My Stuffed Granny

Little Sofía loves her grumpy granny: even though she is always hungry and eats what little food they can buy. Her pension is the only thing keeping her and her father alive. To what extremes will they go to once granny is no more?

My Stuffed Granny is based on a story by Nina Kouletakis and directed and narrated by the wonderfully named Effie Pappa.

The Kalash – The White Tribe of Pakistan

In the mountains of the Hindu Kush in Pakistan, six thousand or so people live who look and sound very different from their neighbors.  They claim to have lived in the area for thousands of years and they look to all intents and purposes, European. 

Image Credit Saad Sarfraz

Image Credit Flickr User Manalahmadkhan

In Case I Don't Die - A Greek Whisper to Europe

Anyone with a heart – or for that matter a brain – is aghast at what has happened to Greece over the last few years.  I can’t think of another recent example of where the people of an entire nation have been punished for something which was effectively not their fault.

It is rare, however, that we in the rest of Europe get the opportunity to hear what young Greek people feel about the whole situation.  So it was wonderful to watch this short ‘talking head’ featuring Danny Giannakopoulou and directed by Nicolas Androulakis. It’s poetic, elegiac while optimistic and beautifully composed. Watch it and understand a generation.

What Have the Greeks Ever Done for Us?

Image Credit Flickr User piazza del popolo

Greece: ask someone what they think about the country at the moment and the answer might well be resentment at the irresponsible borrowing, overgenerous retirement benefits, employment cronyism and reluctance to pay taxes which have led to the current economic crisis in Europe. The words hell and handbasket spring almost automatically to mind. 

Yet there is so much more to Greece than its present unfortunate predicament. 

Today we ask the question what have the Greeks ever done for us? We will begin by taking a look at the time Greece was (really) bankrupt.

The Modern Olympics

Greece had made an attempt to modernise and as such had massively over borrowed. By 1893 it had become too much and the Greek Prime Minister, Trikoupis (above, right), had to announce bankruptcy. It might not have happened had the export market for currants (then the biggest Greek export) collapsed. Greece was forced to give the running of its economy over to a commission of German, French and other European officials.

The same year the Congress for the Restoration of the Olympic Games met and its organiser, Baron Pierre de Coubertin (above left), swayed the delegates to award host nation status to the place where it had all begun, Greece. The Greek government, as you can imagine, were anaemically keen about the prospect. Coubertin called a public meeting in Athens and swayed the people of Greece with the words “The dishonor here would consist not of being beaten: it would consist of not contending”. Not only were the Greeks convinced, Coubertin (with no irony on his part) left the world the not the winning but the taking part slogan of the games.

The organising committee met for the first time only fourteen months before the games began. In a dazzling display of virtuoso Greek bravura they decided that they would not accept a penny from abroad. The people of the bankrupt state of Greece would raise each and every drachma.

And so they did. Local authorities held collections, rich merchants were targeted and appeals went out to the Greek diaspora through embassies and consulates.

It worked – the monks of Mount Athos even contributed. Altogether the people of Greece raised 1.5 million drachma, with a further million coming from a single individual, the mega rich expatriate merchant Georgios Averoff.

This was ten times more than the amount needed estimated by Coubertin. Greece successfully gave birth to the modern Olympics at a time when it was virtually destitute. Perhaps we really shouldn’t write it off as a spent force at the moment?

Trial by Jury

Juries began in Athens around 500BC. Although there was no public prosecutor anyone could bring a case against anyone else.

A judge would decide whether the injured party’s claims were sufficient, in terms of evidence for a trial to be called, by asking both parties questions. Juries were paid little for their services but you had to be a citizen aged over thirty to be on one.

In order to avoid bribery some juries had as many as five hundred people on them – no one could afford to buy so many people.

The jurors had to make an oath that they would listen to both sides equally. It wasn’t so much innocent until found guilty as innocent until found guilty by the jury (sound familiar?).

Theater

Image Credit Flickr User WallyG

Even the word has origins in the Greek language and it cannot be denied that the western tradition of theater has its roots in Greece.

Every town in ancient Greece had at least one theater. It was so important that prisoners could be temporarily released from jail so that they could go and see the latest piece.

Competition between the different city states was fierce with many competitions. So many people wanted to watch that the theaters had to be built outdoors.

The staggered seating area, built on hillsides so that everyone could see what was going on in the stage area was called the theatron (and no prizes for guessing how that word went on to evolve).

Democracy

Image Credit Flickr User Jonathan Rashad

Around 500BC the city state of Athens became a democracy. Although it endured for only one hundred years it laid the roots for the political systems we know and (sometimes) trust today. Each year all the names of the citizens were placed in a hat (or ancient Greek equivalent) and five hundred names would be drawn.

These men (for women were not citizens but give them a break this was twenty five centuries ago!) would create the laws of the city for the next year. Once created, they would be voted on by every citizen and the majority decision was the one which passed. Imperfect this system may have been but without it we might not have our democratic systems today.

The Shower

Image Credit Flickr User klimari1

The Greeks were the first to have a shower system that we today would recognize. Their aqueduct systems enabled water to be pumped in to large communal shower rooms (used by rich and poor alike). Their sewers meant that the water could be drained in the same way we drain our water. Discoveries at Pergamum and the pottery of the time indicate we would regard these as similar to the modern day locker room. All very 300 then. The Romans, as with many things, took this idea and made it their own.

The Analog Computer

Image Credit Flickr User Tilemahos Efthimiadis

More than a century ago an astonishing instrument was discovered by divers at the sea bed near the island of Antikythera. It flabbergasted authorities on the ancient world. Was it an astrolabe? Was it an astronomical clock? Or something else?

For many years, systematic examination of the object, now known as the Antikythera Mechanism failed to illuminate the purpose of this strange machine. Yet research over the last fifty years has shed some light. The machine was made around 200BC and is the most complex and refined piece of machinery yet discovered from the ancient world. There is no evidence of anything as sophisticated as this for the next thousand years. The Antikythera Mechanism is now understood to be dedicated to astronomical phenomena and operates as a complex mechanical computer which tracks the cycles of the Solar System.

Pizza

Image Credit Flickr User Mr Ducke

The Ancient Greeks liked their snacks and fast food as much as we do. They covered their bread with a combination of cheese, oils and herbs and called it πίτα. That’s pita to me and you (another word you can transparently see evolve over the millennia). Although it is argued that the word may even have Germanic roots, if we were to be transported back in time two and a half thousand years and given a choice of food in what is now Germany and Greece we would recognize the latter country’s offering. Plus we would pay for it in coined money. In what is now Germany at that point in time beads or shells might get you your dinner. No irony there, then.

All that maths!

Image Credit Flickr User Michael Calkins

Euclidean geometry, the Pythagorean theorem, trigonometry, the golden ratio. All Greek. And although these discoveries have brought untold misery to countless generations of schoolchildren, without them we would have no navigation, architecture, and so on - the list is pretty much endless. Let’s just say modern science and move on.

The catapult and crossbow

Image Credit Flickr User Sanctu

If you want to reduce the number of people killed in battle then the best bet, in ancient times (as it is now), was to have a distance between you and the enemy. Thanks to all that maths, the Ancient Greeks were able to create a catapult which increased the range and power of missiles.

Created to fire arrows (big arrows, enough to take out a Na'vi), the first catapult was deployed against the Carthaginians in 399BC. The crossbow came about even earlier, to the late 5th Century BC. Just think what your average Spartan would have thought of an Uzzi 9mm.

The Steam Engine

Hero of Alexandria invented the first steam engine but it was not used to draw carriages but to amuse children. Also known as a aeolipile or a Hero Engine, it consisted of a vessel, usually a sphere or a cylinder which rotates on its axis, having oppositely bent or curved nozzles projecting from it.

When the vessel is pressurized with steam, steam is expelled through the nozzles, which generates thrust due to the rocket principle.

The forces result in a rotational movement and the vessel spins on its access. Drag and frictional forces build up and (having canceled the accelerating torque) achieve a steady state speed.

In other words a steam engine, which must have enchanted those who were children at the same time as a certain Jesus of Nazareth. Hero did create automatic doors for a temple with the aid of steam power too, but the idea failed to catch on.

"Just Too Beautiful" - Image Credit Flickr User Dimitra Tzanos 

Jazz Hands - Flickr User xadrian

The Euro Crisis: Who is Rescuing Whom? And Why?

Are you confused by the recent financial and economic events in Greece? Do you wonder what exactly happened to cause the financial crisis when the Euro had seemed so strong for so long? And how come it affects countries like Greece and Ireland but not Germany or France?

This animated short film by Bertelsmann Stiftung will explain everything simply and concisely for you. It goes back a few years to show what precipitated the current crisis and why opting out of the Euro is probably not a good idea for those countries that are suffering at the moment. Seems a little dry? I thought so too but the animation here is crisp and clear and I really feel like I understand the situation a little better now! OK, I am still never going to be an economist but then again – neither are the people running the show, so it seems!

Strange Death, Anyone?

Our world is stranger than we think. Stranger still, are the stupid ways in which some clever people have died. If you aren't convinced, I'm sure the list below will make a believer out of you.

This is a guest post by Anne Lyken-Garner (left). A longstanding friend of Kuriositas (and its host!) she blogs at her relationship help blog and writing site.


Tudor entertainer

A Tudor entertainer, well-known and liked for his dramatic performances, wooed his viewers with his ‘immortality’. Every night he would perform for the crowds, plunging a knife into his chest and bleeding out on stage. His audiences loved him. He was the epitome of celebrity dukedom!

What his viewers didn't know was that he wore a stab-proof vest with little packets of animal blood stuck to it. He could ‘bleed’ all night and still live to hide from the Tudor paparazzi the next day. One night, with usual flourish, he plunged the long, shiny dagger into his chest. Only, this time, he had forgotten to wear his vest. He dropped dead on stage.

I wonder if he remembered about the missing vest just a split second before stabbing himself. Ouch.

King Edmund II

 Image Credit Wikimedia

King Edmund II, known as Edmund Ironside, was king of England from 23 April to 30 November 1016. He was loved by many and managed to secure quite a large army to fight on his side. His short rule of just about 7 months would’ve probably gone on for many years, had he not needed a number 2 on that fateful day.

He’d earned his name Ironside because of his resilience and courage in fighting alongside his men. However, his story shows us that the little things we all need as humans are the very things which make us all equal. If you’ve ever had diarrhoea while on a shopping spree, you’ll know that the sight of a toilet is as (more than) welcome as a huge bag of cash. One day in the middle of battle, King Edmund needed the toilet (latrine).

Little did he know, a Viking was hiding in the one he chose to use. The Viking stabbed King Edmund II twice in the bottom from where he was standing underneath.

Franz Reichelt

Image Credit Wikimedia

Franz Reichelt was an Austrian inventor and tailor. At a time when most people had little or no idea of what a parachute was, he'd invented one. He made trial after trial - with dummies for pilots - from his second floor bedroom window and finally got his invention to work. Finally, he was going places! Everyone would know who Franz Reichelt was! He hired Max Clifford as his publicist (not really), and contacted all the reporters he could find. He was prepared to ditch the bedroom window and fly his parachute from the Eiffel tower!

The day arrived and the media gathered. It was no Royal Wedding, but it was close enough. Impressed by all the onlookers and reporters who’d come to watch him, Franz, instead of trying it on a dummy as he’d done in the past, strapped himself to his parachute and prepared to jump. He met his death jumping from the second floor (60 metres) of the Eiffel tower. The good news was (for him, that is), it was the speed of the descent which killed him (inducing a heart attack) and not the impact of the fall.



Debby Mills-Newbroughton

Ms Mills-Newbroughton was one day short of 100 years old when she was killed. She was crossing the road with her daughter to attend a lavish birthday party in her honour. Her wheel chair was hit by the truck delivering her birthday cake.

Heraclitus

Image Credit Wikimedia

Heraclitus was a wise and well-respected Greek philosopher. Well- I say, ‘wise’. He unfortunately developed dropsy (this is an illness that causes your entire body to swell up). Heraclitus, being a very clever (ish) man, thought of a brilliant plan to alleviate his symptoms. He reckoned that since water evaporates, it would be a good idea to stay somewhere hot so that the excess water in his system could do just that. Great idea, right?

If you’re thinking he had a sun stroke from staying out in the sun too long you would be wrong. Heraclitus buried himself in cow dung up to his neck. He forgot to bring any water so he got hotter and hotter, then died of heat exhaustion. Talk about ‘up to your neck in it’!

Garry Hoy

Image Credit Flickr User Mark Falardeau

Garry Hoy will live on in history as the most well-known, Canadian lawyer who’s ever existed. He worked on the 24th floor of the Toronto Dominion Bank Tower (pictured above), and seemed (for some reason) to build up blind faith in the strength of the Tower’s glass windows. He was known to throw his body against them to demonstrate their strength to onlookers.

One night, after having a bit to drink, Mr Hoy decided to show some new-comers to the office his usual party trick of man-meets-strong-glass routine. He threw himself against the glass twice. On his second go, he crashed right through the glass and fell to his death.


Tycho Brahe

Image Credit Wikimedia

Tycho Brahe was a Danish astronomer in the 16th century. At that time, it was considered rude to leave a table before the meal was finished. Brahe had had lots to drink as usual. Being a bit tipsy was probably why he forgot to go to the toilet before the meal started in the first place. He also had a lot to drink at dinner, and being the polite man he was, couldn’t bear to ask to be excused. His bladder burst and he died a painful death 11 days later. Better out than in, I was always told.

Draco

Image Credit Wikimedia

Draco was a popular but ‘draconian’ Greek ruler. While addressing his adoring people, in proper Greek fashion, they threw hats and coats at him to show their support. They threw so many that he suffocated under them. (You'd think they planned it all along. After all, he was a terribly harsh leader, making everything punishable by death.)

Additional Image Credits
Tudor Entertainer

The Holy Chicken of Life & Music

Here at Kuriositas we are always on the look out for something a little unusual so imagine our pleasure when we stumbled across something this bizarre. This is an animated short film by Nomint, an Athen based award-winning motion design studio that directs, designs and produces for motion.

I am not even going to attempt to describe what happens in the animation - please, make of it what you will.  However, it is done with great technical skill, attention to detail and most importantly when it comes to animation (if only in my mind) love.  A great big giant double headed chicken singing Nessum Dorma is not something you come across every day, even on the pantheon of the bizarre that is the interweb.  Enjoy!