Thumb Up Thumb Down Attach media
  • meme

    means breast in turkish.

  • hero

    i can’t tell my hero who they really are to me, because they wouldn’t understand. but my hero has shown me how to love, how to learn, and how to be inspired by someone who doesn’t see themselves as an inspiration. i love them.
    a hero should always be someone who inspires you to be the best version of yourself.

  • language

    the most fascinating aspect of human history

  • battle of the little bighorn

    in 1874, the discovery of gold in the black hills of dakota sent thousands of gold seekers through sacred sioux lands. war parties responded by raiding white settlements. after two years of warfare, a group of sioux and cheyenne warriors confronted a u.s. cavalry column at the little bighorn river in montana territory. instead of waiting for reinforcements, general george a. custer led his 264 troopers into battle. they were surrounded, and every last man, including custer, was killed.

    the battle of the little bighorn was the indians' greatest victory, but it was also their last. by 1881, all the plains tribes had been forced to move to reservations.

  • hideki tojo

    he was the most important military leader in japan after 1931 and led japan during world war 2.

  • users' confessions

    i don't want to be right, i want to be happy!

  • connoisseur

    expert.

  • art

    art is a beautiful lie that makes people see the truth*

  • ron desantis

    ron desantis is an american politician who has served as the governor of florida since 2019. he is a member of the republican party. prior to serving as governor, desantis served as a member of the u.s. house of representatives for florida's 6th congressional district.

    desantis is known for his conservative political views and has aligned himself with the trump administration on a number of issues. he has advocated for lower taxes and limited government intervention in issues such as healthcare and education. desantis has also supported efforts to restrict access to abortion and has opposed efforts to address climate change.

    during his time as governor, desantis has faced criticism for his handling of the covid-19 pandemic, including his decision to not implement a statewide mask mandate and his handling of the distribution of vaccines. he has also faced criticism for his support of controversial measures, such as a voter suppression bill that was signed into law in florida in 2021.

    it is up to individuals to decide whether they believe desantis is a good politician based on their own values and beliefs. it is important to consider a politician's policies and actions when evaluating their effectiveness as a leader.

  • capitalism

    according to karl marx, capitalism is an economic system that is based on the private ownership of the means of production and the exploitation of the working class. marx believed that capitalism was inherently flawed and that it would eventually collapse under the weight of its own contradictions.

    marx argued that the central contradiction of capitalism is the conflict between the bourgeoisie (the owners of the means of production) and the proletariat (the working class). the bourgeoisie seek to maximize profits and accumulate wealth, while the proletariat are exploited and oppressed. this conflict, marx believed, would eventually lead to the collapse of capitalism.

    marx argued that capitalism would collapse as a result of several factors, including:

    the increasing concentration of wealth: marx believed that capitalism leads to the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, while the vast majority of people become increasingly impoverished. this would eventually lead to widespread discontent and unrest among the working class.

    the inherent contradictions of the capitalist system: marx believed that capitalism is inherently unstable and prone to crises, such as recessions and depressions. these crises would become more frequent and severe over time, leading to the collapse of the system.

    the increasing consciousness of the working class: marx believed that the working class would become increasingly aware of their exploitation under capitalism and would eventually rise up against their oppressors.

    marx's prediction of the collapse of capitalism has been a matter of debate and has been interpreted in various ways by different scholars. while capitalism has faced numerous challenges and crises throughout its history, it has also shown a remarkable ability to adapt and change. some argue that marx's prediction of the collapse of capitalism was overly optimistic and that the system has demonstrated a greater resilience than he anticipated. others believe that his prediction was on point and that the current economic and social challenges facing the world are evidence of the inherent weaknesses of capitalism.

  • pooh-pooh

    pooh-pooh is a term that refers to the act of dismissing or belittling something as being unworthy of serious consideration or attention. it can also refer to the act of expressing contempt or disdain for something.

    for example, someone might pooh-pooh an idea or suggestion by saying "that's a ridiculous idea" or "that's not worth considering." this can be done in a dismissive or contemptuous tone of voice, and it conveys the idea that the person believes the idea or suggestion is not worth considering or discussing.

    another example of pooh-pooh might be someone who dismisses a concern or issue as being insignificant or unimportant. for example, someone might pooh-pooh a concern about climate change by saying "it's just a natural cycle" or "it's not a big deal." this can be done in a dismissive or contemptuous tone of voice, and it conveys the idea that the person believes the concern is not worth considering or addressing.

    in order to avoid pooh-poohing something, it is important to consider all ideas, concerns, and issues with an open and respectful mindset, rather than dismissing or belittling them without careful consideration. this can help to create a more open and respectful dialogue, and it can encourage people to consider a wide range of perspectives and viewpoints.

  • virtue signaling

    virtue signaling is the act of expressing opinions or actions primarily to show others that you hold certain values, rather than for the purpose of acting on those values. the term often carries a negative connotation, implying that the person engaging in virtue signaling is doing so primarily to enhance their own reputation or social standing, rather than out of genuine conviction.

    the concept of virtue signaling has been around for centuries. one of the earliest examples can be found in the works of the ancient greek philosopher aristotle, who wrote about the concept of "eudaimonia," or human flourishing. aristotle argued that true eudaimonia could only be achieved by living a virtuous life, and that virtue was a habit that could be cultivated through deliberate practice.

    throughout history, people have engaged in various forms of virtue signaling to demonstrate their commitment to certain values or causes. for example, during the 18th century, wealthy europeans would often make donations to charitable causes as a way of signaling their wealth and status. in more recent times, people might use social media to share articles or memes related to a particular cause or issue, or wear clothing or accessories that display symbols or slogans associated with a particular group or movement.

    however, the concept of virtue signaling has also been criticized for being insincere or superficial, with some people arguing that it is used more as a way to gain social approval or to make oneself feel good, rather than as a genuine expression of belief.

  • signs of a toxic person

    there are many signs that someone may be toxic, and the specific signs can vary depending on the individual and the situation. some common signs that someone may be toxic include:

    – they are constantly negative or pessimistic, and seem to enjoy causing drama or conflict. for example, they might make sarcastic comments or try to stir up arguments with others.

    – they are manipulative or controlling, and try to make others do things their way. for example, they might try to guilt trip others into doing things for them, or use their influence or power to get what they want.

    – they are selfish and only think about their own needs and wants, without considering the needs and feelings of others. for example, they might cancel plans with others at the last minute if something more convenient or enjoyable comes up for them.

    – they are not supportive or understanding, and are unwilling to listen to or help others. for example, they might dismiss others' concerns or problems as being unimportant or overly emotional.

    – they are quick to anger or become aggressive, and may use insults or threats to get their way. for example, they might raise their voice or use derogatory language when they are upset.

    –they are unreliable or irresponsible, and do not follow through on their commitments or responsibilities. for example, they might frequently be late or forget to do things that they said they would do.

  • lectures on russian literature

    in the 18th century, under the personal initiatives of peter the great, a significant wave of westernization swept through russia. the country began adapting western ideas in philosophy, art, and science. russia pursued urbanization and industrialization through a top-down, state-led approach, and these changes significantly influenced art and literature, offering these fields new opportunities.

    the unique conditions of russia blended with western thought to create a distinctive synthesis, carrying both material and spiritual elements. the most striking urban symbol of this synthesis is st. petersburg. it is no coincidence that many of russia's most iconic works of art and literature were created by artists and novelists living in this city, built entirely on a swamp with distinctly western architecture. writers like pushkin, gogol, and dostoevsky produced their extraordinary works in st. petersburg, not only because it was a center of the russian empire but because it represented the intersection of local russian culture and western influence. for the same reason, st. petersburg played a pivotal role in the literary careers of turgenev and tolstoy.

    the "virtuous yet free" 19th century

    in short, russian literature, which produced some of the world's greatest novelists and classics, achieved these feats in just one century and within almost a single city: 19th-century st. petersburg. the 20th-century russian novelist vladimir nabokov, himself born in st. petersburg, attributed another reason to this concentration of literary brilliance: the "incompetence" of 19th-century russian censors.

    according to nabokov, the state censors of 19th-century russia were quick to ban obscene works but often failed to understand subtle political allusions, leaving such writings untouched. while this forced russian authors to write their novels in a "chaste" manner, it also granted them considerable freedom to explore political and social ideas.

    the decline in the 20th century

    the inability of this great literary tradition to sustain itself in the 20th century was largely due to the changing political system. the new soviet regime adopted a highly intrusive and pragmatic approach, controlling nearly every aspect of society.

    following the 1917 revolution, the censorship mechanisms of the ussr became far more sophisticated, complex, and educated compared to those of the russian empire. literature was now subordinated to the needs of the system, and the idea of "art for art's sake" was wholly replaced by the motto "art for the people." any attempt to challenge this new motto was harshly banned or exiled.

    in such a stifling environment, the only widely recognized 20th-century russian authors were system opponents like boris pasternak and vladimir nabokov, who wrote their works abroad. as a result, when most readers think of russian literature today, they typically refer to its 19th-century achievements.

    "the best" in 23,000 pages

    nabokov, who taught literature for many years at cornell university in the u.s. and achieved fame with his novel lolita, focused exclusively on the 19th century in his lectures on russian literature. he claimed that the finest examples of russian prose and poetry collectively amounted to only 23,000 pages—a relatively small volume compared to european and american literature, yet substantial enough to stand alongside them. in his book lectures on russian literature, nabokov's canon includes pushkin, gogol, turgenev, dostoevsky, tolstoy, chekhov, and gorky, suggesting that russian literature is essentially defined by these figures.

    admiration and resentment

    nabokov ranked these authors in order of greatness: tolstoy as the greatest, followed by gogol, chekhov, and turgenev. dostoevsky, conspicuously absent from this list, was the subject of nabokov's peculiar disdain. throughout his lectures, nabokov referred to dostoevsky as a mediocre writer whose works, in his view, lacked artistic value. he famously wrote, "i can't wait to debunk dostoevsky," and described crime and punishment as a "cheap literary trick," notes from underground as "100% banal," the idiot as a "series of clumsy blows rather than an artist's touch," demons as a "play disguised as a novel," and the brothers karamazov as a "detective story in the guise of a novel" or a "peculiar vaudeville script."

    dostoevsky's "best" work is his "worst"

    ironically, nabokov considered dostoevsky's the double—widely regarded as one of his weakest works—to be his best, though he dismissed it as a mere imitation of gogol. nonetheless, many literary critics have argued that nabokov's lolita owes much to dostoevsky's a gentle creature, and that characters like humbert humbert in lolita were inspired by stavrogin in demons and svidrigailov in crime and punishment. this dynamic suggests that nabokov's complex relationship with dostoevsky, marked by both admiration and resentment, may have shaped his personal bias against him.

    nabokov's genius

    despite nabokov's overt hostility toward dostoevsky, the other sections of his lectures on russian literature, recently published in english, offer valuable insights and commentary. his brilliance permeates much of the book, captivating readers and igniting their curiosity. for seasoned readers of russian literature, the book provides a compelling perspective on the trajectory of 19th-century russian authors within the interplay of state, critics, and audiences. however, beginners may find its depth more challenging to navigate.

  • features you want on udictio

    you can suggest new features that you think would improve the platform. whether it's a tool, a function, or something creative, your ideas help shape udictio's future.