IGX

I understand better now why the entire continent of Africa is such a shithole.

Kapuscinski spent about 40 years traveling around Africa, among other places, and the book is a series of essays on his experiences from the tropical west to the desert east, and places in between. They are all united by the endless insufferable heat of the place, whether humid (malarial jungles) or dry (he died of the de-hy-dration). Also, African's emphasis, on clan and ancestry, their different sense of time, how the Europeans "divided" Africa (they really took about 10,000 little fiefdoms and and forced them to unite into 20 or so "countries"). Why aid is not A Good Thing there. The prevalence of warlordism there (related to international aid). Not just a history, the essays carry a message about humans in general. Pretty funny at times. Highly recommend. Timmah, did you know him?

Is there any irony in dismissing Africa on the advice of a loudmouthed dunce who couldn't even manage to not perish of thirst there?

nafod wrote:I understand better now why the entire continent of Africa is such a shithole.

Kapuscinski spent about 40 years traveling around Africa, among other places, and the book is a series of essays on his experiences from the tropical west to the desert east, and places in between. They are all united by the endless insufferable heat of the place, whether humid (malarial jungles) or dry (he died of the de-hy-dration). Also, African's emphasis, on clan and ancestry, their different sense of time, how the Europeans "divided" Africa (they really took about 10,000 little fiefdoms and and forced them to unite into 20 or so "countries"). Why aid is not A Good Thing there. The prevalence of warlordism there (related to international aid). Not just a history, the essays carry a message about humans in general. Pretty funny at times. Highly recommend. Timmah, did you know him?

Never knew him, but he was a model. Was unaware of any of the above allegations, but I will say this: the man could write.

You, sir, are a fabulist.

Fat Cat wrote:You, sir, are a fabulist.

The word is "fabulous." It doesn't require an article.

Fat Cat wrote:Is there any irony in dismissing Africa on the advice of a loudmouthed dunce who couldn't even manage to not perish of thirst there?

We all perish of thirst eventually

nafod wrote:

Fat Cat wrote:Is there any irony in dismissing Africa on the advice of a loudmouthed dunce who couldn't even manage to not perish of thirst there?

We all perish of thirst eventually

No we don't. Add that to your list of fundamental misunderstandings.

Fat Cat wrote:

nafod wrote:

Fat Cat wrote:Is there any irony in dismissing Africa on the advice of a loudmouthed dunce who couldn't even manage to not perish of thirst there?

We all perish of thirst eventually

No we don't. Add that to your list of fundamental misunderstandings.

Besides which, the guy loved Africa, warts and all. And I'm not dismissing it either. Just calling it like it is. I plan to go soon.

That's cool and I respect that. Always go see for yourself. I thought Bosnia must be like hell until I got there and saw all this leggy pussy running around.