Josh says:

Candice,

I was going to write last week about your “ir-regardless” slip but this week but since some else mentioned it didn’t see the need. This week, however, wanted to give you snaps for your onion / ogre metaphor during the Golem pod cast. Not sure how many caught that but it got a good chuckle out of me!

Cheers
josh

Hey,

I just wanted to say that I LOVE the podcasts and I also occassionally play them for my high school students who love you, too (I teach US and World History). I love the range of historical topics you speak about, but was wondering if you could touch on the breakdown of Iranian-US relations in the 70’s, as it is a very glossed over topic in US and World History (our history does seem VERY Euro-centric!). The history books really don’t say much about it unless you’re taking Middle Eastern History, or focusing upon a related topic. So…for the confused masses out there, and for flustered teachers trying to teach this in accessable bites, can you tell us all about the Iranian Revolution and the breakdown of US-Iranian affairs?

I love love love the podcast. I only recently started listening, but have since gone back and listened to old ones. One that sticks out in my mind as my favorite was the one on the Mayan calendar. Not only am I fascinated by Mayan culture, but I hear way too often about the 2012 armageddon and am glad to finally have a rebuttal!

I really enjoyed this past one, because I have actually visited the Trianon myself. I did not see any ghosts, but I do remember wandering for hours in the gardens and only by chance did I happen upon it. So it makes sense that they got lost! As with most ghost stories, its unlikely that we will ever really know. And even if the source is reliable, many psychological studies show that our memory can fade quickly and dramatically. Regardless, it is an interesting story, and I tend to believe in ghost stories, if only for the sheer excitement in curiosity.

As for the book reading, I would certainly be interested. Amazon here I come!

Stef S. says:

Candace, I saw this & wanted to make sure you’d seen it, too.

Maira Kalman for the New York Times, on Thomas Jefferson

http://kalman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/25/time-wastes-too-fast/

Jason M says:

Two possible famous mentions of Golem. One could say tha Gollum from Lord of the Rings could kind of fit. He was a lifeless, souless creature who was controlled by the power of the Ring. His existance after he found the ring only existed because of it. In conjunction with that, Led Zepplin’s “Ramble On” mentions it…”Mine’s a tale that can’t be told, my freedom I hold dear. How years ago in days of old, when magic filled the air. T’was in the darkest depths of Mordor, I met a girl so fair.
But Gollum, and the evil one crept up and slipped away with her, her, her….yeah.” Whatcha think?