Articles written by Lorena Shannon

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About me - Lorena Shannon

What is a biography for other than saying who I am and what I've done? It seems simple enough, right? Behold, my sheepish expression as I try to word something together that makes me seem even quasi-interesting! Watch me also as I fail miserably.

Regretfully,

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Computers & Technology > Computers & Technology (Other) Does technology impoverish the mind?: 4 of 24

Our world is full of 'labor-saving devices', all of which are aimed to do exactly that. To an extent, they live up to the expectation. We can multitask in ways that our grandparents probably still can't conceive; we can get many things done in half the time that it would otherwise take; and it usually leaves our mind open to...
Arts & Humanities > Ancient History Exploring ancient Britain: 1 of 4

According to the archaeological record, Britain had gone through a period of great change during the third millennium BC as the Late Neolithic moved into the Bronze Age. A new form of pottery was showing up all over the islands, and the system of mass burials seemed to have been abandoned almost entirely for single graves, s...
Society & Lifestyle > European Culture Celtic heritage: Tradition and culture: 1 of 4

When one thinks of someone or something that is referenced as being a 'Celt' or 'Celtic' in name or origin, a wealth of stereotypical thoughts can (and probably do) come to mind. For some, music such as that of Loreena McKennitt, Mare Brennan, and The Chieftains are associated. The dance shows of Michael Flatley, the intrica...
Arts & Humanities > Art History Roman art and architecture: origins and influences: 1 of 3

The cities of the ancient Roman Empire were grand in scale and elegantly simple in design, maintaining an aesthetically pleasing ambiance that the citizens, at least the upper classes, had to have enjoyed. Scholars have debated for years as to the origins of the Roman forms of architecture and sculpture, pinpointing such cul...
Hobbies & Games > Video Game Culture & Community World of Warcraft: Harmless fun, or an addictive replacement for real life?: 19 of 48

Quite simply, I am a gamer. I table-top, participate in LARPs (Live-Action Role Playing groups), own an Xbox, a Dreamcast, several incarnations of the Nintendo, and a computer with a decent graphics card. As a human being, I understand the importance of a constant supply of entertainment, of forms of escapism after a long da...
Arts & Humanities > European History The Celtic influence on Irish culture: 2 of 4

For many years, people have heard or seen the word Celtic' and instantly thought: culture, language, art form, Ireland, and several other things. To most, the Celts were a people that used to live, and still do in some cases, somewhere within the British Isles. Are they correct in thinking all this, though? They are partiall...
Religion & Spirituality > Pagan & Earth-Based Religions Stonehenge: The astronomer's stones: 1 of 2

Standing solitarily on Salisbury Plain, Stonehenge is a mystery to all who have seen it, heard of it, and even studied it. When was it built? Why is it there? Who built it? What was its original purpose? Did the Druids use it as a place of worship as some archaeologists claim, or was it built for observing and keeping time a...
Arts & Humanities > Classical Lit & Mythology Book reviews: Myth, by Laurence Coupe: 1 of 1

L. COUPE: Myth. Pp. 219. London: Routledge, 1997. Paper. ISBN: 0-415-13494-3 The study of myth has been an ongoing pursuit for many scholars over the past few hundred years. They have applied meaning to specific events, pulled heroes apart into little more than psychological elements of human nature. Even before that and sti...
Education > College Courses & Majors On earning a degree in classical civilization: 1 of 1

I have a degree in Classical Civilization. Most of the people that I say this to give me one of two reactions: "Excuse me, what?" or "And what, exactly, do you plan to do with that?" They always seem so clueless or condescending that I often wonder why I bother to inform them of my education. Should I, instead, proclaim that...
Politics, News & Issues > Political & Economic Theory The American Covenant: The Declaration of Independence: 5 of 7

For the first time in my life and only a short time ago, I read the entirety of the Declaration of Independence. It is no longer properly focused on in schools, the same as the Constitution and other key points of American identity. We are losing something so important to our everyday lives, and it leaves us more and more ig...