The war on civilization

World War I began on this day in 1914; it ended on this date also, in 1919.

"You can't say that civilization don't advance--in every war they kill you in a new way." -- Will Rogers.



Also on this day, philosopher and writer Jean-Jacques Rousseau was born in 1778. His Confessions can be said to have given birth to the autobiography.

“(Rousseau is)surely the blackest and most atrocious villain, beyond comparison, that now exists in the world.” – David Hume.

Is that a slam on Oprah?

This is National Book Week!

"I hate books, because they only teach people to talk about what they do not understand." -- Jean-Jacques Rousseau.