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Mar 14

America built the greatest train stations ever seen — and then demolished them.

Here's what the American railway was like at its peak.

And what destroying it says about us… (thread) 🧵

Right now, the US has more railway tracks than any other country (155,000+ miles).

Most of this, of course, is freight...

But Americans also once had the greatest passenger system in the world. Note the decline since the mid-20th century.

1962 vs. 2005:

Read 19 tweets

Culture Critic

@Culture_Crit

Mar 7

Lent marks Christ's 40 days in the Judaean Desert, where he's confronted by Satan.

Their clash is an epic philosophical showdown, and a masterclass in beating temptation.

Here's how it unfolds — and how to crush temptation yourself... (thread) 🧵

Christ's battle with temptation isn't only that — it's a battle for the soul of all humanity.

Satan tempts Jesus to:
• Make bread from stones to end his hunger
• Jump from a pinnacle to prove his divinity
• Bow to Satan and rule the world in return

But Jesus proves himself at each turn by flatly denying Satan.

The story is only brief in the Gospels, but John Milton's "Paradise Regained" expands it, exposing the nature of temptation — and how to destroy it for good.

Read 20 tweets

Culture Critic

@Culture_Crit

Feb 27

You've seen this series of paintings before, but look closer.

It contains a clue as to why civilizations collapse.

Hint: it isn't external forces — cultures erode from within… (thread) 🧵

Thomas Cole's "Course of Empire" tracks 5 stages of civilization, from birth to eventual collapse.

Painting in 1836, Cole was warning the nascent United States of the dangers awaiting it…

We start with the "Savage State," where a storm is brewing in the air.

Men band together in the hunt for food and dance around a fire, the birthplace of culture.

Read 20 tweets

Culture Critic

@Culture_Crit

Feb 24

The Lord of the Rings does not take place on an imaginary planet — it's Earth.

Middle-earth is our forgotten past, before recorded history, when Eden (Valinor) was a real place.

The truth of Tolkien's world will blow your mind... 🧵

Middle-earth is our Earth long ago, as Tolkien said:

"I have (of course) placed the action in a purely imaginary (though not wholly impossible) period of antiquity, in which the shape of the continental masses was different."

He even compared latitudes directly:

Hobbiton and Rivendell are about the latitude of Oxford, Minas Tirith the latitude of Florence, and Pelargir the latitude of ancient Troy.

Read 16 tweets

Culture Critic

@Culture_Crit

Feb 19

Every aspect of life is being stripped of color.

Many have noticed this trend — but why exactly is it happening?

Something deeper is going on… (thread) 🧵

Look at car colors since 1990.

Paint suppliers are seeing huge shifts toward black, gray, silver and white color preferences. 80% of new cars are now grayscale...

Ridley Scott's "Napoleon" made sets and costumes that are vibrant in reality look utterly lifeless on screen.

Muted color grades (that blue/gray wash over everything) are the new normal in cinema.

Read 18 tweets

Culture Critic

@Culture_Crit

Feb 15

Today in 399 BC, Socrates was sentenced to death for "corrupting the youth" of Athens.

What did he say that was so dangerous?

He taught them to think for themselves — via 3 simple steps... (thread) 🧵

These were the charges against him:

1. Impiety (not worshiping the traditional gods)
2. Corrupting the youth of Athens

Why, exactly? Let's focus on the second...

Socrates, age 70 at trial, was known for pushing the people of Athens to question their beliefs through dialogue.

It made him unpopular at times, especially when he made people (and political elites) look foolish.

Read 18 tweets

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