Recent links of note:
Bayeux tapestry: a brag, a lament, an embodiment of history’s complexity
Jonathan Jones, The Guardian
Announced on Wednesday was the news that Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, would commit to loaning an English institution one of his country’s most priceless artifacts: the “Bayeux Tapestry.” The medieval Norman work, which is actually a cloth embroidery, depicts William the Conqueror’s 1066 defeat of Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings. The “tapestry” was likely constructed in England by friends of William after his successful conquest, but was moved soon thereafter to France, and has resided there since. The proposed loan would mark the first time in over nine hundred years that the tapestry has left France, where it has been used throughout history as a symbol of national strength. Jonathan Jones of The Guardian reviews the continued importance of the work, and recounts the lucky circumstances that have led to this historic announcement.
What’s So Dangerous About Jordan Peterson?
Tom Bartlett, The Chronicle of Higher Education
Also on Wednesday, The Chronicle of Higher Education profiled Jordan Peterson, a tenured professor of psychology at the University of Toronto who rose to international prominence in academic and cultural circles after being filmed arguing with transgender students over the use of gender-neutral pronouns. Peterson has since taken up criticism of higher education as a principal pursuit. With lucrative book deals and a large and fiercely loyal online following, the career shift seems to have been fortuitous for the professor. Tom Bartlett’s examination of the “Peterson phenomena” is comprehensive and objective, and is worth a read.
Into the Thickst: Welcome to In Medias Res
John Byron Kuhner, In Medias Res
The New Criterion would like to welcome the arrival of In Medias Res, The Paideia Institute for Humanistic Study’s new “online journal of Classics and culture,” edited by John Byron Kuhner (whose forthcoming article on “global Latinists” will appear in the February issue of The New Criterion). The new journal will regularly promote long-form essays on classical texts and new translations, all as part of Paideia’s efforts to bring ancient languages and literature into contemporary relevance. We look forward to bringing attention to future In Medias Res articles here; in the meantime, we extend our sincere congratulations to the new journal on their successful launch.
From our pages:
Michael J. Lewis and James Panero discuss Vincent Joseph Scully, 1920–2017
James Panero and Michael J. Lewis
