love can mean so many things. it could mean the little jump in your heart when their name pops up in your notifications. it can mean your willingness and desire to please them in every way possible. it can mean the outpouring of support for that special friend. it can mean the smile that creeps across your face when you think of that one text, moment, conversation. sometimes it can be the way your heart aches because you’re stuck between two. sometimes it can be the wandering imagination of a lonely moment.
love seems to be the most complicated thing in the universe, and i’ve studied the universe.

"what's that thing a horse wears on their hooves again?"

"a horseshoe."

"bless you."

the oldest us city, was founded in 1565.

it was an idea romanticized by some americans. the woman represents "american progress" leading settlers toward land and success. the print shows the stagecoaches once used to transport mail and passengers, the railroads that replaced them, and the "prairie schooner" wagons in which pioneers traveled with their belongings. the open landscape was originally home to indians and the buffalo they hunted, but settlers had arrived to farm the land. image

sherman was the head of a military school in louisiana when the civil war began. ohio-born, sherman rejected the south's offer of a command and enlisted in the union army. early in the war, he suffered from severe depression, considering himself a failure. sherman went on to become a relentless leader, and was grant's most trusted general.

in 1902, a coal miners' strike threatened the nation's supply of heating fuel. roosevelt invited the mine owners and union officials to the white house, but the owners refused to negotiate. furious, the president got them to back down, and the strike was settled, with the miners receiving a pay raise and a nine-hour work day, down from 12 hours.

in his bid for reelection in 1904, roosevelt said that in brokering the settlement he had tried for a "square deal"—a fair result-for both sides. the square deal became his motto for the rest of his career. roosevelt won a landslide election to become president in his own right in 1904.

during world war 1, great britain took control of palestine from turkey, which was fighting with germany against the british. at the end of the war, the league of nations assigned the governing of palestine to great britain, but also entrusted to the british the establishment within palestine of "a national home for the jewish people." both arabs and jews lived in this largely desert land, and neither group was willing to form a government with the other.

during hitler's dictatorship, thousands of european jews fled to palestine. in 1947, the un proposed that separate arab and jewish states be created out of palestine. the jews living in palestine immediately accepted and announced the formation of the state of israel on may 14, 1948.

in the fall of 1959, khrushchev accepted an invitation to visit the united states. the visit, and his meetings with president eisenhower, created hope for a permanent "thaw" in the cold war. to reduce tensions further, the two leaders planned a conference with great britain and france in may 1960, to discuss the divided nation of germany. but, on may 1, 1960, the russians shot down a high-altitude american spy plane called a u-2, which was flying over soviet territory. at first, the u.s. government said it was only a weather plane, but soviet leader khrushchev revealed that the pilot of the plane was alive and had confessed. the meeting that had been planned quickly collapsed, and the cold war continued.

a section of a city occupied by a minority group. ghettos are often formed because of social, economic, or legal pressure. the first ghetto was founded in venice, italy, in 1516 to forcibly restrict the movement of jews.

we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with.
jim rohn

the term "coup de grace" is a french phrase that translates to "blow of mercy" or "stroke of grace." it is typically used to describe a final, decisive action taken to end someone or something's suffering, often in the context of war, battle, or other violent situations. in essence, it is a merciful act that brings about a swift end to something that is already in a state of defeat or decline.

here are a few examples of how the term "coup de grace" might be used:

in a battle between two armies, one side might inflict a significant amount of damage on the other, leaving their opponents weakened and struggling. at this point, the victorious army might choose to deliver a "coup de grace" to their foes, launching a final, decisive attack that ends the battle and puts their opponents out of their misery.

in a more personal context, imagine that someone is seriously injured and in great pain, with little hope of recovery. in this situation, a doctor might decide to administer a "coup de grace" by ending the person's suffering through euthanasia or other means.

in some cases, a "coup de grace" might be used metaphorically to describe the final, decisive blow in a non-physical conflict. for example, a company might be struggling financially and on the brink of collapse. a major investor might step in and provide a significant amount of funding, essentially delivering a "coup de grace" to keep the company from going under.

nestled in the lap of luxury, this hbo series serves as a comedic yet caustic satire, inviting viewers to check in to an exclusive resort to witness the unraveling of its guests' lives—one misplaced room key at a time.

from the mind of mike white, "the white lotus" is akin to a vacation you didn't know you needed until you're too sunburned to turn back. with its first season setting the bar high, the series hilariously critiques the social and psychological complexities of its affluent guests, juxtaposed against the seemingly serene backdrop of paradise. it's like watching a train wreck in slow motion, if the train were a luxury cruise liner staffed by characters so richly developed, you'd swear they were your own eccentric relatives.

the ensemble cast is a kaleidoscope of talent, embodying characters so vividly flawed, you can't help but root for their downfall, all while secretly hoping they extend their stay. jennifer coolidge's performance as tanya mcquoid is a masterclass in comedic timing, blending vulnerability and absurdity in a way that only she can. meanwhile, the resort staff, led by the ever-patient and increasingly perplexed manager armond, navigate the caprices of their guests with a grace that deserves its own gratuity.

what sets "the white lotus" apart is its ability to balance biting satire with moments of genuine emotion. it's a reminder that behind every polished instagram post lies a reality that's messier, more complex, and far more interesting. the show peels back the layers of its characters, revealing their insecurities, desires, and the often misguided attempts at connection, making us laugh and cringe in equal measure.

"the white lotus" is not just a show; it's a social experiment wrapped in a spa robe. it's where the rich come to relax, and the audience comes to revel in their discomfort. with each episode, we're reminded that paradise isn't a place; it's a state of mind—one that's hilariously out of reach for the guests of this ill-fated resort.

--spoiler--
now, for those who dare to dive deeper, let's unpack a spoiler that twists the narrative in an unexpected way. in the finale, the revelation of who ends up dead is a masterstroke of storytelling that both satisfies and subverts audience expectations. the buildup to this moment is meticulously crafted, with red herrings and misdirects that make the payoff all the more rewarding. this pivotal twist not only redefines the preceding events but also leaves viewers reeling and reflecting on the themes of privilege, ignorance, and the human condition itself.
--spoiler--

so, if you're looking for a getaway that promises more twists and turns than a mountain road, book a stay at "the white lotus." just be warned: you might leave with more baggage than you arrived with, but you'll definitely check out with a smile.

the hawk tuah girl.
(see: hawk tuah)

a country in north america known for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant traditions, and diverse landscapes ranging from beaches to mountains. mexico is famous for its ancient civilizations, including the maya and aztecs, and its influence on global cuisine, art, and music.

capital: mexico city (ciudad de mexico)

population: approximately 129 million people (2024 estimate).
cuisine: tacos, tamales, mole, and tequila have become global culinary staples.
festivals: dia de los muertos (day of the dead) is a vibrant celebration honoring ancestors with colorful altars and traditions.
art: iconic figures like frida kahlo and diego rivera have left a lasting impact on the art world.

whiplash, directed by damien chazelle, explores deep philosophical themes related to ambition, perfectionism, the nature of greatness, and the moral costs of success. the film follows andrew neiman, a young jazz drummer, and his intense relationship with his abusive music instructor, terence fletcher. the philosophical undertones of the film resonate with various philosophical ideas on ethics, existentialism, the pursuit of excellence, and the role of suffering in personal growth. let's explore "whiplash" through the lens of key philosophers and their theories:

1. nietzsche and the will to power

friedrich nietzsche argued that life's driving force is the will to power, which is the desire to grow, dominate, and transcend oneself.

andrew's relentless pursuit of drumming excellence reflects nietzsche's concept of the übermensch (overman), who seeks to surpass human limitations through sheer strength of will and self-overcoming. fletcher represents the harsh force of nature or society that tests andrew's strength and pushes him toward this higher state of existence.

nietzsche believed that suffering and struggle are necessary for greatness:
"that which does not kill us makes us stronger."

andrew's suffering under fletcher's brutal teaching methods becomes a crucible for his transformation into a musical virtuoso. he embraces the pain and struggle as a means of transcending mediocrity, embodying nietzsche's idea that greatness comes through suffering and overcoming.

2. aristotle and the doctrine of the mean

aristotle proposed the idea of the golden mean, which means that virtue lies in finding a balance between extremes.

fletcher's teaching style represents an extreme, pushing andrew to his psychological and physical limits. aristotle would argue that fletcher's methods are excessive and harmful, as they violate the principle of moderation.

andrew, on the other hand, eventually adopts a similarly extreme work ethic, rejecting balance in favor of total dedication to drumming. aristotle would likely critique fletcher's methods as lacking virtue since they involve excess rather than balance. true greatness, in aristotle's view, would require both skill and emotional well-being, which andrew sacrifices in his obsessive pursuit of perfection.

3. kant and the categorical imperative

immanuel kant proposed that moral actions must follow a categorical imperative, meaning that an action is morally right only if it could be universally applied without contradiction.

fletcher's abusive teaching methods would violate kant's moral principle because they involve manipulation, deceit, and harm. kant would likely argue that fletcher's ends (creating a great musician) do not justify his means (psychological abuse).

andrew's eventual acceptance of fletcher's methods suggests that he internalizes a consequentialist mindset, valuing the outcome (musical greatness) more than the moral process. kant would argue that true moral greatness cannot arise from unethical means, even if the artistic result is remarkable.

4. sartre and existentialism

jean-paul sartre believed that human beings define themselves through their actions and choices. life has no inherent meaning except what we create for ourselves.

andrew's decision to endure suffering and push himself toward greatness reflects existentialist freedom. he chooses his own meaning through his devotion to music.

fletcher represents a figure of existential challenge. he creates an environment where andrew is forced to confront his limitations and choose who he wants to become. andrew's climactic drum solo represents a moment of existential authenticity, where he asserts his artistic identity and finds freedom through creative expression.

sartre would see andrew's journey as an example of "existential authenticity," where andrew confronts the absurdity of his suffering and creates his own artistic purpose.

5. hegel and the master-slave dialectic

georg wilhelm friedrich hegel introduced the concept of the master-slave dialectic, a dynamic where self-consciousness arises through the struggle between dominance and submission.

fletcher embodies the role of the "master" who seeks to create greatness through dominance and fear. andrew begins as the "slave," responding to fletcher's demands and expectations.

the climax of the film, where andrew delivers a transcendent performance on his own terms, symbolizes the reversal of this dynamic. andrew asserts his artistic independence and "masters" the relationship.

hegel would view andrew's final performance as a synthesis. andrew absorbs fletcher's brutal methods but transcends them to assert his own creative identity.

6. john stuart mill and utilitarianism

john stuart mill proposed that moral actions are those that maximize happiness and minimize suffering for the greatest number of people.

fletcher's abusive teaching style would fail the utilitarian test because it produces intense suffering for andrew and others. however, fletcher might argue that the long-term happiness (creating a musical legend) justifies the short-term pain.

mill's principle of higher pleasures might complicate the analysis. does the artistic greatness that andrew achieves justify the pain it took to get there? mill would likely reject fletcher's methods because the suffering outweighs the positive outcome for most students. however, the exceptional result of andrew's greatness might create a moral gray area.

7. kierkegaard and the leap of faith

soren kierkegaard argued that true meaning and greatness require a leap of faith, which is a radical commitment to an uncertain outcome.

andrew's choice to stay on stage and deliver a flawless performance despite fletcher's sabotage reflects this leap of faith. he trusts his inner artistic vision and steps into uncertainty, embodying kierkegaard's concept of authentic self-realization.

kierkegaard would likely see andrew's final performance as a moment of existential courage and self-transcendence.