The incredible story of James Bartley, a young sailor who supposedly survived being swallowed by a sperm whale, has been told for over a hundred years. But recent investigations suggest it was nothing more than a tall tale (shock horror!). Despite its impossibility, the story of Bartley has become a popular one, even appearing in pieces of literature such as George Orwell’s, Julian Barnes’ and Arthur C. Clarke’s writings. The author portrays a fascinating history of how this tale gained notoriety. Read full article here
Culture
The Priest in the Arena
The phrase “man in the arena” has been popularized in recent years, but a lesser known, more dangerous archetype is the “priest in the arena”. This figure is responsible for a process called theocratic capture, where an institution surrenders to a cult demanding unaccountable authority, fueled by claims to privileged knowledge. These cults often target powerful institutions and attempt to monopolize conversations with scaremongering tactics and hostile treatment of allies. It is important to identify and stop theocratic capture before it can gain control. Read full article here
Merv
May 29, 2023
