Yesterday I opened up this one with a consideration that Yule represents something pan-Western that might be leveraged as a non-legal foundation element. I think it is important to consider the non-legal elements, perhaps if only first, as the real issue is the need to establish cultural commonality. The rest can build on that.
So, I am reading a great big book called A History of Beer and Brewing by Ian S. Hornsey which is about the most excellent book on beer I have ever had my mitts on. It was recently published by the Royal Society of Chemists and is a scientific history - a review of the archaeobiological, archaeobotany and archaeological (crud in pots, what the crud once was and the pots themselves) as well as written records of beer. I came upon this passage in the bit about the Beaker culture of Iron Age Europe:
...a male-dominated, social, drinking culture evolved and spread over much of Europe and became so ingrained in early European culture that Sherrat is given to contend that alcohol is arguably the most fundamental constituent of Western civilization; inebriating drink being at the very core of the culture. The spread of the drinking culture seems to be related to the social effects of an enlarged pastoral fraternity, and was not confined to any one alcoholic beverage, although the sophistocated, sunshine-rich areas of the eastern Mediterranean with their wine and silver-drinking vessels, seem to have provided a sufficiently strong stimulus such that a powerful stylistic influence was exerted over neighbouring parts of Europe.There you have it. A possible element in the definition of Westernness. And before you say pishaw! consider the clear evidence that pre-Ptolemaic Egypt was essentially at down at the pub non-stop. Cultures can be founded upon such things.
So what do you make of that? What other founding elements are there outside of law? I think we also agree it includes doing communal if silly spectator and participant things like bonfire setting, cheese rolling and community-representative team sports.
Comments
Flea - November 23, 2006 9:58 AM
I am stuck on this Yule business. Are you referring to the culturally and historically specific festival? In this case it is not pan-Western. Are you referring to a generic winter solstice celebration? In this case we may find extensive non-Western examples of similar and, in any event, would not explain its ongoing appeal to Western contexts in the southern hemisphere who have their summer solstice and approximately exactly the same time.
Awaiting your elaboration,
Yours,
The Flea
Alan - November 23, 2006 10:02 AM
I am not referring to a historical artifact so much as a continuing experience that can be non-exclusive as you might be indicating. If the argument is to be made that someone else ought to be like "us" I am just thinking (rather than asserting) what us-ness might be, leaving our for starters the constitutional principles. I am also thinking that parliament is related to winter and technology to summer. I am not suggesting I am clever about any of this. I am just thinking about it. But I am aware that I am treading into area that you and others would know way more about so bear with me (though please disagree and elaborate upon your disagreement).
gorthos - November 23, 2006 10:11 AM
Sheesh and I thought you were advocating a 5 week pre-Christmas European male Beer Festival...
Alan - November 23, 2006 10:23 AM
That too.
gorthos - November 23, 2006 11:25 AM
I'm in then
cm - November 23, 2006 11:47 AM
And what about the females? Are we permitted to share in this Beer Festival? Or should we have our own festival? Perhaps involving whisky rather than beer.
Alan - November 23, 2006 11:51 AM
You are ouching on civil rights which is certainly a necessary overlay. For now, without consideration of legal elements, the answer is you are free to make your own call and different areas have made the call in different ways.
gorthos - November 23, 2006 11:55 AM
What fun is the imbibing of the golden nectar without the presence of intelligent and socially more apt female companionship.
Gordo - November 23, 2006 9:20 PM
"socially more apt" or socially less inept? ;-)
Douglas - November 23, 2006 10:14 PM
But what of the Ton?
Alan - November 23, 2006 10:28 PM
This is just an elaborate set up to get us all talking about Wagner.
gorthos - November 23, 2006 11:00 PM
Ahh. I am throwing on some Wagner right now as I am logging on to play Warcraft and drink rum for a few hours.. Killing Trolls to the Ride of the Valkries.. excellent....
ry - November 23, 2006 11:29 PM
"Sheesh and I thought you were advocating a 5 week pre-Christmas European male Beer Festival..." Ha! See it wasn't just me who thought this. A two month mellow, Al. I saw it in your writing. If we wouldn't get busted for copyright infringement I'd say brilliant.
I call designated driver.
gorthos - November 24, 2006 6:08 AM
I call designated "weird friend who annoys people in adjacent booths at the pub"..
Gordo - November 24, 2006 8:12 AM
Sheesh, Gorthos gets the good jobs ...
cm - November 24, 2006 9:32 AM
I'll be the one giving Gorthos dirty looks in hopes of keeping him in line but knowing full well it's a wasted effort and just hoping that the people in the next booth don't decide to take a swing at him.
Gordo - November 24, 2006 9:56 AM
I've got his back if they do ... Just remember to turn your rings in ...
gorthos - November 25, 2006 8:29 AM
Seems like we are pros at this planning a pub trip thing..