Raymond Williams's [Keywords]

[HenHanna]

Raymond Williams said that the word [nature] was used differently in
the past?

Yes, Raymond Williams, a prominent cultural theorist,
discussed the concept of "nature" and how its meaning has evolved over
time.

In his work, particularly in Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and
Society, Williams noted that the word "nature" originally encompassed a
broader range of meanings, including one's inherent qualities and the
essence of a thing.

Historically, "nature" was often associated with the idea of
the natural world and human beings' place within it, including moral and
social dimensions.

Over time, the term became more narrowly focused on the
physical environment and the biological aspects of life, often
separating human culture from the natural world.

________________________________


Here are some key examples from Raymond Williams's Keywords
that illustrate his observations about the historical usage of specific
terms:

______________Culture:

Original Meaning: Initially related to agriculture (from the Latin
cultura), referring to the cultivation of the earth.

Evolution: Over time, it expanded to include the arts, intellectual
achievements, and the overall way of life of a society.


______________Democracy:

Historical Context: Originally referred to the rule of the people in
ancient Greece.

Current Usage: The term has evolved to encompass various forms of
governance, often associated with rights, representation, and
participation, reflecting struggles for civil rights and social justice.


______________Nature:

Etymology: Traditionally related to the inherent qualities or essence
of things.

Shift: In contemporary usage, it often refers specifically to the
physical environment, separating it from human culture, which contrasts
with its broader historical interpretation.


______________Class:

Initial Connotation: Originally denoted a group or category based on
shared characteristics.

Modern Understanding: The term has developed to encompass
socio-economic divisions and conflicts, reflecting the dynamics of
power, privilege, and identity in society.


______________Industry:

Early Use: Initially referred to diligence and hard work.

Contemporary Meaning: Now primarily associated with manufacturing
and economic production, often linked to discussions of labor,
capitalism, and economic structures.


______________Community:

Original Sense: Related to common ownership or shared interests.

Current Interpretation: The concept has become more complex, often
reflecting various social and cultural identities, as well as issues of
belonging and exclusion.


______________Freedom:

Historical Roots: Originally linked to the idea of being free from
bondage or constraint.

Modern Nuances: Today, it encompasses various dimensions,
including political rights, personal autonomy, and economic freedom,
highlighting ongoing struggles and differing interpretations.

[Jeff Barnett]

Raymond Williams said that the word [nature]  was used differently in
the past?
           Yes, Raymond Williams, a prominent cultural theorist,
discussed the concept of "nature" and how its meaning has evolved over
time.
In his work, particularly in Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and
Society, Williams noted that the word "nature" originally encompassed a
broader range of meanings, including one's inherent qualities and the
essence of a thing.
           Historically, "nature" was often associated with the idea of
the natural world and human beings' place within it, including moral and
social dimensions.
         Over time, the term became more narrowly focused on the
physical environment and the biological aspects of life, often
separating human culture from the natural world.
________________________________
        Here are some key examples from   Raymond Williams's  Keywords
that illustrate his observations about the historical usage of specific
Original Meaning: Initially related to agriculture (from the Latin
cultura), referring to the cultivation of the earth.
Evolution:    Over time, it expanded to include the arts, intellectual
achievements, and the overall way of life of a society.
Historical Context:    Originally referred to the rule of the people in
ancient Greece.
Current Usage:      The term has evolved to encompass various forms of
governance, often associated with rights, representation, and
participation, reflecting struggles for civil rights and social justice.
Etymology:    Traditionally related to the inherent qualities or essence
of things.
Shift:     In contemporary usage, it often refers specifically to the
physical environment, separating it from human culture, which contrasts
with its broader historical interpretation.
Initial Connotation:     Originally denoted a group or category based on
shared characteristics.
Modern Understanding:     The term has developed to encompass
socio-economic divisions and conflicts, reflecting the dynamics of
power, privilege, and identity in society.
Early Use:    Initially referred to diligence and hard work.
Contemporary Meaning:       Now primarily associated with manufacturing
and economic production, often linked to discussions of labor,
capitalism, and economic structures.
Original Sense:     Related to common ownership or shared interests.
Current Interpretation:      The concept has become more complex, often
reflecting various social and cultural identities, as well as issues of
belonging and exclusion.
Historical Roots:     Originally linked to the idea of being free from
bondage or constraint.
Modern Nuances:        Today, it encompasses various dimensions,
including political rights, personal autonomy, and economic freedom,
highlighting ongoing struggles and differing interpretations.

I believe that at sometime in the past, the term implied/included human
waste products (toilet) and their production. I seem to remember this
usage in some things I have read but can't

[HenHanna]

Post by Jeff Barnett

Raymond Williams said that the word [nature]  was used differently in
the past?
           Yes, Raymond Williams, a prominent cultural theorist,
discussed the concept of "nature" and how its meaning has evolved over
time.
In his work, particularly in Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and
Society, Williams noted that the word "nature" originally encompassed a
broader range of meanings, including one's inherent qualities and the
essence of a thing.
           Historically, "nature" was often associated with the idea of
the natural world and human beings' place within it, including moral and
social dimensions.
         Over time, the term became more narrowly focused on the
physical environment and the biological aspects of life, often
separating human culture from the natural world.
________________________________
        Here are some key examples from   Raymond Williams's  Keywords
that illustrate his observations about the historical usage of specific
Original Meaning: Initially related to agriculture (from the Latin
cultura), referring to the cultivation of the earth.
Evolution:    Over time, it expanded to include the arts, intellectual
achievements, and the overall way of life of a society.
Historical Context:    Originally referred to the rule of the people in
ancient Greece.
Current Usage:      The term has evolved to encompass various forms of
governance, often associated with rights, representation, and
participation, reflecting struggles for civil rights and social justice.
Etymology:    Traditionally related to the inherent qualities or essence
of things.
Shift:     In contemporary usage, it often refers specifically to the
physical environment, separating it from human culture, which contrasts
with its broader historical interpretation.
Initial Connotation:     Originally denoted a group or category based on
shared characteristics.
Modern Understanding:     The term has developed to encompass
socio-economic divisions and conflicts, reflecting the dynamics of
power, privilege, and identity in society.
Early Use:    Initially referred to diligence and hard work.
Contemporary Meaning:       Now primarily associated with manufacturing
and economic production, often linked to discussions of labor,
capitalism, and economic structures.
Original Sense:     Related to common ownership or shared interests.
Current Interpretation:      The concept has become more complex, often
reflecting various social and cultural identities, as well as issues of
belonging and exclusion.
Historical Roots:     Originally linked to the idea of being free from
bondage or constraint.
Modern Nuances:        Today, it encompasses various dimensions,
including political rights, personal autonomy, and economic freedom,
highlighting ongoing struggles and differing interpretations.

I believe that at sometime in the past, the term implied/included human
waste products (toilet) and their production. I seem to remember this
usage in some things I have read but can't recall specific examples.
--
Jeff Barnett

re: free, freedom -- my AI(assistant) doesn't think so.



____________ >>> The term "free" has never directly meant urination or
defecation in a formal sense. However, it may have been used in
certain contexts or euphemisms related to bodily functions. The word
"free" generally denotes liberation or lack of restriction.

The closest related term would be "relief," which can
imply the act of relieving oneself.

　　　　　　　But "free" itself has not been historically linked to those
specific bodily functions.　　　　 It primarily conveys ideas of freedom,
absence of cost, or lack of constraints.


___________________________

Raymond Williams's [Keywords] --- i had this book, but
　　　　　　　　maybe i was too young, when i tried to read it.

[Jeff Barnett]

Post by Jeff Barnett

Raymond Williams said that the word [nature]  was used differently in
the past?
            Yes, Raymond Williams, a prominent cultural theorist,
discussed the concept of "nature" and how its meaning has evolved over
time.
In his work, particularly in Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and
Society, Williams noted that the word "nature" originally encompassed a
broader range of meanings, including one's inherent qualities and the
essence of a thing.
            Historically, "nature" was often associated with the idea of
the natural world and human beings' place within it, including moral and
social dimensions.
          Over time, the term became more narrowly focused on the
physical environment and the biological aspects of life, often
separating human culture from the natural world.
________________________________
         Here are some key examples from   Raymond Williams's  Keywords
that illustrate his observations about the historical usage of specific
Original Meaning: Initially related to agriculture (from the Latin
cultura), referring to the cultivation of the earth.
Evolution:    Over time, it expanded to include the arts, intellectual
achievements, and the overall way of life of a society.
Historical Context:    Originally referred to the rule of the people in
ancient Greece.
Current Usage:      The term has evolved to encompass various forms of
governance, often associated with rights, representation, and
participation, reflecting struggles for civil rights and social justice.
Etymology:    Traditionally related to the inherent qualities or essence
of things.
Shift:     In contemporary usage, it often refers specifically to the
physical environment, separating it from human culture, which contrasts
with its broader historical interpretation.
Initial Connotation:     Originally denoted a group or category based on
shared characteristics.
Modern Understanding:     The term has developed to encompass
socio-economic divisions and conflicts, reflecting the dynamics of
power, privilege, and identity in society.
Early Use:    Initially referred to diligence and hard work.
Contemporary Meaning:       Now primarily associated with manufacturing
and economic production, often linked to discussions of labor,
capitalism, and economic structures.
Original Sense:     Related to common ownership or shared interests.
Current Interpretation:      The concept has become more complex, often
reflecting various social and cultural identities, as well as issues of
belonging and exclusion.
Historical Roots:     Originally linked to the idea of being free from
bondage or constraint.
Modern Nuances:        Today, it encompasses various dimensions,
including political rights, personal autonomy, and economic freedom,
highlighting ongoing struggles and differing interpretations.

I believe that at sometime in the past, the term implied/included human
waste products (toilet) and their production. I seem to remember this
usage in some things I have read but can't recall specific examples.
--
Jeff Barnett

re:  free,  freedom  -- my AI(assistant) doesn't think so.
____________ >>>  The term "free" has never directly meant urination or
defecation in a formal sense.        However, it may have been used in
certain contexts or euphemisms related to bodily functions. The word
"free" generally denotes liberation or lack of restriction.
               The closest related term would be "relief," which can
imply the act of relieving oneself.
　　　　　　　But "free" itself has not been historically linked to those
specific bodily functions.　　　　 It primarily conveys ideas of freedom,
absence of cost, or lack of constraints.
___________________________
Raymond Williams's [Keywords] --- i had this book, but
　　　　　　　　maybe  i was  too young,  when i tried to read it.

Sorry - my above attempted contribution was for "nature". I inserted
remarks in the wrong place. Sorry.
--
Je

[HenHanna]

Post by Jeff Barnett

Post by Jeff Barnett

Raymond Williams said that the word [nature]  was used differently in
the past?
            Yes, Raymond Williams, a prominent cultural theorist,
discussed the concept of "nature" and how its meaning has evolved over
time.
In his work, particularly in Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and
Society, Williams noted that the word "nature" originally encompassed a
broader range of meanings, including one's inherent qualities and the
essence of a thing.
            Historically, "nature" was often associated with the idea of
the natural world and human beings' place within it, including moral and
social dimensions.
          Over time, the term became more narrowly focused on the
physical environment and the biological aspects of life, often
separating human culture from the natural world.
________________________________ .................

I believe that at sometime in the past, the term implied/included human
waste products (toilet) and their production. I seem to remember this
usage in some things I have read but can't recall specific examples.
--
Jeff Barnett

re:  free,  freedom  -- my AI(assistant) doesn't think so.
____________ >>>  The term "free" has never directly meant urination or
defecation in a formal sense.        However, it may have been used in
certain contexts or euphemisms related to bodily functions. The word
"free" generally denotes liberation or lack of restriction.
               The closest related term would be "relief," which can
imply the act of relieving oneself.
　　　　　　　But "free" itself has not been historically linked to those
specific bodily functions.　　　　 It primarily conveys ideas of freedom,
absence of cost, or lack of constraints.
___________________________
Raymond Williams's [Keywords] --- i had this book, but
　　　　　　　　maybe  i was  too young,  when i tried to read it.

Sorry - my above attempted contribution was for "nature". I inserted
remarks in the wrong place. Sorry.
--
Jeff Barnett

__________________

my AI(assistant) agrees with that... but can't give me a good example.

Post by Jeff Barnett

Post by Jeff Barnett
In Hamlet, there are several instances where "nature"

is used in a context that evokes human instincts and bodily realities.
One notable passage is from Act 1, Scene 2, where Hamlet speaks about
the "unweeded garden," which can suggest a neglect of natural functions
and the state of humanity:


"For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause—there's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life."



From Act 1, Scene 2:

"O, that this too too solid flesh would melt,
Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew!
Or that the Everlasting had not fix'd
His canon 'gainst self-slaughter! O God! God!
How weary, stale, flat, and profitless
Seem to me all the uses of this world!
Fie on't! O, fie! 'tis an unweeded garden
That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merely."

[Jeff Barnett]

Post by HenHanna

Post by Jeff Barnett

Post by Jeff Barnett

Raymond Williams said that the word [nature]  was used differently in
the past?
            Yes, Raymond Williams, a prominent cultural theorist,
discussed the concept of "nature" and how its meaning has evolved over
time.
In his work, particularly in Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and
Society, Williams noted that the word "nature" originally
encompassed a
broader range of meanings, including one's inherent qualities and the
essence of a thing.
            Historically, "nature" was often associated with the idea of
the natural world and human beings' place within it, including moral and
social dimensions.
          Over time, the term became more narrowly focused on the
physical environment and the biological aspects of life, often
separating human culture from the natural world.
________________________________   .................

I believe that at sometime in the past, the term implied/included human
waste products (toilet) and their production. I seem to remember this
usage in some things I have read but can't recall specific examples.
--
Jeff Barnett

re:  free,  freedom  -- my AI(assistant) doesn't think so.
____________ >>>  The term "free" has never directly meant urination or
defecation in a formal sense.        However, it may have been used in
certain contexts or euphemisms related to bodily functions. The word
"free" generally denotes liberation or lack of restriction.
                The closest related term would be "relief," which can
imply the act of relieving oneself.
　　　　　　　But "free" itself has not been historically linked to those
specific bodily functions.　　　　 It primarily conveys ideas of freedom,
absence of cost, or lack of constraints.
___________________________
Raymond Williams's [Keywords] --- i had this book, but
　　　　　　　　maybe  i was  too young,  when i tried to read it.

Sorry - my above attempted contribution was for "nature". I inserted
remarks in the wrong place. Sorry.
--
Jeff Barnett

__________________
my AI(assistant)  agrees with that...  but can't give me a good example.
         >>>    In Hamlet, there are several instances where "nature"
is used in a context that evokes human instincts and bodily realities.
One notable passage is from Act 1, Scene 2, where Hamlet speaks about
the "unweeded garden," which can suggest a neglect of natural functions
"For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause—there's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life."
"O, that this too too solid flesh would melt,
Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew!
Or that the Everlasting had not fix'd
His canon 'gainst self-slaughter! O God! God!
How weary, stale, flat, and profitless
Seem to me all the uses of this world!
Fie on't! O, fie! 'tis an unweeded garden
That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merely."

Well there is also the well known phrase "Nature calls!".
--
Jeff Barnett

[Ross Clark]

Raymond Williams said that the word [nature]  was used differently in
the past?
           Yes, Raymond Williams, a prominent cultural theorist,
discussed the concept of "nature" and how its meaning has evolved over
time.
In his work, particularly in Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and
Society, Williams noted that the word "nature" originally encompassed a
broader range of meanings, including one's inherent qualities and the
essence of a thing.
           Historically, "nature" was often associated with the idea of
the natural world and human beings' place within it, including moral and
social dimensions.
         Over time, the term became more narrowly focused on the
physical environment and the biological aspects of life, often
separating human culture from the natural world.
________________________________
        Here are some key examples from   Raymond Williams's  Keywords
that illustrate his observations about the historical usage of specific
Original Meaning: Initially related to agriculture (from the Latin
cultura), referring to the cultivation of the earth.
Evolution:    Over time, it expanded to include the arts, intellectual
achievements, and the overall way of life of a society.
Historical Context:    Originally referred to the rule of the people in
ancient Greece.
Current Usage:      The term has evolved to encompass various forms of
governance, often associated with rights, representation, and
participation, reflecting struggles for civil rights and social justice.
Etymology:    Traditionally related to the inherent qualities or essence
of things.
Shift:     In contemporary usage, it often refers specifically to the
physical environment, separating it from human culture, which contrasts
with its broader historical interpretation.
Initial Connotation:     Originally denoted a group or category based on
shared characteristics.
Modern Understanding:     The term has developed to encompass
socio-economic divisions and conflicts, reflecting the dynamics of
power, privilege, and identity in society.
Early Use:    Initially referred to diligence and hard work.
Contemporary Meaning:       Now primarily associated with manufacturing
and economic production, often linked to discussions of labor,
capitalism, and economic structures.
Original Sense:     Related to common ownership or shared interests.
Current Interpretation:      The concept has become more complex, often
reflecting various social and cultural identities, as well as issues of
belonging and exclusion.
Historical Roots:     Originally linked to the idea of being free from
bondage or constraint.
Modern Nuances:        Today, it encompasses various dimensions,
including political rights, personal autonomy, and economic freedom,
highlighting ongoing struggles and differing interpretations.

It's a great book -- I recommended it to generations of students as a
model of how to tell the history of a word's meanings. Much of Williams'
raw material can be found in OED's entries, but he weaves it masterfully
into a narrative, with very sparing use of actual citations.
Unfortunately AI reduces it all to mulch.

[HenHanna]

Post by Ross Clark

Raymond Williams said that the word [nature]  was used differently in
the past?
           Yes, Raymond Williams, a prominent cultural theorist,
discussed the concept of "nature" and how its meaning has evolved over
time.
In his work, particularly in Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and
Society, Williams noted that the word "nature" originally encompassed a
broader range of meanings, including one's inherent qualities and the
essence of a thing.
           Historically, "nature" was often associated with the idea of
the natural world and human beings' place within it, including moral and
social dimensions.
         Over time, the term became more narrowly focused on the
physical environment and the biological aspects of life, often
separating human culture from the natural world.
________________________________

It's a great book -- I recommended it to generations of students as a
model of how to tell the history of a word's meanings. Much of Williams'
raw material can be found in OED's entries, but he weaves it masterfully
into a narrative, with very sparing use of actual citations.
Unfortunately AI reduces it all to mulch.

Mulch, or Bilge?
More or more, we can only absorb sound-bites
... or written text
in 140- or 280-char units.
___________________
The Elite College Students Who Can't Read Books
The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com
Oct 1, 2024 — In a recent EdWeek Research Center survey of
about 300 third-to-eighth-grade educators, only 17 percent said they
primarily teach whole texts.
...........
But the student told Dames that, at her public high school, she had
never been required to read an entire book. She had been assigned
excerpts, poetry, and news articles, but not a single book cover to
cover.
...........
Twenty years ago, Dames’s classes had no problem engaging in
sophisticated discussions of Pride and Prejudice one week and Crime and
Punishment the next.
...........
Anthony Grafton, a Princeton historian, said his students arrive on
campus with a narrower vocabulary and less understanding of language
than they used to have.

Daniel Shore, the chair of Georgetown’s English department, told me that
his students have trouble staying focused on even a sonnet.


----------- Sonnets are often Really Boring !!!

[Ed Cryer]

Post by HenHanna

Post by Ross Clark

Raymond Williams said that the word [nature]  was used differently in
the past?
            Yes, Raymond Williams, a prominent cultural theorist,
discussed the concept of "nature" and how its meaning has evolved over
time.
In his work, particularly in Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and
Society, Williams noted that the word "nature" originally encompassed a
broader range of meanings, including one's inherent qualities and the
essence of a thing.
            Historically, "nature" was often associated with the
idea of
the natural world and human beings' place within it, including moral and
social dimensions.
          Over time, the term became more narrowly focused on the
physical environment and the biological aspects of life, often
separating human culture from the natural world.
________________________________

It's a great book -- I recommended it to generations of students as a
model of how to tell the history of a word's meanings. Much of Williams'
raw material can be found in OED's entries, but he weaves it masterfully
into a narrative, with very sparing use of actual citations.
Unfortunately AI reduces it all to mulch.

Mulch,  or  Bilge?
More or more,   we can only absorb  sound-bites
        ... or written text
                in 140- or 280-char  units.
___________________
The Elite College Students Who Can't Read Books
The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com
         Oct 1, 2024 — In a recent EdWeek Research Center survey of
about 300 third-to-eighth-grade educators, only 17 percent said they
primarily teach whole texts.
        ...........
But the student told Dames that, at her public high school, she had
never been required to read an entire book. She had been assigned
excerpts, poetry, and news articles, but not a single book cover to
cover.
        ...........
 Twenty years ago, Dames’s classes had no problem engaging in
sophisticated discussions of Pride and Prejudice one week and Crime and
Punishment the next.
        ...........
Anthony Grafton, a Princeton historian, said his students arrive on
campus with a narrower vocabulary and less understanding of language
than they used to have.

Daniel Shore, the chair of Georgetown’s English department, told me that
his students have trouble staying focused on even a sonnet.
   -----------  Sonnets  are often Really Boring !!!

The best of human times are past. Who could ever top this sonnet of
Shelley's?

I met a traveller from an antique land,
Who said—“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. . . . Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;
And on the pedestal, these words appear:
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sand

[Ed Cryer]

Post by Ed Cryer

Post by HenHanna

Post by Ross Clark

Raymond Williams said that the word [nature]  was used differently in
the past?
            Yes, Raymond Williams, a prominent cultural theorist,
discussed the concept of "nature" and how its meaning has evolved over
time.
In his work, particularly in Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and
Society, Williams noted that the word "nature" originally
encompassed a
broader range of meanings, including one's inherent qualities and the
essence of a thing.
            Historically, "nature" was often associated with the
idea of
the natural world and human beings' place within it, including moral and
social dimensions.
          Over time, the term became more narrowly focused on the
physical environment and the biological aspects of life, often
separating human culture from the natural world.
________________________________

It's a great book -- I recommended it to generations of students as a
model of how to tell the history of a word's meanings. Much of Williams'
raw material can be found in OED's entries, but he weaves it masterfully
into a narrative, with very sparing use of actual citations.
Unfortunately AI reduces it all to mulch.

Mulch,  or  Bilge?
More or more,   we can only absorb  sound-bites
        ... or written text
                in 140- or 280-char  units.
___________________
The Elite College Students Who Can't Read Books
The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com
         Oct 1, 2024 — In a recent EdWeek Research Center survey of
about 300 third-to-eighth-grade educators, only 17 percent said they
primarily teach whole texts.
        ...........
But the student told Dames that, at her public high school, she had
never been required to read an entire book. She had been assigned
excerpts, poetry, and news articles, but not a single book cover to
cover.
        ...........
 Twenty years ago, Dames’s classes had no problem engaging in
sophisticated discussions of Pride and Prejudice one week and Crime and
Punishment the next.
        ...........
Anthony Grafton, a Princeton historian, said his students arrive on
campus with a narrower vocabulary and less understanding of language
than they used to have.

Daniel Shore, the chair of Georgetown’s English department, told me that
his students have trouble staying focused on even a sonnet.
    -----------  Sonnets  are often Really Boring !!!

The best of human times are past. Who could ever top this sonnet of
Shelley's?
I met a traveller from an antique land,
Who said—“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. . . . Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.

Those old, Romantic poems expand the mind. They lead it outwards and
upwards.
Compare them with something like;
April is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.

That's claustrophobic; shut in and limited.

Another from the days of Shelley, by Byron;
The isles of Greece, the Isles of Greece!
Where burning Sappho loved and sung,
Where grew the arts of war and peace,
Where Delos rose, and Phoebus sprung!

[HenHanna]

Post by Ed Cryer

Post by HenHanna

Post by Ross Clark

Raymond Williams said that the word [nature]  was used differently in
the past?
            Yes, Raymond Williams, a prominent cultural theorist,
discussed the concept of "nature" and how its meaning has evolved over
time.
In his work, particularly in Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and
Society, Williams noted that the word "nature" originally encompassed a
broader range of meanings, including one's inherent qualities and the
essence of a thing.
            Historically, "nature" was often associated with the
idea of
the natural world and human beings' place within it, including moral and
social dimensions.
          Over time, the term became more narrowly focused on the
physical environment and the biological aspects of life, often
separating human culture from the natural world.
________________________________

It's a great book -- I recommended it to generations of students as a
model of how to tell the history of a word's meanings. Much of Williams'
raw material can be found in OED's entries, but he weaves it masterfully
into a narrative, with very sparing use of actual citations.
Unfortunately AI reduces it all to mulch.

Mulch,  or  Bilge?
More or more,   we can only absorb  sound-bites
        ... or written text
                in 140- or 280-char  units.
___________________
The Elite College Students Who Can't Read Books
The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com
         Oct 1, 2024 — In a recent EdWeek Research Center survey of
about 300 third-to-eighth-grade educators, only 17 percent said they
primarily teach whole texts.
        ...........
But the student told Dames that, at her public high school, she had
never been required to read an entire book. She had been assigned
excerpts, poetry, and news articles, but not a single book cover to
cover.
        ...........
 Twenty years ago, Dames’s classes had no problem engaging in
sophisticated discussions of Pride and Prejudice one week and Crime and
Punishment the next.
        ...........
Anthony Grafton, a Princeton historian, said his students arrive on
campus with a narrower vocabulary and less understanding of language
than they used to have.

Daniel Shore, the chair of Georgetown’s English department, told me that
his students have trouble staying focused on even a sonnet.
   -----------  Sonnets  are often Really Boring !!!

The best of human times are past. Who could ever top this sonnet of
Shelley's?
I met a traveller from an antique land,
Who said—“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. . . . Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.

That would be an exception....

a rare Sonnet to be recited in a recent SciFi movie.

[HenHanna]

Post by Ross Clark

Raymond Williams said that the word [nature]  was used differently in
the past?
           Yes, Raymond Williams, a prominent cultural theorist,
discussed the concept of "nature" and how its meaning has evolved over
time.
In his work, particularly in Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and
Society, Williams noted that the word "nature" originally encompassed a
broader range of meanings, including one's inherent qualities and the
essence of a thing.
           Historically, "nature" was often associated with the idea of
the natural world and human beings' place within it, including moral and
social dimensions.
         Over time, the term became more narrowly focused on the
physical environment and the biological aspects of life, often
separating human culture from the natural world.
________________________________

It's a great book -- I recommended it to generations of students as a
model of how to tell the history of a word's meanings. Much of Williams'
raw material can be found in OED's entries, but he weaves it masterfully
into a narrative, with very sparing use of actual citations.
Unfortunately AI reduces it all to mulch.

Mulch, or Bilge?


More or more, we can only absorb sound-bites
... or written text
in 140- or 280-char units.


___________________

The Elite College Students Who Can't Read Books

The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com
Oct 1, 2024 — In a recent EdWeek Research Center survey of
about 300 third-to-eighth-grade educators, only 17 percent said they
primarily teach whole texts.

...........

But the student told Dames that, at her public high school, she had
never been required to read an entire book. She had been assigned
excerpts, poetry, and news articles, but not a single book cover to
cover.

...........


Twenty years ago, Dames’s classes had no problem engaging in
sophisticated discussions of Pride and Prejudice one week and Crime and
Punishment the next.

...........


Anthony Grafton, a Princeton historian, said his students arrive on
campus with a narrower vocabulary and less understanding of language
than they used to have.

[Ed Cryer]

Raymond Williams said that the word [nature]  was used differently in
the past?
           Yes, Raymond Williams, a prominent cultural theorist,
discussed the concept of "nature" and how its meaning has evolved over
time.

<snipped>

Did Raymond Williams' analysis cover other languages and cultures? Or
was it merely En

[Ross Clark]

Post by Ed Cryer

Raymond Williams said that the word [nature]  was used differently in
the past?
            Yes, Raymond Williams, a prominent cultural theorist,
discussed the concept of "nature" and how its meaning has evolved over
time.

<snipped>
Did Raymond Williams' analysis cover other languages and cultures? Or
was it merely English usage? How far back in time did he go?
Ed

He doesn't "cover" any other language, which would require another book.
He does mention French, German, etc. when they are the source of an
English word he's discussing, or when European languages have influenced
each other in the development of senses of some word.
He goes back to the earliest recorded use of the word in English, which
can be as far back as OE.
The above is a general answer about the book (from memory). If you're
enquiring specifically about his discussion of "nature", I'd have to go
and get the book to check.