Let's say that certain phases of my life were already written in a book 70 - 100 years ago by someone, who was either a futurist of a scifi-writer. Let's also say that there are people, who want to make sure - for some yet unknown reason - that I live through those phases and that my personality gets developed similarly to some character's personality in that book. The book would have been written a long time before I was born. Now, what kind of search engines and what kind of search strategies I should use to become sure that there actually is such a book? There might exists traces of revitalizing of the book, if the original writer didn't make good enough guesses about the future.
posted by spctrm
on Feb 5, 2013 -
13 answers
I would like to write a fictional novel based in actual events that occurred in the West in the 1700s. It would draw extensively from the true story ( which is likely already enhanced through the centuries ). The names would change, though the locations would be actual places.
Is there anything I should be aware of with regards to the "legality" of retelling such a story? Ie. the storyline is not my original creation. I'd be adapting it for my story, but it would have a lot of similarity.
The story is told, with minor variation, in a number of historical sources.
posted by ecorrocio
on Nov 9, 2012 -
10 answers
Tomorrow,
Pepys' Diary, which I've been following as it's been posted serially for the better part of a decade, will post its last entry. Are there any similar serially posted historical diaries that I can I follow in its absence?
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posted by sciapod
on May 30, 2012 -
9 answers
I'm looking for 'Folk' Web Cultures. I am thinking of the recent take-down of Geocities, which seemed to refresh people's love of the naff, kitsch aesthetic it was famous for, as a prime example. What are some other folk cultures still lingering in the dark corners of the web?
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posted by 0bvious
on Apr 4, 2012 -
11 answers
Does anyone know the history of mining towns and/or horse ranching in the Rocky Mountains, or where to go to research it?
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posted by trollnystan
on Mar 11, 2012 -
17 answers
I need to write narrative history for this paper. And I have no idea how. If you have tips for writing narrative or telling stories in general and narrative history in particular, those would be most appreciated!
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posted by kingfishers catch fire
on Nov 28, 2011 -
5 answers
How do you write about religion historically? I'm writing my history honors thesis on evangelical Christians, but all of my drafts sound theological and not historical. When I try to fix the problem, I end up just reciting facts.
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posted by kingfishers catch fire
on Oct 8, 2011 -
15 answers
Do you know any examples of evocative food writing that is focused on how specific foods awaken the writer's memory or otherwise serve to connect time and history with what we eat? Think Proust's famous
madeleine, or Nigel Slater's Toast: the Story of a Boy's Hunger. I am especially interested in accounts from non-white, non-American or non-European, and female authors.
posted by liketitanic
on Aug 11, 2011 -
25 answers
What politically neutral book(s) should I read on multiculturalism and Islam, immigration/integration politics and/or ethnic/religious tensions in Europe?
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posted by goodnewsfortheinsane
on Jul 25, 2011 -
11 answers
Help me find a quote about how people are reluctant to notice the effects of historical and/or social forces on their lives.
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posted by toomuchkatherine
on Jul 13, 2011 -
9 answers
148 years ago today, 37 yr old Union Gen John Buford took the 1st calvary division into Gettysburg, got the lay of the land fast, grabbed the high ground, setting the stage for Union victory after the next three horrific days of battle. What books and/or websites have you read which have given you a better understanding of this battle and the people who fought it?
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posted by dancestoblue
on Jun 30, 2011 -
14 answers
I'm writing a paper on (animated) GIFs and am trying to track down some of the most (in)famous. I suppose I am talking memes, but I'm more interested in the GIF as an archaeological reference point. I frequent sites like
dump.fm,
tumblr etc. so am quite tuned in to the glitchy/kitschy side of GIF culture. How theoretical have people got on these wonders of the web? How does one trace the history of an animated GIF?
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posted by 0bvious
on May 16, 2011 -
11 answers
Summer short course filter: Fun readings on the internet, the future, and research in the digital age for high school teachers. Help a librarian plan a syllabus!
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posted by activitystory
on Apr 28, 2011 -
5 answers
Is there a term for travel accounts of explorers, both fictional and real-life? Also, tell me some of your favorites.
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posted by actionpact
on Dec 11, 2010 -
22 answers
I'm not an academic, not trained in the art of research, and I could use some guidance. I need advice on how to identify and track down sources for a multi-year exploration of a topic.
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posted by croutonsupafreak
on Dec 7, 2010 -
23 answers
Help me find this half-remembered anecdote from what I think was a collection of famous chefs or food writers discussing their ideal meals?
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posted by grar
on Oct 7, 2010 -
5 answers
Please tell me about a time/place in history that had some interesting political issue that was very divisive at the time.
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posted by giggleknickers
on Apr 23, 2010 -
14 answers
Sacrifice, speech, writing and art: I am interested in the different ways in which a sacrifice, a sacrament, a spoken word and a written word act as signifiers. The notion for instance that the sacrament, at the point of its acceptance, is understood as
becoming the signified. What can you tell me / what has been written about the notions of sacrifice and their relationship to speech, art and the technologies of writing?
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posted by 0bvious
on Feb 24, 2010 -
8 answers
What inventions/societal changes besides cell phones have effectively "ruined" plot devices for stories in movies, TV, books, and so forth?
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posted by ckolderup
on Aug 5, 2009 -
50 answers
I'm interested in writing one history book in my life, over a long period of time. I'm not, and most likely will not be getting, any sort of degree in history. I'm currently pursuing another career, and would like to research this over a long period, on the side. What would I be doing now to make this happen?
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posted by sully75
on May 3, 2009 -
19 answers
I am looking for writings on
mimesis in regards new, digital, hypertext and hypermedial technologies and cultures.
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posted by 0bvious
on Feb 16, 2009 -
7 answers
Tété-Michel Kpomassie: where is he now? Whatever happened to him? I can't find other books by him after An African in Greenland; I've read he eventually received French citizenship and lives there now - but what does he do? He must have written other books or articles, right? Anyone know?
posted by luriete
on Sep 3, 2008 -
3 answers
Help me find illuminating, educating, eye-opening articles on immigration for a class I'm teaching at the Kennedy School of Government.
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posted by josh
on Apr 11, 2007 -
5 answers
This spring I'll be teaching a workshop on memos that changed the world. Help me think of some.
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posted by josh
on Jan 24, 2007 -
35 answers
I am looking for well regarded books/scholarly papers about writing. Most specifically in the areas of Nonfiction (the essay style of article writing) and Children's Fiction (for a young adult audience).
Any tips? Go as far and broad as you can. I'll be off to the British library tomorrow, so the sky is the limit.
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posted by 0bvious
on Jan 9, 2007 -
6 answers
'The Flâneur': What fascinating titbits can you add to my knowledge about this concept? Art, history, philosophy and literary theory links all welcome.
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posted by 0bvious
on Oct 25, 2006 -
22 answers
