Elizabeth, I am sorry for the loss of your irreplaceable and brilliant friend. Now there is no one left to say “Shove a radish up your butt.” How I loved that, and how little I knew about the Athenians.
They’re taught it now in all but the most conservative places. One very fine scholar, Victor Davis Hanson, Yale University historian, now retired, writes regularly for the “anti-woke” crowd and no one knows why. I tend to assume that all academics are liberal but I live in a liberal bubble, and it’s not true everywhere.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend, who sounds like an excellent human. These things are hard.
This was a great read, Elizabeth. A couple of things. First, you forgot to link us to you NYT essay. Don’t be shy!
Second, thank you so much for rhaphanidosis! And is the testicle fondling word orchipedizo or a derivative? Orchipedizo said with a hopeful questioning tone? What an education you are giving us.
I’m the opposite of shy - I have to remind myself sometimes that not everyone wants to talk! - and was sure I’d put a link to it somewhere but will do it again.
It is a form of orchipedizo! Good for you! You’ve made my day. I posted a link to my essay in Notes. Meant to do it here too, but it was a whirlwind. David’s funeral was on the Sunday that the print edition came out.
It seems like since the Greeks were able to contemplate their own problematic behavior through their incredible works of art/writing/drama, that maybe they should have been able to evolve into something more humane as a culture. But frighteningly enough, apparently contemporary Americans are not much better! I continue to love reading your work here, Elizabeth, and I'm so very sorry about the loss of your friend!
Thank you, wonderful Constance! Our history as a country is not tremendously better - our bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki being just one example not so long ago. If we were landlocked, I hate to think what we’d do with our military might! Can’t wait for your next installment!
My sincerest condolences on the loss of your dear friend. May the memories your share of him bring you comfort. - Amazing piece of work. I can't wait to read your other essays!
I'm sorry to hear about your brilliant friend. But congratulations on the article!
This was a fascinating post for me, and I learned a lot. I come to this newsletter knowing that I will go away feeling a bit more knowledgeable!
Thank you so much, Jeffrey! That makes me happy.
Elizabeth, I am sorry for the loss of your irreplaceable and brilliant friend. Now there is no one left to say “Shove a radish up your butt.” How I loved that, and how little I knew about the Athenians.
Aristophanes is still ready to say it! Thank you so much, Rona. I didn’t know any of this until I was in grad school. It wasn’t taught.
The students would have loved it.
They’re taught it now in all but the most conservative places. One very fine scholar, Victor Davis Hanson, Yale University historian, now retired, writes regularly for the “anti-woke” crowd and no one knows why. I tend to assume that all academics are liberal but I live in a liberal bubble, and it’s not true everywhere.
Friends without hubris are hard to find, harder to lose.
Yikes, you need new friends!
wait, did I just misuse the word hubris? Sounded as though your friend lived a life without hubris....condolences is what I meant.
Oh dear, now I get it! Of course, and thank you.
I'm so sorry for your loss of your friend. And thank you for the history lesson as well as the English lesson! Very interesting.
Thank you, Linda.
Thanks, Linda! It’s so fun for me to share the things I’ve been lucky enough to learn.
Elizabeth, I am so sorry for the passing of your friend. Your description of him is lovely and brings a very small piece of his life to your readers.
Thank you so much for all your writing. I am so enjoying your newsletter, and I learn so much with each new one you publish. Keep them coming!
Thank you, David! Praise from you is praise indeed!
I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend, who sounds like an excellent human. These things are hard.
This was a great read, Elizabeth. A couple of things. First, you forgot to link us to you NYT essay. Don’t be shy!
Second, thank you so much for rhaphanidosis! And is the testicle fondling word orchipedizo or a derivative? Orchipedizo said with a hopeful questioning tone? What an education you are giving us.
Ros is right. Don’t be shy.
I’m the opposite of shy - I have to remind myself sometimes that not everyone wants to talk! - and was sure I’d put a link to it somewhere but will do it again.
It is a form of orchipedizo! Good for you! You’ve made my day. I posted a link to my essay in Notes. Meant to do it here too, but it was a whirlwind. David’s funeral was on the Sunday that the print edition came out.
I looked for the link to your essay on Notes but couldn’t see it. Can you link it from this essay?
I’ll post it again somewhere! I haven’t yet figured how to link things. And I’ll tag you.
You can edit this article, click on the reference to the NYT piece, choose the link system, and enter the URL of the article. Hope this helps.
I’ll give a shot! Thank you 😊
It seems like since the Greeks were able to contemplate their own problematic behavior through their incredible works of art/writing/drama, that maybe they should have been able to evolve into something more humane as a culture. But frighteningly enough, apparently contemporary Americans are not much better! I continue to love reading your work here, Elizabeth, and I'm so very sorry about the loss of your friend!
Thank you, wonderful Constance! Our history as a country is not tremendously better - our bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki being just one example not so long ago. If we were landlocked, I hate to think what we’d do with our military might! Can’t wait for your next installment!
I'm so sorry, my friend, on hearing of the loss of your dear friend. 🫂
Thank you so much, Brian. I hope all is well with you! I’m behind on all my Substack reading! Congratulations on Sportz Frumm Home!
Thanks so much for the kind words. Let me know if I can be of any assistance.
My sincerest condolences on the loss of your dear friend. May the memories your share of him bring you comfort. - Amazing piece of work. I can't wait to read your other essays!
Oh hey, neighbor! Thank you so very much ❤️
My deepest condolences on the loss of your friend. I’m sure he would have loved this brilliant article. Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you, Mary! I always admire your lovely writing here.