Hindsight needs corrective lenses

• Petroglyphs


  Rock carvings/engravings made by removing part of a rock's surface
• Petroglyphs


  • Held deep religious significance or were used as maps
  • Created around 40,000 years ago with the oldest cluster in Iran
  • Remained popular until around 7,000 to 9,000 years ago when the first precursors to writing systems were introduced
  • Can be found in every region in the world excluding Antarctica but are most highly concentrated in parts of Siberia, Scandinavia and Africa
• Nsibidi


  A system of pictograms indigenous to the Ejagham peoples of Southeastern Nigeria
• Nsibidi


  • Consists of several hundred symbols, many of which deal with love affairs
  • Primarily used by the Ekpe Secret Society
  • Had a sacred and public version before the Nigerian colonial era
  • Aspects of colonial rule greatly decreased the number of nsibidi-literate people and the two versions of the language gradually merged
  • Spread to Cuba and Haiti during the Transatlantic Slave Trade where it developed into the Veve and Anaforuana symbols
  • Still used today
• Quipus


  A recording device fashioned from strings that was used by a number of societies in Andean South America
• Quipus


  • The Incas used quipu for multiple purposes including collecting data, monitoring tax returns, keeping track of calendrical information, and organizing troops
  • Stored numeric information encoded as knots, usually in a base 10 positional system
  • During Spanish colonial rule, almost all quipu were destroyed though in isolated towns and villages, they have continued to serve an important ceremonial purpose
  • It is still unknown if quipus ever had a corresponding language/writing system
• Dispilio Tablet


  A wooden tablet containing inscribed markings which is more than 7,000 years old
• Dispilio Tablet


  • The inscription contained on it is the oldest known text in existence, predating all other other writing systems by millenia
  • Currently, the tablet's text is indecipherable and without a Rosetta Stone-like discovery, it will almost certainly remain that way
  • It was found in 1993 during George Hourmouziadis' excavations of Dispilio, Greece (Neolithic lakeside settlement) at the bottom of Lake Kastoria
  • When the tablet was found, it was partially damaged due to being exposed to an oxygen rich environment for a long period of time
• Oracle Bones


  Pieces of animal bones and turtle shells that were used in divination ceremonies in Ancient China (mainly during the late Shang Dynasty)
• Oracle Bones


  • Questions were carved on the bones/shell before they were subjected to intense heat through a metal rod until it cracked due to thermal expansion
  • A diviner would interpret the pattern of the cracks, seen to be a message from a person's ancestor, and finish by writing the answer to the question on the bone
  • By the time the Zhou Dynasty rolled around, the questions were increasingly written with ink meaning that the messages degraded over time
  • The inscriptions and patterns are currently indecipherable
• Cyclons


  A cylindrical stone marked with incisions
• Cylcons

  • They most likely originally served a magical or religious function that was gradually replaced by a more utilitarian one, that of a pestle in food production or to communicate messages
  • Some are even thought to contain maps, which would be the oldest in existence
  • It is impossible to date the majority of cyclones but the oldest datable one to be discovered so far is 20,000 years old
• Geoglyphs


  A large-scale drawing/image made on the ground made by arranging stones, stretching the earth, etc… which is usually only fully visible from a distance or the air
• Geoglyphs


  • While many geoglyphs are ancient, they are not unusual as a modern form of art being popularized during the Land Art Movement
  • The purpose of more ancient geoglyphs is still unknown but learning more about them might unlock clues about their creators
  • The most famous geoglyphs are the Nazca Lines in Peru which consist of white lines along the desert landscape which form large figures when seen aerily
• Runestones


  Large stones carved with runes
• Runestones


  • They are often memorials to dead men
  • When erected, most were brightly colored, though this is no longer evident as their color has long worn off
  • The first runestones were created in the 4th century and the tradition remained strong up until the 12th century
  • They were used by Ancient Scandinavian societies, most notably the Vikings
  • The vast majority of them are located in Scandinavia (mainly in Sweden with the highest concentration of them in Uppland) though many are scattered around locations that Norsemen visited
  • Understanding the runic inscriptions on the stones has constantly posed a problem due to the fact that different symbols have different meanings based on their location
• Tien Hoi's portrayal of President Ho Chi Minh (Uncle Ho) in the 1987 play "A Sleepless Night" was notably remarkable
• Tien Hoi's portrayal of Ho Chi Minh


  • Chosen for his striking resemblance to a young Ho Chi Minh, Tien Hoi needed minimal makeup, highlighting his natural likeness
  • To prepare for the role, Tien dedicated over two months to studying Ho Chi Minh's mannerisms, voice, and daily routines
  • He immersed himself in the president's world, visiting Ho's former residence and engaging in discussions with individuals familiar with his life, such as Vu Ky and Ho's secretary
  • The premiere of the play garnered praise from audience members, who were impressed by the uncanny similarities between Tien Hoi and Ho Chi Minh
  • The success of the play, along with Tien Hoi's compelling performance, earned him recognition from notable figures like General Vo Nguyen Giap, solidifying his reputation as a skilled actor capable of authentically embodying historical figures
• The issue of color-blind casting has sparked heated debate in recent times, particularly in light of incidents like the casting of Jodie Smith as the Queen of England in the Channel 5 series rendition of Hamilton
• Arguments around color-blind casting

  • Some argue that casting black actors in traditionally white roles is a step towards diversity and representation
  • Others contend that it erases historical accuracy and undermines the experiences of marginalized communities
• August Wilson, an African American playwright, was staunchly against color-blind casting, arguing that it perpetuates the erasure of history and assimilation of repressed communities
• Critics argue that actors portraying cultures they may not understand can lead to misrepresentation and perpetuate harmful stereotypes
• Color conscious casting


  Casting different races for different roles, however doing it in a sensible way such that it can "tell a new story"
• Hamilton's color-blind casting

  • Only King George III was portrayed by a white actor
  • The decision for color-blind casting was intentional, aiming to address the limited opportunities for BIPOC actors in the industry
  • It was also rooted in the show's core message and Lin Manuel Miranda's inspiration to write Hamilton after drawing parallels between historical events and modern culture
• Hamilton's approach to casting serves as a model for both Broadway and Hollywood, challenging traditional norms and encouraging more diverse representations on stage and screen
• Color-conscious casting allows for reinterpretation of stories and the exploration of new perspectives, while color-blind casting may inadvertently perpetuate racial stereotypes and overlook the complexities of history
• The recent Pakistan 2024 election has sparked significant controversy and debate, primarily revolving around Imran Khan's victory speech, internet shutdowns, and allegations of rigging
• Pakistan 2024 election


  • Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party claimed victory, with Khan delivering a speech through an AI-generated voice while being imprisoned
  • The election results were disputed, with Nawaz Sharif of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) also claiming victory despite being behind PTI in seat numbers
  • There were discrepancies in the tallies, with unofficial counts showing PTI candidates leading by significant margins, but official results indicating otherwise
  • The Election Commission blamed the delay on internet shutdowns aimed at preventing rigging
  • The internet shutdowns during polling day received widespread criticism, with over 190 million cellular subscribers affected
  • The aftermath of the election saw Shehbaz Sharif, representing both PML-N and PPP, poised to become the prime minister with a coalition of seats
• The film "Gandhi," directed by Richard Attenborough and starring Ben Kingsley in the titular role, made a significant impact upon its release in 1982, receiving 8 out of the 11 Oscars in 1983
• Ben Kingsley's portrayal of Gandhi


  • Capturing the essence of the iconic figure with wisdom, generosity, and humor
  • Resonated deeply with Indians of multiple generations, who saw Kingsley's portrayal as a responsibility of immense magnitude
  • Kingsley, born Krishna Pandit Bhanji in the UK to an English mother and a Gujarati father, undertook extensive study and effort to ensure an accurate portrayal of Gandhi, despite potential controversy given Gandhi's opposition to British rule
• The film traces Gandhi's political awakening as a lawyer in South Africa, where he fought for the rights of Indians and tackled segregation, ultimately leading to his pivotal role in India's independence movement
• The election raised questions about the credibility of the electoral process and sparked protests and clashes across the country
• Kingsley, born Krishna Pandit Bhanji in the UK to an English mother and a Gujarati father, undertook extensive study and effort to ensure an accurate portrayal of Gandhi, despite potential controversy given Gandhi's opposition to British rule
• The film also portrays Gandhi's complexities and flaws, including his unorthodox techniques and controversial views on certain issues such as technology and pacifism
• Franklin Roosevelt, renowned for his leadership during two of the greatest crises of the 20th century—World War II and the Great Depression—also faced a personal challenge: polio, which struck him in 1921, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down during a vacation
• Despite this disability, which he kept out of the public eye, Roosevelt persevered and returned to politics after years of intensive rehabilitation and training with leg braces
• Remarkably, he went on to become governor of New York in 1928 and was elected president in 1932, serving an unprecedented four terms
• Roosevelt's disability was largely concealed from the public eye, as he was determined to project an image of strength and capability
• Secret Service agents would block anyone attempting to capture images of him in a wheelchair, and he developed methods to appear as if he were walking, such as holding onto an advisor or a lectern while swinging his legs forward
• Historians have debated why Roosevelt chose to conceal his disability, with some suggesting it was out of shame, while others argue it was a display of his refusal to let polio define his limitations