Not much to say today

A History of the World in 100 Objects ~ by Neil MacGregor, 2010, history

When did people first start to wear jewelry or play music?  When were cows domesticated, and why do we feed their milk to our children?  Where were the first cities, and what made them succeed?  Who developed math — or invented money?  The history of humanity is one of invention and innovation, as we have continually created new things to use, to admire, or leave our mark on the world.  Neil MacGregor turns to objects that previous civilizations have left behind to paint a portrait of mankind's evolution, focusing on unexpected turning points.  Beginning with a chopping tool from the Olduvai Gorge in Africa and ending with a recent innovation that is transforming the way we power our world, he urges us to see history as a kaleidoscope — shifting, interconnected, constantly surprising.

"A History of the World in 100 Objects" started as a joint project of BBC Radio 4 and the British Museum, which was broadcast over 20 weeks beginning in January of 2010.  I got this book for my Kindle yesterday because it looks like something fun to browse.  Here's my philosophy today: