27-08-2016, 02:22 AM
(This post was last modified: 27-08-2016, 03:13 AM by Diane.
Edit Reason: shorten
)
Davidsch,
I have enormous respect for micro-specialists, and realized when choosing my specialty that it was one where there was constant need to refer to them.
I will say, though, that I find one has to be terribly neutral in the sort of questions one puts. As any PR chap will tell you, the way you phrase a question largely determines the sort of answer you get.
Ask "who most often pictured crossbowmen in calendars after 1440" and the answer will surely come back "Germany". However, if you ask "Does anyone have an idea of why the crossbow in the Voynich manuscript looks as if it's made of wood, and why the archer's hand might be pictured in that position?" then the answer comes back (as it did thanks to a former colleague) - because it's a rare form of crossbow only known from a couple of late archaeological finds - of Spanish bows specifically meant for maritime use.
D
I have enormous respect for micro-specialists, and realized when choosing my specialty that it was one where there was constant need to refer to them.
I will say, though, that I find one has to be terribly neutral in the sort of questions one puts. As any PR chap will tell you, the way you phrase a question largely determines the sort of answer you get.
Ask "who most often pictured crossbowmen in calendars after 1440" and the answer will surely come back "Germany". However, if you ask "Does anyone have an idea of why the crossbow in the Voynich manuscript looks as if it's made of wood, and why the archer's hand might be pictured in that position?" then the answer comes back (as it did thanks to a former colleague) - because it's a rare form of crossbow only known from a couple of late archaeological finds - of Spanish bows specifically meant for maritime use.
D