Cathedral Talk

Tom, David, and Zack discuss the April 15, 2019 fire at Notre-Dame de Paris which destroyed the wooden roof and spire, leaving the cathedral heavily damaged.  Tom explores modeling Notre-Dame in Minecraft, investigating details about the gothic edifice that make the cathedral surprisingly asymmetrical.SEE: Notre-Dame Floor Plan & ElevationTom quizzes David and Zack on which famous monuments from around the globe receive the most tourists per year.  The selection of monuments for this activity includes the following.SEE: Famous Monuments from Around the Globe

David and Zack explore Tom's early Notre-Dame Minecraft builds.SEE: Tom’s “Ship of Theseus” Notre-Dame buildThe gents discuss different restoration proposals for the Notre-Dame from over the past two years.SEE: 8 Modern redesigns for Notre-Dame’s spireSEE: 17 More redesigns for Notre-Dame’s spireSEE: Miysis Studios’ redesign for Notre-Dame’s spire and roofTom rejoices that Notre-Dame will be restored to its pre-fire Viollet-le-Duc form while weighing the pros and cons of traditional building materials.SEE: Notre-Dame to be rebuilt in its 19th c. formSEE: French Oaks to be used for Notre-Dame’s spireSEE: Carpenters build medieval wooden trusses for Notre-Dame’s new roof

The gents discuss building snow forts back in the day and investigate the world record for the World’s Largest Snow Fort.SEE: SnowCastle of KemiSEE: Dillon Ice CastlesLatest updates surrounding the Caves & Cliffs Update to Minecraft:SEE: Minecraft Java Edition 1.17 UpdateTom explains the difference between cathedrals and basilicas, as well as their origins and derivations.SEE: Archbasilica of Saint John LateranSEE: Comprehensive List of CathedralsSEE: Comprehensive List of BasilicasTom quizzes Zack and David upon significant vocabulary regarding cathedral groundplans.SEE: Cathedral Groundplan Vocabulary

Off-topic, Tom groans about plot holes in children’s media while David and Zack briefly discuss stage musicals. Tom then recalls two trips to Chartres Cathedral, a French-gothic sister cathedral to Notre-Dame de Paris—the first trip in 2007 before restoration work was initiated and a second trip ten years later in 2017 after major restoration work was applied. The gents debate the merits and detriments of Chartres’ restoration and ponder possible ramifications that may also be relevant for Notre-Dame’s restoration.SEE: Chartres CathedralSEE: Chartres Pre & Post-Restoration + Notre-Dame, St. Paul’s, and National Cathedral Images

David and Zack explore Tom's preliminary work on the new Avalon server build for the 2:1 scale model of Notre-Dame de Paris.SEE: Minecraft Notre-Dame Phase 1.1 – Chevet Base Buttresses and WallSEE: Notre-Dame’s Groundplan – Original vs. Present-DaySEE: Grian’s Demonstration of Block Palettes for Building Mega BasesTom shares news and insights from the panel discussion at the French Embassy on developments with the restoration at Notre-Dame, commemorating the two-year anniversary of the April 15 fire.SEE: French Embassy Panel – Notre-Dame de Paris: Rebuilding a Legacy

David discovers a newly proposed Lego Ideas build for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.SEE: Lego Ideas – Chitty Flies Again, by Norders SEE: Lego Ideas – UCS Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, by Norders (older version)Tom, David, and Zack discuss playing other games for creativity’s sake vs. the prescribed survival multiplayer experience.SEE: Eurogamer – Valheim Notre-Dame buildSEE: Steam – Oxygen Not IncludedSEE: Sid Meier’s CivilizationSEE: Diablo 3Tom discusses vantage points of different cathedrals as well as the effect scaling Minecraft builds has on different perspectives.SEE: St. Paul’s Cathedral vs. Notre-Dame NEAR vs. FAR Vantage Points (+Enterprise-D)SEE: U.S.S. Enterprise-D Shooting Models for Star Trek: The Next Generation

The gents discuss the possibility of re-sheathing Notre-Dame’s roof with lead.SEE: FRANCE 24 (English) – Report that Notre-Dame Roof to be Re-sheathed in LeadTom discusses past roof-fires at other French Gothic cathedrals.SEE: Chartres Cathedral Roof Fire of 1836SEE: Reims Cathedral Roof Fire of 1914 (WWI)SEE: Amiens Cathedral Present Day Unburnt Roof, built approx. 1300–1305SEE: Amiens Cathedral Nave Roof StructureTom builds a gold/experience farm without building above the Nether roof ceiling.SEE: Ilmango Gold/XP Farm (original version from patch 1.11–1.13)David briefly discusses how to avoid being overwhelmed by extensively complex games.SEE: Crusader Kings 3Tom learns of a possible difference between cathedral “apses” and “hemicycles.”SEE: Apses vs. Hemicycles ComparisonZack challenges conventional wisdom over the most important functions of language.SEE: Mathematical Synonyms, Antonyms, Homophones, and HeteronymnsSEE: Information TheorySEE: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Zack offers a few corrections to information shared on stellar fusion which was discussed in podcast episode #7. Tom shares a few brief updates about finishing the exterior wall of the choir on the 2:1 scale Notre-Dame model. The gents briefly investigate the use of organs throughout Notre-Dame’s history.SEE: The Hunchback of Notre-Dame – “God Help The Outcasts” [Minecraft Noteblocks] SEE: “Kyrie Eleison," from Becket (1964)The gents discuss the contributions to music that were made by the Notre-Dame School of Music in the late 12th c. and early 13th c.SEE: Notre-Dame School of MusicSEE: Notre Dame Cathedral: The Birthplace Of Music As We Know It TodaySEE: Early OrganumHere are three surviving pieces from the composer Perotin from the Notre-Dame School of Music during the early days of its construction. These versions are recorded by the MusicNetMaterials YouTube channel.SEE: Perotin - Viderunt Omnes, Sheet Music + AudioSEE: Perotin: Sederunt principes. Escuela de Notre Dame. Primera secciónSEE: Perotin: Sederunt Principes. Escuela de Notre Dame. Organum.

David shares his challenges with handling expectations and when they are not met.SEE: Hofstadter’s LawTom gives Zack and David homework, to watch his favorite documentary on cathedrals with renowned author and artist David Macaulay.SEE: “Cathedral” with David Macaulay, 1986 PBS specialTom has Zack and David partake in a short activity where they must sequence a sample of Romanesque and Gothic monuments in order by construction date.SEE: Nave Elevations of France & England ACTIVITYSEE: Nave Elevations of France & England CHARTTom shares insights about the Basilica of Saint Denis with regard to the origin of Gothic architecture, proposed by historian and YouTuber Myles Zhang.SEE: The Origins of Gothic Architecture at Saint-Denis, by Myles ZhangThe gents take a photographic tour of these Romanesque and Gothic churches that exemplify the slow evolution of Gothic architecture over centuries, in both France and England.SEE: Gothic Lineage via Sample of Churches in France and England ImagesTom explains the different types of Rib Vaults in Gothic architecture—Sexpartite Vaults vs. Quadripartite Vaults.SEE: Rib Vaults

Tom discusses campanology, the study of bells.SEE: CampanologySEE: Change ringingSEE: ChimeSEE: TollingSEE: PealSEE: CarillonSEE: Bourdon bellsTom presents his ranked list of The World’s Top 10 Best Bourdon Bells.SEE: The World’s Top 10 Best Bourdon BellsTom briefly discusses using recordings of bells for the podcast’s theme.SEE: Doppler effectSEE: Concert pitch (Treaty of Versailles, under 19th and 20th c. standards)

Tom provides errata regarding the origin of the term “Gothic” architecture.SEE: Gothic Art (Britannica)Tom, Zack, and David discuss how recent features added to Minecraft have expanded building opportunities, particularly regarding how wall blocks operate in 1.16 and beyond.SEE: Improved Walls in Minecraft (by Pixlriffs)The gents also discuss the additional features that they would like to see in the game in the future.SEE: Minecraft TimelineSEE: Minecraft Java Version HistorySEE: Minecraft Future Planned Versions

David learns of the author of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.SEE: Ian FlemingTom showcases the architecture of the Pantheon of Ancient Rome, which was the progenitor of much cathedral architecture that followed afterwards.SEE: The Pantheon images, models, and diagramsSEE: The Pantheon (Ancient Rome)SEE: Dome (masonry)SEE: RotundaSEE: Tholobate (Drum)SEE: CofferingSEE: PorticoSEE: PedimentSEE: Monolithic ColumnSEE: PilasterTom, David, and Zack confuse themselves over the different types of cardinals of the Catholic Church.SEE: CardinalSEE: André Vingt-TroisTom gives Zack and David a tour of his Minecraft build for the Pantheon.SEE: Tom’s Pantheon(1:1 scale) build

Tom provides more cardinal errata regarding the different ranks of catholic cardinals.SEE: Cardinal (Catholic Church)David discusses his new favorite Netflix movie.SEE: Don’t Look Up (Netflix)Tom quizzes David and Zack on the nomenclature for different vertical elements of Gothic cathedrals, having already quizzed them in Episode 3 on groundplan lexicon.SEE: Gothic Cathedral Vertical Elements Vocabulary (matching)SEE: TriforiumSEE: GalleryZack gets confused about ostriches.SEE: Ostriches

Tom inquires about Zack’s fictitious Roomba.SEE: RoombaSEE: Lego ColosseumThe gents discuss why donating to Notre-Dame is a worthwhile endeavor and how they decide what makes a cause worth donating to.SEE: Friends of Notre-Dame de ParisSEE: 2011 Virginia earthquake (DC, MD, VA)

Tom discusses how different some Minecraft players can build not only epic castles, but also the very mountain ranges that said castles can be nestled into.SEE: NoxusBolgar’s Tephra Castle & the Town of NoxshireZack shows how certain player-made structures can greatly enhance the already amazing caves of Minecraft patch 1.18.SEE: Jeracraft’s Epic Lush Cave TransformationDavid shares his favorite style of building in Minecraft: cliff-side houses with a view.SEE: Build Therapy’s Cliffside HouseSEE: Spiderboy’s Cliffside House

Tom shares his latest progress on building the twin-aisled vaulting throughout the ambulatory of the chevet for his 2:1 scaled Minecraft model of Notre-Dame.SEE: THSchutt’s Notre-Dame(2:1) build, Phase 1 (1163–1170 A.D.)David discusses how the Steve Jobs movie, written by Aaron Sorkin, is very entertaining yet wildly erroneous. Tom compares this with other loose adaptations of history. Zack debates how to judge characters within narratives.SEE: Steve Jobs (2015)SEE: The IliadSEE: The Trojan WarSEE: Shakespearean historiesSEE: Richard III (play)SEE: Julius Caesar (play)SEE: The Lord of the RingsSEE: Saruman the WhiteSEE: Paradise Lost

David presents his very late Christmas gift to Zack, reminding Zack to share literature he received for Christmas about cathedrals. Meanwhile, Tom shares an article about a “soundscape archaeologist” who is working to recreate the sounds that would have existed in Notre-Dame during the medieval times.SEE: The sounds rebuilding Notre-Dame’s previous vaults (article)SEE: Guédelon CastleTom, David, and Zack evaluate the experience of live music, judging what its advantages are over recorded music. Tom argues that experiencing cathedral music is one of the hardest live-music venues to replicate. The gents ponder how humans have many different ways to listen to music.SEE: Hello Internet (podcast)SEE: Mahler’s 2nd SymphonySEE: Deep Listeners, by Judith BeckerSEE: Eidetic memorySEE: The Organ of St. Paul’s CathedralSEE: XKCD Comic 878: Model Rail (nesting concerns)SEE: Synecdoche, New York (movie)SEE: Self-similarity

The Cathedral Talk YouTube channel now has the first couple of podcast episodes uploaded with some nifty video footage as an optional accompaniment. More episodes are to be uploaded in the future (at unavoidably irregular intervals).SEE: Cathedral Talk YouTube LinksMore restoration news at Notre-Dame continues to be published now that we have passed the third anniversary of the fire.SEE: FRANCE24—Notre-Dame Restoration Update for 3rd Anniversary of FireTom discusses the unorthodox decisions made with the construction of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City which put its categorization as a “Gothic” cathedral up for debate. David and Zack consider revisions to our overall definition of Gothic architecture.SEE: Wiki—St. Patrick’s CathedralSEE: NYT Article—Restoration of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, A Gift to NY in Time for the PopeSEE: Wiki—Gothic Architecture

Tom discusses building the Roman Colosseum in Minecraft, demonstrating how he modeled its curvature based on the theories of Ingegner Giuseppe Cozzo, while discussing its history and influence upon Gothic architecture later on.SEE: Tom’s Colosseum(1:1 scale) buildSEE: Tom’s Colosseum curvature calculations & plans (Excel spreadsheet)SEE: Cozzo’s Polycentric-Curve Theory for the ColosseumSEE: Tom’s YouTube Colosseum videoSEE: Wiki—The Roman ColosseumSEE: Wiki—Classical Roman ArchSEE: Wiki—Groin VaultDavid gets inspired to categorize the different types of podcast listeners with his own polycentric modeling; Zack provides helpful feedback.SEE: The Polycentric Circle of Cathedral Talk’s Listeners (MS Paint work of art)

Zack probes Tom and David regarding artificial chimes and carillons that use recorded bell sounds rather than actual bells.SEE: Electronic carillonsTom recalls his experience of hearing a full peal at Bath Abbey.SEE: Bath Abbey Bells, full peal on Oct. 17, 2021SEE: Royal Crescent in Bath, EnglandTom recounts his first trip to Notre-Dame during Easter 2007, when the 19th c. Bells where still hung for ringing in the north tower belfry.SEE: Notre-Dame 19th c. Bells, ringing Christmas 2011 (ground level)SEE: Notre-Dame 19th c. Bells, ringing Easter 2009 (galerie de chimeres level)Tom and David reminisce over their joint trip to see Notre-Dame on Easter 2013, just as the new peal of bells had become operational for Eastertide.SEE: Notre-Dame 2013 Bells, full peal “Sonnerie du Grand Solemnel”SEE: Notre-Dame 2013 Bells, ringing Easter 2013 (Tom & David recording)Tom shares photos provided by the Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris foundation depicting the fire damage to the north tower belfry, obtained after much persistence.SEE: Fire Damage to Notre-Dame North Tower Belfry (scroll down)