Director witmore it was hard to escape shakespeare, because politicians, whether they know it or not, are using and often saying shakespeares words. It is something that allows politicians to connect with audiences, and when they quote shakespeare, it gives the politician a certain kind of weight and heft. Brian lamb you said that robert byrd was probably the greatest senator to use the words of William Shakespeare in the senate. Director witmore yes, robert byrd was the cicero senator, and he used ornate clauses and that is one of the distinctive things about him that worked on the floor. Brian lamb we have a clip of him on the senate floor talking about him using shakespeare. [video clip] senator byrd oh that my tongue were in the thunders mouth, then with a passion would i shake the world, one drop of blood, drawn from by countrys thy countrys bosom. Aye, it is written having such a jewel, and these covering heavens fall like dew to inlay heaven with stars. As these, covering heaven
To the hearts and minds of ancient people. Their decipherment is one of the greatest challenges facing archaeologists today. We humans are social animals. Our need to communicate is universal. Some of our messages can be easily understood. But we communicate, too, through abstract symbols that have meaning only within a particular culture. These symbols take many forms. The flag is a symbol. A gesture says, were number one. The uniform is a symbol that identifies the official and the player. The game itself is symbolic ritualized combat with clearly defined rules. Even sound can be a symbol. [ whistle blows ] the whistle signals the end of play. But why a whistle . Why not a gong . Why a striped shirt and not a plaid one . The choice is arbitrary. But within this culture, the meaning is mutually accepted. The use of symbols is the single most distinguishing feature of any culture. But as distinct as they are, all symbols are used for the same purpose to communica, manipulate, and prese
Emphasis on at all. Is that fair . Director witmore well, i think that politicians are using shakespeares words, whether they know it or not. He invented a lot of words. For example, he invented the word bedroom. So they are going to use a lot of words on the senate floor. I think that shakespeare is kind of in the bloodstream of our culture, and we often get him wrong, but we are close enough that people can hear that connection. Brian lamb we found this fun video on youtube. We dont who the man is, maybe you know the voice . But he does exactly what you talk about, putting quotes together that people dont know are shakespeare. [video clip] if you cannot understand my argument, and declare, it is greek to me, you are quoting shakespeare. If you are saying, it it is more sinned against than sinning, you are quoting shakespeare. If you quote salad days, you are quoting shakespeare. If you act more in sullen than in anger, if you Say Something vanished into thin air, you are quoting shak
There legally action able whatsoever. So thats easy. Then theres the question of how you have the right pollution standards and, ultimately, its a big issue. Im much more of the view that this should be resolved, you know, much more in courts actually than by an agency like epa. So that theres a really good essay in the book climate coup by this guy named roger pilon which gives a pretty good critique of the executive state in this issue and gives a positive alternative. Im in that school, but its definitely not my focus. Part of the reason its the moral case is to evaluate what is the impact on human life and then give certain rough political guidance but thats a guide for policymakers to say we cannot be trying to outlaw this stuff thats fundamentally good for human life. So thats what im attempting to do with the book but theres tons more work to do beyond that. All right. Well, good news, we have copies of alexs book outside, and im sure hed be happy to sign them. Yes. Okay, great.
About life among the maya . From ancient sumer, clay tablets reveal astonishing details about daily life 5,000 years ago, and tell the story of the invention of writing. Symbols can be the gateway to the hearts and minds of ancient people. Their decipherment is one of the greatest challenges facing archaeologists today. We humans are social animals. Our need to communicate is universal. Some of our messages can be easily understood. But we communicate, too, through abstract symbols that have meaning only within a particular culture. These symbols take many forms. The flag is a symbol. A gesture says, were number one. The uniform is a symbol that identifies the official and the player. The game itself is symbolic ritualized combat with clearly defined rules. Even sound can be a symbol. [ whistle blows ] the whistle signals the end of play. But why a whistle . Why not a gong . Why a striped shirt and not a plaid one . The choice is arbitrary. But within this culture, the meaning is mutua