Lest we forget the travelogue aspect of this story The choice of this magnificent old city for the Rossi demo has a few lingering overtones for curious observers, yet to be noted in print.
The fact the University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is the oldest operating University in the World could be of future significance and deeper meaning, should things turn out well. The symbolism is the triumph of human learning, as an organized activity, over natural obstacles. The 1000th year anniversary of that University may coincide with Italy returning to the glory-days by first becoming energy self-sufficient. He who controls the most efficient energy, controls the world. Who knows that the device could not usher in a new grand age or even modern empire for the region? Heck, they might even finally finish the Basilica San Petronio. On the other hand, the famous sausage meat known to millions of children and adults in the USA as baloney, is closer to what the skeptics will focus on, should things become less tasty and this is equally iconic in a the age of spam. A more edible spam, you might say, for those who are taken in by lard colored to resemble meat. If the planned demo in Chennai turns out to be err baloney, then we will never hear the end of it from the nay-sayers. And guess what cinema fans, this mélange of various ingredients could be part of the art of the planning behind a larger conspiracy theory (in the screenplay of course). Bologna is famous for theatre and opera, so there are lots of dramatic threads to weave into the emerging story. Beware of the Ides. Seriously though, one of the most interesting things about the town is the history of the towers. Forget Pisa, this place was once tower-central. Sadly, now there are only a few but once there were hundreds http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Towers_of_Bologna The fact they are leaning makes me wonder if that too is some kind of omen for things to come. Jones
