In the article the author twice used “A.D.” [Anno Domini] which is specifically Catholic and has gone out of scholarly usage, replaced by “C.E.” [Common Era]. Similarly, “B.C.” [Before Christ] has been replaced with “B.C.E.” [Before the Common Era]. I suggest the writer or Big Think come up to scholarly standards by updating the style book or, if it is not the writer's or Big Think's, replacing what is used with a style book which is more current.
Good essay. Great theory! The great fantasy writers always make some hidden reference to the real world.
In the article the author twice used “A.D.” [Anno Domini] which is specifically Catholic and has gone out of scholarly usage, replaced by “C.E.” [Common Era]. Similarly, “B.C.” [Before Christ] has been replaced with “B.C.E.” [Before the Common Era]. I suggest the writer or Big Think come up to scholarly standards by updating the style book or, if it is not the writer's or Big Think's, replacing what is used with a style book which is more current.
I’ve always thought that it was no accident that one of the great industrialists was called ‘Isambard’. The link seems clear.
My understanding was that Tolkien based Middle Earth on the countryside around Stonyhurst College at Hurst Green in Lancashire.