[RT @wrathofgnon]
Let's relearn how to build elegant structures without reinforced concrete, or without concrete at all. Stair at St. Paul’s Chapel, Columbia University, built by hand with three layers of thin terracotta tile and mortar, 1904. Strong enough to support more people than would fit.
[RT @OptimoPrincipi]
History in the walls of Exeter: at the bottom the purple volcanic stone that surrounded Roman Isca. On top of that the white Triassic sandstone used by the Saxons. Then red breccia stone used by the Normans and at the top 17th century Civil War repairs in grey volcanic trap.
"Though much is taken, much abides; and though we are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are -- our equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield." -- Ulysses
So this morning finally took "Serious Cryptography" by Aumasson off my bookshelf and read it for 20 minutes. I bought it because .. I just like having books like this, but specifically it had a lot of positive comments from people, and is clearly aimed at practicality rather than dense theory.
First impression: this is *very* good - discursive, explanation by example, good advice, up to date (that's rare), and actually interesting. I will be reading a lot more of this.
But even if we grant them that most charitable interpretation that the dog really did eat their homework. It's still their dog, which they created, when they lobbied for the gutting of the Glass-Steagall legislation in the late 1990s.
Some will argue that 2008 was an Unforeseeable Chain Reaction which Caught Everyone Off Guard.
I think this position is manifestly indefensible, and history will regard it as an arrogant and uninspired excuse.
Some accuse bankers of maintaining elite assassination squads to dispatch of politicians who dare to challenge them.
This is at best idle conjecture and at worst veiled racism, but one need not believe any of it to find private banking an unconscionable centralization of power.
Whether or not one man should enjoy so much power as a Long or a Jackson is a fair point of debate.
But a power far less discussed is the power to decide who is, and is not, worthy of credit. Who will be the great captain of industry and who will be the struggling businessman.