On 06/06/2011 05:54 PM, Darren New wrote:
> On 6/6/2011 8:51, Invisible wrote:
>> OK, I'll bite: Why the hell should anybody, anywhere, *ever* read
>> Macbeth?
>
> Because it's full of words and expressions that are shortcut references
> to entire sets of memes in educated society.

So you need to read the entire play just to comprehend the one or two 
vague references that anybody could explain to you in five seconds flat?

> Just like if someone truly
> ugly walks past and I whistle the Wicked Witch of the West theme music,
> it brings in a whole packet of memes and concepts which are
> incomprehensible if you haven't watched the movie.

I've watched that movie, and I wasn't even aware the Wicked Witch of the 
West *had* a theme tune!

> It's just the educated man's way of saying "African or European Swallow?"

Required XKCD quote: http://xkcd.com/16/

-- 
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