The hottest Scholarship Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Education Topics

Was 8th Century China Meritocratic?

The Great Gender Divergence • 157 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
💾 History Ancient Social Empires Scholarship Research
  1. In 8th Century China, there was a widespread belief in meritocracy and social mobility, which were endorsed by Confucius and Empress Wu Zetian.
  2. Elites might have had advantages like better education for their sons and using nepotism for promotions, which could challenge the true meritocratic nature of the system.
  3. Recent research on social mobility during the Tang Dynasty provides insights into the career paths, imperial exam pass rates, and ancestral backgrounds of individuals through tomb epitaphs.

The crisis of scholar-activism

The Path Not Taken • 264 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
🚌 Education Activism Scholarship Academia Research
  1. Scholar-activism has faced a crisis lately, especially concerning left-wing positions like support for Palestine.
  2. There is tension between the original ideal of activism and its progression into institutionalized careerism.
  3. The future of scholar-activism is uncertain, with some scholar-activists falling silent and facing challenges in balancing their activism with their academic careers.
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Why You Should (Mostly) Trust the Prose Edda

Norse Mythology & Germanic Lore • 179 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
📚 Literature Mythology Scholarship
  1. Snorri Sturluson, the author of the Prose Edda, was a key figure in preserving Norse mythology and history.
  2. The Prose Edda, despite Snorri's Christian influence, is still considered a valuable and mostly trustworthy source of Norse mythological information.
  3. The Prose Edda contains narratives that are supported by archaeological evidence, lending credibility to the stories and Snorri's interpretations.

Beginning the Iliad, Once, Twice, and Again

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 159 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
📚 Literature Analysis Translation Epic poetry Scholarship
  1. The initial lines of the Iliad set the stage for the epic story by invoking themes like rage and heroism, preparing the audience for what's to come.
  2. In addition to the well-known 8 lines, there are shorter alternate beginnings for the Iliad found in manuscript traditions, offering different perspectives to set up the audience for the epic story.
  3. The variations in the beginnings of the Iliad highlight the complexity of the oral tradition, showing how different versions can be equally valid in starting the epic poem.

Two Ways to Decline Zeus

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 99 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
📚 Literature Analysis Translation Myth History Scholarship
  1. Book 5 of the Iliad provides speeches that explore theomachy and the poem's connection to other traditions.
  2. The flexibility of Homeric verse allows for two ways to decline Zeus in metrical shape.
  3. Dione's speech in the Iliad serves as a good example of a paradeigma, using past examples to persuade characters, and can be compared to other epics for structure and content.

Stranded in Iliad 8 with Nestor and Diomedes

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
📚 Literature Analysis Traditions Narrative Scholarship
  1. Book 8 of the Iliad sets the stage for the crisis that leads to Achilles' return in Book 9, showcasing themes of divine control and human leadership in the face of absence.
  2. Neoanalysis in Homeric scholarship examines the original versions of the poems before they were edited or altered, shedding light on the complexities of textual transmission and interpretation.
  3. The challenges of neoanalysis include risks of oversimplification in tracing narrative connections, potentially overlooking audience experiences and the evolution of traditional narratives.

Homer's Parents, Country, and True Name

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
📚 Literature Classics Mythology Scholarship Ancient Greece Poetry
  1. Homer's parentage and birthplace were subjects of debate in antiquity, with various conflicting claims made about his lineage, including being the son of different figures or from different regions.
  2. Homer's name is believed to have origins linked to tense political situations, where he was named after being a hostage or because he provided inspired war advice.
  3. Homeric poems were not necessarily composed as complete works but were performed in parts by rhapsodes, later compiled and ordered by various individuals, including Pisistratus the tyrant of Athens.

(Re-)Starting the Trojan War

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
📚 Literature Classics Epic poetry Mythology Scholarship Narrative Traditions
  1. Book 3 of the Iliad provides examples of Homeric style through delays in the fighting and unconventional scenes.
  2. The dominant theme of the third book of the Iliad is the past, showcasing how the narrative weaves together different stories and traditions.
  3. Helen's role in creating a visual narrative sets the stage for the action in the Iliad, showing the interplay of characters and suffering in the Trojan War.

Lost in Ideology review

Theory Matters • 3 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
📚 Literature Philosophy Ideology Critique Theory Scholarship
  1. Jason Blakely's book 'Lost in Ideology' offers a new and inventive approach to political and philosophical crises, suggesting that understanding differing maps of ideology can lead to better self-awareness and empathy.
  2. The book explores the idea that ideologies are culturally contingent and dives into various philosophical doctrines, pointing out strengths and weaknesses without rigidly advocating for a specific one.
  3. Blakely's work emphasizes precision and clarity in navigating intellectual traditions, avoiding oversimplification, and making valuable distinctions between different ideological schools and thinkers, making the text accessible for scholars and students alike.

The Mystery Man of the Shroud of Turin

The Worldview Bulletin Newsletter • 58 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Apologetics Scholarship
  1. The Mystery Man Exhibition in Spain showcases the Shroud of Turin and its history over the centuries.
  2. The Shroud of Turin is a controversial relic claimed to be the burial cloth of Jesus, with ongoing research and technology advancements fuelling interest.
  3. The exhibition features a hyperrealistic sculpture of the Mystery Man based on forensic and historical evidence.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

20th Century Musings in the 21st Century • 39 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🚌 Education Diversity Inclusion Teaching Mentoring Scholarship
  1. The author has taught at universities in Kyrgyzstan, Ghana, and Iraq, with a diverse student body including various ethnic groups from different countries.
  2. The author actively promotes historical understanding and constructive dialogue among different ethnic groups in the places where he has taught.
  3. The author emphasizes the importance of embracing the truth of the past without bias and has worked to support women's scholarship in underrepresented societies.