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Got Hemlock?

Which of Plato's dialogs is concerned with numbers and mysticism? The Platonic dialogue concerned with numbers and mysticism, referred-to as "Plato's number," is enigmatically mentioned by Plato in his dialogue the Republic. The passage is notoriously difficult to understand, and there is no real agreement about the meaning or the value of the number. It has also been called the "geometrical number" or the "nuptial number" (the "number of the bride"). In Plato's Republic, specifically at section 546b, a cryptic reference to a "perfect number" appears in the context of discussing the ideal timing for divine and mortal procreation. The passage suggests that there is a mathematical harmony or cycle governing such events, described in terms of "augmentations dominating and dominated" that reach a state of balance through "three distances and four limits" of assimilation and dissimilation, waxing and waning.  ...

Turgidson Briefs

Search the scene from “Doctor Strangelove” in which George C. Scott says, "Herkliebe -that's a German name, isn't it?" Doctor Strangelove War Room Scene The scene from “Dr. Strangelove” in which George C. Scott's character, General Buck Turgidson, refers to Dr. Strangelove's name as "Herkliebe" (a play on "MerkwĂ¼rdige Liebe," which means "Strange Love" in German) is a notable moment in the film. In the movie, Turgidson questions the origin of Dr. Strangelove's name, saying, "What kind of a Kraut name is Strangelove?" to which the Presidential advisor responds, "He changed it when he became a citizen, it used to be MerkwĂ¼rdige Liebe". This exchange highlights the film's satirical take on the Cold War and the presence of former Nazi scientists in the U.S. military-industrial complex. While the exact video clip of this scene is not described in the provided context, it is a well-known moment in the film, a...

A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

When the Ayatollah issued his Fatwa against Salman Rushdie following the publication of "The Satanic Verses," I couldn't help thinking that it was a publicity stunt. It may be seen as cynical, but I believed the move would have had greater impact on public opinion if the book had been published prior to the Iranian Revolution, or at a later time when it could be viewed as historical fact. Instead, it seemed to me like a calculated attempt by Rushdie to capitalize on a volatile and diplomatically-charged situation for his own personal gain. The Ayatollah, with his reputation for being sensitive and self-aggrandizing, presented an easy target for a provocative statement. It seemed that Rushdie couldn't resist seizing the opportunity. I might be less skeptical if Rushdie were to undergo a polygraph test regarding the ulterior motive I've attributed to him. Did "The Satanic Verses" serve as a personal, targeted assault on the Ayatollah? What specific actions...

Il Mio Consigliere

...I'm searching for publications titled “a friend of the family” A Friend of the Family (miniseries): This is a true story-based miniseries that portrays the harrowing experiences of the Broberg family, specifically focusing on Jan Broberg, who was kidnapped multiple times in the 1970s by Robert Berchtold, a charismatic family "friend." The series delves into the manipulation and psychological damage inflicted by Berchtold, and it highlights the family's struggle and eventual resilience. The story is based on the memoir "Stolen Innocence: The Jan Broberg Story" (2003) by Jan and her mother Mary Ann Broberg, and it expands on the events detailed in the 2017 documentary "Abducted in Plain Sight". ...I am developing an article and considering the title "A Friend in the Family" will it infringe the title "A friend of the Family" A Friend of the Family (novel): This is a literary work authored by Lauren Grodstein. It's a story t...

Ain't no art on the railroad, 'Bo.

Woody Guthrie missed his calling as an artist. In his book “Bound for Glory,” Woody muses on his love for drawing, color, and imagery. He didn't take the route in life of an artist -even if he could have. He had talent. As he writes in his story, it was just one of the roads he could have taken (but didn't.) The many drawings made by Guthrie illustrating his book “Bound for Glory” are proof of his natural talent for art. Lacking only the vital encouragement to get the training needed for an art career, he might have been a historic artist. Woody Guthrie was born in 1912. The year 1912 was, incidentally, the same year Jackson Pollock was born. A coincidence, perhaps; but consider the many similarities between the two rugged, individualistic, and above all independent loners. The main difference was early support and encouragement. In a word: A good home. If anyone had given Woody so much as a box of crayons, when a child, he might have become a famous Abstract Expressionist. Con...

Scandale! Outrageant! Choquant!

The pivotal place of Édouard Manet's 1863 painting, "Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe" is a cornerstone of modern art, particularly in any academic History of Modern Art course. The painting's notorious scandal, which sparked both outrage and fascination, has captivated audiences and sparked the public's engagement in the emerging, new art of the 19th century. By examining the controversy surrounding "Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe," we gain insight into the transformative forces that defined Modern Art. The intersection of traditional representation and innovative techniques in Manet's pathfinding work still serves as a paradigmatic example of the seismic shifts that would come to characterize the movement. At the heart of Édouard Manet's painting "Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe" lies a provocative figure, seated prominently in the foreground, whose unflinching gaze directly engages the viewer. This bold and unconventional depiction of a female s...

Julani and the 40 Thieves

When Abdul Julani became a man he went to his beloved mother and said, “Send me upon the right way. Give me permission to make hijra to Cairo, where I may salaam before the Caliph, and seek tafwid.” His beloved mother cried, but brought out 20 pieces of gold, which was all that his father had left as inheritance. She then permitted Julani to leave, but first she made Julani promise that he would tell the truth and be truthful, whatever happened. She then said: “May Allah protect and guide you, my son. I separate myself from that which is dearest to me for Allah's sake. I know I will not see you again until the day of Last Judgment.”  Julani joined a small caravan going to Cairo. Along the way, a band of 40 highway robbers surrounded the caravan, and robbed the travelers of all they had. When it was Julani's turn one of the bandits approached him and said, “Young man, where are your possessions? You are plainly from a good family, and not poor.” Julani replied, “The gold is up t...