Ben Kingsley explains the 'Dark Ages'

[fortigurn]

It's a bit naff, but it gets the point across. Kicks off here. Interesting that they only used examples of Muslim inventors. Probably a bit of political correctness there, though in Australia it would result in howls of protest that the insulation between church and state is deteriorating (it is well known in Australia that nothing was ever invented by religious people).

[humphreyclarke]

Hmmmm, it's almost as if the script was written by the same people who edit the wikipedia articles for Islamic natural philosophers. There must be quite a bit of money behind this - any idea how the exhibition is funded ? I'm guessing the Saudis might have a hand in this ?

Interesting to see what the Islamophobes make of it:

wikiislam.net/wiki/20_Islamic_Inventions

[fortigurn]

It's definitely a 'Muslim Pride' initiative, and no mistake. From the website":

As with most historic works genuine opinions may differ, especially in cases where the weight of the evidence is modest. This is very acceptable and productive as it enriches the subjects and energises scholarly debate. In contrast there are unfortunately opinions, based on prejudice rather than facts, expounded by those less interested in uncovering the truth and instead aiming to undermine and obscure the contribution of Muslim civilisation. The 1001 inventions project was born to rebuff these unhealthy opinions and establish the true value of the scientific and technological advances made by Muslim Civilisation.

My emphasis. Nothing wrong with that, but if we're going to debunk the myth of the 'Dark Ages' it would be nice to have an even representation of the relevant contributors, regardless of their ethnicity and religious views. The website is here.

[ignorantianescia]

The companion book for the exposition has been reviewed at length by a historian of science, prof. Brentjes, who is rather scathing about the book.

www.ircps.org/node/1266

[fortigurn]

That's a sensational review. What a cracker.

[wraggy]

Dec 18, 2013 7:43:11 GMT ignorantianescia said:

The companion book for the exposition has been reviewed at length by a historian of science, prof. Brentjes, who is rather scathing about the book.

www.ircps.org/node/1266

It certainly is scathing. Sonja is not to be messed with.

Since 1001 Inventions contains on almost every page substantial errors, misrepresentations, or sadly, sheer inventions of its own, I have compiled a list of some of its major falsehoods, myths, and delusions without trying to achieve completeness and append it at the end of my discussion of the book’s messages, rhetoric, imagery, and other features. It is most regrettable that the National Geographic Society lent its authority to promoting this kind of ideological misrepresentation of an important part of the history of science. No amount of political correctness and nicety about cultural cohesion and mutual understanding can counterbalance the ideologically based and amateurishly executed falsifications of history and science that dominate this book from page 1 to 351.

[merkavah12]

Wow. Wraggy is right! Hell hath no fury like a history buff scorned.

[ignorantianescia]

Yeah, it's like Rambo-like scorched earth tactics in review form. But the book seems to more than earn it.