Solar storms? Mayan prophecies? End of the world? cosmic coincidences

[Jain Zar]

In the break room at work one day I was able to catch a show on the history channel that was actually pretty interesting, focused around the history of beer.  So, I guess it isn't always chariots of the gods and prophecies about how we are totally fucked.

Modern Marvels, History versus Hollywood, and Mail Call are some decent history channel shows.  Do they still show any of them?

Modern Marvels is what they play whenever they want to fill a timeslot.  It IS the History Channel.  It is its alpha and omega. 

But History is just like every other cable channel.  Whatever theme it was based on must be slowly eroded to get more people to watch.  Except it rarely fucking works and just makes people butthurt.

(In full disclosure I have a lifetime subscription to the History Channel magazine which is fairly decent and interesting.  And barely even equates to the stuff they show on the channel itself anymore.  It only occasionally mentions what is on outside of the more serious history related stuffs.  No monsters or PROPHECIES or anything.  Though I do like the monster bits, prophecies are butt.)

[ahoythematey]

I wonder when they'll change the channel's name to something like Hystry Stories.

I guess I'm stuck with NOVA then.

[Salamok]

I wonder when they'll change the channel's name to something like Hystry Stories.

More like the "Hysteria Channel"

[Montague]

When it first came out it was the "Hitler channel' because every damn show was WWII newsreel footage.

[gryeyes]

Dont forget the 3-4 hour block of awesome military shows. Weapons at war,Firepower and i forget the name of the aircraft orientated one, wings of war maybe.

[Merusk]

Those are shown on the military channel now.  I miss "The greatest blunders" show.  It was on back around 1998/9 and would recount battles and exactly how the losing side fucked up.

[SnakeCharmer]

Dont forget the 3-4 hour block of awesome military shows. Weapons at war,Firepower and i forget the name of the aircraft orientated one, wings of war maybe.

Best how on the History Channel:  Dogfights

Not sure how they get data on what they claim is exact recreations of WWI era biplane dogfights, but it's entertaining none the less.

[gryeyes]

Those are shown on the military channel now.  I miss "The greatest blunders" show.  It was on back around 1998/9 and would recount battles and exactly how the losing side fucked up.

I remember that one. I always found it interesting how thin the line from "complete victory" to "devastating defeat" was in something as complex as battles. I miss so much good TV i don't have a cable box in my computer room (which is where i am 90% of my do nothing time) so am stuck with crappy channels.

[stray]

None of the WW2 stuff was interesting to me, to be honest. So I can't really complain what's become of History Channel. It was barely cool to begin with. But I gladly welcomed History International, cuz they got away from all of that. Haven't seen it in awhile though, not sure if it's dropped in quality now as well.

[MahrinSkel]

Those are shown on the military channel now.  I miss "The greatest blunders" show.  It was on back around 1998/9 and would recount battles and exactly how the losing side fucked up.

I remember that one. I always found it interesting how thin the line from "complete victory" to "devastating defeat" was in something as complex as battles. I miss so much good TV i don't have a cable box in my computer room (which is where i am 90% of my do nothing time) so am stuck with crappy channels.

Generally there won't be a battle unless there's rough parity of strength (if one side is obviously stronger, the other will refuse battle/withdraw), and the decisive factor is usually a mistake by one side that is exploited by the other.  More than a few military theorists have boiled being a great general down to either making as few mistakes as possible, or maximizing the opportunities for the other side to make mistakes.  Sun Tzu's Art of War was basically a long list of mistakes to avoid making.

--Dave

[gryeyes]

Having a leader that is decisive and confident who throws his forces into the fray seemed to be a huge factor. Im sure the US having a surplus of material wealth does not hurt. Of course when the same types of choices lead to an ass kicking that gets brushed under the rug. I once read a book that compared US military doctrine to the Art of War and it would really be difficult to find two dissimilar perspectives.

[stray]

US military strategies change over and over again. They've done everything from guerilla warfare to "we make better toys than you, own the sky, and now you and your grandma are going to die".

[gryeyes]

Not the strategies exactly so much as the overall perspective on the use of force. You are correct the strategies change with technology and social climate. I wish i could recall the name of the book is was pretty interesting.

[FatuousTwat]

I remember when I used to watch the learning channel all the time around 98, 99... Junkyard wars and shows like that were great, now it's just "HAY WE HAS 12 KIDS!".

[Sky]

6 have dwarfism and 6 are too fat to leave the house!

[Khaldun]

There are really very few battles in history that involve straight-up parity between two forces where it all comes down to the good or bad decisions on one side or the other. Most military engagements in human history are effectively over before they start because of major intelligence failures that get the weaker force involved in a battle they'd otherwise have avoided or because a weaker force gets cornered or has no choice but to engage for reasons of dwindling resources.

[Fordel]

I loved Beakman's world. I was constantly trying to make my own bedroom into a laboratory like Beakman's.

[FatuousTwat]

Fuck yeah. I used to watch the hell out of that show as a kid, Lester was my favourite.

[gryeyes]

I was once given a chemistry kit by my grand father. It contained maybe 30 containers of various chemicals a alcohol fueled candle to heat them up and some test tubes. I mixed random chemicals with the alcohol and ignited it. It exploded in a ball of green flame singing all my hair off

I also made another batch of magic juice and left it outside. It hardened into a Styrofoam like consistency and attaracted about 50 grasshoppers who promptly died. Man being a kid was fun

[Sky]

I was known in AP chem as the guy who liked to spill alcohol burners and light the room on fire or mix concoctions that would ignite or foam all over. I loved AP chem, really should've stuck with chemistry. Damn rock and roll!

[Lantyssa]

I loved Beakman's world. I was constantly trying to make my own bedroom into a laboratory like Beakman's.

I loved that show.  Totally had a crush on Liza, too.