tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post2039084704433151367..comments2024-03-10T20:46:19.274-04:00Comments on In the Middle: "But what does that have to do with us birds?"Cord J. Whitakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06224143153295429986noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-34448023303579902882013-08-21T10:16:33.744-04:002013-08-21T10:16:33.744-04:00Ah, good point, anon.Ah, good point, anon.medievalkarlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12440542200843836794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-53971853482541351612013-08-21T04:23:44.347-04:002013-08-21T04:23:44.347-04:00It's odd to use Isengard as an example of this...It's odd to use Isengard as an example of this trope, as birds are not only relevant, but integral to the plot of The Lord of the Rings, imbued with agency and allegiances of their own. Crows are spies for Saruman, eagles are enemies of the Orcs and friends to the Wizards, and a thrush and an ancient raven provide the means for the Dwarves to enter Smaug's lair, and ultimately aid in his defeat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-24956375834358579162013-08-16T17:47:02.226-04:002013-08-16T17:47:02.226-04:00When i started of studying strange creatures weird...When i started of studying strange creatures weird beasts and anything else that keeps me entertained, my introduction to the subject was through having to learn how to perform. When I started studying my introduction to the subject in academic thought years later it was reading papers in folklore at first. Here papers come with the word entertainment written large. its often the first point made "This material is above all..."<br /><br />It allowed you to have one of those smug feel good moments when you think, these academics and their statements of the fucking obvious. 15 years down the line and having read far too many papers on the subject I understand why and would identify the emphasis somewhat differently as good teaching practice. <br /> Jebhttp://historyfrog.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-47094764916869075942013-08-07T16:02:02.163-04:002013-08-07T16:02:02.163-04:00This is wonderful, Karl. I like both the shift in...This is wonderful, Karl. I like both the shift in perspective, de-centering the human, and the pressing back against the certainty of meaning.ASMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11435943511202521086noreply@blogger.com