social media platform that knows you better than your close friends. it can analyze your personality and tendencies after your 8 facebook likes.

1900 poem by thomas hardy. originally titled ‘by the century’s deathbed,’ the haunting piece describes the changes the narrator has observed through the turn of the 20th century. intriguing piece for many english majors as it contains strong pulls to both romanticism and modernism, and is deeply layered with opposing ideas which are interwoven. read it here

free image sharing site available for almost any platform. owned by facebook and launched on ios in 2010. created by kevin systrom and mike krieger. popular site for an influencer to produce and share content. (see: social network)

an interactive online dictionary designed to allow its users to define topics in both factual and creative ways. created in 2020 by a graduate of the university of nevada, reno

even before the revolution daniel boone and other pioneers blazed trails and led pioneers into the western wilderness. in 1775, boone joined several indian trails together to create the wilderness road. thousands of pioneers used this road to cross the cumberland gap into what is now kentucky. boone eventually moved west to missouri, where he continued to hunt and explore the wilds well into his eighties.

not following my mind.

a list in which all the jews were rescued by schindler during ww2. it is also a book was written by thomas keneally. you should have an insensitive personality to finish it without crying. there is also a movie shot in 1993. i know that is a common cliche but yet i feel obliged to say that the book was better by far than the movie. that is to say never make the mistake of watching the movie first before you read the book.

daydream delusion
limousine eyelash
oh, baby with your pretty face
drop a tear in my wineglass
look at those big eyes
see what you mean to me
sweet cakes and milkshakes
i am a delusion angel
i am a fantasy parade
i want you to know what i think
don’t want you to guess anymore
you have no idea where i came from
we have no idea where we’re going
lodged in life
like two branches in a river
flowing downstream
caught in the current
i’ll carry you. you’ll carry me
that’s how it could be
don’t you know me?
don’t you know me by now?

smiley was here*

doublethink is a term coined by george orwell in his famous novel 1984 to describe the act of simultaneously accepting two contradictory beliefs as true. in the novel, the ruling party of oceania uses doublethink as a tool of propaganda to control the thoughts and actions of its citizens.

it refers to the ability to hold two conflicting ideas in one's mind and believe them both to be true. this is a dangerous concept because it allows people to accept lies and manipulation as truth, leading to a society where facts are distorted, and reality is constantly being redefined.

here are a few examples of doublethink in action:

war is peace: in 1984, the government convinces its citizens that war is necessary for peace. this is a prime example of doublethink, as it is impossible for war to bring peace.

freedom is slavery: another example from 1984 is the idea that freedom is actually a form of slavery. the government claims that by taking away people's freedom, they are actually freeing them from the burden of making decisions.

ignorance is strength: the ruling party of oceania encourages its citizens to be ignorant and uninformed. they claim that this ignorance is a form of strength, as it allows people to focus on their work and not worry about the world around them.

political correctness: in modern times, the concept of political correctness can be seen as a form of doublethink. while it aims to promote tolerance and respect, it can also be used to silence dissenting opinions and limit free speech.

advertising: advertisers often use doublethink to sell products. for example, a company may claim that their product is both "all-natural" and "scientifically proven." these two claims are contradictory, but by using both, the company hopes to appeal to a wider audience.

the apple vision pro is a mixed reality headset that was announced by apple at wwdc 2023. it is a high-end device that is designed for gaming, entertainment, and productivity. the vision pro features a high-resolution display, a powerful processor, and a wide range of sensors. it also supports a variety of input methods, including eye tracking, hand tracking, and voice commands.

the vision pro is a significant step forward for apple's foray into augmented reality and virtual reality. it is the company's first headset that is designed for both gaming and productivity, and it is expected to be a major player in the growing market for ar/vr headsets.

here are some of the key features of the apple vision pro:

high-resolution display: the vision pro features a high-resolution display that provides a sharp and immersive experience. the display is also adjustable, so users can find the perfect viewing position.

powerful processor: the vision pro is powered by apple's m2 chip, which provides the performance needed for demanding ar/vr applications.

wide range of sensors: the vision pro features a wide range of sensors, including a lidar scanner, eye tracking, and hand tracking. these sensors allow the vision pro to track users' movements and environment, which provides a more immersive experience.

variety of input methods: the vision pro supports a variety of input methods, including eye tracking, hand tracking, and voice commands. this allows users to interact with the headset in a way that is comfortable and natural for them.

the apple vision pro is a powerful and versatile headset that is designed to revolutionize the way people interact with technology. it is a must-have for gamers, creative professionals, and anyone who wants to experience the future of ar/vr.

here are some of the potential applications of the apple vision pro:

gaming: the vision pro can be used for gaming, providing a more immersive and realistic experience than traditional games.

entertainment: the vision pro can be used for watching movies, playing games, and exploring virtual worlds.

productivity: the vision pro can be used for productivity tasks, such as working on documents, giving presentations, and attending virtual meetings.

education: the vision pro can be used for educational purposes, such as learning about different cultures, exploring historical sites, and conducting experiments.

healthcare: the vision pro can be used for healthcare purposes, such as training surgeons, providing remote therapy, and conducting medical research.


the apple vision pro will cost $3,499. it will be available in the us starting in early 2024, with availability in other countries to follow.

the tasmanian tiger, or thylacine, may roam the forests once again! this wolf-like marsupial, australia's last apex predator, was hunted to extinction in 1936. now, a team of scientists from colossal biosciences is making strides towards "de-extinction," using groundbreaking gene editing to potentially bring it back.

by decoding dna from a 108-year-old specimen and editing the genes of its closest living relative, the fat-tailed dunnart, researchers are pushing the boundaries of what's possible in science. they've already made 300 genetic edits and even replicated techniques from human ivf to grow embryos.

though some conservationists argue the focus should be on current endangered species, the project's advances in genetic technology could have wider benefits, potentially aiding other threatened marsupials like the tasmanian devil. could the comeback of this legendary predator become reality, or is it just "fairy tale science"? time will tell. image

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.

a coup attept.

this isn't a legal case, it's entirely political. erdogan knows he would lose against this man, so he's doing everything he can, even illegally, to block imamoglu. erdogan likely won't enter an election he knows he'll lose and won't allow power to change hands through democratic means. imageimageimageimageimageimage

tennessee is that part of america where country music was not just born but given a leather jacket and a guitar. it is a state packed with mountains, rivers, deep history, and the kind of storytelling that can either make you cry or laugh till your ribs hurt. if you picture rolling hills, front porches with rocking chairs, barbecue smoke drifting through the air, and someone somewhere strumming a guitar, you are probably thinking of tennessee without even realizing it.

it officially became a state in 1796, but it has been at the heart of a lot of america's biggest moments. civil war battles, civil rights marches, the birth of rock and roll, moonshine legends, and political giants all left a mark on tennessee soil. the state has this split personality in the best way. in the east, you get the misty great smoky mountains and a lot of outdoor adventure vibes. in the middle, it is nashville, where dreams are chased with a guitar case in one hand and a coffee in the other. and over in the west, memphis hits you with deep blues music, powerful civil rights history, and the ghosts of legends like elvis presley.

nashville is called music city for a reason. it is where singers go to either make it big or spend a few wild years trying. walk down broadway at night and it feels like every single bar has a live band better than half the stuff on the radio. memphis, on the other hand, is where you feel the soul in your bones. it is gritty, proud, and alive. walk beale street and you are standing on the same sidewalks where blues and rock once rewired the world's idea of music.

beyond the fame and neon lights, tennessee is also about stubborn pride and fierce loyalty. people from there will let you joke about their state but only if you are one of them. otherwise, you better mind your mouth. food is serious business too. hot chicken so spicy it makes you question your life choices. barbecue that tastes like someone cooked it with equal parts smoke and love. biscuits and gravy that could fix a bad day.

an interesting detail is that tennessee has this weird mix of old-school manners and wild independent spirit. yes ma'am and no sir roll off tongues naturally, but so does a strong belief in doing your own thing without waiting for permission. it is a state that values tradition but also knows how to throw a party loud enough for three states over to hear it.

in short, tennessee is not just a place you visit. it is a feeling. a messy, musical, slightly stubborn, deeply beautiful feeling that stays with you long after you leave.