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Sunday, March 24, 2024

Father Dante - An Introduction to the Astrolabe, the Medieval Smartphone

A full reproduction of the Sistine Chapel ceiling in a small town in Sussex was hand painted by a sign-painter who never went to art school - The Guardian


Photographer Captures Christ The Redeemer Holding The Moon



Dante was shaped by two deep longings – for Beatrice and for the city of Florence – that together fueled his poetry... 

Dante Alighieri gave a shape to Hell, one that would be further dramatized in MEdia Dragon’s landscapes by Iron Curtains, Mother of Parliament’s Bear Pit and Taxing Jordantown 

Dante’s grave is in a city of Ravenna


The Monster of Ravenna, the Monk Calf, and, of course, the Pope Ass. Why were 16th-century luminaries printing pamphlets on monsters  


Films that promote risk-taking sell more in entrepreneurial societies today, rooted in traditions where characters pursue dangerous tasks successfully.


IF VEGANISM WERE HEALTHY, VEGANS WOULD LOOK HEALTHIER:  Harvard doctor says animal products are essential for mental health – in blow to veganism: ‘The brain needs meat.’ “One study published in 2022 surveyed 14,000 Brazilians between 35 and 74 years old and found those who followed a vegan diet were twice as likely to be depressed — even if they had similar nutrient intakes to carnivores. And a meta-analysis published in 2020 and including 160,000 meat-eaters and 8,500 meat-abstainers also found those who cut meat from their diet were significantly more likely to be depressed.”

That vegans have mental health issues isn’t exactly a shock.


An Introduction to the Astrolabe, the Medieval Smartphone Open Culture


The Most Populous Cities in the World, From 3000 BCE to Today

I’ve always been a little fascinated by the list of the largest cities throughout history, so this animated version from Ollie Bye is right up my alley. While watching, it’s interesting to think about what makes cities grow large at specific times: a mixture of economics, demography, social movements, empire/colonialism, technology, and the like.


Pioneering sociologist Erving Goffman saw magic in the mundane aeon 


James Webb telescope confirms there is something seriously wrong with our understanding of the universe LiveScience 


Lifelong commitment is not what everyone thinks it is. It's not waking up early every morning to make breakfast and eat together. It's not cuddling in bed together until both of you peacefully fall asleep. It's not a clean home and a homemade meal every day. It's someone who steals all the covers or snores like a chainsaw It's sometimes slammed doors, and a few harsh words, disagreeing, and the silent treatment until your hearts heal. Then...forgiveness! It's coming home to the same person every day that you know loves and cares about you, in spite of and because of who you are. It's laughing about the one time you accidentally did something stupid. It's about dirty laundry and unmade beds without finger pointing. It's about helping each other with the hard work of life! It's about swallowing the nagging words instead of saying them out loud. It's about eating the cheapest and easiest meal you can make and sitting down together at 10 p.m. to eat because you both had a crazy day. It's when you have an emotional breakdown, and your love lays with you and holds you and tells you everything is going to be okay, and you believe them. It's when "Netflix and Chill" literally means you watch Netflix and hang out. It's about still loving someone even though sometimes they make you absolutely insane, angry, and hurt your feelings. Who loves you for fat or thin, happy or grumpy, young or old. Living with the person you love is not perfect, and sometimes it's hard, but it's amazing, comforting, and one of the best things you'll ever experience