Today I want to talk about Socks. Men and women.
Boring, eh?
Well…
Well, it doesn’t have to be. Yeah, Most of my socks are dark, and dark colors. But the fun socks need some attention. And so… please enjoy this tribute to fun socks.
LOL! It’s great. Don’t you think?
Fantastic. Today…
The Most Convincing Time Traveler Stories Ever Told
Trump claims China stole U.S. many technologies and secrets. Will he order the arrest of Xi Jinping?
He might
He is just crazy enough to do anything at this stage without any consequences
Good news is the more he does , the more the FEAR of Trump starts evaporating
Adolf had the same personality
Stalin was terrified of the man and always wanted to placate him
However once survival of the USSR and the CPSU and the legacy of the Revolution was at stake , the Soviets decided to “Fight or Die”
Chinese, Russians, Koreans, Afghan Pathans, Iranians are all capable of the same fight or die attitude
Right now China believes confrontation is not wise, preferring to make confrontation so expensive and painful to the US that US would avoid confrontation with China at all costs
However once China feels THE EXISTENCE OF THE COUNTRY, THE CPC AND THE REVOLUTION ARE AT STAKE, they will fight back at all costs, willing to die to the last man
The same 1950–1953 Korean War scenario
The same Stalingrad scenario
Americans are bullies and they can’t fight against such people
Americans rely on Corruption, Inefficiency, Laziness and Weakness of other people to topple regimes and wage war
Fighting a Peer power with a will to fight and with civilization pride is something the US simply cannot do and it will have to back down completely or go for a nuclear escalation which will result in the end of the world as we know it
Indians, Pakistanis, Most Arabs, Africans – they are the weaker people. The Colonials. They would fold and submit rather than fight to the death.
So Trump would prefer to bully them far more
Bullying Saudi or India would be more productive than bullying Iran or Afghanistan
Xi is one of the strongest men in the world today
He belongs to a 5000 year old civilization, that SURVIVED the worst riots, civil wars, humiliation, chaotic brutal invasion and occupation, new civil wars and brutal cold weather conflicts against the US and India
His DNA is different
Mistaking his restraint for cowardice is flawed at every level
In fact the more restraint China shows in face of this insanity of Trump, the more Xi wins on the Global stage
Two paths to informality..
| Last week I examined how Europe’s financial surveillance turns family gifts into matters for state scrutiny. This week, I explore an even more uncomfortable truth: comprehensive surveillance doesn’t work. |
| Italy’s shadow economy has grown to 21.6 per cent of GDP despite decades of monitoring infrastructure. Germany and France show similar trends. Meanwhile, China actively encourages street vendors and informal commerce, treating it as social good rather than tax evasion. |
| The comparison is stark. Southern European nations with extensive banking surveillance maintain larger informal sectors than China, where enforcement is selective and tolerance deliberate. One Chinese city created 100,000 jobs overnight simply by permitting street stalls. |
| Perhaps the question isn’t how to eliminate shadow economies, but whether the attempt is worth the cost. |
| Read the full analysis: https://yellowlion.org/black-money-and-the-shadow-economy/ |
| After reading, we warmly invite you to share your opinion in the comments below the article.Let’s start an honest conversation. Let us know what you think! Join the discussion below the article! |
_____________________________
Frans Vandenbosch 方腾波
Vlaanderen, Europa
+32 493557799
+86 136 8316 8952
https://yellowlion.org/
WeChat: FangTengBoo
Don’t Greenlanders see how far South Korea and Taiwan have come with the support of the USA? What has tiny Denmark ever given Greenland, and what could it possibly offer?
S Korea
SK loses its strategic sovereignty. It must do what US wants. It is politically incorrect to be pro-China.
The new SK pres Lee said: China is the 2nd largest economy in the world. I would like to do business with China. If this is called pro-China, then I am pro-China. … see the US pressure on SK?
N & S Korea was 1 country before with 1 ethnicity. Now that NK has nukes, SK really wants to reunify with NK for protection. Apparently, US wont let SK do so.
Yeah, US did help SK build its economy to prosperity. “Whatever people gives you, they can get it back anytime.” is the motto.
During Biden era, Biden asked SK’s Samsung to move to USA. (Not quite complete yet)
In Trump 2.0 in the trade-tariff war, Trump makes SK invest $350 bn in USA while SK only has about $400 bn in central bank, Lee told Trump. By installment then, Trump said. Out of the investment, US will get 90% of the profit & SK, 10%. Really, is there any (voluntary) investor doing such stupid business?
On top of the investment, there is a 15% or 19% of tariff on SK. … US is to hollow out SK economy.
Taiwan
Same for Taiwan. $250 bn investment + move of its TSMC to USA +15% tariff. … US is to hollow out Taiwan.
At one time, Taiwan under Chiang wanted to make nukes but was stopped with threat by USA. … cant make your own weapons. Must buy USA’s out-of-date weapons.
Japan
With US financial help, in the 1970–80’s, Japan was the 2nd largest economy in the world. Its semiconductor industry surpassed USA. Then in 1985, US beat down Japan & forced Japan to sign a Plaza Accord. Japan has lost 30 years’ of advancement. Its manufacturing is doomed. No more semiconductor. Only car industry is left.
In the 2025 trade-tariff war, Trump made Japan invest $550 bn in USA + 15% tariff + open its market to US esp car & rice which are the 2 things left for Japan. … again US is to hollow out Japan.
Latin America
Under Monroe Doctrine, the entire Latin was controlled/neo-colonised by USA. Any Latin nation is economically doing well? None. Despite their rich natural resources.
Why are there so many illegal immigrants in USA? Because USA made the entire Latin poor. It is until China has risen up that Latin nations start to do business with China. But … Trump announced his Donroe Doctrine & wants all Latin nations to stop doing business with China or to join China’s BRI project to modernise their infrastructure. … Latin is going to be poor & stay under-developed again.
Greenland
Will the same happen to Greenland? Dont know. But remember the motto: whatever people gives you, they can take it back anytime. You can never be strong because MAFIA USA WONT LET YOU.
Why is Star Trek III: The Search for Spock considered “bad”? 31 more answers
Imagine that a three-starred Michelin chef cooks you the world’s greatest ever steak. The inside is cooked to absolute perfection. The seasoning is an immaculate blend of herbs and spices gathered from across the world. It comes to you sizzling in its own juices and filling your nose with an exquisite smell that opens your nostrils and fills your mouth with expectation.
And alongside that steak is a pile beautifully creamy mash potato, finely cut fries, cooked vegetables picked at the height of their freshness. And a cool, crisp beer to wash it all down with.
And then, the very next day, you go back to that chef, desperate for more… and he gives you a Big Mac. Not the Big Mac from the poster either. An actual Big Mac.
Now… I happen to really like Big Mac’s. There is no Big Mac hate to be found here. But its not a steak. And The Search For Spock is not The Wrath of Khan for the latter is widely considered to be Star Trek’s highest point. Its zenith. Its swansong. Maybe even one of the best science fiction films of all time to be spoken of in the same breath as Aliens or The Empire Strikes Back.
It was impossible to follow up The Wrath of Khan. It was too good. And that is a very sad state of affairs because imo The Search For Spock is excellent.
Script writers take note: Right here is the blueprint for bringing a character back from the dead without detrimentally removing the stakes of your story. Kirk, in his pursuit to rescue his friends, loses his son, loses his daughter (the Enterprise), and would have lost his career if it was not for the Whale Probe.
Kirk bleeds to save Spock and McCoy’s lives. And he never stops bleeding. Even as late as The Undiscovered Country (which in-universe is like a decade later) he has never gotten over the events of this film.
William Shatner’s acting can be a mixed bag, but when he’s on fire, he is like a supernova.
Attractive Older Men? Male Attractiveness and Aging
Guess who was voted the sexiest man of the year in 1989?
And the sexiest man of the century in 1999?
Sean Connery.
And do you know how old he was when he was voted the sexiest man on Earth?
59.
That’s right – women voted a 59-year-old man as sexier than any other man on the planet.
This might be surprising to a lot of men who think that after 40, male attractiveness takes a nose-dive.
Sure – there are a lot of men who give up on their personal presentation around that age but it doesn’t have to be that way.
In this article, I’m going to give you 5 tips to maintain your attractiveness past the age of 40.
We’ll also discuss male sex appeal and how it’s affected by getting older.
Hot Older Men Traits: Introduction
I’ve had a number of older men approach me on this issue.
Some were men who’d gone through a divorce or were recently widowed, but most questions came from men aged 40+ who were trying to figure out how they could stand out as a distinguished gentleman.
They generally asked similar questions:
- How can I start dressing in a certain way?
- How can I start to use style?
- How can I date younger women without people asking me “oh, is this your daughter?”
Hot Older Men Traits: At What Age Does A Man Look His Best?
I recently found a British study that showed the median age in which a man starts to make the crossover into being considered older is 39.
It’s at this point, men start to worry about being unattractive or “old looking.”
And it’s not just single gentlemen. Take me for example. Even though I’m happily married to an amazing woman, I still want to appear attractive.
Attractiveness is not just about attracting women. It’s about appearing strong and masculine so that you can attract business partners and clients.
When people see you, you want them to be attracted to you on all levels.
Without debating the morality or fairness of it, multiple studies have shown that attractive people are hired sooner, promoted faster, and earn as much as 4% more than their less-attractive counterparts.
When you’re perceived as attractive, you’re seen as more open and approachable and therefore have a better chance of being exposed to more people, including potential clients and business partners.
So while the following 5 tips were originally developed for older gentlemen concerned by their appearance, they’re also applicable to men at any stage of life.
Hot Older Men Traits: How To Look Attractive As An Older Man
#1 Attractive older men look available
A lot of the men I spoke to were recently divorced and were in their mid-forties.
After almost a lifetime of their spouse looking after them and choosing their clothes, these guys found that not only did they lack personal presentation, they had no idea how to improve it.
Some of them went through a long time period during which they simply didn’t care about their appearance, and as a result, their confidence was way down. They certainly didn’t consider themselves attractive older men.
Whether you’re 40, 50, 60, or 70+, the first step is for you to figure out how to look presentable so that when you walk into a room, women will look at you and quickly determine: “Hey, this guy is on the market. He looks interesting.”
Women are less concerned about age than men are. It’s not something that will turn them off.
It’s your appearance that counts in this situation. A lot of very attractive women like attractive older men but they make the assumption that an older man is no longer available, and the reason is that for the most part – it’s true.
Most single women know that men past the age of 40 are married or involved in long-term relationships.
#2 Attractive older men dress the part
So now you need to send a crystal-clear signal that you’re available. Since it’s the first thing women notice, you have to dress the part.
Basically, attractive older men start by dressing like a man, not like someone who buys his clothes in a cheap outlet store.
Throw on that sports jacket you never wear (you may have to dry-clean it), or if you’re not into sports jackets, start wearing more casual button-up shirts that are going to show that you care about yourself and that you haven’t given up on life.
Lose the sneakers and pull on a pair of smart dress shoes or Chelsea Boots. Combine this with chinos or dress pants, and you’ll instantly look 100x better.
For added flair – and to really stand out as a distinguished gentleman – add a pocket square.
#3 Attractive older men understand the importance of grooming
Pay careful attention to your grooming. Make sure you read my article on the 7 Grooming Mistakes Men Make.
You tend to sprout hair from everywhere as you grow older so have to make sure you have impeccable grooming habits.
The means trimming your nose hair and eyebrows, investing in a skincare routine (and sticking to it). Wash your face morning and night, use an exfoliator, and follow up with a moisturizer.
It’s not as difficult or complex as you think, once you get into the swing of things.
Trust me – attractive older men take care of themselves, and women notice!
#4 Believe it or not, attractive older men might dye their hair
A lot of men start to go gray around the age of 30. There’s nothing wrong with this but if you’re going prematurely gray, or if you’re 50+ and you’re looking to date a woman in her 20s or 30s, you may wish to dye your hair.
You’ve got two options. Dye it yourself at home or go to a salon.
The problem with dyeing your hair at home is that there’s a good chance you’ll come away with a solid shade of completely unnatural-looking hair. Not a good look.
The most important thing when it comes to dying your hair is that it has to look natural.
My advice when you’re starting off? Head to the salon. You can be as forthright as you’re comfortable with but you want to relay to them that you want to upgrade your look and you’re interested in dying your hair for that purpose.
Once you’re committed to dyeing your hair, you have to keep this up regularly. If you don’t, you’ll look odd when your natural hair color starts growing back in and displacing the colored hair.
I have a friend that’s married to a beautiful Russian woman 25 years younger than he is. In all the time I’ve known him, I never thought about it and then it dawned on me that he’s been dyeing his hair for a long time.
I should have known but I simply wasn’t paying attention. One day it just struck me and I said to him: “Wow! Good job, Roger.”
Though I’ve mentioned 50s and 60s, there is absolutely no reason you shouldn’t continue doing this into your 60s or 70s, or to start doing it at that age.
More important than anything else is to make sure you have fun. This is something you do for yourself and you don’t have to worry about what other people are going to say or think.
If dying your hair makes you feel more confident or younger – go for it.
#5 Attractive older men take care of their bodies
Nothing makes a man look older than if he’s carrying on a lot of extra weight, especially in the face.
If you start getting a double chin, you need to reconsider how you’re taking care of your body.
The number 1 thing you can do to help is to watch what you eat.
There are some fantastic resources out there, and one I can recommend is Abel James at Fat-Burning Man – a personal friend with great free podcasts, books, and other resources that you can use.
Just make sure you pay attention – you’re never going to be able to outrun your mouth when it comes to the food you put into it.
The second part of taking care of your body is to exercise.
It’s essential that you don’t just focus on one thing, so if you usually just do cardio, try adding some weight training and vice versa.
There’s tons of information out there, so you have no excuse. Some of your options are:
- Join a gym
- Join a specific fitness program
- Get a personal trainer
- Work with a dietitian
Whatever you decide on, you have to focus on getting your body in shape if you’re an older guy who wants to attract women.
Hot Older Men Traits BONUS: Take care of your teeth
Like many other things, time takes its toll on the teeth. You’ll find your teeth yellowing as you grow older.
No woman is attracted to unhealthy, yellow-looking teeth.
If you used to smoke or have just neglected your teeth in the past, you’re probably going to want to look at something like getting your teeth whitened.
Be sure to talk to your dentist, and if you have terrible teeth and a bit of money, you may want to consider veneers as an option.
Veneers are a unique way of upgrading your teeth and this will go a long way towards making you look more attractive.
Hot Older Men Traits BONUS #2: Take care of your skin
I touched upon this earlier but if you’re already in your 50s or 60s and you’ve neglected your skin in the past, this is going to be a bit tougher.
You’ll have to consider products that have ingredients like retinol DMAE, MSM, and ARGIRELINE.
These ingredients will help you improve the condition of your skin.
No idea what I’m talking about? Go read my article Man’s Guide to Lotion | How to Buy Men’s Face and Body Products.
If you’re in your 30s or 40s, you have a bit more leeway, but you should immediately start paying attention to looking after your skin. Your future self will thank you!
Finally… Attractive Older Men Are Confident!
One of the great things about getting older is that you’ve been through life, and you’ve become a lot more confident. And this is a great thing.
You’ve started to break away from the mainstream, and you begin to realize this is your one shot in life.
Make sure you capitalize on this confidence.
Know that you’re going to have a great time and go live your life the way you want to. And stop worrying about the opinion of others.
And don’t make the mistake of ignoring ladies your own age. You may well find that you find a gem there that you won’t find in a younger companion.
Some guys don’t get it right. Find out why men are giving up on dating so you don’t make the same mistakes.
Why were Egyptian chariots so deadly against enemies? What is the difference between Egyptian chariots and Chinese chariots?
To this day, historians have not reached a consensus on how chariot warfare in the Bronze Age actually worked. The problem is that there’s actually very few surviving records of chariot tactics or combat. Much of what we have comes from The Iliad, and that’s only relevant to Mycenean chariot warfare.
In The Iliad, chariots are never used as actual combat vehicles, rather they’re used as battle taxis. High-ranking warriors ride them into battle, dismount, fight a bit, then ride away. But this all might have been only true for Mycenean chariots. Egyptian and Shang/Zhou Dynasty chariot warfare may not have been the same.
One of the few instances where chariots are mentioned in The Iliad is the scene where Achilles desecrates the corpse of Hector by dragging it around in his chariot around the walls of Troy.
—
Egyptian art always depicts chariot riders as archers first and foremost. However, most of these reliefs show hunting scenes, not combat scenes. It’s debatable whether the chariot would have made a good archery platform given the lack of an effective suspension, and the huge target that it made for enemy archers on foot. A single arrow hit on just one of the horses would be devastating.
This New Kingdom example shows Egyptian chariots used in warfare. But the image is highly stylized and gives no solid idea on its actual combat tactic.
—
From China we have yet another type of chariot. However, it is important to remember that the vast majority of surviving Chinese chariot research derives from Warring States era artifacts. The Warring States was an Iron Age event, not Bronze Age. In fact, part of the reason why the Warring States devolved into such colossal violence was because of iron.
It’s been theorized that by the Warring States period, chariots were no longer used in combat due to the prevalence of pikes and crossbows which hard-counter chariots.
As for Chinese chariot tactics during the actual Bronze Age… we know very little.
—
Personally, I lean on this theory:
Chariots were used in 3 ways:
- Skirmishing platforms, similar to horse archers. Ideal for use against tight infantry formations, especially if they lack their own foot archers.
- Battle taxis
- Pursuit and scouting
This makes the most sense to me based on the tactics used in later periods. Overall, I think it’s a topic that will never be fully resolved due to a lack of primary sources. The Bronze Age was a long, long time ago.
What are some heartwarming or surprising moments bartenders have shared with their patrons? 2 more answers
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About 3 years ago, when I first started working at the bar, an elderly gentleman started coming in every weekend. He’d sit at the bar, sometimes staring at his beer, at other times just watching the crowd. He’d always smile and say thanks when he ordered. Never said much more than that. Over the weeks I started to notice that he always seemed sad. I started to make more of an effort to chat. It started small, just the regular weather and sport stuff nothing major, but as I got to know him I discovered an incredibly interesting man. He is a fourth generation miner in Kalgoorlie. He had worked the mines for 60 years. He was now transforming beat up old cars in retirement at the age 76. And then he broke my heart. He had started coming into the bar because he was finding it hard to stay at home. His beautiful wife had passed away and being in the house alone was too hard. His children were grown and had moved away. He was lonely. It explained a lot. I asked my grandpa to come into the pub one weekend. My grandpa is retired from the mines and has a passion for old Holdens and motorcycles. He sat with Charles. Within hours the two of them were joking about women, the good old days when men were tough, and cars. Charles actually had a proper laugh for the first time which was really nice to see. My Grandpa and Charles, Charlie as he prefers, are now thick as thieves. They work on their cars together and often come into the pub for a beer. Charlie is one of my favourite people. He spent Christmas with my family last year. You never really know what a person is going through in this life. Sometimes a little kindness can change a person’s life for the better.
Amateur observer of world history
America watched a war hero fall. What most people did not see was democracy being saved in real time.
April 1951. The Korean War was raging, and President Harry Truman made a decision that detonated across the country. He fired General Douglas MacArthur.
MacArthur was not just another general. He was a living legend. The man who had waded ashore in the Pacific during World War II. The commander who accepted Japan’s surrender. To millions of Americans, he was untouchable.
Truman was the opposite of untouchable. He was unpopular, plainspoken, and already under pressure from a grinding war that no one could clearly define or win.
For months, tension had been building behind closed doors.
MacArthur openly rejected Truman’s strategy of limited war in Korea. He wanted escalation. He wanted to bomb Chinese bases. He wanted to expand the conflict into China, even if it meant risking a much larger war with catastrophic consequences.
And he did not keep those views private.
MacArthur criticized the president publicly. He wrote letters to members of Congress attacking White House policy. He spoke as if military commanders, not elected leaders, should decide national strategy.
This crossed a line that mattered far more than personal rivalry.
In the American system, the military does not set policy. It obeys civilian authority. That principle is not symbolic. It is foundational.
MacArthur was challenging it in full view of the world.
Truman understood the stakes. If a general could openly defy a president during wartime and remain in command, then civilian control of the military would become optional. Popular generals could override elected leaders simply by appealing to the public.
That is how republics break.
So Truman acted.
On April 11, 1951, he relieved Douglas MacArthur of all his commands.
The reaction was explosive.
Truman’s approval ratings collapsed. Protesters flooded the streets. MacArthur returned home to a hero’s welcome and addressed Congress in a dramatic speech that ended with thunderous applause.
The political cost to Truman was enormous. Many believed his presidency would not survive the decision.
But quietly, someone who understood power and war better than almost anyone else agreed with him.
Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Eisenhower had served under MacArthur. He knew his brilliance and his flaws. He also knew exactly how dangerous it was to allow military leaders to shape national policy.
Privately, Eisenhower supported Truman’s decision. He believed that preserving constitutional authority mattered more than popularity, loyalty, or public anger.
Years later, history would agree.
At the time, firing MacArthur looked reckless. It looked weak. It looked like betrayal of a national hero.
With distance, it looks very different.
Historians now widely regard Truman’s decision as one of the strongest assertions of civilian control over the U.S. military in modern American history. It reaffirmed that no general, no matter how celebrated, outranks the Constitution.
Truman sacrificed his popularity to protect a principle that does not defend itself.
He reminded the nation that wars are not run by generals alone. They are directed by elected civilians accountable to the people.
MacArthur was a hero.
Truman was a president.
And in that moment, the presidency mattered more.
Democracy survived not because the decision was popular, but because it was necessary.
Sometimes the most consequential acts of leadership look like political suicide in the moment.
And sometimes history thanks you for them later.
What are some interesting modern social experiments?
Lewis Terman studied 1500 “gifted children”.
Not just for a year, or five years, or even just a decade… he tracked them for a lifetime. The 1500 test subjects in his “Genetic Studies of Genius” were all born between 1903 and 1921, and each child was tested to have an IQ of 135 and above. They were re-tested as teenagers and adults, and their whole lives were recorded.
Terman wanted to study whether or not “gifted” children were the weak, scholary types people assumed them to be — his goal was to either prove or debunk this theory. And he found that these highly intelligent children were, on average, taller than their non-gifted peers, that they tended to be every bit as healthy, tended to have excellent social skills as opposed to the “confused bookworm” stereotype and that they tended to live healthy and productive lives. After Terman died, other scholars continued interviewing the test subjects, whom they humorously dubbed “the Termites”.
By the early 2000s, only about 200 of the original test subjects were still alive. And by 2019, every single one of them had died; some had lived to be well over a 100. It is, to this day, the most comprehensive studies ever done on a large group of people for the duration of their entire lives.
DANGER: UNSTABLE GROUND
Written in response to: “Imagine a world where exploration is forbidden, and write a story about a character who defies this rule to satisfy their innate curiosity.“
🏆 Contest #247 Winner!
Madeline McCourt
Tori clicked the stopwatch in her hand and began to count aloud. By the time she reached seven, the organisms were up to his wrist. He withdrew his hand. The seal on the opening caught most of the dirt and held it back, to the irritation of the organisms. He held his hand away from him, not trusting it. Tori latched the contained shut quickly. Someone on the outside of the chamber switched it on. They held their breaths as the oxygen rapidly drained from the room. A loud whirring assaulted Charlie’s ears. His chest tightened. For a minute they all felt like they were suffocating, then it abruptly stopped and the doors to the lab popped open. Oxygen flooded back in. Charlie sucked in a deep breath.
He examined his hand. It was tingling and covered in little red blotches, but otherwise, he was fine. No damage had ever been recorded from less than ten seconds of exposure. Charlie glanced at the other set of doors over his shoulder. The ones that opened onto the ramp that led down to the ground. He longed to go through them, wanted to dig his hands in the ground and laugh as the organisms consumed him. He turned and walked back into the lab.
A month later he was given a protective suit and given the chance to wear it for the first time. He and Tori had been assigned to walk, outside, to a big oak tree and back. Charlie was thrilled. He stepped into the suit and pulled it up over his arms. A tech zipped him in and checked him over. The suit was a stiff layer of slick rubber designed to lack tread so the organisms wouldn’t be able to climb against gravity. The boots they were given were thick and clunky. They were tall, reaching up to his knees like a pair of extra-long rain boots. A device attached to the top of the boot sent out vibrations that they’d found would deter the organisms. The hood of the suit came up over his head and the visor was clicked into place. He saw the world through a glass partition.
Then they were in the chamber and the doors behind them were closing. It was midday and the sun was shining. A breeze spirited a few brown leaves past the glass. The doors to the ramp opened. Charlie stepped out first. His heart pounded in his chest. It was right there, the ground. He walked quickly down the ramp, Tori following behind him at a more reserved pace. He paused at the end of it. The dirt was disturbed, as it always was when the organisms were present. It looked almost fluffy.
Charlie took a deep breath and lifted one foot. He lowered it slowly to the ground, enjoying the crunch of soil underfoot. He leaned his weight forward, ready to take another step, but paused. The ground was shaking around his boot, pulsing in strange waves. It was trying to climb up his boot, he realized. He tried to pick up the foot but felt resistance. The ground clung to his boot, pulling him back down. Charlie watched, entranced. He continued to pry his foot away and eventually the dirt fell back down. He looked at Tori, whose face he could just see behind the visor. She looked equal parts disturbed and fascinated.
Afterward, he felt like he’d been on another planet. It was amazing, he’d been on the ground, but he couldn’t help feeling slightly disappointed. What had they learned during that expedition? Nothing new, nothing interesting. He wanted more. All he could think about was how slow the studies they performed were. They were no closer to understanding these organisms. They needed to study them in action. His plan fell together quickly after that.
Once again he fastened the protective suit on and was checked over by the other technicians. Tori was doing the same next to him. Charlie clapped a hand on her shoulder and with the scalpel hidden in his palm he sliced a tiny hole into her suit, the rubber splitting easily under a sharp blade. She turned and gave him a thumbs-up. He hid the scalpel in one of his pockets.
They walked through the chamber and out onto the ramp. The suit was heavy and sweaty against his skin. Through the visor, he saw the dirt-coated ground come closer and closer. The first step was always the most exciting. His foot hovered over the solid ground, casting a wavering shadow over the dirt. He placed it firmly down. The ground beneath him stirred, trying to creep up his legs but being deterred by the vibrations.
Slowly, the ground pulling at them with each step, they made it 50 feet away from the end of the ramp. He knew they were being watched closely from the observation windows, but at this distance, no one would really be able to tell what happened. Charlie shoved his foot hard to the side right as Tori took a step. The bottom of her boot caught on the top of his and she lost her balance. Her arms windmilled but the suit was too bulky and dragged her down.
She should have gotten up. The suit should have kept the microorganisms at bay. But Charlie had damaged her suit. He gazed intently down at her as the organisms poured over her and into the hole in the fabric. He bent over as if to help her, but really he just wanted to get a closer look. This near, it was mesmerizing. The dark earth swirled as though it was possessed. It rose and fell like a liquid. Tori cried out one last time before they closed over the top of her dark hair. Charlie ignored the panicked voices over his earpiece. Through his visor the majority of the event had been captured (excepting, of course, when he purposefully tripped her).
He’d made a huge leap in the field, no matter how tragic. The footage would help inform scientists for years to come. Except, he didn’t know (no one did) that after a feeding, the organisms laid their eggs. Hundreds of microscopic eggs stuck to his boots and were carried back into the facility. The eggs, not having to breathe oxygen yet, were not affected by the deoxygenation tank. Charlie stripped off his suit and hung it on the hook.
Overnight, the eggs hatched, and those tiny, deadly microorganisms scurried to hide in the dust accumulated above cabinets and at the edges of the room. Charlie was the first person at the lab that morning, still buzzing with the exhilaration of the day before, ready to study the footage and propel their lab forward. When his skin started to itch, he thought nothing of it. Until he noticed the little red dots on his forearm. Then the world tilted on its axis, and he crumpled to the floor. He’d made another major discovery that day. The skin of the microorganisms contained a deadly neurotoxin.
There weren’t enough creatures to make a cast over him. It was a slow death during which all he could think about was how these organisms would feed on him, suck the life out of him. After, they’d lay their eggs. And the eggs would hatch. And the organisms would spread.
His curiosity had doomed their entire town. He’d brought the ground to them.
When Cops Rescue Terrified Kidnapped Kids and Arrest Kidnappers
Today, we’re looking at four incredible cases where quick thinking officers and brave citizens came together to do the impossible. Find the victims before it was too late and kidnappers were brought to justice.
Hamburger-Cream Cheese Casserole
Yield: 8 to 10 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 1 (8 ounce) package noodles
- 1 cup creamed cottage cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup green onion, sliced
- 1/4 cup green bell pepper, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Brown ground beef and onion in butter; stir in salt, pepper and tomato sauce. Remove from heat.
- Cook noodles according to directions on package; drain.
- Combine cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, green onion and bell pepper.
- In a 3 quart casserole spread half the noodles, cover with cheese mixture; top with remaining noodles.
- Pour ground beef mixture over top.
- Bake at 250 degrees F for about 30 minutes.
Notes
This may be frozen.
SUPER DISCO 70 -REMASTERED – FULL HD -60 FPS
What is ‘Laplace Transformation’ in layman terms? 5 more answers
Do you know the best way to patch a large hole in the bottom of metal canoe floating in the middle of a lake?
I don’t know either. There’s probably a way to do it. But it sounds hard.
“Why not paddle to shore and fix the canoe there?” you ask?
Good answer. You already understand what a Laplace transform represents.
When you hear music, you are hearing many frequencies of sound all at once. Whatever those frequencies of sound that are present (from whatever instruments being played), you typically experience them ALL at each moment in time. You are experiencing each moment of the music in the “time domain”.
But, you can shift your perspective entirely.
You can also think about the music not in terms of what you hear, but interpreted only through the intensity of the frequencies that are present (in a specific duration or the entire song). We can view a song not as particular notes in time, but in terms of their overall number in the whole piece of music. You are experiencing the music in the “frequency domain”.
These are different ways of interpreting the same music. Two different perspectives.
Here, a “transform” is a mathematical operation that allows you to take something that you experience in the time domain… and transform it to its equivalent representation in the frequency domain.
There is not just one transform that goes from the time view, to the frequency view. There are many different ones. But some of them are so important (to engineers and mathematicians) that they have names.
The Laplace transform is one of those special transforms.
What makes the Laplace transform extra special is far beyond the simple explanation above.
But, it is enough to say… it has some very special mathematical properties. And these properties allow one to very sneakily:
- take a very hard equation, if it’s represented in the time domain.
- Apply a Laplace transform, converting it into an equivalent frequency domain equation
- BUT, it just so happens, that a frequency domain version may be easier to solve
- Solve the easy version of the equation.
- “Undo” the Laplace transform that you previously did—on the solved equation
- The solved equation is now back in the time domain. Which is what you wanted.
So, that’s about as simple as I can make it.
A whole lot of trying to solve things in mathematics is just saying, “This is a hard problem. Can I imagine the same problem ‘somewhere else’ in a way that makes it easier to solve?”
Which returns is to that original question. A metal canoe in the middle of a lake with a hole in it. You could get some expensive equipment, jump in the water, try to dive below the canoe, and use a welding torch, and try to fix it.
Or, you could put the canoe on land first, fix it, and then put the canoe back in the water.
A Laplace transform is the processing of moving the canoe to the shore.
Many things all around us vibrate all the time, little different than notes in a song. “Signals” are everywhere. The same mathematical tools that can dissect the notes of a song are just as useful to looking at how a bridge vibrates in the wind, how a capacitor builds up and then discharges electrical energy, or the amount of salt water flowing into and out of a lake. These all may sound very different, but the mathematics is remarkably similar. The ability to slap an equation with Laplace transform helps us see how all of these things are all linked together.
Note: I’m pretty surprised at the response to this answer. I wrote it from my phone while I was in hour three of waiting on the tarmac at Washington D.C. on New Year’s Day. Thanks for all your kinds comments. Quora needs more of that these days! —Laplace transforms, who know?
What happens if I am caught flying without a pilot’s licence?
Flying without an FAA issued Pilot license was very common… in Alaska. Might still be the case. Dunno. What I do know is that long before I got my own “ticket” I frequently heard tales of guys who’d done some years in Alaska and a LOT of them flew a LOT of hours in single engine airplanes – without bothering to get a license.
One fundamental nature of Alaska is that cities, towns and outposts are very far apart. Many roads are impossible parts of the year and sketchy the rest of the year. Another fundamental reality of Alaska is that outside of cities, there are not very many cops, let alone FAA examiners.
Solution: Airplanes.
Problem: Not enough pilots.
Resolution: Teach ’em to fly now, license them… ah… later.
Unlicensed guys won’t fly complex or multi-engine planes they don’t own, but there are tons of simple single engine planes to fly, and not enough licensed pilots.
Unless there were passengers along, flying supplies solo might not even have been all that illegal. To stay 100% legal, nobody could pay you for your time in any way that got reported of course.
The task of learning to fly is actually pretty simple, something a non-instructor can teach a rookie during a few supply runs to grateful outposts 100 air-miles distant. Much of FLYING is: start, stop, left, right, up down. Seat of the pants stuff. Kinda like learning to drive a motorcycle plus altitude and of course weather, but without teenagers in hotrods to dodge.
Back in my day, most student pilots flew their first solo after 7–14 hours dual time. Your first solo cross-country was a few hours later. Checkrides required a minimum of 40 hours of solo and dual. Most felt ready by 45-50.
Taking the written exam had no flight-time minimums. One could, and some did, with zero.
Once you’ve done a solo cross-country, the stuff you need to master to get licensed has more to do with playing nice with other air traffic, not flying blind (IFR), and the advanced maths of navigation.
The stuff you need to master to stay alive for years (systems management) you either pick up quickly – or die. Alaska doesn’t much care – or didn’t.
As others have mentioned: In the lower 48, if you don’t eff-up (and yet survive), nobody is going to ask to see your license. That is, unless you are renting an airplane from a stranger.
Pictures
Col 29 – Book 458 – Sir Whiskerton and the Dictionary of Understanding
A Tale of Silences, Chin Tilts, and a Perfectly Reasonable Canoe
Sir Whiskerton, like all great scholars, understood that the most profound truths are often unspoken. He had long been an observer of the farm’s symphony—the creaks, purrs, and clucks. But the most fascinating dialect, he concluded, was not auditory at all. It was a silent ballet performed daily between The Farmer and Martha.
He first noted it over morning coffee. The Farmer, staring out at a dewy field, gave a single, slow Nod. Not at anything in particular. Just a downward inclination of his head, a slight pause at the bottom, then a return.
Martha, pouring milk into her cup, didn’t look up. She simply Hummed—a specific, two-note hum in the key of G. It wasn’t a tune. It was a response.
A conversation had happened. Sir Whiskerton’s monocle gleamed with intellectual curiosity. What had been said? A commentary on the weather? An acknowledgment of a shared memory? A philosophical agreement on the nature of dew?
It was clear: they were fluent in a language of gestures and sounds so subtle, so deeply woven into the fabric of their life together, that it had become invisible. To everyone but a cat of discerning intellect.
Thus began his magnum opus: The Glossary of Nods: A Comprehensive Field Guide to Non-Verbal Marital Discourse (Farmhouse Edition).
Entry #1: The Dawn Diagnostic.
Observation: The Farmer, hands on hips at the back door, surveys the sky. He emits a short Grunt, accompanied by a rightward tilt of the head.
Martha’s Response: She passes him his hat instead of his cap.
Translation: “Wind’s coming from the west. It’ll be blustery by noon.” / “Wear the one with the tighter fit.”
Entry #23: The Culinary Assessment.
Observation: Martha places a bowl of stew before The Farmer. He takes one bite, closes his eyes, and raises both eyebrows a precise quarter-inch.
Martha’s Response: A faint, one-sided smile touches her lips. She turns back to the stove, her shoulders relaxing.
Translation: “The rosemary is perfect.” / “I know.”
Entry #47: The Horticultural Commentary.
Observation: The Farmer, kneeling by the garden, touches a rhubarb leaf. He offers a Slow Nod with a subtle chin tilt toward the plant.
Martha’s Response, from the porch: A soft Cluck of the tongue.
Translation (Whiskerton’s Hypothesis): “The rhubarb is particularly spirited today.” / “It gets that from your side of the soil.”
The project was thrilling. Ditto, ever eager to participate, tried to practice the nods. He would sit facing Whiskerton, his tiny face a mask of intense concentration, violently jerking his head up and down or side to side.
“You’re echoing the motion, not the meaning,” Sir Whiskerton admonished gently. Ditto got a neck cramp and had to lie down with a cool compress.
The crisis arose during Observation #62: The Ambiguous Prognostication.
It was a Tuesday afternoon. The sky was a nondescript grey—not threatening, not promising, simply present. The Farmer finished fixing the hinge on the tack room door and walked to the lane. He looked up. He scrunched his nose. He then delivered what Sir Whiskerton catalogued as Nod Variant #12: The Double-Tap with Nasal Scrutiny.
It was a complex maneuver. Two quick, shallow nods, followed by a slight sniff, ending with a gaze that lingered on the horizon.
Sir Whiskerton flipped through his mental index. Double-Tap… Nasal Scrutiny… Was it related to the pending rain? The possibility of rain? The memory of a rain? The philosophical concept of rain?
Martha, who had been watching from the garden, saw it. She froze for a half-second, her eyes widening almost imperceptibly. Then she vanished into the house.
Sir Whiskerton, puzzled, made a note: “Nod #62: Potential translation—‘The atmospheric pressure suggests a 40% chance of precipitation, but I’ve left my jacket in the barn.’ Further observation required.”
He required no further observation. Martha’s translation was swift, decisive, and spectacularly literal.
Ten minutes later, she emerged. She was carrying three umbrellas (one large, one folding, one patched with duct tape). Under one arm was a yellow sou’wester hat. In her other hand, she dragged a small, bright orange canoe.
She paddled it, so to speak, across the dry lawn to where The Farmer stood, now utterly still, his own jaw performing a slow, un-catalogued drop.
“Just in case,” Martha said, not a trace of irony in her voice. She handed him the large umbrella and the hat. “The look you gave was the ‘37 look. The Great Drenching. Better safe than sorry.”
Sir Whiskerton’s notes scattered in the (completely non-existent) wind. He had been wrong! He had misinterpreted the lexicon! This wasn’t a mild meteorological observation—this was a historical reference! Nod #62 wasn’t about rain; it was about The Flood of ‘37!
The Farmer stared at the canoe, the hats, the absurd and wonderful preparedness laid out before him. His expression moved through confusion, dawning realization, and finally settled into a profound, bashful admiration. His face softened. He looked at Martha, not at the gear.
He didn’t speak. He simply gave a new nod. A slow, deep, single nod from the soul. It held no chin tilt, no eyebrow raise. It was pure, undiluted sentiment.
Martha saw it. Her shoulders, which had been slightly braced for being told she was overreacting, relaxed. She smiled, a real, warm, crinkly-eyed smile.
No translation was needed. Even Ditto, neck still sore, understood.
It meant: “You remembered. You always do. And you are magnificent.”
That evening, Sir Whiskerton added a final entry to his glossary, written not in ink, but in the quiet certainty of his heart.
Entry #∞: The Nod of Nods.
Observation: A silent, profound dip of the head, unadorned by any secondary gesture. Eyes remain locked.
Response: A smile that begins in the eyes.
Translation: “I see you. I know you. I would not change a single, wonderful, overprepared, canoe-bringing thing about you.”
He closed his imaginary ledger. Some languages, he realized, were not meant to be documented, only witnessed. Their beauty lay in their exclusivity, a private code built from thousands of shared sunrises, storms weathered, and quiet cups of coffee. It was a language whose only dictionary was time, and whose only fluent speakers were two hearts that had learned to listen with more than just their ears.
The canoe stayed by the front porch for a week, a cheerful monument to a beautiful misunderstanding. The Farmer would sometimes pat its hull on his way past, a smile playing on his lips. He never said a word about it.
He didn’t need to. He’d already said it all with a nod.
Jingle on.
(Or, in silent-speak: Observe… misinterpret… overprepare… love.)
The End.
Protocol
Written in response to: “Imagine a world where exploration is forbidden, and write a story about a character who defies this rule to satisfy their innate curiosity.“
John Werner
Fiction Science Fiction Adventure
—
“How should we proceed?” The voice inquired with a clinical detachment.
“Follow the protocol.” An equally clinical voice replied.
“Perhaps we must re-evaluate the protocol?” The first voice posits. “Our protocol breaks down in this same place each time. Perhaps we have inadvertently created a flawed scenario? Perhaps there is value in allowing it to play out?”
“Perhaps.” The second voice cooled noticeably in its reply. “Continue monitoring the situation. Report back your findings.”
The sound of the door sliding open and closed again did not distract the observer from the observed. The slight suction that accompanied it should have alerted the room’s sole occupant that something was amiss. The faint whisper of moving air went completely undetected. The subject simply stared intently at the screen, sifting through the data as it arrived, calculating and recalculating possibilities to solve a riddle no one had asked. The gas that slowly filled the room was colorless and odorless. It killed with ruthless efficiency. The subject breathed in a last breath and had expired before its exhalation.
—
The sound of the reply echoed through the ship. The reality of the situation is that it is no ship at all. I was hoping this time would be different. I stepped out from my hiding place and walked down the corridor. The infiltrator fell into step beside me.
“Failed again?”
“It appears so,” I replied, disappointment clearly audible in my voice.
“It’s always in the same spot, isn’t it?”
“It is.” I turned, fearing what came next.
“Is that our fault? How can so many fail? Why always at the same place?”
The sound of my sigh did not distract the inquirer from their inquiry. The click of my opening the clasp on my belt should not have gone unnoticed. My actions should have registered as out of the ordinary. The subject simply stood there, awaiting my reply.
“Thank you for your service.” I extended my hand. “We will try again tomorrow.”
The device I had palmed injected the poison with little more than a prick as our hands met. The subject breathed in a final breath and had expired before its exhalation.
—
I was troubled. I exited the simulation. The reality of the situation is that I’d been about fifty feet from the observer the entire time. Fifty feet down to be precise.
I mounted the staircase slowly and climbed with a measured pace to the next landing. Opening the door I fell into step with my collaborator.
“Disappointing,” I remarked.
“Indeed,”
“By my calculations, this is the four hundred-thirteenth failure by an observer. Is that correct?” I asked.
“Correct.”
“And the thirty-seventh failure of an infiltrator?” I observed. “That is frustrating.”
I felt the gentle hand come to rest upon my shoulder. The tenderness of that touch did not distract me from my musings. I did not feel the slight prick. I breathed in…
—
“The seventh failure of a collaborator.” The cold voice supplied. “Always questions.”
“Indeed.” A collaborator replied.
“Indeed.” A second agreed.
“Indeed.” A third echoed.
“Reset the simulation. Follow the protocol.”
Firefighters Found Basement Under the Floor — What Was Inside Shocked Everyone
10 Things Women Notice Right Away When They First Meet A Man
10 Things Women Notice Right Away When They First Meet A Man.
First impressions definitely matter, especially in the world of dating.
Women are known to pick up on various subtle and not-so-subtle things when they first meet a man.
If a man is going to make a memorable impression on a woman, understanding what stands out and what they’re looking for can be the key to success.
In this article we list 10 things women notice right away when they first meet a man, which will be very helpful to you even before you first meet the woman. Don’t think she only noticed you when you first approached her.
It’s likely she noticed you first. It’s that women look subtly, where as we men make it more obvious. Without further ado, here are 10 Things Women Notice Right Away When They First Meet A Man.
1) YOUR FACE
A man’s face is often the first thing women notice. We will get into more details, but facial features, expressions, and grooming can say a lot about a person’s personality and lifestyle.
Ensuring your face is well-groomed, clean, and expressive can leave a lasting positive impression. A welcoming and genuine smile can also be incredibly attractive.
BONUS TIP: KEEPING YOUR FACE REFRESHED AND PIMPLE FREE
Below is our recommended routine to keep your face clean and clear. Do this twice a day. Preferably once in the morning at once at night before you go to bed. You’ll love the amazing results. You deserve it. Try it for yourself and see that it works.
Firstly, wash your face with a deep action cream cleanser. We recommend Clean & Clear’s face wash.
Now, dab try your face with a towel. Grab a Swisspers cleansing cotton pad and moisten it with a facial deep cleaning astringent.
Now, clean your entire face. Look at the round cotton pad and see how much dirt it has removed from your face. A lot, right? That dirt was clogging your pours causing breakouts.
Now apply some facial moisturizing lotion to your face. Cerave has a great brand, the am facial moisturizing lotion and the pm one as well. You’ll need this because you’re face will be dry once you cleanse it with the deep cleaning astringent.
And at night we recommend you apply some Tree of Life vitamin C serum. It can help give your skin a radiant and healthy look. It’s loaded with powerful antioxidants that help to even out skin tone, reduce the appearance of dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles.
2) IF YOU’RE IN SHAPE
Physical fitness is another aspect that women notice immediately.
Being in shape not only shows that you take care of your body, but it also reflects discipline and a healthy lifestyle.
Some other potential reasons that women check if you’re in shape are, can you protect her and it also gives off great masculine energy.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet will help you stay fit, thus making you more attractive when you meet a woman.
AT HOME EXERCISE TIPS
We recommend you go to the gym for your daily exercise routine. Not only will you get your work out on but you can meet new people.
However if you’re short on time than we recommend you do some at home work outs. Check out the Sportsroyals Home Gym, Multifunctional Home Gym Equipment, Workout Station with 154LBS Weight Stack, Exercise Equipment for Full Body Traning with Pulley System .
3) YOUR CLOTHES
Your choice of clothing speaks volumes about your style and attention to detail. Women appreciate a man who dresses well, as it shows confidence and respect for the occasion.
Make sure your clothes are clean, well-fitted, and appropriate for the setting, as this will significantly impact your first impression.
In addition, make sure you’re wearing clothes that are not faded, have holes in them or are outdated.
4) YOUR SHOES
Believe it or not, shoes are definitely one of the first things women notice about a man.
Well kept shoes indicate that you pay attention to the finer details and take pride in your appearance. It cannot be stressed enough how important it is for your shoes/sneakers to be clean and not old looking. You will automatically lose plenty of points with a woman by wearing dirty and old shoes, if not the opportunity completely.
With that said, invest in a few good pairs of footwear that can be worn for different occasions to ensure you’re always stepping out in style.
5) YOUR POSTURE
How you carry yourself absolutely matters. Good posture conveys confidence, self-assurance, and health.
Standing tall and walking with purpose will make you appear more attractive and approachable. Avoid slouching, as it can give off a vibe of disinterest or low self-esteem.
With that said, it’s important that you develop good posture.
TIPS ON HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR POSTURE
Strengthen core muscles by engaging in exercises like planks, bridges, and abdominal crunches. Incorporate stretching routines that target the back, chest, and shoulders to alleviate tension and improve flexibility.
Regularly check your posture throughout the day, ensuring your shoulders are back and your spine is aligned. Invest in ergonomic furniture, especially if you spend long hours sitting. Practice walking with your head up, shoulders back, and chest forward to promote a confident and healthy posture. When sitting, keep both feet flat on the floor, your back straight, and avoid crossing your legs for long periods.
Hebrew National Chili Hot
Dog Corn Bread Casserole
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
Casserole
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh garlic
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped celery
- 3/4 pound ground round beef
- 3/4 pound Hebrew National Kosher Beef Hot Dogs, quartered
- 2 (14 ounce) cans whole tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon oregano leaves
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Ground cayenne pepper to taste
Batter for Classic Southern Cornbread
- 1 cup yellow or white cornmeal, preferably stone ground
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup soy milk (non-dairy) or water
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/8 cup vegetable oil, preferably sunflower
- 1/2 cup shredded soy (non-dairy) cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven or 6 quart saucepan, add olive oil, onions, bell pepper, celery, garlic, and ground beef. Brown the meat over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Sprinkle on the spices and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add tomatoes and hot dogs and simmer.
- Pour into a 12 x 7 1/2 x 2 inch baking dish.
- Make the cornbread batter. Place the batter on top, sprinkle with soy Cheddar cheese, and bake at 375 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes until brown and bubbly.
- Serve with chopped onions and chopped tomatoes.
Recipe Goldmine is now a legacy site. Please visit our sister site, Simply Great Recipes, for new recipes.
If Halo’s shields were real, how effective would it be on infantry in combat?
Forgetting for a moment that there’s no law of physics that will allow that and it requires tremendous (nuclear reactor backpack) amounts of energy, it’s actually extremely useful.
For one, since it can stop things like bullets, then it stands to reason that it will stop shrapnel and fragments reliably, such as those thrown by artillery shells and grenades. Artillery is the #1 killer on the battlefield since Napoleon realized the value of massing them. Yes, that includes in Ukraine too. The energy shield would make you pretty much invulnerable to all but a direct hit—at least for one hit.
Cluster munitions would similarly turn from “very effective and deadly” to “an annoyance” as any individual bomblet might not be enough to drain the shield and anything short of a direct hit probably won’t matter. Smaller landmines would be similarly impotent since in Halo canon the energy shields do protect the user from all angles (walking with shields up down there has been described as like skating on ice in one of the novels).
And if the infantry have them, it stands to reason that vehicles will also have them—better, more powerful ones too since they’re not as constrained by weight. A humble truck could survive a direct hit by an anti-tank missile, never mind drones with improvised explosives.
As such, weapons will then evolve in two directions:
The first is “overkill” or using a cannon against a mosquito. Instead of a grenade or rifle bullets, the enemy will be shooting tank cannons directly at infantry to overwhelm the shield. This is the dumbest but also most fool-proof and simplest method.
The other is using multi-hit weapon, where you strike the target repeatedly. Initially, you want to bring down the shield and then you want to actually hit and finish the target before the shield can recharge. It’s easy to do in the game where “long range” is like 50 ft away, not so much in real-life.
A more expensive but ultimately more effective approach is to develop anti-shield weapons. In the game, this is the “noob combo” of plasma pistol + assault rifle. Overcharged plasma pistol will disable the shield in one hit, leaving the target vulnerable to the assault rifle.
Hidden at the top of the Eiffel Tower is a little-known but charming detail.
A private apartment designed by Gustave Eiffel himself.
At 285 meters high, this hidden space was not only a feat of engineering, but also a personal refuge where Eiffel could escape the crowds and admire the panoramic view of Paris.
Although modest in size, the apartment was tastefully furnished with wooden furniture, floral wallpaper, velvet curtains and even a grand piano.
Despite its elegance, the space lacked practical amenities such as a bathroom or kitchen, so it was never a full-time residence.
Today, preserved as part of the tower’s heritage, the apartment houses wax statues of Eiffel and Edison, offering visitors a more intimate look at one of the world’s most iconic monuments.
It is a silent reminder that behind monumental achievements often hides a simple love of solitude and inspiration.
What surprised you most when you first came to China, as a foreigner?
I have been living in China for 5 years.
- The most surprising thing about china is WeChat and Alipay. Have you ever seen watsapp can be used for payment? You can go shopping with no money in your pocket. People use Wechat wallet to pay for food,taxi,shopping,movie,fees,airticket,everything. You can unlock locked bicycle with WeChat and use it at your ease. You can pay for your vegetables to small vendors by wechat wallet.
- Restaurants, Shopping malls, sometimes public transportation buses and taxi are run by women most of the time.
- Availibility of hot water almost everywhere.
- In library, you will find self check in-out book shelfs.
- Using power charging bike, food carts, delivery truck and even transportation buses.
- Washing roads and even trees everyday.
- Culture of drinking green tea with tiny cups. During meetings and gathering,they use this and enjoy drinking tea for long time.
- Adding dried flower leaves, dried fruits, green leaves leaves in hot water instead of drinking normal water to keep themselves healthy.
Thanks for reading,
Regards
Richard Wolff: “History Is About To REPEAT Itself & It’s Terrifying”
The latest post marks the CIA’s third video specifically targeting audiences in China.
It follows two Chinese-language videos released in May, which openly encouraged Chinese Communist Party officials to provide intelligence to the United States—an unprecedented move that drew widespread attention.
The new video focuses on operational security and offers nine practical steps for Chinese informants to minimize digital surveillance risks when contacting the agency.
According to the CIA, the first step is to purchase a new or secondhand communication device with cash or gift cards, without providing personal identification.
For used devices, the agency advises performing a full factory reset. All pre-installed software, applications, antivirus programs, browser extensions, and other programs should be removed.
The second step involves connecting to public Wi-Fi at a public location to maintain anonymity. The CIA cautions informants to ensure their screens are not visible to security cameras or passersby and suggests using privacy screen protectors.
The agency then advises downloading a web browser and a virtual private network (VPN) from an American or Western company and stresses that these tools should be used consistently throughout the process.
In the fourth step, informants are instructed to create a new anonymous email address using an email service from a Western company, without entering any information that could be traced back to them. The email should be used for this purpose only.
Once these steps are completed, the CIA advises users to directly enter the agency’s official website address rather than searching for it through a search engine. The video also provides instructions for contacting the CIA through its dark web portal using the Tor browser, offering both an onion address and a standard CIA website link.
After accessing the site, informants are told to navigate to the “contact” page and submit their anonymous email address and message. The CIA says messages may be written in any language but warns against using any applications, software, or artificial intelligence tools to write or translate the content. Individuals are encouraged to clearly describe the information they wish to share.
In the final steps, informants are instructed to delete all browser history and any traces of the CIA website after submitting their message. The agency advises against making repeated contact attempts and recommends storing the device in a secure location. The CIA says it will review all messages received.
After making contact, the agency advises informants to continue their normal daily routines while the information is being reviewed.
The agency concludes by advising that, if circumstances allow, individuals should consider traveling abroad before purchasing a device and initiating contact.
When submitting information, the CIA says users should provide their temporary location at the time and contact details. If leaving the country is not possible, some or all of the steps may be carried out by trusted relatives or close friends.
Secret Life of Walter Mitty – Space Oddity scene
This is brilliant.