james choice

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

adolescence on netflix: a brutal look at family, trauma, and guilt

"adolescence" is not your typical coming-of-age story. it delivers real-time storytelling that makes you feel the tension and stress alongside the characters. what sets it apart? the central figure isn't the child — it's the father. the show is divided into four episodes, each mirroring the four stages of trauma: shock, denial, blame, and acceptance.

--spoiler--
episode 1 – shock and denial
the father is shaken to his core when his son is accused of murder. his immediate reaction is to defend him — because his son couldn't be a killer, right? he refuses to believe it, convinced that there's some mistake.

episode 2 – blame
the second episode pulls back from the crime and examines the larger social picture. the focus shifts to how the education system and generational disconnect create pressure on kids. the show explores how children face emotional neglect, peer pressure, and a brutal survival hierarchy where bullying becomes a form of dominance. kids who are bullied either shut themselves off from the world or form fragile alliances with other outcasts — a bond that, when broken, leaves them vulnerable and isolated. this isolation and sense of rejection pushes them toward destructive behavior. the lack of connection with parents and the feeling of being unseen create a dangerous emotional void.

episode 3 – adaptation
by the third episode, the child begins to adapt to his circumstances. he grows into his anger and aggression, developing a defensive arrogance that shields him from guilt. he starts blaming everyone but himself — his parents, his peers, the system. the psychologist working with him focuses on deep-rooted issues in his upbringing, suggesting that the parents are to blame for the way he turned out. the father remains loyal to his son despite everything — a reflection of subconscious guilt and a desperate need to protect him.

episode 4 – acceptance and atonement
in the final episode, the child confronts what he's done. he accepts himself for who he is and confesses to the crime — not out of guilt, but as a way of reclaiming his identity and taking control of his narrative. it's less about remorse and more about owning his darkest truth. the father, meanwhile, faces his own guilt. he realizes that he failed his son as a parent, that he made critical mistakes, and that he's partially responsible for what happened. rather than run from it, he chooses to stay in town, fully aware that he'll live under a cloud of suspicion and judgment for the rest of his life. he accepts this as his punishment.

the weight of reality
some viewers have called the show "slow" — but that's the point. a police interrogation that only lasts an hour feels like it drags on for eternity because it's so emotionally charged. the audience feels the weight of the process because the show forces you to sit in the discomfort. it's uncomfortable because it's so real — the kind of nightmare any parent could face.

in the last episode, the family's emotional state is laid bare. they grieve and blame themselves in silence, trying to hold it together. no one wants to be the first to crack, because if one person breaks, the whole fragile structure could collapse. months later, they act like life has returned to normal — but you can sense the tension. a single crack could shatter them forever.

this isn't a show about fantasy or melodrama. it's a brutal, realistic examination of guilt, trauma, and the fallout of a single violent act. the natural dialogue and understated performances make it feel like you're watching real life unfold through a hidden camera. after seeing something this raw, it's hard not to reflect on the distance between reality and the polished fiction we usually see on screen.
--spoiler--

mesa selimovic was born in tuzla (then part of the kingdom of yugoslavia), selimovic was educated in philosophy and literature. his experiences during world war ii, when he joined the partisans (the yugoslav resistance movement), had a profound effect on his worldview.

writing style: selimovic's prose is often introspective, nuanced, and laced with philosophical musings. rather than focusing solely on action-driven plots, he meditates on the nature of identity, freedom, and moral dilemmas.

literary significance: he is widely regarded as one of the greatest bosnian authors, praised for merging local balkan storytelling traditions with universal existential concerns.

why is he important?
psychological depth: selimovic's works delve into his characters' inner lives, revealing profound moral and psychological struggles.

cultural reflection: his novels are deeply rooted in the cultural and historical contexts of bosnia and herzegovina, capturing the region's social fabric, multi-ethnic heritage, and ottoman legacy.

universal themes: while his settings are often geographically and historically specific, selimovic's reflections on power, justice, and self-realization transcend cultural boundaries.

notable works
death and the dervish, 1966
revolves around a dervish (a member of a sufi muslim ascetic order) named ahmed nurudin. he grapples with the imprisonment of his brother by ottoman authorities.

the novel depicts moral quandaries about loyalty, revenge, faith, and the cost of remaining silent. it's often described as a metaphor for living under repressive regimes.

considered selimovic's masterpiece, it presents a philosophical journey examining how fear and power structures corrode personal integrity.

the fortress, 1970
taking place in an ottoman-era balkan town, this story follows a soldier returning from war, struggling to reintegrate into society.

the tension between personal faith and social expectations, the complexities of love and marriage, and the haunting after-effects of war.

alongside death and the dervish, this novel cemented selimovic's reputation for blending historical context with enduring questions about belonging and identity.

tesla's grip on the european ev market just took a serious hit. in january, the company sold only 9,900 units—a staggering 45% drop compared to the same time last year. its market share shrank from 1.8% to just 1%.

this decline comes as ceo elon musk doubles down on his controversial political stances in europe, including backing germany's far-right afd and clashing with the eu. meanwhile, overall ev sales in europe surged by 37%, with chinese automaker saic leading the charge.

keith sapsford was a 14-year-old australian boy whose tragic curiosity led to one of the most haunting accidental deaths in aviation history. in 1970, driven by an adventurous spirit and a longing to see the world, he snuck into the wheel well of a japan airlines plane at sydney airport. as the aircraft ascended, the compartment door opened mid-flight, and he fell to his death from 200 feet.

elon musk’s twitter takeover was one wild ride! it all started back in april 2022 when musk revealed he’d bought a 9.2% stake in twitter, making him the largest shareholder. people were shocked, wondering what his plan was. soon after, twitter’s ceo announced musk would join the board, but then, in true musk fashion, he changed his mind and decided not to join. this left everyone guessing his next move.

not long after, musk dropped a bombshell by offering to buy twitter outright for $54.20 per share, valuing the company at about $44 billion. he said twitter needed to go private to become a true platform for free speech. to fund this massive deal, musk planned to use $21 billion of his own money and got banks to pitch in with $25.5 billion in loans.

twitter’s board wasn’t too keen on this idea initially and put up a “poison pill” defense to stop musk from easily taking over. but as the days went by, they eventually caved in and accepted his offer, probably because the shareholders liked the 38% premium on their shares.

then things started getting messy. musk suddenly announced that the deal was “on hold” because he was worried about the number of fake accounts on twitter. this threw the whole deal into doubt, and some people thought musk was just looking for an excuse to get out or lower the price.

things escalated when musk said he wanted to pull out of the deal, claiming twitter wasn’t being transparent about the number of bots. twitter wasn’t having any of it and took him to court in delaware to force him to go through with the buyout.

just as they were gearing up for a big court battle in october, musk did another 180. he decided to go ahead with the purchase at the original price. by the end of october 2022, the deal was done. musk took over twitter, fired top execs like the ceo and cfo, and immediately started making big changes. he laid off about half the workforce, relaxed some content moderation rules, and even hinted at turning twitter into an “everything app” called x.

now, with a massive debt to handle and some big changes to twitter’s direction, the platform is in a pretty uncertain spot. musk’s moves have made waves, and it’s still unclear where he’ll take twitter (now x) next. it’s been a rollercoaster, and the ride isn’t over yet!

the hawk tuah girl.
(see: hawk tuah)

for those of y'all wondering why this keeps popping up everywhere:

so, this girl haliey welch is out with her friend in tennessee, hitting up the nightlife. they've been drinking blue lagoon cocktails, they're buzzed, and their tongues are blue.

the interviewer asks her, "what's one move in bed that makes a man go crazy every time?" and she gives this viral response:

"oh you got to give him that hawk tuah, spit on that thang"

and then, everyone just bursts out laughing.

her instagram tiktok

ernest shackleton was a prominent british polar explorer renowned for his leadership in the heroic age of antarctic exploration. born in 1874 in county kildare, ireland, shackleton moved to london at a young age. his adventurous spirit led him to join the merchant navy, where he quickly climbed the ranks and developed a fascination with exploration.

shackleton's legacy is largely defined by his leadership in the 1901 discovery expedition and, more notably, the 1907-1909 nimrod expedition, where he and his team set a new record by reaching the latitude of 88 degrees south, just 97 nautical miles from the south pole. this expedition was notable not only for its near success in reaching the pole but also for the spirit of endurance and courage that shackleton instilled in his crew.

however, it is his 1914-1916 imperial trans-antarctic expedition aboard the ship endurance for which shackleton is most remembered. this expedition aimed to achieve the first land crossing of antarctica. the endurance became trapped in pack ice and was eventually crushed, leading shackleton and his crew on a harrowing saga of survival. displaying extraordinary leadership, shackleton led all 28 of his men on a perilous journey over ice and open sea to safety. notably, he managed to keep his crew motivated and alive for over 500 days in the brutal conditions of the antarctic, a testament to his remarkable skills in crisis management and leadership.

shackleton's approach to leadership, characterized by his commitment to his crew's welfare and morale, his capacity to adapt to changing circumstances, and his unyielding perseverance, has become a model in both leadership studies and popular culture. his ability to foster deep loyalty and optimism among his men under the most adverse conditions is often cited as a benchmark of great leadership.

despite his financial troubles and less successful later ventures, shackleton's exploits during the heroic age of exploration have immortalized him as a model of courage and endurance against overwhelming odds. his final expedition, the quest, ended with his death in 1922 from a heart attack while his ship was moored in south georgia. yet, ernest shackleton's legacy lives on, inspiring not only future explorers but also leaders in all fields who seek to embody his indomitable spirit.

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.

elvis presley's "suspicious minds" is a masterpiece for a number of reasons. it is a perfectly constructed pop song, with a catchy melody, driving beat, and soaring vocals. the lyrics are both relatable and universal, exploring the themes of jealousy, insecurity, and the importance of trust in a relationship.

the song was also a critical and commercial success, winning a grammy award for best male pop vocal performance in 1969. it reached number one on the billboard hot 100 chart in the united states and the uk singles chart, and has since been covered by numerous artists.

here are some of the things that make "suspicious minds" a masterpiece:

the song's structure is perfect. it begins with a simple, yet haunting melody, which is gradually joined by the beat and other instruments. the song builds to a climax in the chorus, with elvis's vocals soaring over the top.

the lyrics are both relatable and universal. they explore the themes of jealousy, insecurity, and the importance of trust in a relationship. everyone can relate to feeling suspicious of their partner at some point, and elvis's vocals convey this emotion perfectly.

the song's production is top-notch. the sound is clean and crisp, and the arrangement is well-balanced. elvis's vocals are the star of the show, but the other instruments provide excellent support.

numbers, awards, and fun facts about "suspicious minds":

the song reached number one on the billboard hot 100 chart in the united states and the uk singles chart.

it won a grammy award for best male pop vocal performance in 1969.

it has been covered by numerous artists, including aretha franklin, mark james, and fine young cannibals.
the song was featured in the film "home alone" (1990).
in 2004, rolling stone magazine ranked "suspicious minds" number 91 on its list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.
fun fact: the song's original title was "can't help falling in love". however, elvis presley's manager, colonel tom parker, suggested that the title be changed to "suspicious minds", as he thought it would be more appealing to the public.

the 2024 united states presidential election is scheduled for tuesday, november 5, 2024. voters will elect a president and vice president for a term of four years.

the incumbent president, joe biden, has announced that he is running for re-election. his predecessor, donald trump, has also announced that he is running for re-election to a second, nonconsecutive term. a number of primary election challengers have also declared their candidacies for the nomination of both major parties.

the 2024 election is expected to be a close race, with biden and trump as the two leading contenders. other potential candidates include florida governor ron desantis, former south carolina governor nikki haley, and former secretary of state mike pompeo.

steve jobs, the co-founder of apple inc., is undoubtedly one of the most iconic figures in the realm of technology. known for his innovative ideas and remarkable design aesthetics, jobs revolutionized the way we interact with technology.

but, what made steve jobs steve jobs? what were his daily habits, idiosyncrasies, and fun facts that might surprise you? let's delve into the unseen side of this tech mogul.

distinctive dress code
one of steve jobs' most noticeable habits was his distinctive and consistent dress code. he was almost always seen wearing a black turtleneck from issey miyake, blue levi's 501 jeans, and new balance 991 sneakers. this became his uniform, eliminating the need for decision-making about what to wear each day, freeing up his mind for more important decisions.

tech-free home
ironically, steve jobs, the man who put technology at the fingertips of millions, maintained a tech-free environment at home. he believed in the importance of face-to-face interaction and limited the use of technology, particularly for his children. instead of ipads and iphones, dinner table conversations and books were the norms in the jobs' household.

passion for zen buddhism
jobs had an intense interest in zen buddhism, which greatly influenced his life and work. he traveled to india in his youth to seek spiritual enlightenment and even considered becoming a monk. his minimalist design aesthetic at apple was greatly influenced by zen principles.

vegetarian and fasting
jobs was a strict vegetarian, and he often adhered to extreme diets, sometimes eating just one or two types of food, like apples or carrots, for weeks on end. he also practiced routine fasting and believed that his diet helped to fuel his creativity and keep his mind sharp.

walking meetings
rather than traditional sit-down meetings, jobs preferred walking meetings. he believed that walking sparked creativity and led to more productive conversations. this was a habit he maintained throughout his life.

early bird
steve jobs was a known early riser. he believed in starting his day early, reportedly waking up at 6 am. he would start his day by looking at himself in the mirror and asking, "if today were the last day of my life, would i want to do what i am about to do today?" if the answer was 'no' too many days in a row, he knew he needed to make a change.

the apple in apple inc.
here's a fun fact: when deciding on a name for their company, steve jobs and steve wozniak considered a few different options. jobs had just returned from an apple farm, and he suggested the name 'apple' as he thought the name sounded "fun, spirited, and not intimidating."

it's interesting to see that the man who brought us some of the most advanced technology in the world was, in his daily life, quite simple and minimalist. from his zen buddhism influences to his distinctive attire, steve jobs' life was full of fascinating habits and fun facts that contributed to his unique character. a blend of complexity and simplicity, his lifestyle continues to inspire and intrigue people all over the world.

droit du seigneur, also known as "the right of the first night," was a feudal practice in medieval europe in which a lord or nobleman had the right to sleep with a subordinate woman on her wedding night. the lord or nobleman would typically demand that the woman spend the night with him before consummating her marriage with her husband. this practice was considered a privilege of the feudal lord and was often enforced through intimidation or force.

although there is some debate among historians as to whether the droit du seigneur was ever actually practiced, it has been immortalized in literature and popular culture. one of the most famous examples is in the play "the marriage of figaro" by pierre beaumarchais, which was later adapted into the opera "the barber of seville" by gioachino rossini. in the play, the character of count almaviva attempts to exercise his right of the first night with figaro's fiancee, susanna, but is ultimately foiled by the clever schemes of the other characters.

another example of droit du seigneur can be seen in the legend of robin hood. according to some versions of the legend, robin hood's love interest, maid marian, was to be married to the sheriff of nottingham, who planned to exercise his right of the first night with her. robin hood intervenes and saves maid marian from the sheriff's clutches, leading to their eventual marriage.

in modern times, the droit du seigneur is widely regarded as a myth or a cultural trope rather than a historical fact. however, it continues to be referenced in popular culture and serves as a symbol of the abuses of power and privilege that have occurred throughout history.

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.