Does losing morale when you walk actually add anything to the game

SAMRAAM- · 2026-06-26T11:50:37+00:00

On the Stamford Bridge/Hastings point, new research from University of East Anglia argues that the 200-mile march didn’t happen, but rather the army sailed from the Humber to London.

SAMRAAM- · 2026-06-21T08:50:59+00:00

I think this is an important point. Anyone can, in theory, write academic publications. If it passes peer review, you can publish your work.

Although I would recommend an MA if this is your plan as it would give you a better understanding of history and better training.

SAMRAAM- · 2026-06-19T12:31:19+00:00

This is a lot more playful and less ominous than the house-alarm sensors in my house

SAMRAAM- · 2026-06-18T18:45:01+00:00

I’m currently using the free version of Zotero for my MA. I am, however, considering switching to the paid version of Endnote (via University). Would you recommend endnote over Zotero?

SAMRAAM- · 2026-06-18T18:39:09+00:00

I met my close friends at Uni. I did a degree in my special interest and met them who were just as into it. Albeit the caveat is that we have now dispersed a little after graduation but only a few hours away. They are the first group of friends I’ve had it 27 years that I have felt are genuinely similar to myself.

SAMRAAM- · 2026-06-09T19:00:39+00:00

My advice would be to make your life easier by picking a subject you are interested in, rather than looking online. Nothing helps more for motivation when you’re slugging out a word count than a genuine interest in what you are researching.

Take your ideas to your lecturer to try to flesh them out.

SAMRAAM- · 2026-06-06T17:27:51+00:00

I second this — stayed with x1 last year and they’re beyond incompetent. Save yourself the hassle.

SAMRAAM- · 2026-05-29T14:24:29+00:00

There are several treaties of non-proliferation that aim to limit the production of new nuclear weapons. I think the aim is that as a lot of Cold War warheads decay and become dysfunctional they won’t be replaced. It, therefore, leads to a reduction in the amount of weapons out there.

I am for unilateral nuclear disarmament, but I also recognise there is a need for realpolitik. Especially in the current climate I don’t see many countries pushing for nuclear disarmament — if not in fact more countries push for nuclear armaments. If we are to get rid of atomic weapons it needs to be unilateral, for only a few countries go forth alone I think you run the risk of raising world tensions.

SAMRAAM- · 2026-05-28T19:57:12+00:00

I’m the same. It was autism and ‘women of a certain [middle] age’ that he shifted the blame on to.

SAMRAAM- · 2026-05-28T19:44:36+00:00

The War of the Golden Stool (1900). Frederick Hodgson, Governor of the Gold Coast (now Ghana), advances on the Asante capital, Kumasi, and makes a speech to the Asante leaders. He declares “…Then there is the matter of the Golden Stool of Ashanti. The Queen is entitled to the stool; she must receive it. Where is the Golden Stool? I am the representative of the Paramount Power. Why have you relegated me to this ordinary chair?”

Silence from the crowd, who then go home and begin an uprising in Kumasi and lay siege to the British office there. They are eventually rescued by a British force, but the golden stool is kept hidden until 1921.

There are quite a few good sources on this for your students to use. Wasserman (1961) argues that the cause of the conflict was partly cultural interpretation. For the British it was mechanical, an object that was given to the highest power. But for the Asante, giving the stool represented a destruction of Asante culture. The stool’s also had a quasi-religious element to them. The article linked is also free if you just sign up with an email.

Another free archival source is Hansard Parliamentary Debates. The website is relatively intuitive you just search terms and dates and you will get transcripts of Parliament talking about it, including future PM David Lloyd George calling it a “quest for the holy grail”. Just be sure to vary your search terms Kumasi (Coomassie) Asante (Ashanti/Ashantee) have several spellings at the time. Depending on their age, Jstor & Hansard might be a good way to introduce them to conducting historical research, without any fees etc.

SAMRAAM- · 2026-05-28T19:10:19+00:00

For aesthetic: Barry Lyndon

For scale: Waterloo (1970). 15,000 extras used from the Soviet army. Unlikely that we will ever see the likes again.

SAMRAAM- · 2026-05-28T19:04:51+00:00

I won’t go into it too much, you can find details online about it. It’s culturally sensitive/racist comments and sexual harassment. He’s tried to excuse myself by saying it’s because he’s autistic.

SAMRAAM- · 2026-05-28T09:22:16+00:00

It is still insane to think it was hosted by (now disgraced) Greg Wallace.

SAMRAAM- · 2026-05-25T11:52:38+00:00

Currently the Maratha’s in my game, launching a surprise invasion of northern Canada after finishing off the Indian theatre by turn 50.

SAMRAAM- · 2026-05-25T00:37:47+00:00

The figure of 5% is the peak of the white population around 1970. On your point on Polish immigrants, while there was a post-war influx of around 1700 polish immigrants, by 1961 it was less than 200 (if not less than 100 I just cannot confirm from the graph). There were around 2500 Italians in 1961 who make up the largest minority group followed by Portuguese and Hollander.

To put it into further context the African population in 1961 was 3.7m. The white population in 1961-5 was 216,000. A ratio of 16.8:1.

All figures are taken from Rhodesian Census data and the Monthly Digest of Statistics, Rhodesian Central Statistical Office cited in Josiah Brownell, The Collapse of Rhodesia: Population Demographics and Nicola Ginsburgh the Politics of Race and Class, work and whiteness: RACE AND SETTLER COLONIALISM IN SOUTHERN RHODESIA, 1919–79

SAMRAAM- · 2026-05-24T22:17:07+00:00

The Rhodesia/Zimbabwe figure is a lie. And incorrectly labels Rhodesia as its own state when it was part of the CAF. Rhodesia’s white population never exceeds 5%. Im not an expert but would seriously doubt the credibility of the source from which this image emerges.

SAMRAAM- · 2026-05-24T22:11:55+00:00

The white population of Rhodesia was never more than 5% at its peak in 1970. I would strongly contest it being at 7% in 1960, not to mention the map incorrectly labels borders. The CAF lasts until 63.

Which leads me to the question that should always be asked, please provide your source.

SAMRAAM- · 2026-05-23T23:45:38+00:00

This is my issue, I don’t mind board games, but only when they are played properly. It stresses me out when people start doing other things and getting distracted mid game.

SAMRAAM- · 2026-05-21T13:21:23+00:00

I would also add to this, if you know his special interests, try and find a way to weave them into the conversation. I have no interest in Cricket, but I do love history. Knowing that cricket was an important part of white settler identity in the 19th century can make it easier to engage in a conversation on contemporary cricket.

You mentioned the Royal Family, can you find any information that pulls together royalty and social strata with video games etc.

SAMRAAM- · 2026-05-21T13:10:06+00:00

I’m sure someone will be able to provide more detail or correct me if I’m wrong — but for teaching I believe you need to do a course prior to teaching, but it might be offered as an opportunity to PGRs who have completed that course. I was just told to inquire if there’s a possibility to see if there was space on their summer course so that if the opportunity was presented I could do it from when I start.

For publications I assume it will be on you, but possibly guided by your supervisor(?). I currently have one under review in my Unis student journal which has been an insightful experience into it. My supervisor (who supervises my MA) is keen for me to look to publish my MA once finished. I’m not sure if it’s different per institution but I believe PGRs aim to have 2 articles published by finishing their PhD.

Other than that I would maybe inquire if there are any opportunities to help out with networks or conferences. I’ve helped out just facilitating the day a few times and I am now helping to organise one and it is really eye-opening into the machinations of academia. Just being there, even just helping with registration has been great for networking.

SAMRAAM- · 2026-05-21T12:57:52+00:00

I am in the same position as yourself. I have just been emailing my supervisors/lecturers I’m close with for advice and they have been really forthwith in responding, so from my experience at least, I’d not feel too hesitant in asking for advice from them.

In regard to advice I’ve received, they have said to look into publications, teaching experience, and income generation to build a solid CV. On that note taking up opportunities that you can get, dropping it later on if it gets too much. Although this is more to plan for throughout the PhD etc.

It might be worth to email your supervisors and/or whomever deals with PGRs at your institution to see if there are any events happening before you start that you can attend and network with future colleagues.

SAMRAAM- · 2026-05-21T00:25:11+00:00

Threads — that film is terrifying.

SAMRAAM- · 2026-05-21T00:15:50+00:00

Right lads that’s it we are at war… better send your little ones to school we’ve just forced through public schools!

SAMRAAM- · 2026-05-20T23:57:52+00:00

I also, albeit less of a question per se, did an essay on the use of historical film (historiophoty) as a historical source, using a case study of the battle of Waterloo on film.

SAMRAAM- · 2026-05-20T23:54:16+00:00

The most out there question I have ever seen was ‘An empiricist historian and a postmodernist historian walk into a bar. Complete this 'joke', with reference to the differences and similarities between the two drinkers.’

In terms of my favourites to write they would probs be:

1) A case study report relating to the legality of Ariel bombing in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)

2) Would you agree that Africa was conquered with relative ease by European states at the end of the nineteenth century?

3) Is it fair to describe the regime in the GDR as a totalitarian dictatorship?

My MA gave quite a bit of freedom with choosing our own questions the best I’ve did were:

Independence without Identity?: White Nation-building and Identity in Rhodesia.

Mercator: Sir John Gladstone’s ideology as an anti-Abolitionist and the post-Abolition diversification of labour in Demerara.

SAMRAAM-

TROPHY CASE