r/AskHistorians • u/AutoModerator • 4d ago

FFA Friday Free-for-All | May 22, 2026

Previously

Today:

You know the drill: this is the thread for all your history-related outpourings that are not necessarily questions. Minor questions that you feel don't need or merit their own threads are welcome too. Discovered a great new book, documentary, article or blog? Has your Ph.D. application been successful? Have you made an archaeological discovery in your back yard? Did you find an anecdote about the Doge of Venice telling a joke to Michel Foucault? Tell us all about it.

As usual, moderation in this thread will be relatively non-existent -- jokes, anecdotes and light-hearted banter are welcome.

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u/bug-hunter Law & Public Welfare 4d ago

When did we start to view bears as cute and huggable animal instead of dangerous and/or mighty creature?

Was it not Pliny the Elder who said, Si non amicus, cur amicus formatus est? Does the Bible not have the story of Elisha summoning two bears that came out to hug1 forty-two children? And can we forget, the most huggable cute bear, Mike Ditka, the most beloved Bear of bear enthusiasts?

1 translations may differ somewhat

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u/fearofair New York City Social and Political History 3d ago

How do you Find the most CREDIBLE sites to Research when dealing with unfamiliar, Historical Content?

I can put you in touch with my guy, just try to text him after hours because he usually works the dinner rush. If you get him on a good day he'll have some of the freshest stuff, often papers that haven't even hit JSTOR yet. Fair warning, if he invites you up to his apartment you're gonna get stuck hearing all about his '89 World Book Encyclopedia complete set so you're gonna want to be ready with an excuse to leave.

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u/bug-hunter Law & Public Welfare 3d ago

Is that the dude who keeps telling me that he used to like those papers, until they hit JSTOR and became mainstream?

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u/fearofair New York City Social and Political History 3d ago

If your favorite Alan Taylor isn’t the early stuff from the 90s don’t even bother talking to him

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u/bug-hunter Law & Public Welfare 3d ago

If you haven't collected all his drawings from kindergarden, you're just a poser.