Stories with Tag marginalia

• Darwin's children drew all over the “On the Origin of Species” manuscript (2014)

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  Posted: 2025-04-16 14:28:36

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  Charles Darwin's children, particularly his sons Francis and Horace, used the manuscript of "On the Origin of Species" as a canvas for their drawings. These doodles, discovered by historian Mario A. Di Gregorio, range from childish scribbles to more elaborate scenes of battling vegetables and fantastical creatures, transforming some pages into vibrant palimpsests. These markings offer a charming glimpse into the Darwin family's domestic life and reveal that the groundbreaking scientific work also served a more mundane purpose in the household.

  In a delightful intersection of scientific history and familial whimsy, the 2014 blog post from The Appendix, entitled "Darwin's children drew all over the “On the Origin of Species” manuscript," delves into the charmingly defaced state of Charles Darwin's groundbreaking work. The article highlights the human side of the renowned naturalist, revealing that his children, much like any others, saw blank spaces not as sacrosanct scientific territory, but as canvases for their youthful creativity. Far from being pristine relics, the manuscript pages of On the Origin of Species, a work that revolutionized biological understanding, bear the indelible marks of childish imagination – doodles, sketches, and even full-blown artistic endeavors. The post showcases specific examples of these artistic interventions, drawing attention to drawings of prancing horses, whimsical faces, and most remarkably, scenes of battling vegetables, a testament to the unrestrained imagination of Darwin’s offspring. These drawings, far from diminishing the importance of the manuscript, add a layer of personal history, demonstrating that even within the hallowed halls of scientific pursuit, the joys and chaos of family life find their way. The article emphasizes the juxtaposition of the weighty scientific theories contained within the pages and the lighthearted, innocent additions contributed by Darwin’s children. This intermingling serves as a poignant reminder that even monumental scientific achievements are produced within the context of everyday life, a life which, in Darwin’s case, was clearly filled with the vibrant energy of a bustling family. The post implicitly suggests that these markings, rather than being viewed as defacements, should be cherished as endearing testaments to the human element present even within the seemingly austere world of scientific inquiry. They provide a unique window into the domestic life of a scientific giant, humanizing Darwin and reminding us that even revolutionary figures are, at their core, parents navigating the joys and challenges of raising children.

  • Charles Darwin
  • On the Origin of Species
  • Manuscript
  • children
  • Drawings
  • Family Life
  • History of Science
  • 19th Century
  • Science
  • Biology
  • evolution
  • Victoria Era
  • Doodles
  • marginalia

  Summary of Comments ( 119 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43706037

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN commenters largely enjoyed the whimsical nature of Darwin's children's drawings on his manuscript, seeing it as a humanizing touch to a monumental scientific work. Some pointed out the irony of Darwin's serious work being defaced with childish depictions of battles between vegetables, while others saw it as a testament to the book's enduring influence, even within his own family. A few commenters noted the high quality of the drawings, speculating about the artistic talents of Darwin's children. One commenter linked to a digitized version of the manuscript, allowing others to explore the drawings firsthand. There's also a brief discussion about the practicality of using such valuable documents as scrap paper, highlighting the different perspectives on historical artifacts.

  The Hacker News post titled "Darwin's children drew all over the “On the Origin of Species” manuscript (2014)" has several comments discussing the article about Darwin's children's drawings in his manuscript.

  Several commenters express delight and amusement at the drawings, seeing them as a charming glimpse into the Darwin family life and a humanizing touch to the famous scientist. One commenter notes how the drawings add a layer of warmth to Darwin, showcasing him not just as a brilliant mind but also a loving father who allowed his children to engage with his work, even if that meant doodling on a crucial manuscript.

  Some commenters delve into speculation about the context of the drawings. One suggests that letting the children draw on the manuscript might have been a way for Darwin to occupy them while he worked, a relatable scenario for many parents. Another wonders if the drawings were done on discarded drafts rather than the final manuscript, indicating a practical awareness of the importance of the document.

  A few comments focus on the historical aspect. One commenter expresses fascination with the physicality of historical documents and the tangible connection they offer to the past, amplified in this case by the children's additions. Another contemplates the historical significance of such seemingly trivial details, wondering if future historians might similarly analyze doodles on digital documents.

  One commenter mentions a similar occurrence with Isaac Newton's writings, highlighting a pattern of children interacting with their famous parents' work.

  There's also a technical discussion about the type of ink used by Darwin, with speculation about whether it would have been easily smudged by small hands.

  Overall, the comments reflect a mixture of appreciation for the human side of history, curiosity about Darwin's family life, and contemplation about the preservation and interpretation of historical artifacts. They paint a picture of a community intrigued by the intersection of the monumental and the mundane, finding joy in the unexpected details that emerge from the past.

• Marginalia – A search engine that prioritizes non-commercial content

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  Posted: 2025-01-27 01:39:05

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  Marginalia is a search engine designed to surface non-commercial content, prioritizing personal websites, blogs, and other independently published works often overshadowed by commercial results in mainstream search. It aims to rediscover the original spirit of the web by focusing on unique, human-generated content and fostering a richer, more diverse online experience. The search engine utilizes a custom index built by crawling sites linked from curated sources, filtering out commercial and spammy domains. Marginalia emphasizes quality over quantity, presenting a smaller, more carefully selected set of results to help users find hidden gems and explore lesser-known corners of the internet.

  Within the sprawling digital landscape dominated by commercially-driven search results, a new contender, Marginalia Search, emerges, offering a refreshing alternative that prioritizes non-commercial content. This innovative search engine distinguishes itself by deliberately excluding results from websites primarily focused on e-commerce, advertising, or other explicitly commercial endeavors. Instead, Marginalia champions content created with motivations other than profit, elevating the visibility of resources such as personal blogs, academic papers, open-source projects, independently published articles, and enthusiast-driven forums. This curated approach aims to foster a richer, more diverse exploration of information, unshackled from the pervasive influence of market forces.

  Marginalia Search achieves this commercial content filtering through a meticulously crafted methodology. It employs a sophisticated algorithm that analyzes various website attributes, including domain name structure, presence of advertising networks, and prevalent keywords, to discern the primary purpose of a given site. Websites identified as predominantly commercial are systematically excluded from the search index, allowing non-commercial content to occupy a more prominent position in search results. Furthermore, Marginalia Search emphasizes the source and context of information. Search results prominently display the domain and subdomain of each link, providing users with immediate insight into the origin and potential bias of the presented information. This transparency empowers users to critically evaluate the credibility and perspective of each source.

  The developers behind Marginalia Search envision a digital environment where knowledge-sharing and intellectual exploration are not overshadowed by the constant barrage of commercial interests. They believe that by prioritizing non-commercial content, they can facilitate a more thoughtful and enriching online experience. While still in its nascent stages, Marginalia Search represents a bold step towards a more balanced and nuanced approach to information discovery in the digital age. It offers a unique opportunity to delve into the vast reserves of non-commercial content that often remain hidden beneath the surface of mainstream search engine results. This dedicated focus on non-commercial sources promises to unearth a treasure trove of diverse perspectives, fostering a more vibrant and intellectually stimulating online environment.

  • Search Engine
  • non-commercial
  • Open Source
  • alternative search
  • privacy
  • Decentralized
  • web search
  • internet search
  • information retrieval
  • marginalia
  • non-profit
  • community-driven
  • ad-free
  • censorship resistant
  • independent search

  Summary of Comments ( 54 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42836405

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users generally praised Marginalia's concept of prioritizing non-commercial content, viewing it as a refreshing alternative to mainstream search engines saturated with ads and SEO-driven results. Several commenters expressed enthusiasm for the focus on personal websites, blogs, and academic resources. Some questioned the long-term viability of relying solely on donations, while others suggested potential improvements like user accounts, saved searches, and more granular control over source filtering. There was also discussion around the definition of "non-commercial," with some users highlighting the inherent difficulty in objectively classifying content. A few commenters shared their initial search experiences, noting both successes in finding unique content and instances where the results were too niche or limited. Overall, the sentiment leaned towards cautious optimism, with many expressing hope that Marginalia could carve out a valuable space in the search landscape.

  The Hacker News post discussing Marginalia, a search engine prioritizing non-commercial content, has generated a moderate number of comments, largely focusing on the challenges and potential pitfalls of defining and identifying "non-commercial" content.

  Several commenters express skepticism about the feasibility of truly separating commercial from non-commercial content. One points out the difficulty in classifying sites like Wikipedia, which while non-commercial itself, relies on for-profit hosting providers and utilizes commercial CDNs. Another highlights the blurred lines in the blogosphere, where personal blogs might contain affiliate links or sponsored posts, making their classification ambiguous. The discussion also touches on the potential for "commercial" entities to game the system by disguising their content as non-commercial.

  Some users express concern that prioritizing non-commercial content might inadvertently favor lower-quality information. They argue that commercial websites often invest heavily in producing high-quality, well-researched content, and excluding them could lead to a less informative search experience. The counter-argument presented is that the current search landscape is oversaturated with commercially-driven SEO content, often lacking depth and originality, and that prioritizing non-commercial sources might unearth hidden gems and diverse perspectives.

  A few commenters delve into the technical aspects of Marginalia's implementation, questioning the specific criteria used to filter commercial content. They raise concerns about potential biases in the algorithm and the possibility of false positives and negatives. One user suggests that a more transparent approach, perhaps involving community input or user-defined filters, might be more effective.

  The discussion also briefly touches on alternative approaches to improving search quality, such as personalized search engines and the use of advanced search operators. Some users express interest in the project and its potential to offer a different perspective on the web, while others remain skeptical about its long-term viability and impact. Overall, the comments reflect a cautious optimism tempered by a realistic understanding of the complexities involved in filtering and prioritizing online content.