THE tale of the emperor's new clothes, as everyone over the age of 40 knows, is an allegory of Man believing the impossible. In Hans Christian Andersen's story, two swindlers persuade the king to have a wonderful suit made, which can only be seen by people of virtue. Everyone goes along with this illusion as the king parades through the streets of his city, until a child cries out that he is naked and, suddenly, everyone realises they can admit the truth. I believe we are witnessing something similar with the likes of Elon Musk's obsession with space travel. It is time the scales fell from our eyes.
Of course, it was exciting when man first stepped on the moon and, of course, satellites have changed the world, mostly for the better, but why would anyone want to spend unimaginable resources to go into outer space? It's a terrible place, sterile and lifeless; living there would involve spending one's life in considerable discomfort at unimaginable expense. How can people even consider doing that?
Esta historia es de la edición September 21, 2022 de Country Life UK.
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Esta historia es de la edición September 21, 2022 de Country Life UK.
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The original Mr Rochester
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Get it write
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'Sloes hath ben my food'
A possible paint for the Picts and a definite culprit in tea fraud, the cheek-suckingly sour sloe's spiritual home is indisputably in gin, says John Wright
Souvenirs of greatness
FOR many years, some large boxes have been stored and forgotten in the dark recesses of the garage. Unpacked last week, the contents turned out to be pots: some, perhaps, nearing a century old—dense terracotta, of interesting provenance.
Plants for plants' sake
The garden at Hergest Croft, Herefordshire The home of Edward Banks The Banks family is synonymous with an extraordinary collection of trees and shrubs, many of which are presents from distinguished friends, garnered over two centuries. Be prepared to be amazed, says Charles Quest-Ritson
Capturing the castle
Seventy years after Christian Dior’s last fashion show in Scotland, the brand returned under creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri for a celebratory event honouring local craftsmanship, the beauty of the land and the Auld Alliance, explains Kim Parker
Nature's own cathedral
Our tallest native tree 'most lovely of all', the stately beech creates a shaded environment that few plants can survive. John Lewis-Stempel ventures into the enchanted woods
All that money could buy
A new book explores the lost riches of London's grand houses. Its author, Steven Brindle, looks at the residences of plutocrats built by the nouveaux riches of the late-Victorian and Edwardian ages
In with the old
Diamonds are meant to sparkle in candlelight, but many now gather dust in jewellery boxes. To wear them today, we may need to reimagine them, as Hetty Lintell discovers with her grandmother's jewellery
