Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Humanities/2024 October 20

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October 20

Trotskyism: Adaptations.

Hello, I was wondering if there are any adaptations or variations of Trotskysism (or lenninism to an extent) that focuses more solely on economics or economic theory, maybe more specifically on distribution of resources. I think this might just be a certain branch of Communist economics, however I am not too well versed in economics so any helps is appreciated. NIght Palace (talk) 03:36, 20 October 2024 (UTC)

Neither Trotskyist not Leninist, but left communist: Fundamental Principles of Communist Production and Distribution. This is an English translation of Grundprinzipien kommunistischer Produktion und Verteilung. Although originally published in German, in 1930, it was written by members of the Dutch council-communist Groep van Internationale Communisten, with Jan Appel as the main author.  --Lambiam 17:15, 20 October 2024 (UTC)

He seems to have had a lot in common with the later policies of Deng Xiaoping, particularly a mixed public/private economy. Trotsky appears to have sought to de-emphasize heavy industry in favor of more open trade as a means of accumulating foreign exchange. His electrification commission hearkens to infrastructure development, and he criticized Stalin for ignoring consumerism.

Our article also cites Stafford Beer’s Project Cybersyn in Chile as influenced by Trotsky. DOR (ex-HK) (talk) 18:11, 20 October 2024 (UTC)

Of course, consumerism isn't compatible with Primitive socialist accumulation... AnonMoos (talk) 23:15, 22 October 2024 (UTC)

Sesame Street season 55

At around this time last year there was official evidence that Sesame Street's 54th season was in development. But there's no evidence of any kind that season 55 is in development. Does this mean that the season is taking a while for some reason?? Please answer with your best knowledge. Georgia guy (talk) 15:38, 20 October 2024 (UTC)

Have you looked for this on Google? ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 02:11, 22 October 2024 (UTC)

Gilt masks: cost today

How much gold is there in a mask of Tutankhamun, Psusennes, Amenemope? I'm wondering the material cost were in replica. Temerarius (talk) 17:56, 20 October 2024 (UTC)

The word "gilt" is a little ambiguous here. Gold leaf hammered thin isn't all that expensive, but solid gold is a different proposition. The so-called "Mask of Agamemnon" contains a significant amount of gold, but I don't know how the Egyptian masks were made (though I was probably close to one at a King Tut exhibition long ago)... AnonMoos (talk) 00:28, 21 October 2024 (UTC)

That's funny that comes up, they say the so-called is also called the "Mona Lisa of prehistory" (ugh,) where just above I quoted somebody calling a ducks painting the "Mona Lisa of Egypt," which is a high piece of praise for such an accomplished culture. Somebody should create Category:Mona Lisas of Places. Anyways, most mentions don't use the words "gilt" or "solid."

Temerarius (talk) 02:23, 21 October 2024 (UTC)

The Mona Lisa being, of course, the Machu Picchu of Great Buddha of Kamakura...s. Slowking Man (talk) 03:30, 25 October 2024 (UTC)

Why would the replica replicate the amount of gold? Is this an exercise in experimental archeology? If the goal is to show the replica in a museum, they'd electro-plate it. Probably gold-plated nickel-plated copper. Who'd know?  Card Zero  (talk) 04:16, 21 October 2024 (UTC)

There may be symbolism involved in using actual gold rather than something that just looks like gold. There's a 21st-century replica of the Polish coronation crown that was melted down by the Prussians in 1811; not only does it contain real solid gold, but it's specifically gold obtained from Prussian coins that were minted in 1811. — Kpalion^(talk) 10:57, 21 October 2024 (UTC)

Nota bene: "gilding"/"gold plating" uses real true honest gold as the surface gilding layer. It's just that the bulk "interior" substance isn't gold—or sometimes, can be different gold alloys (as with the plating as well), for reasons beyond just cost. Pure 100% gold is quite soft and can be scratched and bent without too much trouble, problematic for many purposes. (Indeed see other comment re: the alloys used in the real mask) That shiny stuff in lots of electronics is indeed true actual gold (alloy), just very thin layers/wires. Hard to beat gold for resistance to many things like corrosion! And thin means thin: gold is so malleable it can be beaten translucent and even a single atom thick! Check it out! Also why along w/ strength when alloyed it has long been used in dental restoration: easy to shape and a little goes a long way. Slowking Man (talk) 18:27, 24 October 2024 (UTC)

Our Mask of Tutankhamun article says:

It is fashioned from two layers of high-karat gold, varying from 1.5–3 mm (0.059–0.118 in) in thickness, and weighing 10.23 kg (22.6 lb).[7] X-ray crystallography conducted in 2007 revealed that the mask is primarily made of copper-alloyed 23 karat gold to facilitate the cold working used to shape the mask. The surface of the mask is covered in a very thin layer (approximately 30 nanometres) of two different alloys of gold: a lighter 18.4 karat shade for the face and neck, and 22.5 karat gold for the rest of the mask.

Assuming that the average purity of the gold used is 22 carat, Google says the scrap value of the actual mask today would be about GBP 5,825 or USD 7,590. As others have pointed out, there would be no need to replicate the exact metal content in a replica intended for display. Alansplodge (talk) 12:44, 21 October 2024 (UTC)

Alansplodge, perhaps you made an error in your Google query. Today's price for ten kilograms of gold is $875,180. Cullen328 (talk) 22:41, 21 October 2024 (UTC)

Ah yes, "those damned dots". Only out by two places... Alansplodge (talk) 12:47, 27 October 2024 (UTC)