chief of Time magazine. When the competition results were announced he immediately knew what he had. The next issue of Time featured a cover with the title “The Judgement of Paris”
Roland Friestad - Bought the "Essential Classics" book as well and enjoyed it too. Using the Greek Gods and mortals to explain the universality of discord is refreshing. However the use of sanitized references to various crude words popularized by high school and college sophomores just doesn't seem to fit your mini-essay. I read your analysis regularly even though I don't fully understand it all but closing out with the following struck a bad note - "My brother’s dog Bandit crossed the Rainbow Bridge this week, which sucked." A bit like "f--k" which avoids the word in what some feel is a terminally "cute" way.