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Showing posts from May, 2024

Benedictine and Franciscan Monks: Forgotten Inventors

   Usually, when we think of religious orders, these things come to mind: a cloister, an abbey, a library, prayer in solitude, detachment from the world… All this in the cradle of a period defined as "dark" by historiography up to Romanticism: the Middle Ages . In this period the monks - especially the Benedictines of the various orders - were the custodians of Judeo-Christian but also classical culture, since thanks to their patient and meticulous transcriptions as scribes we have received almost all of the Greek and Latin works which we study today. Today we are grateful to them first of all for this.   However, many do not know that many products - material and immaterial - that we consume and use every day, come from monks who, using their ingenuity nourished by a profound spirituality, invented them due to practical necessities.    Personally, I find it amazing!    Let's begin…   The heavy plow   Plows were a primary agri...

Glitchtale: a corrupted Undertale timeline

Similar to the other fan based alternatives to the Undertale world, Glitchtaleis, an animated series created by Camila Cuevas, builds on the foundation of Undertale while introducing new, intricate plotlines. It expands the original game's narrative, delving into unexplored themes and conflicts. The series masterfully balances action, drama, and emotional moments, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. Each episode reveals new layers to the story, making it a captivating and unpredictable journey for both new and long-time fans. If you want to watch it, go see Camila Cuevas's channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@CamilaCuevas (If you don't know what Undertale is...go check our previous blog!) Traumatized Characters! Glitchtale excels in developing its characters beyond their original portrayals in Undertale. Characters like Frisk, Sans, and Chara are given deeper backstories, motivations, and emotional arcs. This development makes them more relatable and complex, enhancin...

When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?

Have you ever experienced the terrifying sensation of not being able to move when you wake up from sleep? That's called sleep paralysis, and it's a phenomenon that can be both scary and confusing, but it’s actually quite common. During sleep paralysis, your mind wakes up before your body and leaves you temporarily paralyzed. This can go on for just a few seconds or a few minutes. During that time, you may feel like you can’t breathe, hear strange noises, or even see hallucinations. No wonder some people find it to be a truly scary experience! But what if I told you that sleep paralysis can also be a way to achieve something incredible? That’s where lucid dreaming comes in! Lucid dreaming is the ability to become aware that you are dreaming while you are still in the dream. This awareness allows you to control the dream and even interact with it in ways you never thought possible. Some people have reported experiencing lucid dreams during episodes of sleep paralysis. They were a...

Breaking Barriers: The Art and Struggles of Artemisia Gentileschi

   Who is Artemisia Gentileschi? Artemisia Gentileschi was a great artist of the 1600s, who made a name for herself thanks to her extraordinary talent and determination, despite being a woman. Daughter of Prudentia Montoni and the painter Orazio Lomi, she followed in her father's footsteps and then created her own style. Born on July 8, 1593, in Rome, she was a great artist, very underrated because she was a woman, but she continued to pursue her passion. Thanks to her talent, she became a pupil of her father, despite the rarity of women practicing trades such as painting, which were considered purely male domains. Traumatic event that influenced her art In 1612, she was raped by the painter Agostino Tassi, who had raped her the previous year and promised to marry her even though he was already married. Tassi was sentenced to exile, and to avoid the "disgrace," Artemisia married Pierantonio Stiattesi. This horrible event did not stop her from continuing her painti...

A Journey Back To The Past

  Every time I’ve seen a child in this period, I felt a mix of feelings that I couldn’t keep under control. Why did I feel like that? Memories come back to my mind making me feel nostalgic for past times and filling my brain with regretful thoughts. I am envious because children live their childhood unaware of how lucky they are. Adulthood is filled with problems, sadness, anxiety and fears that you have to deal with. Life seems to be made up of a series of labyrinths full of obstacles. You can’t escape them or run away, but you have to try to overcome every obstacle in front of you and find the exit. Taking inspiration from what I have felt in the latest months, I want to focus on one aspect of my childhood that makes positive memories come back to my mind: cartoons and entertainment.  The Impact of TV-Series What kind of cartoons or TV-series did you watch in your childhood? What were your favourite ones? In the last years, cartoons have greatly changed: 3D characters an...

Kendrick vs Drake: Who is Your Pick?

In recent days you will surely have heard about the feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, which involves a whole series of satellite rappers and producers, from Rick Ross to Asap Rocky, from Metro Boomin to The Weeknd.  The feud, dormant for several years, was born from a barbeque from J Cole a few years ago, who defined himself, Drake and Kendrick as the "big three". Like the best of revenge, several years later Kendrick made it known that this personal podium didn't really suit him, thus starting to attack Cole and Drake. If the former, however, at a certain point - after having also published a response track to the first diss, which was subsequently deleted - decided not to take part in the feud, Drake decided to ride as best he could instead, showing us the two sides of the dissing . From Like That, Kendrick's verse in Metro Boomin and Future's album, we arrived at Push Ups, Drake's first response, in which the Canadian mocked Kendrick and those who had ...

It’s Gonna Be Okay

   It is May 2024, about five years since the emergency of COVID-19, and we can still feel the consequences and signs left by this devastating pandemic. Fear, anxiety, depression—this is the legacy of COVID-19. It's an experience we wish to forget due to the losses it caused, but one we must remember for the lessons it taught us. History continuously repeats events, and our generation is certainly not the first to feel the burden of a pandemic. Let’s take a few steps back, about seven centuries… In 1374, during the last year of a long and interesting life, the humanist and poet Francesco Petrarca observed that his society had lived with “this plague, without equal in all the centuries,” for over twenty-five years. His luck and misfortune had been to survive many friends and family who had died before him, many because of this devastating disease. Petrarch, one of the most eloquent voices of his time, spoke on behalf of an entire generation of plague survivors, after the ...

The giants of cinema: a tribute to the most influential directors. Part II.

 Hi everyone, today I would like to talk to you about others 3 great directors.   Alice Guy-Blaché Born in Saint-Mandé, France, in 1873, in 1896 at just 23 years old, she directed her first film, "La Fée aux choux" thus becoming the first female director to direct the first narrative film in history. Among the most famous films we find: ●       Leçon de danse (1897): a comic short film ●       Esmeralda (1905) based on the novel "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" ●       Sappho et Pharaon (1908): a historical film based on Greek mythology. ●       The Mysterious Ray (1913)   Despite her significant contribution, Guy-Blaché's work has often been underestimated and forgotten. Only in recent decades has her figure received due recognition.   Steven Spielberg Steven Spielberg was born in 1946 in Ohio. He is one of the most famous and influential directors, p...

Undertale: The Game that destroyed the Internet

Undertale, developed by Toby Fox, revolutionizes the traditional RPG genre with its unique storytelling and narrative structure. Unlike most games where the objective is to defeat enemies, Undertale emphasizes the importance of choices. Players can choose to befriend or fight monsters, leading to different outcomes and multiple endings. This aspect allows for a deeply personalized experience, as every decision impacts the game's world and its characters, making each playthrough unique. The game's ability to blend humor, emotion, and unexpected twists keeps players engaged and emotionally invested in the storyline. Memorable Characters One of Undertale’s greatest strengths is its cast of memorable characters. From the lovable skeleton brothers, Sans and Papyrus, to the enigmatic Flowey, each character is well-developed with distinct personalities and backstories. The game's writing brings these characters to life, creating a sense of attachment and empathy among players. The...

Dubliners - Top 5 Places to Visit in Dublin

  Dublin, capital of Ireland, is a city filled with rich history, amazing architecture, and a lively atmosphere. Whether you're interested in foods, history or culture, Dublin has something for everyone. Here we have the top 5 places you MUST visit on your trip to Dublin!   Trinity College Founded in 1592, Trinity College its Ireland's oldest university and home ofthe famous Book of Kells. This beautiful library has thousands of ancient manuscripts and is a must-see for any book lover.   The Guinness Storehouse No trip to Dublin is complete without a visit to the Guinness Storehouse! you can learn about the history if Ireland's most famous beer while enjoying a pint with panoramic views of the city.   Phoenix Park Is one of the largest urban parks in Europe, Phoenix Park is the perfect place to escape the messy city life. Walk, cycle, or you can even spot some deers while enjoying the beauty of this green treasure.   Temple Bar If you're looking ...

Ready, Set, Love

THE PLOT 1974. A pandemic had an impact on the population, making the percentage of male births reach 1%. The disease caused abnormal hormonal activity, leading to the female population outnumbering the male one. In order to protect men, the "treasure" of the country, the Thai Government established since 2004 that not only the few men born have to be taken away from their families to live in a locked space called The Farm, but they also have to get married to the winner of the government-sponsored game: Ready, Set, Love. 50 girls have to fight against each other to be the chosen one and get an ambitious prize: getting married and living a comfortable life in The Family, the prototype of the perfect family. What if the system is fixed to make only the girl from The Family win: could a normal girl turn the rule of the game upside-down? THE MODERN HEROINE Ready, Set, Love is a Netflix Thai TV series focused on Day, a girl who was selected to take part in the game. Day d...