In case there is anybody who really cares, I know *why* the columns at the Parthenon are not straight. I used to live in Nashville where there is a replica of the original and it is in a dang sight condition than the one in Greece. The truth is that if the columns were straight they would look crooked, so they made them crooked so they would look straight. Is that clear enough? I suppose it is some kind of optical illusion, resulting from the fact that our eyes sometimes lie. Everybody knows that our lying eyes tell us that a picture is moving, when in reality it is just a series of stills. They also tell you that there is water on the road ahead when it is really just heat rising from hot pavement. So why wouldn't they lie about crooked and straight columns on an old Greek (or Tennessee) temple?
Have I ever lied to you?
Howard

> "Highbrow TV Documentary"
> Are the columns of the Parthenon straight?
> I have a radical theory that they're not.
> I went to Italy, to meet conservative Dr. Topolopogus:
> 'The columns of the Parthenon look straight.'
> I'm going to go to America.
> Are the columns of the Parthenon straight?
> *COMMERCIAL BREAK*
> I went to America to meet the radical Dr. Spencer:
> 'I think the columns of the Parthenon curve inwards.'
> I'm going to go to Australia.
> Are the columns of the Parthenon straight?
> *COMMERCIAL BREAK*
> I went to Australia, to meet the practical Dr. Frank:
> 'I don't know, but let's go to Greece and find out.'
> We're going to go to Greece.
> Are the columns of the Parthenon straight?
> *COMMERCIAL BREAK*
> We go to Greece, and find a guy with a huge set square.
> The columns turn out to be curved, proving my theory, and the worth of this programme.
> I draw a picture of the Parthenon in fairly impressive CG.
> The End
> -Chr"Time well spent, imho"Ed