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Caledonian Antisyzygy Internal Thematic Reverberations Scottish philosophy

Caledonian Antisyzygy, The.

The above, in addition to being difficult to read, constitutes arguably the paradigmatic iteration of the kind of thing it represents.

From a pre-bowdlerized Wikipedia:

The term Caledonian Antisyzygy refers to the “idea of dueling polarities within one entity”, thought of as typical for the Scottish psyche and literature. It was first coined by G. Gregory Smith in his 1919 book Scottish Literature: Character and Influence in which he wrote: “the literature [of Scotland] is the literature of a small country…it runs a shorter course than others…in this shortness and cohesion the most favourable conditions seem to be offered for a making of a general estimate. But on the other hand, we find at closer scanning that the cohesion at least in formal expression and in choice of material is only apparent, that the literature is remarkably varied, and that it becomes, under the stress of foreign influence, almost a zigzag of contradictions. The antithesis need not, however, disconcert us. Perhaps in the very combination of opposites – what either of the two Thomases, of Norwich and Cromarty, might have been willing to call ‘the Caledonian antisyzygy’ – we have a reflection of the contrasts which the Scot shows at every turn, in his political and ecclesiastical history, in his polemical restlessness, in his adaptability, which is another way of saying that he has made allowance for new conditions, in his practical judgement, which is the admission that two sides of the matter have been considered. If therefore, Scottish history and life are, as an old northern writer said of something else, ‘varied with a clean contrair spirit,’ we need not be surprised to find that in his literature the Scot presents two aspects which appear contradictory. Oxymoron was ever the bravest figure, and we must not forget that disorderly order is order after all.”

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Kenenisa Bekele Photography sport track

Kenenisa Bekele.

5000 Meters 2009 WC
10000 Meters 2009 WC: “It will NOT go away”
5000 Meters 2008 Olympics: “The Great One”
10000 Meters 2004 Olympics: “Strength, speed, and ability”
10000 Meters 2003 WC w/Haile Gebrselassie

Kenenisa Bekele is one of the most dominant distance runners in the history of the sport. He held the 5000m world record from 2004 through 2020. He is even more daunting in the 10,000m; he was undefeated in this discipline from 2003-2011. That streak included four consecutive World Championships. Adding to his legend, the Ethiopian great has also run the second fastest marathon ever.

Special Bonus: the truly eternal Hicham El Guerrouj.

Categories
animal photography Animals marine life Nature Oceanic photography Photography predators

Anemones of The Sea.

Marine dwellers, of a predatory nature.

Categories
animal photography Animals marine life Oceanic photography Photography

Gelatinous Oceanic Denizens.

Various examples of Jellyfish, and the Portuguese Man o’ War, which is a colonial organism. It is also quite predatory, equipped with deadly stinging tentacles, which can deliver venom potent enough to kill a human being. Steering clear of the Man o’ War would seem to be a sound strategy. Certain Jellyfish happen to be quite capable of inflicting mortal wounds, as well, however.

Categories
Microorganisms Nature Photography

Organisms, Micro.

Categories
animal photography Animals

The Fennec Fox.

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Actors Leslie Howard Photography

Leslie Howard.

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Uncategorized

Gomphotherium!

A proboscidean, but not in the elephant family. A profound beast of a bygone era.

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Uncategorized

Cougars.

Categories
animal photography Coelacanths Living Fossils

Living Fossils.