Advanced Technology in Ancient Times

My last posting about the Antikythera Mechanism prompts me to write a little bit more about technologies that existed before the Buddha and the Christ appeared on Earth.

Back in the mid-1970s, I went through a period of evaluating alternative theories on what really happened in ancient history. It had always bugged me since my schooldays when I suggested to my teacher (in the 1950s) that the land masses of Africa, Europe and the Americas were once interlocked. It appeared obvious to me judging by the near-matching shape of their coastlines. The teacher poo-poohed my suggestion and that, effectively, caused me to question just what education was about. Education seemed then to be concerned about railroading people into mechanical thought processes, and it's not far different today, when material gain seems to be the be-all.

Coming back to the point at hand, my delving into alternative writings in the 70s produced a whole galaxy of new perceptions about what went on in the days BC. I was brought up to believe that history didn't start until 4,000 BC, but it is now becoming clear (as it started to emerge 40 or 50 years ago) that there are many more ancient remnants on Earth that have never been properly explained - until now.

The Antikythera Mechanism is just one such case in point. Not only is the object a wonderful insight into the capabilities of ancient engineers, but also about their knowledge of the cosmos and how all knowledge was studied by the greatest minds. In those days, they were not just mathematicians or biologists or other specialist scientists, but they saw that all knowledge was interlinked - they studied and practised from a holistic point-of-view.

Other remarkable remnants of ancient times include (of course) the Giza Pyramids and Stonehenge. Both Stonehenge and The Great Pyramid have been found to possess mathematical characteristics that are in common with one another, thus hinting that such knowledge was far more widespread than is commonly supposed. But these are not the only structures. There is another structure in Turkey that is supposedly even thousands of years older than Stonehenge, but has not yet been evaluated. And there are stone circles around the world that all seem to have common mathematical and cosmological properties.

Pi and Phi are used as mathematical components in the design of Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid, thus effectively stating that knowledge of such mathematics existed in pre-Greek times. Indeed, the old Sanskrit text Baudhayana Shulba Sutra of the 6th century BC mentions the Pi ratio as approximately equal to 3.

Remarkably, the 20th c. psychic Edgar Caycey stated that by the 21st c. it would be discovered that the Sphinx would reveal an entrance to underground revelations about the Giza Pyramids, and, indeed, work is afoot to uncover mysterious tunnels that exist both under the Sphinx and the Pyramids that have come to light after revealing radar soundings were taken some years ago.

The properties of Stonhenege, the Great Pyramid and the Antikythera Mechanism all indicate that there was great knowledge of technology and science, but that it was all put to the purpose of relating to the hidden world of the cosmos. It was clearly a different world to ours and one (it might seem) devoted to a higher cause than ours, but even their world seems to have been flawed. The ancients seems to have departed from the one important purpose of mankind - to know thyself; to understand the microcosm within the macrocosm. 


I believe it was no accident that the Buddha, Mahavira, Zoroaster and then Jesus appeared on the scene.

A 2,200 year-old computer

I first read about this object over 35 years ago, in the days when no-one knew what it was, having been pulled from the Mediterranean back in 1900. Even 35 years ago, people were wondering whether the object (showing advanced gearing) was some form of computer.

And now (having used advanced x-ray equipment and modern computers to solve the problem, impossible 35 years ago), here is the remarkable answer. 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6191462.stm

It was probably first designed and made by Archimedes, and derivatives appeared during the rise of Islam. Eventually the design made its way back to Europe and there is an unusual outdoor clock at Hampton Court that employs some of the gearing principles used in Archimedes original work.

Enjoy, it's a fascinating subject. Oh, and in that book I read 35 years ago, it was stated that objects thought to be electrical batteries were also found, also over 2,000 years old. I wonder what has happened to the investigation into those?

Greece was an advanced technology nation, not just a home to philosophers - perhaps it needs to re-find itself!!

All in it together? ... Phooey.

Back in 2010, I made a few pronouncements about what I thought of the government coalition, but since then I've rather kept my powder dry. It did not take much imagination that pronouncements such as "We're all in it together" (Cameron) would rebound on the governing parties, and the truth of it all is at last coming to the surface.

Don't get me wrong - cuts were always going to be necessary and drastic. But the Labour Party knew that and were already drawing up their plans (slower pace cuts with less pain and providing for room for growth) when they were ousted by what turned out to be a coalition. The Labour Party has since derided the coalition for the swingeing cuts with no or little room for growth. The government said: "Ah, but staffing cuts in the public sector will be picked up by self-generation in the private sector!" Phooey number 1: Since then, unemployment has increased and growth predictions have had to be hugely downgraded. And I say a 1.8% growth for next year will remain a pipe-dream. There's nothing that the government are doing that will cause that kind of growth next year.

And now we come to this year's budget and Phooey number 2. The Liberals (anxious to be noticed and that they had won (to them) a great victory in getting closer to their £10,000 allowances-before-tax) in the process took their eye off the ball and did not notice that families getting by on £15,500 p.a. are going to lose some 20% income as a result of the changes to the Tax Credits system. Under this new system, claimants now have to work 24 hours a week instead of the previous 16 hours. Trouble is, there's not enough bouyancy in the market for employers to offer such claimants extra hours per week, and so these families will be some £3,000 to £4,000 p.a. worse off. On top of that, a study has revealed that the average family with children stands to lose £511 p.a. We're all in it together? Well, the richest people in the country improved their lot by 20% last year, and they will now be even better off now that the top rate of tax is being reduced. Yes, the chancellor says they will be caught by other taxation changes, but we all know that the rich employ clever accountants, don't we? Those accountants will get even more astute and more rich.

Phooey number 3? Well, today we find that in London, the Kid's Company (which helps 13,000 children there) has reported a dramatic rise in the numbers of children coming to their walk-in centres, not in search of shelter or safety but for food. The situation concerning poverty, however, is getting worse all round the country, not just London. Cameron, while you are stuffing your children's faces with Easter eggs this week-end, think about the Dickensian affair taking place on our streets now!

Are there any more 'phooeys' to find? Oh, yes; plenty. One of the most serious of these concerns the recent closure of the State's forensic labs facility. It's already been found that there are many anomalies now being created in the private sector's version of this so that the chances of errors in justice are now remarkably increased. I expect to hear next year that the savings gained by privatisation have been more than swallowed up by High Court appeals and maybe wrongful imprisonments that we will never hear about. And that's just the financial side of things - what about the sufferings to families affected by the process?

I say, if it's not broke, don't change it. And, please Mr. Cameron, when in future you say that "We're all in it together", kindly remember that we're onto you. What you're really saying is that the wealthy will continue to be "in it together" to be even more wealthy and will ease their consciences by throwing out a few scraps to the down-and-outs.

What can I add to this sad litany of phooeys? Well, I could go on, and in particular get at the government for  how they've (not) planned for water shortages in the south-east. The south-east really does soak in all the blessings going, and the water issue is just one more!

Phooey.
.

Robert Fisk and Islam

I have been an admirer of The Independent's crack Middle East reporter Robert Fisk for 15 or more years. I have read some of his books; I have read many of his articles. I was surprised, therefore, to read to-day's 'I' (a subset of The Independent) and a comment by Fisk about the singer Cat Stevens (a.k.a. Yusuf Islam).

In the article, Fisk refers to Stevens' conversion to Islam (in the late 1970s) and infers that Stevens "... frittered away more than 20 years of his life ...". Presumably in Stevens' pursuit of knowledge about Islam.

Just how had Stevens "frittered away" his time, I wish to know. Clearly, Stevens was guided by something about Islam that had inspired him, and I happen to know that he became a respected figure at Regent's Park Mosque in north London, where he was frequently to be seen. I believe that Stevens' presence in Islam has been of a constructive nature.

Islamic people were civilised centuries before Medieval Europe decided to look into the Islamic sciences and literature to discover just what Muslims had learnt. In Spain, wonderful architecture and gardens remain as testimony to the culture that Islam brought to that country. The English language contains many Arabic-derived words - algebra and alcohol are but just two.

There are depths in Islam that I would recommend that people should study before they write words stating that to do so is frittering away one's life.

Robert Fisk, I am surprised and disappointed at you. But I wish you peace.

P.S. I see that his version of the article in The Independent contains the precursory words: "this is a Fisk opinion, I fear"
.

Cameron and Christianity

Well, our Prime Minister has decided to done his sackcloth and has taken the opportunity of the season to chide the Church on not doing enough to promote the idea that Britain is a Christian country, and that we should return to traditional Christian values.

I can see where Cameron is coming from but he's clearly not done much to understand what has been going on in this country for the last 50 years or more. Firstly, the predominant problems in our society are to do with people who would have been born into families that once would have followed the ethos of the Christian Church. In the 1960s and then on there was a rebellion against the Church and nothing, sadly, properly replaced the function of the Church. Except other religions and spiritual paths for those who still felt that an 'inner' life was an important factor.

It is a fact that over these last 40 years there has been a substantial influx of Asians who have brought with them their Islamic, Hindu and Buddhist faiths, and it is those communities that have, by and large, upheld what we might now term old-fashioned spiritual values. Their communities have taken over some of the grounds (and heavens!) that were once the province of the Christian Church.

Furthermore, the Christian Church has over the years had to learn more and more that they need to work with those other faiths.

So why is Cameron pushing the idea of Britain being a Christian country? Is it some kind of yearning that the white middle and upper classes have for the old Victorian days when they ruled the world and the White God was supreme (to them at least)?

I am a great admirer of the Victorians, but I also like to think that we have progressed spiritually since then. We do have an enormous problem to bring a peaceful and moral society back on track, but, with the cooperation of all faiths and beliefs, it can be done. It is not merely the Christian Church that should be the standard bearer in that direction. And the Church knows that. All paths lead to one origin and no individual faith should be highlighted as being the leader in the society we now have.

No, Pope Cameron, I think you have missed the point.
.

Miliband deserves and needs all the backing he can get

The respected author Harold Pinter said (in his 2005 Nobel Prize speech):

I believe that despite the enormous odds which exist, unflinching, unswerving, fierce intellectual determination, as citizens, to define the real truth of our lives and our societies is a crucial obligation which devolves upon us all. It is in fact mandatory.

The time has now come when man has no option but to re-find his self-respect.

In the UK, we still (despite what we think are problems) sit comfortably while in many countries typhoons and tempests rage and floods are making thousands homeless. Deserts are being created and children are going hungry as much now if not more than they have ever done. Wars are still being fought and the donwtrodden in a number of countries have sprung up to seek justice against their oppressors.

The world's ecology is threatened. Man is at a precipice.

Back home, there have been significant signs of a deep and underlying frustration in the UK.

There is no excuse for rioting, but there are frustrations underlying a rioter’s acts that can be explained. To take the case of the recent demonstration by (essentially) young people, they regard themselves as a ‘no hope’ generation – the world (to them) has left them without hope and yet they have seen respected members of society (bankers, M.P.s etc.) effectively cheat the country for their own advantage. And the general tone of society generated over the last 20 or 30 years is that everyone should be out for themselves.

The rioter’s simple thinking is that there is one law for the rich and another for the poor. Where is the example being set in society that society should expect the rioter to follow the law?

And then the present government comes in with its cuts which adversely affect the poorest 10% in the country, with the roll-on affect being the closure of various establishments and services that have helped to provide a safety valve in the past.

At last, a political leader steps up to the lectern to deliver a speech about moral values and how we as a nation need to revert to an 'all for one and one for all' mentality, not only that we might survive but because it's right that we all should be living that way. Human beings are moral when they recognise their real selves and stop copying the antics of the foolish. There's no such thing as an easy buck. Whatever is achieved in life can only be truly achieved by moral endeavour.

Ed Miliband has laid out his stall. The matters he referred to should have been addressed by preceding Labour leaders. They didn't because Margaret Thatcher had cast her spell - the Fool's Gold mentality that she had created in the '80s had impressed itself even into the Labour Party's ranks. Eldorado seemed to be a reality; Thatcher had done the damage. The very basis on which an economy can survive - in the things it invents and makes - had been virtually removed from the realms of necessity. Blair and Co. were spellbound by her nerve and sought to continue her theme thinking that fairness can be built into an economy that is built on sand.

What works? Only a compassionate government – one that works for integration towards One Nation: for Unity. Also a government that works from the real basics of economic development and not Eldorado pie-in-the-sky. Anything that is coordinated must be based on a real foundation – on rock – for it to work. And for an implementation of appropriate values to be achieved, all the major religious faiths and philosophies must be consulted.

Ed Miliband deserves and needs all the backing he can get. The UK needs his approach.
.

Answering Fire with Fire

Understandably, the Prime Minister calls for law and order and promises that control over the situation will be imposed. Good. But, does this mean that the cuts that are in the process of being imposed on the police will be eased to ensure no repeat of the conflagration?

Let’s ask another question. If the cuts on the police budget are eased, will there be a corresponding ease on the cuts to those services which are likely to help restore community well-being – the youth clubs, the community workers and all the fine services that have recently been forced to break up? I doubt it.

In reality, government does not want to know about people who commit these ‘crimes against society’ – it draws back from dealing with the source of the problem, which is primarily alienation of the youths in deprived areas. Government has never properly cared about these issues.

When the British economy picked up during the early 90s, the riot problems manifest in the 70s and 80s looked as though they had gone away, and particularly when Labour came into power in 1997, it at least spent some money on trying to ease the pressure on lower income people. But Labour never really thought there was a community problem any longer as there had been in the 70s and 80s and – disastrously - took its eyes off the issue. Now it has come home to roost for Cameron and his blanket cuts policy in the spectrum of an entire generation without hope of jobs nor reasonable housing.

Let me see. When the bankers committed their extortions in the last few years, did society round on them and condemn them as criminals? No. But youths without hope can commit crimes (which they are) but are referred to in different terms to the bankers. Is this fair? And will the government now address the real needs of those youths, both for their benefit and the whole of society?

Between 1976 and 1977, I spent some 10 months working for the Lambeth CREC in a hostel project in Brixton, thinking that perhaps it was a fine opportunity to enter a new career in community work. Was it heck. The fine-sounding project (worked for by people of the ilk of (Sir) Herman Ouseley) was run on institutional lines, and despite protests from myself and others to the CREC, nothing was changed. Eventually (after I had left it) the project had to be wound down. Despite the initial optimism, the project became proof that, when it comes down to it, government machinery only ends up by working to serve the needs of the establishment. I have seen the same mentality in other areas. Times don't seem to have changed.

Cameron – you have a big opportunity to have society’s ills examined and corrected. The test is now whether you have the balls to do ‘it’, i.e. create that Big Society you keep talking about. Snag is, the Chipping Norton model might not be appropriate for Tottenham and other inner city areas.