SOUNDINGS
Quotes from Johnny Clegg
The anthropologist and musical genius Johnny Clegg who mixed maskandi and western instruments with Zulu and English lyrics and traditional Zulu dance wrote a wonderful autobiography "Scatterling of Africa" which was published after his death in 2019. There are many passages I could quote, but here are a couple that stood out to me:
"All languages have their own unique way of describing the world, with its multiple flavours and nuances, darkness and light. Learning a new language can be a kind of rebirth, adding to what we know in our home language. I believe the more languages we speak the more layered and enriched our identities become."
"The only insight you find on top of a mountain is the insight your brought up with you. It was always there, silent and waiting for you to look inward. The climb is rough and it tears away each layer of the self until only raw, unmediated willpower is left. And when you reach the summit, the self eroded in the physical exertion, you look out across the world and suddenly an insight bursts into your mind.... Mountains don't carry wisdom. They only help you see your own truth by unraveling your defences."
Memorial Day Quote
May 30, 1868 marked the first Memorial Day. A quote from President James Garfield at Arlington National Cemetery on that date:
“We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke; but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue.”
Frederick the Great
From the recently-published book, "The Recruiter" by career CIA case manager Douglas London:
“And Frederick the Great’s caution, to defend everything means to defend nothing…. Of course [he] didn’t have to worry about social media and constant opinion polls. This worry accounts perhaps for why, when it comes to fighting terrorism, our leaders choose to defend everything, albeit at significant costs, both materially and to our American way of life.”
Dark Sky Week
International Dark Sky week is in full swing! Don't let a couple big tech firms take the night. It belongs to everyone, and should not be stolen. Here is a link to the excellent but scary presentation from Dr. Paul Daniels, President of the Federation of Astronomical Societies, U.K. earlier this month to the Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton about the looming devastation to night sky observing with the impending barrage of new satellites. By the way, he discusses NOT ONLY the observing implications--which may or may not pertain to you--but the ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS of 500-700 satellites falling out of the sky EVERY MONTH. Check it out, share it, comment, tweet, whatever...do something to create awareness. Thanks, everyone. AAAP YouTube Video