Tag: History
An Intellectual History of Our Troubles with Technology
We often evaluate new technologies based on old standards. How should we update our evaluative tools for the digital age? Our troubles with technology have mythical origins. In the Phaedrus, Plato recounts the tale of the Egyptian god Theuth, who once tried to sell the invention of writing to Thamus, the king of the gods: ...
Public Talks in Sydney
It is nearly time for Vivid Sydney, and I thought in light of that I'd share some of my thoughts on the current state of public talks and events in the city. For a long time there has been an underground movement of public intellectuals in Sydney, trying to fight back against the corporatisation of the ...
Lifetime Employment in Japan: Casual Work, Part-Time Work and Women under Equal Opportunity Law
Lifetime employment has long been the cornerstone of corporate governance in Japan. College graduates at large firms have traditionally been guaranteed employment until retirement. These graduates, almost exclusively men, are guaranteed job security in return for complete loyalty to their company of choice. Originally sustained by cultural forces of “loyalty” and collectivism, the lifetime employment ...
History of a Sketch During War: A View of the Taking of Quebec (1759)
In 1759 General James Wolfe launched a daring British offensive up the St. Lawrence River to attack the robustly fortified city of Quebec, the heart of French colonialism in North America. General Wolfe would later die at the battle (depicted here). Hailed as the “battle that won Canada”, the ensuing battle on the Plains of ...
