The Benefit of Discussion

 I'm writing these lines amid the turbulent times of the modern pandemics in hope that the vaccination against the terrible disease will start in several days. 

I'm very optimistic about choosing to subject my articles to discussion on the Academia site. The first outcome was popularity. Besides the immediate result that so many people begin to read the particular paper, some of them are also interested in other subjects. So the number of my readers has doubled in only four months reaching over 2K.  Besides, some readers decide to add their suggestions or criticism which gives me some food for thought. I am aware of the limitations of my Internet research and praise new perspectives that might open in these discussions. Or, at least, I know better why I keep standing in the same position despite the criticism. 

The current discussion about my article https://www.academia.edu/39924577/How_to_Measure_the_Earths_Circumference

is still going on and you can take part. 

Meanwhile, I began to reassess Unit II of my third manuscript. The unit is titled "The Anguish and Thrill of Navigation" and consists of 10 chapters. The first of them, The Long Ship vs. Round Ship, introduces the two main types of vessels plying the medieval sea. I have to collect new material about galleys and sailing ships before comparing it with what I wrote about six years ago and has never published. 

This section was supposed to be part of my second manuscript, "The Enchanting Encounter with the East". After completing all the chapters, I realized that the book is devoted to overland journeys and sea travels will be unnecessary. That is why I took out the chapter, https://www.academia.edu/41214506/How_Wide_Spans_the_Ocean_Sea

which focuses on the calculations of the sea distances and the entire section about medieval ships. 

The rejected chapters will be part of my third manuscript. My gut feeling tells me that the future book will include at least two volumes. In the prepared part, Unit I, there are over 30 K words. I will keep you updated about my progress.