MDDM Ch. 7 a few questions

[John Bailey]

>From: jbor <jbor at bigpond.com>

>
>What's a "Jethro's Tent"? (60.17)

I thought it was some kind of lewd harem-type scenario but it doesn't seem 
to be. Jethro sheltered Moses in his flight from Egypt and though he was 
non-Hebrew, taught him many lessons. I think he is quite highly regarded in 
Jewish faith. Moses also found love there. Is Mason comparing himself to 
Moses? Is he expecting to find love?

"The Bible describes Moses' exile from Egypt, after killing the Egyptian 
overseer, and his flight into Sinai where he was sheltered by the Midianite 
priest, Jethro. There in the safety of Jethro's tent the young Moses married 
the desert chief's eldest daughter and settled down to the life of a 
shepherd."
>From http://www.nunki.net/PerDud/TheWorks/Express/TowerBabel.html

P.S. I believe Jethro featured in The Prince of Egypt (yes the Dreamworks 
film)

>
>What is the Greek letter given to Mason's "Looking-Glass ... Coefficient of
>Mercy"? (61.5)
>

Mu, I think. Which might be linked to the koan mentioned earlier. But I'm 
not too hot with the mathematicks: anyone care to help out? I think the 
coefficient..of no more than .5 is sort of like 1=a perfect score, a match, 
or 100% probability? And 0 is, well, zero, so .5 maximum is somewhat less 
than flattering, which would indicate that Mason has a pretty low opinion of 
his appearance.

>Who's the Emerson Dixon is compared to at 61.20?
>
William Emerson I think. He was Dixon's mentor (of sorts) when he was 
learning to survey whilst growing up in Durham. He was a mathematician and, 
according to the novel, a bit of an oddball, although very interesting and 
not at all the sort of scientific Enlightenment chap you'd expect, more than 
a little mystic in fact. I got very confused when first reading M&D, 
thinking this was Ralph Waldo Emerson, didn't make no sense to me.

>What is "*Dagga*"? (65.8)
>
Indian hemp used as a narcotic; cannabis.

>What is the second altitude of Shaula? (71.6, 72.15)
>
Shaula is a star in the Scorpion constellation, perhaps this is relevant. I 
find Scorpions very threatening.

>What are "Ridottoes"? (71.16)
>
Dances, with music, maybe feasting. Fun-filled affairs, by the sound of it. 
Or, if you have a cold, a superb slow-cooked rice dish, just love it.

>What's a "*Nervus Probandi*"? (73.21)
>
>From the Hyperarts page...: Latin: nervus = sinew, tendon, probandi = of 
proof...so I'd guess it's something about the muscle of an argument, the 
'meat' of evidence, or something. Maybe just reducing an argument to its 
essence.


>best
>
>


_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp