tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24338064.post4536964971489561853..comments2024-02-11T19:28:27.997+11:00Comments on Personal Reflections: Persia, Greece & the Delian LeagueJim Belshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24338064.post-36607643989970052952011-01-09T05:33:54.312+11:002011-01-09T05:33:54.312+11:00Re-reading my comment, KVD, it could seem quite un...Re-reading my comment, KVD, it could seem quite ungracious because it does not properly recognise the work that Ken in particular has done over a number of years in promoting independent blogging. I do recognise and value that work. <br /><br />It's just that I really was disappointed with 2009 when, in the end, they only published twelve and then with a bit of an apparent scrabble. You can find the list here - http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/feature.asp?year=2010&month=1 This compares with some 39 for 06, 40 for 07 and then 34 for 08.<br /><br />The logistic difficulties involved with something like best blog posts are considerable. It's quite a complicated exercise and is never going to be totally right.Jim Belshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24338064.post-40949687572552709432011-01-08T21:41:44.008+11:002011-01-08T21:41:44.008+11:00Well you are right Jim - that is a disappointment....Well you are right Jim - that is a disappointment. I follow very few Aus blogs because most seem committed to party lines no matter what the issue, but a very few, a golden few, remain intrigued by the world and what it can teach them. This applies to commenters as well - they mostly seem content with point scoring rather than adding to a conversation.<br /><br />I long ago lost any need for pretense about what I did or didn't know on any subject. I'm these days happy to look listen and prompt for further learning. In this your writings suit my interests very well.<br /><br />Anyway - stuff it and good luck<br /><br />kvdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24338064.post-54939599456038447052011-01-08T20:41:15.177+11:002011-01-08T20:41:15.177+11:00Our comments cross each other, KVD.
I have mixed ...Our comments cross each other, KVD.<br /><br />I have mixed feelings on the best blog stuff. Four years ago one of my posts was nominated. I felt quite chuffed because some one else had nominated me. I actually hadn't heard the process until I received an email.<br /><br />The following year I was concerned that the field they were drawing from was too narrow, so consciously nominated posts that I was sure the normal nominating audience would not see. Two were selected.<br /><br />In 2009 it all happened very late. They needed nominations, so I ended up putting forward a couple of my own posts but without success. <br /><br />They obviously had a very poor field overall.The number of posts finally published was very small. I then made a number of suggestions as to what I thought might be done. These centred on promotion much further in advance using a much wider variety of promotion mechanisms. I would have been happy myself to participate.<br /><br />In 2010 I heard nothing until very late in the piece when they did just what had been done in 2009.<br /><br />On 17 December Ken Parish on Club Troppo said that it was all on and called for nominations. On-line opinion would run the best 40 over January. They didn't get 40 suitable in 2009, nor will they this year. As of today, they have run just one, that by LE.<br /><br />The Australian blogosphere is very fragmented. <br /><br />The majority of Australian independent bloggers do not read Club Troppo nor, for that matter, on-line opinion. I am not being critical when I say that; both have far greater audiences than I do. Further, most independent active bloggers are not going to take the time to go back through all their posts on the off-chance that they might be selected. <br /><br />I follow more than 100 Australian blogs. I have seen some very good material and have referred to it from time to time. Indeed, I try to promote it. Further, because my own interests are a little outside the mainstream, I see stuff that will normally not register in the sometimes hermetically sealed world of the major Australian group blogs. However, my incentive to go and chase it out is not high when the whole thing is left to the last moment. <br /><br />This must sound like a gripe, and indeed it is. Certainly it will be an unexpected dump from your perspective. However, I actually feel quite strongly.<br /><br />There is another problem. Like most bloggers, I use an increasing proportion of visual material. On-line opinion does not.<br /><br />I think that we need a blogging eqivalent of the walkely awards. We don't have it at present.Jim Belshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24338064.post-30604555701087862532011-01-08T17:57:09.220+11:002011-01-08T17:57:09.220+11:00"It is"
Trying to find the reference, b..."It is"<br /><br />Trying to find the reference, because it would give me great pleasure to support that. I'll keep looking.<br /><br />Very well done!<br /><br />kvdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24338064.post-56577438183287585482011-01-08T17:06:17.384+11:002011-01-08T17:06:17.384+11:00It is, KVD!It is, KVD!Jim Belshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24338064.post-53218740548791854652011-01-08T17:03:17.342+11:002011-01-08T17:03:17.342+11:00Jim
Off topic I suppose, but I did seriously thin...Jim<br /><br />Off topic I suppose, but I did seriously think about nominating your journey for the Best Blog Awards. But it needed some sort of consolidation, as you cross-posted just now.<br /><br />Personally, I have taken great pleasure, and not a little knowledge, from your journey.<br /><br />kvdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24338064.post-56309910080885031392011-01-08T16:58:11.384+11:002011-01-08T16:58:11.384+11:00Actually, I'd like to retract that comment. I...Actually, I'd like to retract that comment. It may be that Cyrus needed to give his armies something to do, to possibly give them a target, to divert them from other things happening in his large and loose empire? Who knows? But that's why it's fascinating.<br /><br />kvdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24338064.post-56001996159555750082011-01-08T16:53:09.328+11:002011-01-08T16:53:09.328+11:00Next step on the war front, KVD, is Athens vs Spar...Next step on the war front, KVD, is Athens vs Sparta in more detail. But that will have to wait until we get to Athens. Many more nights (and knights!) to go. <br /><br />Once i have finished the whole saga, it is taking me much longer to do this than the trip itself, I will do a consolidation post so that any who are interested can start at the beginning and then follow through the complete meander!Jim Belshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24338064.post-84154039783792552642011-01-08T16:47:11.901+11:002011-01-08T16:47:11.901+11:00Ah! All those Ionian Revolt red stars scattered d...Ah! All those Ionian Revolt red stars scattered down the coast of Asia Minor. The map is too small for tired eyes, but I now see why the Persians had to deal with them.<br /><br />And you are right - Cyrus should have accepted short term agreement, for later "amendment", one by one.<br /><br />Fascinating stuff Jim. Thanks!<br /><br />kvdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24338064.post-77819877050638712372011-01-08T16:35:34.537+11:002011-01-08T16:35:34.537+11:00Hi KVD. I should have spelled out the geography a ...Hi KVD. I should have spelled out the geography a little more. <br /><br />If you look at the map of Persian territory in the war zone, you will see Ionia is part of what is now Turkey. Lydia was a Greek controlled state, hence C's desire to consult the Dephic oracle. The problem is that the Athens and the Ionians had previously established colonies all along the coast of Asia Minor. Cyrus had to deal with them.<br /><br />His mistake lay in his desire to punish them for not supporting him. Had he accepted their submission and continued previous arrangements, then the Persians would have had time to deal with them piece by piece later.<br /><br />The whole thing is one of those world history turning moments.Jim Belshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24338064.post-13767335523197370252011-01-08T15:56:17.616+11:002011-01-08T15:56:17.616+11:00Jim
I never understood why the Greeks were a)part...Jim<br /><br />I never understood why the Greeks were a)part of the empire and/or b) considered as a problem - given that the geography suggests this is the only part of the Persian empire separated by sea.<br /><br />Why did the Persians bother? The Greeks seem like the snake you wished you hadn't picked up by the neck - what do you then do with it?<br /><br />kvd<br />ps used to think penicillin was the most significant advance of the 20th century. Am now leaning more towards the hyperlink.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com