Beards, Earthquakes and Talking Buildings
This earthquake in Kent, which seems to be the only news story in the world this morning, produced a consolingly bearded seismologist on television this morning. (I'm anti-beard, downright beardist in fact, but academics on television news shows should have beards.) He said we know a lot about quakes in Kent because of Canterbury Cathedral. It's an ancient structure with long terms records which include reports of the earth shaking. There are downsides, of course, but, on the whole, it is a wonderful thing, living in an old country where academics on TV are nervous and have beards and the buildings tell us stories.
# posted by Bryan Appleyard : 6:46 AM
10 Comments:
At April 29, 2007 8:10 AM,
vince said…
No one really injured, TG. While it seems a quick shimmy round with a dustpan will do much of the cleaning. But I'll bet it put a added frisson to Saturday night nooky in the County. And possibly knocked the house foundations back into place.
But how often could an earthquake expert expect to be wheeled out to provide his tuppence worth, no wonder the chap was skittish. While Canterbury was designed to tell a story, abet not about earthquakes. But most of them had beards.
At April 29, 2007 9:11 AM,
David Mackinder said…
What's the problem with beards? Are your bearded blog readers and commentators not welcome? Should I consider joining the Beard Liberation Front?
At April 29, 2007 9:20 AM,
Bryan Appleyard said…
No, all welcome, of course, David, but I do like the idea of the BLF. I don't know, I've always found beards wrong somehow. Grew one myself once. Horrible, it was. Perhaps beards are like hats, they need a way back into to men's repertoire of possible appearances.
At April 29, 2007 9:31 AM,
David Mackinder said…
Thanks for the words of reassurance.
At April 29, 2007 2:45 PM,
Susan, chin admirer said…
Of course, Bryan, you wouldn't hide your chin cleft under a bushel -- er, beard -- so no wonder you dis' em.
At April 29, 2007 3:25 PM,
Bryan Appleyard said…
The cleft is, indeed, a great consolation. One day I shall get to the bottom of it.
At April 29, 2007 7:24 PM,
Janejill said…
Until now I Had thought a "beardist" was someone who believed in the inherent superiority of a particular type of beard? What would be the word for that Bryan?
At April 30, 2007 2:51 AM,
susan said…
an old goatee
At April 30, 2007 12:45 PM,
A said…
The bottom of a great consoling bearded cleft? Back in Dali territory, I presume.
At April 30, 2007 1:01 PM,
Bryan Appleyard said…
That sounds like Chip
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