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  • facebook

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

  • ankara

  • septum piercing

    a piercing through the septum, the cartilage between the nostrils. commonly adorned by a ring, open ring/horseshoe, and sometimes a bar

  • helix piercing

    a piercing through the cartilage of the upper ear, usually worn with a stud or hoop

  • phillis wheatley

    brought to boston as an eight-year-old slavery in 1761, phillis was bought by the wheatley family to serve in their house. the wheatleys saw how bright she was, and gave her an education. phillis became a writer; when she was 20, book of her poetry made her famous. the wheatleys gave her both her freedom and their name, and her achievement as the first slave to publish a book inspired free blacks for many years.

  • lame duck

    during the period between the election and inauguration of a new official, the current office holder becomes known as a lame duck. the origin of the expression is unknown.

  • fwiw

    for what it's worth.

  • breakup

    breakups can be painful whether you've been on just a few dates or have been together as a couple for many years. no matter the reason nor the length of the relationship, handling a breakup poorly can create undue pain.

    up to three dates

    if you've gone out with someone no more than a few times, he/she is unlikely to be permanently devastated by the dissolution of the relationship, although the two of you may have drastically different opinions of whether you were a good match...and rejection always hurts.

    what to do: often the best thing to do is nothing-don't call or text, and simply allow the relationship to end. this approach sometimes is portrayed as cowardly or cruel, but there's a good chance that the other person also would rather let your nascent relationship drift away than endure the unpleasantness of an official breakup. sometimes, though, the other person doesn't get the hint. if you receive a message from the partner suggesting that he doesn't realize it's over or wants a clear-cut conclusion, then it's your responsibility to respond.

    even if the other person phoned you, a text message or an e-mail is acceptable here-it spares both partners from an emotionally difficult conversation that really isn't necessary after only a few dates.

    this message should include a positive statement about the other person or the time you spent together plus the explanation that the match just wasn't working for you. there's no need to add greater detail about what went wrong-pointing to shortcomings or missteps is more likely to add pain than reduce it.

    examples: "i really enjoyed getting to know you, but i don't think that it was a good romantic match for me"... or "i don't think that the chemistry was working, but you're great and i hope you find the right person."

    four or more dates but still not "exclusive"

    by date four, your partner has invested substantial time and emotional energy in the relationship and has reason to believe that you think the match might work. you owe this person an explanation if you end the relationship.

    what to do: a conversation is required, either in person, by phone or via video chat. you might want to send a text or an e-mail to set up this conversation-"do you have time to talk tonight? there's something i need to discuss." most daters understand what could be coming when they receive a text like this, which gives them a chance to mentally prepare for the coming conversation.

    explain that your feelings "haven't been progressing"...or that you don't see a future together because you "want different things" or "have different interests." as above, add something positive, such as how much you've enjoyed the time you've spent together.

    if this partner wants greater detail about what went wrong, point to areas of incompatibility. example: "i like to go out a lot more than you do. that worked during the pandemic because we couldn't get out much, but eventually either you would get tired of going out or i would get bored staying in."

    don't say, "let's be friends"-it's extremely rare for romantic relationships to transition into nonromantic relationships...and suggesting this might send mixed messages or prolong an uncomfortable situation.

    it's usually best not to be swayed if the partner asks for another chance. your carefully thought-out decision is much more likely than your partner's emotional response to be the better choice. alternative: if your partner responds to the preconversation warning text above by texting back that she would rather that you told her now than wait for a later conversation, she's likely signaling that she would prefer to avoid the unpleasantness of a breakup chat. in this situation, it's acceptable to end the relationship via a follow-up text. mention in this text that you're available for a phone call if she does want to talk about the breakup, although this offer is unlikely to be accepted.

    long-term committed relationships

    if you've been together more than a few months, breaking it off is going to take more than a few minutes and possibly more than a few tears. your partner likely will feel blindsided by the breakup even if it seems obvious to you that the - relationship isn't working. long-term relationships usually end because of a slow accumulation of issues, not a single massive misstep. often, one partner considers this slow accumulation of issues to provide proof that the relationship isn't working...while the other believes that these issues are in the past and assumes the couple has overcome them or underestimates the problems.

    what to do: long-term relationships must be ended in person. have this conversation in a private place that isn't your home-private so that your partner can express his feelings and emotions freely...and not your home so that you can leave afterward. your partner's home often is the best choice. exception: a public setting is justified if you fear that your partner might become violent.

    leave no doubt that the relationship is 100% over. opening the door even a crack for a potential future reunion only makes it harder for your partner to move on. provide a clear explanation that doesn't assign most of the blame to your partner or yourself. examples: "i don't feel in love anymore"..."i think we want different things"..."we fight too much"...or "i can't adapt to your lifestyle."

    don't back down if your partner claims he can change and the relationship can improve. the issues leading to the breakup of a long relationship inevitably have been discussed before. if the situation was going to improve, that should have happened already.

    be patient and understanding if your ex has questions or a strong emotional response. you've been processing the impending demise of the relationship for some time, but it's new and perhaps unexpected for your partner. try not to take it personally or get drawn into an argument if your partner says mean things to you-that's just a reaction to the pain and embarrassment of being rejected. but, if in your opinion, your partner steps over the line from anger to verbal abuse, it's perfectly valid to draw a line. example: you might say, "we can continue to talk, but i won't be yelled at" or "i know i've hurt you, but if you want to keep talking, you have to stop insulting me."

    if you and your partner have possessions in each other's homes, suggest that you arrange the exchange later, perhaps through the mail. or if the breakup conversation occurs in your partner's home, bring a few collapsible bags and say, "i'm going to pack up my things...let me know later how you'd like me to get yours to you!"

    suggest that you and your partner coordinate what you tell shared friends to minimize the breakup fallout. recommend that you both update your facebook relationship status at the same time, for example...and note that when asked about the breakup, you'll say something positive such as, "it just didn't work out. she's wonderful, and we had a good run." criticism of an ex makes both partners look bad.

    take physical cues from your partner during the breakup conversation. it's fine if she reaches for your hand or wants to cry on your shoulder, but inappropriate for the person initiating the breakup to initiate physical contact, even if it's a well-intentioned attempt to provide comfort.

    for the first month following the breakup, try to avoid social situations where you might bump into your ex, if feasible.

  • stonewall jackson

    one of virginia's outstanding officers and a deeply religious man, jackson proved to be a courageous battlefield leader. in the first battle of the war, an officer declared, "there is jackson, standing like a stone wall!" the nickname stuck. jackson's skillful use of speed and surprise fit perfectly with general lee's strategies.

  • racism

    racism is the belief that certain races are superior to others, and that the superior races are entitled to dominate and oppress the inferior ones. racism is often based on the idea that certain physical characteristics, such as skin color or facial features, determine a person's worth and capabilities. racism can manifest itself in many ways, including discrimination, prejudice, violence, and oppression. it is a pervasive problem that has been present throughout history and continues to affect people around the world today.

    while the actions and behaviors associated with racism can be harmful and destructive, they do not necessarily indicate a mental health condition. racism is a complex social and cultural issue that is rooted in historical and systemic inequalities and power imbalances. it is important to address and combat racism through education, awareness, and social and political action.

  • moon

    the moon is the earth's only natural satellite and has long been an object of fascination for humans. here are a few interesting facts about the moon:

    – the moon is about 238,855 miles from earth and has a diameter of about 2,159 miles.
    – the moon has no atmosphere and no water, and its surface is covered in craters and other geological features.
    – the moon's gravity is about one-sixth that of earth, which means that objects on the moon's surface weigh much less than they would on earth.
    – the moon's appearance changes over the course of a month, going from a full moon to a new moon and back again.
    – the moon's surface temperature can range from a high of about 260 degrees fahrenheit during the day to a low of about -280 degrees fahrenheit at night.
    – the moon was formed about 4.5 billion years ago, and its formation is thought to have been the result of a massive impact between earth and another celestial body.
    – humans first landed on the moon in 1969, when the apollo 11 mission successfully touched down on the lunar surface. since then, six more manned missions have been launched to the moon.

  • hasty generalization

    this is an argument that is based on insufficient evidence, resulting in a conclusion that is not supported by the available information. for example, "i met one rude person from france, so all french people must be rude."

  • nazis in the u.s.

    after world war ii, many nazis and collaborators fled europe to escape trial for war crimes. surprisingly, some of them found refuge in the united states. there were a few different ways this happened.

    operation paperclip: this was a secret program in which the u.s. government recruited scientists from nazi germany to work on america's behalf during the cold war. these scientists, some of whom were alleged to have ties to nazi war crimes, were invaluable assets due to their advanced knowledge in rocketry, medicine, and other fields. perhaps the most famous of these was wernher von braun, a former member of the nazi party who played a key role in developing the v-2 rocket during wwii and later became an integral part of nasa's moon landing program.

    intelligence use: the u.s., like many nations during the cold war, was focused on gathering as much intelligence as possible to gain an edge over the soviet union. some former nazis and collaborators were used as spies or informants, despite their criminal pasts.

    immigration: some nazis managed to immigrate to the u.s., often hiding their past affiliations. they lived in the country for decades, typically maintaining a low profile. many were later tracked down and prosecuted or deported, particularly after the formation of the office of special investigations (osi) in 1979, a unit of the department of justice tasked with identifying and expelling former nazis.

    it's important to note that the presence of nazis and collaborators in the u.s. after wwii has been a source of controversy. these events have been subject to numerous investigations and have led to changes in u.s. policies regarding war criminals and immigration. as of my knowledge cutoff in september 2021, these efforts to hold former nazis accountable continued, even as the number of surviving wwii-era nazis dwindled.

  • brave new world

    aldous huxley's dystopian novel published in 1932 has been the subject of debate since its release: is "brave new world" a dystopia or a utopia? to understand the genre of the novel properly, it's essential to look at the characteristics of dystopian fiction:

    – the use of propaganda to control society
    – restrictions on access to information, freedom, and independence
    – society's adulation of a symbolic leader or concept
    – society constantly feeling under surveillance
    – society's fear of the outside world
    – society living in dehumanized systems
    – alienation from and disbelief in nature
    – society conforming to the same expectations, resulting in a lack of individuality and diversity
    – society being a reflection of a perfect utopia

    huxley's novel exhibits all but one of these characteristics. the bokanovsky process and fordism in "brave new world" serve as tools of propaganda to maintain control. the book's representative of these themes is the western european world controller, mustapha mond. throughout the book, we see bans on science and art, and nobody is truly free. there's worship of the concept of fordism. you witness the fear of lenina crowne when she visits the savage reservation with john, who represents the outside world. the characters perfectly conform to the system, indicating the dehumanization of the established order. emotions, pain, or freedoms are absent; instead, they are replaced with sensory films and "soma," a drug they never part without. the isolation of john's place, the savage reservation, is an example of the exclusion of nature. characters are divided into classes, and each class is standardized. lastly, the book gives an air of utopia. except for the characters feeling under surveillance, the book perfectly encompasses dystopian elements.

    the real issue, though, is huxley's choice of a soft dystopia over a harsh one. unlike 1984, where political oppression crushes society, "brave new world" offers its society a "false" happiness. this is what baffles readers and gives a sense of utopia: the characters are happy, but this happiness is tied to the system shaping them from birth and their frequent use of the drug soma.

    in the novel, there is a robotic caste system: people are pre-programmed before birth as alphas, betas, gammas, deltas, or epsilons. alphas are tall, intelligent, and attractive, while deltas are short, programmed for labor, and stupid, with the intelligence of a five-year-old at most. thus, the lower classes, the deltas, and epsilons, are happy.

    in essence, huxley has killed the concept of "human" and replaced it with "human-like robots," creating a utopia-looking dystopia. huxley's message is that it's impossible for humans to create a utopia on their own. if stability and order are desired, personalities must be killed and people must become dependent on drugs. the book lacks art, family, emotions, books, freedom of thought, or science. these are things that the system opposes because a robot does not need these concepts.

    like "1984," "brave new world" contains a totalitarian regime, but instead of using torture like room 101, it aligns its characters with soft methods like the bokanovsky system and soma, yet the result is the same: society loses its freedom. the utopia "brave new world" provides is not for people but for humans who have lost their human traits. this is why huxley includes a character like john the savage. john represents "the human" in every sentence and action against the robotic system. what he tries to convey is that either we live in fake happiness as the system intends, or we feel real happiness like john, but with its pains.

    in the sixteenth chapter, the conversation between john and mustapha mond mentions that they have given up science and art (or, in other words, their humanity) for stability and happiness.

    huxley's model of utopia is a system cleansed of humanity. he does not envision a perfect political structure or educated people like thomas more, but a system that eradicates the self. that's why "brave new world" is a dystopia. replacing tyranny with happiness does not change the fact that it annihilates the human self.

    as stated in the adaptation of the host, which also has a utopic dystopia like "brave new world," "our world had never been so perfect, but it was no longer our world."

  • boris berezovsky (businessman)

    a russian oligarch who played chess with power in the '90s - kingmaker, exile, and enigma. rose with the empire, fell out with the czar, and died wrapped in conspiracy.