<strong>How the Scots Invented the Modern World: The True Story of How Western Europe's Poorest Nation Created Our World and Everything in It</strong> <----required reading for participation
It goes way beyond the banjo. The Scots invented all kinds of things.
Edit: I'm also worrying because I really want to find someone to go see Tosca with, but I don't think that's going to happen.
Well, we don’t like to boast but this is a good start
https://www.amazon.com/How-Scots-Invented-Modern-World/dp/0609809997
Hey now, Who formed the first literate society? Who invented our modern ideas of democracy? The Scots.
"how the scots invented the modern world" is an awesome book. great overview of scottish impact on culture, economics, religion.
I'm an American of Scottish descent. Let me give you five names, and then you'll understand why I'm proud to be Scottish.
James Watt, "a Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer whose improvements to the Newcomen steam engine were fundamental to the changes brought by the Industrial Revolution in both his native Great Britain and the rest of the world." Oh, and the SI unit for power? That would be the Watt.
Adam Smith, "a Scottish social philosopher and a pioneer of political economy... Smith is cited as the father of modern economics and capitalism and is still among the most influential thinkers in the field of economics today.' Ever heard of a little treatise called The Wealth of Nations? Yeah, I thought you did.
David Hume, "a Scottish philosopher, historian, economist, and essayist, known especially for his philosophical empiricism and skepticism. He was one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy and the Scottish Enlightenment."
Alexander Hamilton, "a Founding Father, soldier, economist, political philosopher, one of America's first constitutional lawyers and the first United States Secretary of the Treasury." Why is he on the list? His father, James, was the fourth son of a Scottish laird who didn't enough land for all of his sons, so James emigrated to the Caribbean. His son Alexander moved from the Caribbean to New York to study at Columbia, on a scholarship funded by the people of his hometown who were impressed by his writing skills. So, indirectly, thanks Scotland! We were glad to take him!
Sean Connery. I'm not even going to link this one. The man speaks for himself.
If you have any questions, then here, take a look at this book about <em>How the Scots Invented the Modern World</em>. Sure, the title is a little pretentious, but I guarantee you, Scots aren't insecure. We have a proud history of contributions to Western Civilization.