Sherman A1
Sherman A1's JournalWhen People Knew How to Speak: Oratory in the 19th Century
At a time when the quality of public discourse is often complained of, it’s interesting to look back to when people took oratory, or eloquence in public speaking, seriously. One such period was 200 years ago, in the early 19th century. Inspired by Greek and Roman ideals, politicians, lawyers, religious leaders and other public speakers sought to stir emotions, change minds and inspire action by speaking so masterfully that people would pack rooms just to hear what they said.
Oratory an ancient skill
Orators were held in high esteem in ancient Greece and ancient Rome, where citizens participated in government. Rhetoric (the art of persuasive speaking) was formally taught to boys, and politicians were expected to be good speakers. Cicero, one of Rome’s most famous orators, wrote of the “incredible magnitude and difficulty of the art” of oratory.
A knowledge of a vast number of things is necessary, without which volubility of words is empty and ridiculous; speech itself is to be formed, not merely by choice, but by careful construction of words; and all the motions of the mind, which nature has given to man, must be intimately known; for all the force and art of speaking must be employed in allaying or exciting the feelings of those who listen. To this must be added a certain portion of grace and wit, learning worthy of a well-bred man, and quickness and brevity in replying as well as attacking, accompanied with a refined decorum and urbanity. Besides, the whole of antiquity and a multitude of examples is to be kept in the memory; nor is the knowledge of laws in general, or of the civil law in particular, to be neglected. And why need I add any remarks on delivery itself, which is to be ordered by action of body, by gesture, by look, and by modulation and variation of the voice, the great power of which, alone and itself, the comparatively trivial art of actors and the stage proves, on which though all bestow their utmost labour to form their look, voice, and gesture, who knows not how few there are, and have ever been, to whom we can attend with patience? What can I say of that repository for all things, the memory, which, unless it be made the keeper of the matter and words that are the fruits of thought and invention, all the talents of the orator, we see, though they be of the highest degree of excellence, will be of no avail? (1)
Oratory was a less useful skill in the feudal, monarchical and oligarchical governments of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The Enlightenment, and the American and French Revolutions, occasioned a revival of interest in Greek and Roman democratic and republican traditions, including civic eloquence. Oratory again became regarded as an important practice of a free people.
https://shannonselin.com/2020/10/oratory-19th-century/
To Tell Someone They're Wrong, First Tell Them They're Right
The 17th century philosopher Blaise Pascal is perhaps best known for Pascal’s Wager which, in the first formal use of decision theory, argued that believing in God is the most pragmatic decision. But it seems the French thinker also had a knack for psychology. As Brain Pickings points out, Pascal set out the most effective way to get someone to change their mind, centuries before experimental psychologists began to formally study persuasion:
When we wish to correct with advantage, and to show another that he errs, we must notice from what side he views the matter, for on that side it is usually true, and admit that truth to him, but reveal to him the side on which it is false. He is satisfied with that, for he sees that he was not mistaken, and that he only failed to see all sides. Now, no one is offended at not seeing everything; but one does not like to be mistaken, and that perhaps arises from the fact that man naturally cannot see everything, and that naturally he cannot err in the side he looks at, since the perceptions of our senses are always true.
Pascal added:
People are generally better persuaded by the reasons which they have themselves discovered than by those which have come into the mind of others.
Put simply, Pascal suggests that before disagreeing with someone, first point out the ways in which they’re right. And to effectively persuade someone to change their mind, lead them to discover a counter-point of their own accord. Arthur Markman, psychology professor at The University of Texas at Austin, says both these points hold true.
https://getpocket.com/explore/item/a-philosopher-s-350-year-old-trick-to-get-people-to-change-their-minds-is-now-backed-up-by?utm_source=pocket-newtab
St. Louis Region Has 'One Last Chance' To Curb Coronavirus Before Restrictions Return
The St. Louis region could see renewed government restrictions to stop the spread of the coronavirus if the number of new cases doesn’t go down within a week, St. Louis and St. Louis County leaders said Monday.
The number of people testing positive is increasing in the bistate area. The metro area has seen about 1,412 new positive cases per day over the last week. That's up 57.8% over last week, according to data gathered by the New York Times.
That puts the region at a dangerous crossroads, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page told reporters Monday.
“I want to be clear with everyone: If this doesn’t change a week or two from now, and we’re standing here with the same rate of increase, then we will have to be considering more restrictions,” he said. “We have one last chance to slow the cases of COVID-19 in our community before we are forced to take action.”
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/health-science-environment/2020-11-09/st-louis-region-has-one-last-chance-to-curb-coronavirus-before-restrictions-return
Moon Exposure Calculator
A friend sent this link to me and I find it very useful for figuring settings to do moon photos. You need only enter your camera type and a few details and you are good to go.
Thought I would pass it along. 
http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/astronomy/MoonExposureCalculator.html?fbclid=IwAR2quUlc6-vA7vFUZByA9N4nIreQbY4wtIqEG80a1ue6SMx--iKNHlD2hi8
For whoever was the one who invented the number Zero
Well, Thanks for nothing...............
That wraps up my several weeks engagement here in the lounge, but after yesterday on the board it is time to take a break. Thanks for the views, the recs and responses.
EPA Approves Bayer, BASF Dicamba Weedkillers Despite Farmers' Concerns
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is allowing farmers to use controversial weedkillers made by ag giants Bayer and BASF for another five years.
But farmers across the country, including in Missouri’s Bootheel, have complained for years that the dicamba-based herbicides have drifted off target, damaging millions of acres of crops.
EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced the approval on Tuesday, saying it would give farmers who depend on the products to fight difficult-to-kill weeds certainty for next year's growing season.
“After reviewing substantial amounts of new information, conducting scientific assessments based on the best available science and carefully considering input from stakeholders, we have reached a resolution that is good for our farmers and our environment,” he said in a statement.
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/economy-business/2020-10-28/u-s-epa-approves-bayer-basf-dicamba-weedkillers-despite-farmers-concerns
St. Louis Convention Center Will Host Reproductions Of Michelangelo's Iconic Frescoes
An exhibition featuring reproductions of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel paintings will open at the America’s Center Convention Complex next week.
“Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition” boasts 34 reproductions of the Renaissance master’s iconic frescoes. Among them are some of the most revered images in Western art, including “The Creation of Adam” and “The Last Judgment.”
The show has toured internationally but has been idle for about eight months because of the coronavirus pandemic. It was created by Las Vegas-based SEE Global Entertainment and is presented locally by Explore St. Louis, the city’s tourism commission.
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/2020-10-28/st-louis-convention-center-will-host-reproductions-of-michelangelos-iconic-frescoes
Republican Stronghold Of Phelps County Is Showing Signs Of Progressive Life
ROLLA — In 2016, 68% of voters in Phelps County voted for Donald Trump, and no Republican on the ballot received less than 59% of the vote.
But since then, some elections, public rallies and social media have suggested a progressive push in the county of 45,000 in the Ozarks, 100 miles southwest of St. Louis.
In June, hundreds of people took to the streets of downtown Rolla, the county’s largest city, in a Black Lives Matter protest march.
In September, Cori Bush, a progressive Democrat who upset longtime St. Louis Congressman Lacy Clay in the August primary, came to Rolla for a rally supporting causes that included universal health care and racial justice.
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/government-politics-issues/2020-10-29/republican-stronghold-of-phelps-county-is-showing-signs-of-progressive-life
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