On Feb 11, 8:06*pm, Tom Littleton wrote:
On 2/11/2011 8:16 PM, Giles wrote:

Encountering a horse that can solve differential equations (in German,
no less) and a dog that knows the difference between a pinyon and a
pinion (or between a pinion, a pinion, and a pinion, for all one
knows) sets a boys mind to wandering.

What might it be like to enjoy a lengthy late evening repast and
discussion with such illustrious celebrities?

ok, I am going to play along, but Wolfie, I had to admit that I first
read this part and wondered why I'd wish to eat dinner with a horse and
and a dog.....despite their attested-to talents.

Can't honestly say that I'd be much interested in sharing a repast
with a dog and a horse either.....though I'm sure it's done every day
in many places throughout the world. I was just sort of wondering
what it might be like.....not voluteering to do the research.

.....Steve Allen did it thirty

some years ago.....but enticing nevertheless.

Personally, I think I'd have a hard time planning a menu that would
thrill all those pleasant.....but the conversation would doubtless be
a stone cold ****in' thriller!

So, let us abandon cuisine in favor of cerebral stimulation.

Ignoring possible dietary tabbos, restrictions, preferences and other
impedimenta, and limiting the list to say, four invitees, who are the
number one through four guests (from any place or time on earth) on
your bucket list?

Hell, Allen probably brought it up earlier than that,

No idea when he first thought or brought it up, but he brought it to
television thirty some years ago.

but I always have
enjoyed the premise myself. Actually, it used to be a sort of grad
school routine exercise among the Biology students, sometimes limited to
guests from the sciences, sometimes open to any person. Interesting, all
participating regularly changed the list to reflect changed interests.

Yeah, the list would (and should) necessarily change from moment to
moment.....at least for any thinking person.

Anyhow, here goes, with the caveat that I won't rank the order. Just
today's four:

Marcel Duchamp--must set up the chess board after dinner

Familiar name, but I confess I had to look him up. I remember his
nude descending a staircase, but know virtually nothing else about him

Martin Luther--I want to talk with someone willing to challenge THAT
* * * * * * * * level of authority.

As later demonstrated, he was willing to challenge THAT level of
authority at least in part because he sort of itched to have it
himself. The only thing I've ever heard about Luther that resonated
with me (so to speak) is that he liked music. Of course, he WAS also
a knowledgeable theologian, and I can appreciate that......but that's
not quite the same thing as resonating. Still, I suspect he would
indeed be interesting to talk to, at least for a while.

Galileo Galilei

Yeah, he would definitely be interesting. Personally, I'd be less
interested in his science than in the conflict that his devotion to it
engendered. The tightrope he walked is a major theme in the history
of the last few centuries.....and is still with us, albeit in a more
attenuated form.....in some places, anyway. In some others, he would,
even today, find his position eerily (and uncomfortably) familiar,
even with regard to the same specific issue that got him in trouble
last time.

Ghandi

The Mahatma would be a daunting dinner guest. Some of the others I'd
invite would doubtless feel comfortable in his presence. I'd think
I'd be afraid to open my mouth. But then, that would doubtless be the
case with many others as well. I guess we just have to go on the
assumption that as host one would naturally be able to keep up with
the guests.....or that they would at least be willing to support the
pretense.

yeah, I'm sort of going for a theme here, and yes, the menu would be a
bitch. Probably, just order Chinese take-out and have done with it.....

Regardless of the roster I think that the above noted trepidation
notwithstanding, I'd rather try to keep up with the discussion than
plan a menu.

Meanwhile, one possible theme (dissent from the dominant paradigm)
seems fairly obvious.....but I suppose there are any number of others.

giles
who suspects that serving hot and sour soup to martin luther would be
an extraordinarily bad way to start an evening of productive and
enjoyable conversation.