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Perspective on "fairly recent" from wiki: > An examination of the earliest maps of Scotland suggests that the extent of the Caledonian Forest remnants has chan

Perspective on "fairly recent" from wiki: > An examination of the earliest maps of Scotland suggests that the extent of the Caledonian Forest remnants has changed little since 1600.

AlecSchueler 3y ago
"Recent" is always a funny thing. In my mind 1600 is roughly the start, or a little after the start, of the modern period, therefore recent. Who was it that said "In Europe 100 miles is a long way, in America 100 years is a long time?"
- karaterobot 3y ago
  > Who was it that said "In Europe 100 miles is a long way, in America 100 years is a long time?" In my experience, everyone on HN whenever the opportunity to quote it arises.
- edent 3y ago
  That's a surprisingly difficult question to answer. https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2023/09/who-said-brits-think-100-miles-is-a-long-distance-americans-think-100-years-is-a-long-time/ https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2023/09/who-said-brits-think-100-mi...
- qingcharles 3y ago
  I love in the US when people boast their house was built in the 1800s. 1800s! In England I consider that fancy new construction. But yes, it boggles peoples' minds in England when you travel more than a couple of hours by car to go anywhere. If I told a Brit I drove my car 2500 miles to L.A. on a whim they would have me institutionalized.
  - jacquesm 3y ago
    To be fair though, 1800 is a while ago, especially for wooden construction. But I've lived in a wooden house that was built in 1625 that probably was on it's fifth renovation by 1800. And it still stands today.
    - toyg 3y ago
      Pfft, in Italian terms 1625 is like, yesterday. I got married in a church built in the IX century, half the central buildings in my hometown are from 1300-1400. And we're just nouveau riche compared to Roma.
      - jacquesm 3y ago
        Yes, Italy (and Greece too as well as parts of Croatia) are amazing in that way.
      - mnw21cam 3y ago
        It's not just Italy. For instance, I was married in a church built in the 10th century, in England.
  - noelwelsh 3y ago
    2500 miles from London puts you somewhere in central Asia. I found the following route, which is just shy of that distance: https://www.distance.to/London/Samara,Samara-Oblast,RUS https://www.distance.to/London/Samara,Samara-Oblast,RUS It would be an amazing trip, but it would involve crossing many borders and going through some fairly dodgy countries. I think there is a reasonable case that no sane person would do that on a whim.
    - qingcharles 3y ago
      That's crazy when you see it like that. Furthest I ever made it by car from the UK was Hungary and that took me about 10 days! I did that trip to LA in 2 days there, 2 days back. And my car radio didn't work :(

Perspective on "fairly recent" from wiki: > An examination of the earliest maps of Scotland suggests that the extent of the Caledonian Forest remnants has changed little since 1600.

AlecSchueler 3y ago

"Recent" is always a funny thing. In my mind 1600 is roughly the start, or a little after the start, of the modern period, therefore recent. Who was it that said "In Europe 100 miles is a long way, in America 100 years is a long time?"

karaterobot 3y ago
> Who was it that said "In Europe 100 miles is a long way, in America 100 years is a long time?" In my experience, everyone on HN whenever the opportunity to quote it arises.
edent 3y ago
That's a surprisingly difficult question to answer. https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2023/09/who-said-brits-think-100-miles-is-a-long-distance-americans-think-100-years-is-a-long-time/ https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2023/09/who-said-brits-think-100-mi...
qingcharles 3y ago
I love in the US when people boast their house was built in the 1800s. 1800s! In England I consider that fancy new construction. But yes, it boggles peoples' minds in England when you travel more than a couple of hours by car to go anywhere. If I told a Brit I drove my car 2500 miles to L.A. on a whim they would have me institutionalized.
- jacquesm 3y ago
  To be fair though, 1800 is a while ago, especially for wooden construction. But I've lived in a wooden house that was built in 1625 that probably was on it's fifth renovation by 1800. And it still stands today.
  - toyg 3y ago
    Pfft, in Italian terms 1625 is like, yesterday. I got married in a church built in the IX century, half the central buildings in my hometown are from 1300-1400. And we're just nouveau riche compared to Roma.
    - jacquesm 3y ago
      Yes, Italy (and Greece too as well as parts of Croatia) are amazing in that way.
    - mnw21cam 3y ago
      It's not just Italy. For instance, I was married in a church built in the 10th century, in England.
- noelwelsh 3y ago
  2500 miles from London puts you somewhere in central Asia. I found the following route, which is just shy of that distance: https://www.distance.to/London/Samara,Samara-Oblast,RUS https://www.distance.to/London/Samara,Samara-Oblast,RUS It would be an amazing trip, but it would involve crossing many borders and going through some fairly dodgy countries. I think there is a reasonable case that no sane person would do that on a whim.
  - qingcharles 3y ago
    That's crazy when you see it like that. Furthest I ever made it by car from the UK was Hungary and that took me about 10 days! I did that trip to LA in 2 days there, 2 days back. And my car radio didn't work :(