In 1989, BBC ran a program Under African Skies covering the music of the continent. The program and music from it captured on Cassette and later Record became widely known. On Side 2 of 4 sides of cassette, there is a brief snippet of 4 children at St Joseph's Music School in Harare answering their teacher's question - Why do People Sing? Peter: People sing to pass a … [Read more...] about Why Do People Sing?
Modern Myths
The Archers: Rob and Helen
Editorial Note: There is no-one I know who admits to listening to The Archers. But everyone in Britain knows of it - the longest running British radio soap. It begins with a horrible theme tune that has me hitting off instantly. But all changed in the last week or two. The Archers is now featuring on the news and in the newspapers. The build-up began nearly two years ago … [Read more...] about The Archers: Rob and Helen
Little Red Stethoscope
To be read in conjunction with Little Red Riding Hood. Once a newly qualified doctor, wearing her red stethoscope, set out to treat an older woman, bringing medicines and the milk of human kindness. As the doctor was walking through the hospital, the medical director came up to her and asked where she was going. "To Mrs Clinton's bedside", she replied. "Which path are … [Read more...] about Little Red Stethoscope
Little Red Riding Hood
This is the first of a two part piece. Little Red Stethoscope follows. More on the current post can be found in Images of Trauma. A grimm tale The development of psychoanalysis depended heavily on Freud's approach to the interpretation of dreams and myths. Key to these interpretations were his claims about the symbolic nature of certain elements of dreams, myths or … [Read more...] about Little Red Riding Hood
Crusoe, We Say, Was Rescued
This is the Sixteenth Modern Myth featuring Crusoe. The Persecution series resumes next week with Brand Fascism. The clinics were different now to what they had been. Hands on fire The woman walked in, glancing at her hands as she came. Crusoe already knew what she would say. In days gone by peripheral neuropathies were rare. You saw one a year, perhaps in older people – … [Read more...] about Crusoe, We Say, Was Rescued
Castel Gandolfo
This is the Fifteenth Modern Myth, featuring Crusoe. The rest can be accessed under the modern myth tag. There will be another next week. The Pharma Sub-Series of the Persecution Murder Mystery will resume in the first week of the New Year. A strange man It was a time when Crusoe managed to be in Europe in Septembers. In 1957, interested in the fuss surrounding the new … [Read more...] about Castel Gandolfo
The Snow Queen
Crusoe and Hans grew up together. Crusoe’s father encouraged her to believe she could do anything she put her mind to. Han’s father, Peter, was a story-teller who delighted both children with his stories, especially during the long evenings at the onset of Winter. He told them about the Microbe Hunters who discovered the causes of diseases and laid the basis for new … [Read more...] about The Snow Queen
The Medicine Maker
Editorial Note: This is based on the Finnish National Epic, the Kalevala. The image comes from the series painted by Axel Gallen to illustrate the Kalevala. Crusoe spent years trying to make a Medicine Maker. She was finally successful at the end of a long Winter just as the first signs of growth appeared on the trees. Everyone for miles around came when they heard the news. … [Read more...] about The Medicine Maker
Medystopia
Editorial Note: Crusoe has not been lying low since The Shipwreck of the Singular and The Girl who Wasn't Heard When She Cried Wolf. Check these out for previous Crusoe posts. The AbbVie story calls for a decent myth. Here is a start. Sink all vaccines to the bottom of the sea? Crusoe was listening to Oliver give out. "They called me yesterday evening", he said, "to tell me … [Read more...] about Medystopia
Marilyn’s Curse
Editorial Note: This an unexpected eighth part to the Lasagna Trilogy that started with Not So Bad Pharma and runs through to Witty A: Report to the President. Ondine Ondine was a nymph whose lover swore that his every waking breath was a testimony to his love of her. Finding him unfaithful, she cursed him – should he fall asleep he would stop breathing. Marilyn died of an … [Read more...] about Marilyn’s Curse