Self-tutoring about history and politics: the tutor mentions the curiosity of Guantanamo Bay. I guess it’s been 15 years since Barack Obama promised to close Guantanamo Bay’s military detention centre. I recall his making the announcement on TV, noting he’s …
Self-tutoring about ancient history: the tutor mentions Assyria. If you read the Bible, or hear about ancient history of the Middle East, you’ll likely take notice of Assyria. Its homeland was in what’s today northern Iraq. According to National Geographic, …
Self-tutoring about history and geography: the tutor reflects on the term “Middle East.” When I was a kid, the Middle East probably made more news than any place else: it was a contentious part of the world. It seemed everyone …
History, geography: the term “Middle East”, part 1 Read more →
Self-tutoring about economics and business since 1970: the tutor looks at the changing value of the US dollar. In 1970, maybe not everyone could buy gold for US $35 per ounce, but central banks could. Today, gold is worth US …
Economics, business, history: the USD in 1970 vs today Read more →
Self-tutoring about history: the tutor mentions an important historic treaty. The Treaty of Tordesillas was signed in 1494 by Spain and Portugal. It divided the world between them along approximately 46°30′ W, which runs through the Atlantic and what is …
Self-tutoring about historical terms: the tutor mentions viceroy. viceroy: a local ruler acting on behalf of a central one and whose authority comes therefrom. One hears the term viceroy in the colonial context, where the ruler of the colony might …
Self-tutoring about lifestyle history: the tutor mentions the idea of a party line. I was at an apartment in the late ’80s where the resident said she had a “party line.” I didn’t know what she meant, but didn’t ask. …
Self-tutoring about Remembrance Day: the tutor reflects…. Of course, today is marked to honour those who have fallen defending their homelands in war. Many have marked graves; many do not. By far most were very young when killed. For a …
Self-tutoring about the Civil War: the tutor mentions a quote never far from his mind. I have never on the field of battle sent you where I was unwilling to go myself, nor would I now advise you to a …
Self-tutoring about history: the tutor finds a documentary, by ColdFusion, about Enron. The Enron story loomed large in 2000 and 2001. During summer 2000, Enron reached its peak value of around $70B. December 2001 it filed for bankruptcy. The ColdFusion …
Internet documentaries: ColdFusion: “Enron – the Biggest Fraud in History” Read more →