by M. W. Wollacott | Jan 8, 2026 | Mini-Essays, Ponderings
Was I born for pleasure? Or was I born for a greater purpose? This is a question Marcus Aurelius asked himself every morning; especially on cold ones. Every morning we may ask ourselves why we are getting out of bed. We can remind ourselves why we are not staying...
by M. W. Wollacott | Aug 17, 2025 | English History, Uncategorized
Sauron… I mean, Tony Blair once said that Britain is a young country. “Maybe,” I’d say, “but England? That’s a different story. And the English? Well… the English are far older than you’ve been told.” English identity has often been called into question. The Tudors...
by M. W. Wollacott | Dec 8, 2024 | Podcast, Tales of the Runari
Amber and the Ancient Spark: How Pre-Industrial Cultures Understood Static Electricity Have you ever rubbed a balloon on your hair and watched it stick to the wall? Or felt a tiny shock after walking across a carpet? These sparks of static electricity are so common...
by M. W. Wollacott | Oct 9, 2024 | Etymology, Mark My Words, Podcast, What's in a Word
Germany is in uproar. The language authorities – something we English would never have, have given into those damn anglos. They have approved “the idiot’s apostrophe”. Well, in some uses and not others. Well, apart from being called idiots by the Germans (let...
by M. W. Wollacott | Oct 8, 2024 | Atlantis, Atlantis, History
Atlantis was an ancient civilisation famed for its advanced technology and ruinous fate. According to legend it had advanced further in technology than any other civilization in history. They could levitate stone or after the destruction, spread the word about farming...
by M. W. Wollacott | Oct 6, 2024 | Atlantis, Atlantis, Plato
The primary source of the legend of Atlantis is The Timaeus and Critias written by the Greek philosopher, Plato. This is, as far as we know, the only primary source for the legend. All others come later as commentaries, mentions of commentaries, or interpretations of...
by M. W. Wollacott | Oct 3, 2024 | History, Philosophy
“What made war inevitable was the growth of Athenian power and the fear which this caused in Sparta.” The Peloponnesian War, Thucydides A Thucydides Trap is when a rising power threatens the hegemony of an established power. When such a challenge arises...
by M. W. Wollacott | Aug 27, 2024 | ADHD, History, Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest polymaths to have ever lived, demonstrated many of the characteristics and co-morbidities associated with ADHD. From his inability to complete projects and restlessness to his unique sleeping habits, Leonardo has recently been...
by M. W. Wollacott | Jun 23, 2024 | Ethics
Growing up as an undiagnosed Aspie, I found it interesting to see how things worked. This meant systems, patterns of behavior, and so on. Eventually this got me into archaeology and then history. More recently this has morphed into philosophy, neurology, and...
by M. W. Wollacott | Jun 23, 2024 | Books, Japan Novels
Harold and Kinuyo have lived together in the remote mountains of Okayama, Japan since the late 60s. Now in his early 80s, Harold faces living his last years without his beloved wife. A touching tale of love, loss, and living off the land.
