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 Rewatch Downunder: A3 Cygnus Alpha. Saturday 14th Jan 2023
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| Obsidian |
Posted on 14-01-2023 10:35
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 Moderator  Posts: 8903 Joined: 15.01.22 |
The original prisoners on Cygnus Alpha were evidently from Egypt and Turkey, going by the accoutrements in their shrine. Such as what, in particular? The textiles, the Egyptian one on the altar being worth rather a lot of $$$$$ by now, the two brazier stands (Egyptian) and the ewer and basin (Turkish). I LOVE these details! A mixed batch from BBC props. But how to explain in terms of B7? Did these things come with Vargas' ancestors? Was there trading between Cygnus and other worlds? I like to think of them coming with the original prisoners, but it's not impossible that there was trading. Not everyone in the line is likely to have been like him. However, in cultural terms, it's more likely that things that are regarded as holy have a strong link to the past and conceptions of the unbroken linkage. It's what gives people the idea of their land etc. Don't philosophise at me you electronic moron.
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| M1795537OCVirn |
Posted on 14-01-2023 10:37
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 Admin  Posts: 15915 Joined: 14.01.22 |
Big Man Societies It mostly happens in Australasia, such as Papua New Guinea. Traditionally, among peoples of non-Austronesian-speaking communities, authority was obtained by a man (the so-called "big man"  recognised as "performing most capably in social, political, economic and ceremonial activities".(Wikipedia) So it's someone who has proved his worth, that the rest of the group recognise as a leader, rather than someone who can browbeat people into following him. At least, that's my take on it. "You're not sulking, I hope?"
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| Obsidian |
Posted on 14-01-2023 10:37
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Moderator Posts: 8903 Joined: 15.01.22 |
Oh look, the Cygnus Inquisition. We were expecting that, I think. What else might one expect? If you've come from the Federation – and even if you haven't – someone's always going to take advantage of everyone else. This is no Big Man society. Big Men societies aren't much of a thing in the 'developed' West. More's the pity, really. My feeling entirely. If you want someone to follow you, you have to demonstrate you can provide, not just talk about it. I think I'm misunderstanding what a Big Man society is. I would see it as a bad thing - Trump, Bolsonaro etc. Nothing to do with them. Do you know about the Potlach? Big Men gain their position by demonstrating that they can provide for their group. Massive displays of wealth like the Potlach are exactly that. Don't philosophise at me you electronic moron.
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| Obsidian |
Posted on 14-01-2023 10:39
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Moderator Posts: 8903 Joined: 15.01.22 |
Big Man Societies It mostly happens in Australasia, such as Papua New Guinea. Traditionally, among peoples of non-Austronesian-speaking communities, authority was obtained by a man (the so-called "big man" recognised as "performing most capably in social, political, economic and ceremonial activities".(Wikipedia) So it's someone who has proved his worth, that the rest of the group recognise as a leader, rather than someone who can browbeat people into following him. At least, that's my take on it. Yes, you're correct MsVirn. Not in Australia at all, but in PNG, Melanesia, and in past Late Neolithic societies and in some North American societies. Don't philosophise at me you electronic moron.
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| Obsidian |
Posted on 14-01-2023 10:42
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Moderator Posts: 8903 Joined: 15.01.22 |
“You will contact your ship and order it to land” “ I can’t do that” He genuinely can’t do that. Jenna hasn’t learnt how to land the ship yet. LOL She never does! I think the only time we see it land is in 'Dawn of the Gods', and I think it did it by itself, rather than by Tarrant. Agreed. Libby has more sense than to let Tarrant attempt a landing. I do think we are rather underestimating Tarrant here . . . Having a lend (Australian slang) of poor, dear Tarrant I think. Don't philosophise at me you electronic moron.
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| AnneArthur |
Posted on 14-01-2023 10:43
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 Alpha Grade  Posts: 8721 Joined: 16.01.22 |
Have a good week, everybody! Glad I was able to join in today. Even though this isn't one of my fave eps, it's necessary for story & character arcs. And it has some excellent moments! That's pretty much how I feel about it. |
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| Obsidian |
Posted on 14-01-2023 10:44
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Moderator Posts: 8903 Joined: 15.01.22 |
Have a good week, everybody! Glad I was able to join in today. Even though this isn't one of my fave eps, it's necessary for story & character arcs. And it has some excellent moments! That's pretty much how I feel about it. But we love Brian Blessed for sure. Bye Anne, Travisina and MsVirn. See you all next week (fingers crossed Travisina). Don't philosophise at me you electronic moron.
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| AnneArthur |
Posted on 14-01-2023 10:45
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Alpha Grade Posts: 8721 Joined: 16.01.22 |
Oh look, the Cygnus Inquisition. We were expecting that, I think. What else might one expect? If you've come from the Federation – and even if you haven't – someone's always going to take advantage of everyone else. This is no Big Man society. Big Men societies aren't much of a thing in the 'developed' West. More's the pity, really. My feeling entirely. If you want someone to follow you, you have to demonstrate you can provide, not just talk about it. I think I'm misunderstanding what a Big Man society is. I would see it as a bad thing - Trump, Bolsonaro etc. That makes sense! But is that not pretty much exactly Trump and Bolsonaro? They provide for their followers by funnelling government money their way, and by 'owning the libs'? That they wear suits is neither here not there. Nothing to do with them. Do you know about the Potlach? Big Men gain their position by demonstrating that they can provide for their group. Massive displays of wealth like the Potlach are exactly that. |
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| Joe Dredd |
Posted on 14-01-2023 14:38
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 Moderator Posts: 3007 Joined: 15.01.22 |
Like one of my favourite Paul Darrow quotes on Jack 3: "Jack 3: As relaxing as a bedtime story read by Brian Blessed." Which were a thing!: Brian Blessed's Bedtime Stories |
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| Joe Dredd |
Posted on 14-01-2023 14:42
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Moderator Posts: 3007 Joined: 15.01.22 |
Nothing to do with them. Do you know about the Potlach? Big Men gain their position by demonstrating that they can provide for their group. Massive displays of wealth like the Potlach are exactly that. I seem to recall reading an article about the system of potlatch, but in a very negative context. If one tribe offended another tribe, they'd make amends with extreme sacrifices, such as burning down their own village. Someone else must have known it in that context too, for another article I read (about Christmas) referred in passing to the reciprocal giving-of-presents as "the Christmas potlatch". |
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| Joe Dredd |
Posted on 14-01-2023 14:49
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Moderator Posts: 3007 Joined: 15.01.22 |
“You will contact your ship and order it to land” “ I can’t do that” He genuinely can’t do that. Jenna hasn’t learnt how to land the ship yet. LOL She never does! I think the only time we see it land is in 'Dawn of the Gods', and I think it did it by itself, rather than by Tarrant. I never think of the Liberator as being a ship that can land (or is made for landing). Docking certainly, but not landing. I think it's meant to stay in space always. "Dawn of the Gods" is an exception; yes it's resting on two of it's 'arms' but the baddies forced that to happen. The only other comment I can think of that may indicate it is in Moloch, when they accidentally find themselves hurtling towards Sardos. Zen tells them that the ship's speed is "inconsistent with safe planetfall". I can rationalise that by saying Liberator can enter the atmosphere and fly around a planet at a low altitude, without being able to land. I was surprised (= dismayed) by one of the BF audios that had the Liberator sit on a seabed. |
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| Joe Dredd |
Posted on 14-01-2023 14:50
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Moderator Posts: 3007 Joined: 15.01.22 |
Anyone recognise this gem from the London's flight deck?  One of the consoles on the London flight deck was a laser weapon in a James Bond movie. |
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| Joe Dredd |
Posted on 14-01-2023 14:55
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Moderator Posts: 3007 Joined: 15.01.22 |
Saw a special screening of Flash Gordon at Hatfield University, where BRIAN BLESSED was in the audience (in the row behind me & hubby!) and afterwards did a Q&A on stage. Good thing he went on stage. Imagine if he did the Q&A while still sitting behind you. Your ears would be ringing. |
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| Obsidian |
Posted on 15-01-2023 05:24
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Moderator Posts: 8903 Joined: 15.01.22 |
Oh look, the Cygnus Inquisition. We were expecting that, I think. What else might one expect? If you've come from the Federation – and even if you haven't – someone's always going to take advantage of everyone else. This is no Big Man society. Big Men societies aren't much of a thing in the 'developed' West. More's the pity, really. My feeling entirely. If you want someone to follow you, you have to demonstrate you can provide, not just talk about it. I think I'm misunderstanding what a Big Man society is. I would see it as a bad thing - Trump, Bolsonaro etc. That makes sense! But is that not pretty much exactly Trump and Bolsonaro? They provide for their followers by funnelling government money their way, and by 'owning the libs'? That they wear suits is neither here not there. Nothing to do with them. Do you know about the Potlach? Big Men gain their position by demonstrating that they can provide for their group. Massive displays of wealth like the Potlach are exactly that. Not exactly: they have to earn it. The idiot people on the bottom rung of society that think Trump and Bolsonaro are doing something for them get nothing, whereas kin groups in Big Men societies get their yams and pigs and to eat them too. Don't philosophise at me you electronic moron.
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| Obsidian |
Posted on 15-01-2023 05:25
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Moderator Posts: 8903 Joined: 15.01.22 |
Anyone recognise this gem from the London's flight deck? One of the consoles on the London flight deck was a laser weapon in a James Bond movie. Yes, and it yells out at me every time I see it now. Don't philosophise at me you electronic moron.
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| Obsidian |
Posted on 15-01-2023 05:38
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Moderator Posts: 8903 Joined: 15.01.22 |
Nothing to do with them. Do you know about the Potlach? Big Men gain their position by demonstrating that they can provide for their group. Massive displays of wealth like the Potlach are exactly that. I seem to recall reading an article about the system of potlatch, but in a very negative context. If one tribe offended another tribe, they'd make amends with extreme sacrifices, such as burning down their own village. Someone else must have known it in that context too, for another article I read (about Christmas) referred in passing to the reciprocal giving-of-presents as "the Christmas potlatch". Those are not negatives (and they are kin groups, not tribes that compete). Those are displays of wealth. It shows you have so accumulated so much, you can afford to sacrifice it. They are very elaborate gift-giving rituals. Our Christmas rituals are similar in that this is the time when you get to enjoy the results of Summer labour. It is when you sacrifice your most highly-prized livestock. Female animals are usually those sacrificed because they represent your greatest wealth – the ability to reproduce. It's why female humans tended to get exchanged, too, in some societies. The reasons for the rituals vary, but birth, death, coming of age, passing of land rights, marriage etc. are all in there. Don't philosophise at me you electronic moron.
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| Obsidian |
Posted on 15-01-2023 05:43
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Moderator Posts: 8903 Joined: 15.01.22 |
Like one of my favourite Paul Darrow quotes on Jack 3: "Jack 3: As relaxing as a bedtime story read by Brian Blessed." Which were a thing!: Brian Blessed's Bedtime Stories Good to know! I'm sure Paul did too. Of course my REAL favourite is "More relaxing than a bedtime story read by David Attenborough." I keep meaning to tell Robert Attenborough. He'd have a laugh for sure. Don't philosophise at me you electronic moron.
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