Introduction In the tapestry of human history, art has often intersected with utility, revealing profound insights into cultures long gone. One such culture, the Daunians of ancient Italy, offers a compelling glimpse into a world where beauty and function coexisted. This article explores the intriguing facets of Daunian pottery and connects them with contemporary cultural dialogues, particularly concerning local community hubs like bookstores.
Part the First: Functional Art from the Enigmatic Daunians. William Morris famously stated, “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” While his ideas on beauty were primarily aimed at the affluent, they resonate deeply in our home, filled as it is with books—a testament to my incredibly patient partner—recycled furniture exquisitely crafted in North Carolina, and functional pottery by local artisans. Our collection of books is approaching its limit, yet there is always room for more pottery. Recently, as I was catching up on reading, I stumbled upon an article about the Daunian kyathos: A 2,700-year-old ceramic cup from Italy featuring an exuberantly bug-eyed figure. It embodies both quirky charm and aesthetic appeal:
Long before the Romans claimed southern Italy, the Daunians thrived in the heel of the peninsula. Today, their unique pottery and grave markers remain some of the scant traces of this mysterious civilization. Among their notable artifacts is the Daunian kyathos, a one-handled, painted ceramic vessel likely used as a ladle for mixing wine.
Due to the absence of written records, much about Daunian culture remains shrouded in mystery. They were first referenced in historic texts around the seventh century B.C. and met their decline around 275 B.C. when they were absorbed by the Romans following the Pyrrhic War. Primarily consisting of farmers and animal breeders, the Daunians engaged in trade with the Greeks and Illyrians across the Adriatic Sea in regions that are now part of Croatia.
For four decades, archaeologists excavated Herdonia, a Daunian city in modern-day Foggia, uncovering that it was a principal site for Daunian potters crafting the “extraordinary” vessels deemed among the finest of pre-Roman Italian ceramics, as reported by Popular Archaeology.
Art historians note that the Daunian style of ceramic decoration is particularly evident in their kyathos creation. The base resembles a small, rimmed plate measuring about 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) in diameter, with a human figure sporting raised arms and wide-open eyes affixed as a handle. Geometric patterns adorn this figure, while a stylized, bird-like motif occupies the center of the base. A kyathos of this kind was discovered at Herdonia and is currently housed in the Civic Museum of Foggia.
I would argue that these vessels “rank among the finest products” crafted by any culture at any time. While we may never fully understand how the Daunians utilized such beautiful artifacts—perhaps for wine or medicinal mixtures—this mystery only adds to their allure. My exposure to Etruscan art now encourages me to visit Foggia should the occasion arise. In a world that often feels disheartening, I take pride in being part of a species that has produced such exquisite works as the kyathos.
Deep within us all exists an archaeologist’s spirit. Recently, while digging up a water line in my backyard (a minor adventure), I cut my hand on a broken bottle that had been discarded over 140 years ago when my house’s kitchen was a separate building, according to the oldest tax map I have found. This small discovery forged a connection to the past, to a time when the antebellum homes on my street were constructed from raw heart-pine lumber milled on-site. No termites needed…
Part the Second: All Life Is Local. There’s another bookstore worth mentioning in Wichita, Kansas, described in this piece, On Warren Farha, Cultural Renewal, and the (Too Few) Bookish Places Where They Happen:
Recently, Warren Farha—a devout Orthodox Christian, a soft-spoken descendant of Lebanese merchants, a lifelong resident of Wichita, and importantly, the founder of the remarkable Eighth Day Books—passed away unexpectedly. News of his loss reverberated within countless churches, groups, and communities—religious, literary, cultural, and ethnic—both near and far. In retrospect, this interconnectedness reflected Warren’s ecumenical and intellectual mission, which was palpable on the evening of Memorial Day, just days after he left us. In all my conversations with Warren, he never categorized himself as a Porcher or articulated a theory of localism. Yet his dedicated local work—building a bookstore after a family tragedy that inspired a community through the sharing of ideas—embodies the very essence of local engagement.
In the space that Warren cultivated, connections forged by those present revolved around divine gifts and Christian traditions that expressed them. For those grappling with the conservative aspects within these traditions, tensions may arise. However, Warren defined “ecumenism” as “a turning towards one another, looking each other in the eyes, recognizing our humanity, loving one another, and discussing our differences with respect and love”; during a conversation about the challenges of maintaining Eighth Day during the pandemic, he remarked—and emphasized that his words bore more than just an economic implication—that “the door must remain open for people to join something larger than themselves.” (emphasis added) This perspective beautifully illustrates the importance of bookish spaces—libraries and bookstores—as the foundation for cultural connections and communities. (emphasis added)
Warren Farha’s legacy reminds me of one of the most insightful critiques of our societal discontent, penned by sociologist Ray Oldenburg in The Great Good Place: Cafes, Coffee Shops, Bookstores, Bars, Hair Salons, and Other Hangouts at the Heart of a Community. Such places did exist in my coastal town during my youth, and there was a palpable desire to be included among them. They provided an environment to learn and engage in adult conversations, encapsulated by the adage, “little pictures should be seen and not heard.” Yet, once one had something to say, civil discourse was always welcome.
Additionally, Wendell Berry painted these spaces as integral parts of his Port William, Kentucky. Here, one learns who can be relied upon to be unreliable. This local wisdom enhances the communal experience for everyone. Interestingly, some of these third places are reemerging in my area, even within the stark realities of Greater Atlanta. However, the suburbs of the so-called Great American Dream Nightmare seem immune to such revival. Imagine that!
Part the Third: Continuing on a Theme, Books are Making a Comeback. Sort of, according to Kristine Roome in Engelsberg Ideas in her The New Bibliomaniacs. While rich individuals, of all ages, collecting rare books might not be a novel phenomenon, I’ve noticed a slight resurgence of interest in analog tools—books, paper, and pens—among medical students who are beginning to understand that downloading an AI-generated PDF cannot replicate true mastery of the material. Although we do not rank students, they are aware of their standing, often finding that those excelling in classes have surprisingly little connection to their digital aids, a realization I hope reflects a deeper understanding.
This calls to mind a book published about a decade ago, The Revenge of Analog: Real Things and Why They Matter, authored by David Sax, which was reviewed in the New York Review of Books by Bill McKibben. The insights presented then hold true today. From McKibben:
The idea of imagination and human connection as analog virtues shines through Sax’s discussion on education. Digital enthusiasts have long desired to “transform” educational systems through technology. The “ed tech” industry continues to grow, with numerous schools distributing iPads or virtual-reality devices; the One Laptop Per Child initiative, spearheaded by MIT’s Nicholas Negroponte, represents an early aspiration of the tech-savvy. Although substantial funds were raised to provide solar-powered or crank-operated laptops to impoverished children, Sax highlights that “academic studies show no improvement in academic performance.” In fact, the OECD recently reported that “students who frequently use computers in schools tend to perform worse across various learning outcomes.”
On the other end of the educational spectrum, the world’s foremost universities are busy digitizing their courses and developing massive open online courses (MOOCs). While Sax acknowledges some scattered successes in these areas, particularly in providing access to technical subjects, he argues that many remain disengaged, resulting in high dropout rates for registered students.
Are MOOCs still relevant? I’m reluctant to investigate, though even originating from MIT, they appeared slightly absurd. What I do know is that few online digital/AI resources truly prepare medical students for the role of physician I would want in the future. Moving back to analog, a vinyl record shop down the street has established itself as a new Oldenburgian Third Place, expanding its storefront—a promising sign. Something is shifting, perhaps for the better. We don’t have to settle for the so-called inevitability of AI. Though I’m composing this on a MacBook Pro linked to the internet, my notes are inky scribbles on paper—an old-fashioned, yet effective, approach. There’s no need for a printer, cloud storage, or external hard drives.
Part the Fourth: Back to the Actual World as We Know It. The ongoing assault on American science is detailed in this article from Nature, Exclusive: NSF puts new research grants to top universities on hold:
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), a key supporter of fundamental research, has paused new research grants for certain prestigious universities, as reported by Nature.
Documents obtained by Nature’s news team indicate that on April 9, the NSF’s Office of Award Management (OAM) restricted new funding for Duke University, Harvard University, Princeton University, and Yale University. An NSF database note states: “Future Awards to Organization on Hold.” Since then, very few new grants have been allocated to these institutions by the NSF. (An addendum to the original points out that a handful of awards have been released to these universities.)
Having dedicated a significant part of my career to one of these “elite universities,” as well as several others of high quality, I see the value in distributing research funding. However, this situation directly impacts the future of American science, ultimately leading to its decline. Other nations, notably China, are ready to take the lead in scientific advancement. Although I enjoyed being a part of American scientific contributions for a while, that chapter seems to be closing. RIP.
Part the Fifth: Longevity Mavens Are So Precious. Are we simply going to resign ourselves to inevitable death? Resign? That depends on what “resign” means. Die? Absolutely. Nonetheless, an endless few continue to “rage, rage against the dying of the light,” even if most have never encountered Dylan Thomas’s powerful lines:
BERKELEY, Calif. — On a sunlit Thursday morning, approximately 100 individuals gathered beneath a tent, ready for a group blood draw. Standing onstage amidst a backdrop of morning glories, Robby Wade, CEO of Rythm Health, cautioned that the process might be somewhat chaotic due to the crowd size.
Wade explained how to activate heating pads by pressing a small silver coin, prompting a chorus of admiration from attendees as warming gel spread like sunlight. Moments later, we all donned matching Tasso devices, which drew blood from our upper arms into test tubes promising insights into our hormonal health, metabolism, organ performance, and biological age.
“It’s like Theranos, but it works,” quipped the gentleman next to me, who had recently discussed bodyoids—the concept of creating headless organ sacs to replace aging hearts and kidneys. (emphasis added)
That phrase succinctly captures the essence of the Longevity Movement, though substantial evidence to support its claims remains elusive. Unlike Elizabeth Holmes, who embodied deception as a Stanford graduate, this area of conventional medical testing boasts real applicability. Monitoring plasma glucose levels in real time is straightforward; however, correlations with overall health absent explicit metabolic disorders are minimal:
As the pursuit of mainstream acceptance for longevity gains momentum, the movement is transitioning from an ideal to a burgeoning industry, noted Christine Peterson, co-founder of the Foresight Institute, which specializes in longevity and nanotechnology research.
Yet, many within the longevity community recognize the challenge of overcoming widespread public skepticism, particularly concerning the “billionaires chasing eternal life” narrative. Even if certain wealthy individuals are seeking immortality, they are not investing sufficiently in this still-nascent field. According to research organization Longevity.Technology, global investments in longevity companies increased more than double in 2024, totaling $8.5 billion.
For those passionate about longevity, the strange challenge lies not in their eagerness to evade death, but rather in why more people don’t share this urgency, given the fleeting nature of human existence.
Most members of the longevity community prioritize preserving their health for as long as possible—either to reach the current biological limits of longevity, estimated at around 120 years, or to last until advancements achieve what is known as longevity escape velocity—which would allow continued improvements to extend lifespan.
Whatever one’s goals, it is apparent from the companies present at Vitalist Bay that vast opportunities exist within the longevity sector. Many focus on personalized medical approaches. Alongside Rythm ($79 per month), I noted biological age testing service TruDiagnostic ($499 for a one-time assessment), NeuroAge for brain ageTesting ($1,398 for the most popular plan), and Empower Sleep ($1,200 for basic testing).
Moreover, BodySpec vans were positioned outside the event, providing attendees with free DEXA scans (typically priced at $59.95) to determine body fat, bone density, and muscle metrics. Onstage Friday, venture capitalist Tim Chang outlined the health-testing revenue model: offer attendees at least one “green” (favorable) outcome to keep the overall assessment from being dreary; promote subscriptions, interventions, and coaching targeting areas labeled yellow or red. (emphasis added)
This sums up the entire scheme. One is left pondering what to do with these individuals other than to ignore them, as they will eventually lose relevance. Perhaps they’ll establish a religion in which the body is revered, similar to the aspirations of the immortal hopeful, Bryan Johnson. I can’t be the only one recalling that L. Ron Hubbard once remarked, “Writing science fiction for about a penny a word is no way to make a living. If you truly want to make a million, the quickest route is to start your own religion.” Ding-Ding-Ding-Ding…We have a contestant!
For anyone interested in the most bizarre book addressing our culture’s childish fear of death, The Future Loves You is available (I braved it so you don’t have to). I stumbled upon a copy at Topping & Company in St. Andrews earlier this month. It will likely remain on the shelf unless an enterprising neuroscience student at the University of St. Andrews feels compelled to purchase it for £25 and unlock the secrets to eternal life.
On that note: Stay aware, but don’t get lost in doomsday scrolling. Eat well, exercise, savor walks through nature, listen to birdsong, read widely, engage with diverse perspectives in Third Places, and ensure restful nights of sleep. Ultimately, the life you cultivate will be fulfilling, no matter its duration. Your grandmother knew best, and there’s no fresh “scientific” insight that could improve her timeless wisdom.
Conclusion As we traverse the intricacies of culture and community, it becomes evident that the intersections of art, literature, and human connection are vital threads in the fabric of our society. Whether through the artifacts of ancient civilizations like the Daunians or modern local bookstores fostering mutual respect and dialogue, the importance of preserving and cherishing these spaces is paramount. Thank you for journeying through these thoughts—see you next week!
