Thursday Notes
XXXVII, an ancient/medieval edition of the festival, on or about 16 March. Send nominations of the best in ancient and medieval history blogging since mid-February to her at ejoy*at*siue*dot*edu or carnivalesque*at*earlymodernweb*dot*org*dot*uk or use the form.The English language's finest poet: John Milton or WilliamShakespeare? Hat tip.
At the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, American historians Brian Balogh, Peter Onuf, and Ed Ayers will launch"Backstory with the American History Guys," a weekly program on selected public radio stations in the late Spring. It will feature guest experts, newsmakers, and callers from the public. On Saturday 8 March, the Guys will record their first show, on the history of American debt.
Consumer confidence is often touted as a measure of our economy's health. If people spend more than they save, we're in good shape; if they don't, we're in trouble. But 200 years ago, thrift was prized, and debt was considered not simply an economic failing, but a moral one. It could even land you in prison! When did our attitudes about debt change so dramatically? How did debt become a way of life for us? Does the American Dream's promise of new beginnings conflict with values of fiscal responsibility?
If you have questions or thoughts about that program or the series, contact Tony Field, tfield*at*virginia*dot*edu. Thanks to Manan Ahmed for the tip.
Tyler Cowan, Jacob Levy, and Eric Rauchway discuss"Which 20th century classic of American conservative political thought has held up best?"