Anglo Disease: Optimism and Dismay in the Narrative | 36 comments (36 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Baltic Metropolii (none / 1)

Damn those cartographers! I'd still like to believe that there are cultural/geographic folk memories that have an influence on historical social development. How has the flatness of the Netherlands affected the development of particular society ? The insularity of the UK? The DNA segregation of the Glens, the Atlantic for the Portuguese, the wilderness of the Steppes etc.

Particular geographical matrices fill 'classical' European literature. Before metropolii you lived in a landscape that affected every part of your life. How long does that 'folk memory' survive down through the generations?

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Sat Dec 8th, 2007 at 07:26:43 PM EST
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Re: Baltic Metropolii (4.00 / 4)

There was a time, not so long ago, when travelling between basins necessarily involved crossing a mountain ridge. Most people didn't do it, and neither did most trade, so you naturally get a horizon that doesn't extend beyond the boundaries of your home basin, for generations. Travel and trade by sea was easier so you get natural political and economic units around seas.

We have met the enemy, and he is us — Pogo

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Dec 8th, 2007 at 07:33:20 PM EST
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Re: Baltic Metropolii (none / 1)

One might almost talk about the influence of gravity upon trade. Something sadly lacking today, I feel.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Sat Dec 8th, 2007 at 07:40:58 PM EST
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Re: Baltic Metropolii (none / 1)

Gravity model of international trade anyone?

by Sargon on Tue Dec 11th, 2007 at 07:01:27 AM EST
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Anglo Disease: Optimism and Dismay in the Narrative | 36 comments (36 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)