(Untitled)

[dolorouschilde]

Did you know that Christopher Columbus didn't believe the world was round? He was a zealotous nut, and came to the conclusion that since it got cooler as he sailed west from the Guinea Coast, and since the environment where he landed was much more lush and temperate (on the same latitude), it must be the Divine Paradise, and the only explanation

Comments

[hajenso]

Christopher Columbus just sounds worse and worse every time I hear more about him!

} kenji

[dolorouschilde]

He was pretty delusional. His writing makes it pretty clear that he either had a messianic complex or was the greatest con artist (playing a zealot in insane Inquisition-era Spain) ever. It's also likely that he was one of the New Christians, the term for the jews who were forced to convert to christianity in the late 14th and early to mid 15th century, and that's why his origins are so mysterious! He's an interesting figure, but only cause he was so freaking crazy. He was also probably a slaver along the african coast to learn how to navigate.

[dewayne_mann]

Bedevere: "...and that, my liege, is how we know the Earth to be banana shaped."
Arthur: "This new learning amazes me, Sir Bedevere. Explain again how sheeps' bladders may be employed to prevent earthquakes."

also, read Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus (by who else but Orson Scott Card). 98% made up (if not more), but still an interesting read, and a good portion of the made-up stuff is not all that improbable. i have it, if you want to borrow.

[dolorouschilde]

What's really funny is that that's about how sophisticated the thinking was.

Is that pastwatch book a sequel to anything? I'd rather read the series from the beginning if so.

[dewayne_mann]

no, it's the only book in the series.

there are rumors that card might expand upon one of the subplots in the book (the story of noah. it was REALLY well done, and completely plausible) and release Pastwatch:The flood, but, even so, i doubt he'd intend for that to be read first.