Tag Archives: history

Cyclone Tauktae, COVID-19 and the Siloam Lesson

Posted on May 22, 2021 by Brian H. Gill

This week hasn’t been a good time for India. Statistics say Tuesday was their worst day yet for COVID-19 pandemic deaths. It’s also when the worst cyclone recorded so far hit India’s west coast. There’s quite a bit going on … Continue reading →

Posted in Discursive Detours | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Marlowe’s Faustus: Chorus, Soliloquies and Film Noir

Posted on April 18, 2021 by Brian H. Gill

“Doctor Faustus…” starts with a 194-word soliloquy. Sort of. It’s delivered by Chorus, named last in Marlowe’s “Dramatis Personae.” Ancient Greek tragedies had a chorus, acting like today’s narrators. Again, sort of. Aristotle said that chorus was a character, so … Continue reading →

Posted in Discursive Detours, Marlowe's Faustus, Series | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Space Aliens: Perceptions, Assumptions

Posted on April 10, 2021 by Brian H. Gill

Throughout the ages, Saints and sages have pondered the big questions. Who are we? What are we? Why are our lives so messed up? Storytellers and movie makers — these groups overlap — also reflect on human nature from time … Continue reading →

Posted in Discursive Detours, Exoplanets and Aliens, Series | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

St. Patrick’s Day: Prickly Problems, Shamrocks and Saints

Posted on March 13, 2021 by Brian H. Gill

March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a public holiday in Ireland, Newfoundland and Labrador. Chicago plumbers celebrate by turning the city’s river green. It’s a day when folks wear something green, and I’ve heard that some even drink green … Continue reading →

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Pope Francis in Iraq: Peace, Prayer and a Sign of Hope

Posted on March 6, 2021 by Brian H. Gill

I’ve been listening to Vatican News coverage of the Pope’s trip to Iraq. Watching, too. All 53 minutes and 42 seconds of that video. I’d have preferred seeing more of the medal presented to Iraqi authorities. And the speeches were … Continue reading →

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