It's sophomore Summer a lot of us aren't trying too hard to be intellectually stimulated. Most of you would probably rather lie out on the Green than pick up a history book and actually learn something.
But if you're looking to trick yourself into self-education (you are a student, after all), get on YouTube and watch a few installations of "Epic Rap Battles of History." These rap battles, the vision of YouTube user Nice Peter, pit two actors portraying renowned historical figures and celebrities against one another in a fast-paced battle of rhyming trash-talk. Think "8 Mile," but weirder. The videos are also educational, kind of...
Maybe American presidents fascinate you, but you're too lazy to read a scholarly journal (or Wikipedia). Allow "Abe Lincoln vs. Chuck Norris" to osmotically teach you about Lincoln's masterful leadership of the Union during the Civil War: "Four score and 65 years in the past, / I won the Civil War with my beard, / And now I'm hear to whup your ass." Naturally, Norris's tasteful rap response, "I've spread more blood and gore / than forty score of your puny Civil Wars, bitch" helps further educate the common viewer.
Another humorous pairing is the battle of "Justin Bieber vs. Beethoven," which encapsulates the tension between pop music and classical music. Beethoven, in one of his classier lines, shouts, "I've crafted masterpieces that will last throughout the ages / Your music gets you bitches on your Facebook pages." A great point, Beethoven.
I don't want to spoil all of the fun for you, but some of the other pairings include "Genghis Khan vs. Easter Bunny," "Sarah Palin vs. Lady Gaga" and "Einstein vs. Stephen Hawking." Now start your education!
