Jean Valjean and Cosette

 

from Les Miserables, by Victor Hugo.

The story of Jean Valjean and Cosette is one of the central threads in Victor Hugo's novel "Les Misérables." Jean Valjean is a former convict who is transformed by the kindness of a bishop and becomes a compassionate and selfless man, dedicated to helping those in need.

After his release from prison, Valjean struggles to find work and is turned away from every opportunity because of his criminal past. Desperate and hungry, he steals silverware from the bishop's home but is caught and brought back to face punishment.

To everyone's surprise, the bishop tells the authorities that he gave Valjean the silverware as a gift and even gives him additional valuable items. The bishop's act of mercy changes Valjean's life, and he begins to live as an honest man, determined to make amends for his past mistakes.

What is Ray Tracing?

 

Ray tracing is a rendering technique used in computer graphics to simulate the behavior of light in a 3D environment. It works by tracing the path of individual rays of light as they travel from the camera through the virtual scene, interacting with objects and surfaces along the way until they reach a light source or are absorbed.

In the ray tracing process, each pixel in the image is traced back to the light source, allowing for accurate calculation of lighting, shadows, reflections, and other visual effects. This results in highly realistic and detailed images with accurate lighting and shadows, making ray tracing a popular technique in fields such as architecture, product design, and visual effects.

Government Overreach

Is it appropriate for any sane government to do anything but govern? 

One topic that has increasingly come to the forefront of public discourse is that of government overreach. It is a concept that is not new, but one that has certainly become more pressing in recent years. As we grapple with the challenges of a rapidly changing world, it is worth taking a moment to reflect on what exactly we mean by government overreach, and why it is so important to guard against it.

The Elian Gonzalez Affair, 1999-2000

The Elian Gonzalez affair was a highly publicized custody battle over a young Cuban boy named Elian Gonzalez, who was rescued off the coast of Florida in November 1999 after a boat carrying him and his mother and others capsized while attempting to reach the United States from Cuba. Elian's mother and ten other people drowned in the incident, and Elian was found floating on an inner tube by a pair of fishermen.

Elian's father, who was still in Cuba at the time, demanded that his son be returned to him. However, Elian's maternal relatives in the United States, who had taken him in after his rescue, refused to give him up and sought to keep him in the United States. The situation quickly became a political and diplomatic controversy, with supporters of Elian's relatives in the United States arguing that he should be granted asylum and allowed to remain in the country, while the Cuban government and Elian's father insisted that he be returned to Cuba.

The United States government initially allowed Elian to remain in the United States while the custody battle was resolved through legal and diplomatic means. However, after several months of legal proceedings, the United States government ultimately decided to return Elian to his father in Cuba. In April 2000, armed federal agents stormed the house where Elian was staying with his relatives in Miami and took him into custody. Elian was eventually returned to Cuba, where he was reunited with his father.

The Elian Gonzalez affair was highly controversial and divisive, with many people on both sides of the issue passionately arguing for their position. It was also significant in the larger context of U.S.-Cuba relations, as it highlighted the ongoing tensions between the two countries and the contentious issue of immigration between Cuba and the United States.

Edge of Town, by Middle Kids

Middle Kids is an indie rock band from Sydney, Australia that has been gaining attention for their catchy melodies and introspective lyrics. Their song "Edge of Town" is a prime example of their musical talent and emotional depth.

From the first notes of the guitar, "Edge of Town" sets a melancholic tone that perfectly matches the lyrical content. Lead singer Hannah Joy's voice is raw and vulnerable, conveying a sense of longing and regret that is palpable. The lyrics describe a feeling of being stuck on the outskirts of society, looking in at the rest of the world and feeling disconnected.

Despite the heavy subject matter, the chorus is uplifting and anthemic, with the band's harmonies and driving rhythm section providing a sense of hope and resilience. It's the kind of song that can make you feel both melancholic and empowered at the same time, and that's a testament to the band's ability to balance different emotions and sounds.

"Edge of Town" is a standout track from Middle Kids' repertoire, showcasing their ability to write catchy hooks and poignant lyrics that stick with you long after the song has ended. If you're a fan of indie rock that's both introspective and anthemic, Middle Kids is definitely a band to keep on your radar.

12 Rules for Life, by Dr. Jordan Peterson

 "12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos" is a bestselling self-help book written by Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson. The book, first published in 2018, has gained widespread popularity and has sold over five million copies worldwide.

The book consists of twelve chapters, each one representing a rule that Peterson believes can help individuals live a meaningful and successful life. Here is a summary of the twelve rules:

The Best Rock Song Ever Written

"Back on the Chain Gang", from the album Learning to Crawl, is a classic hit song by the British-American rock band The Pretenders. It was released in 1982 and became one of the band's most popular and enduring tracks. The song was written by lead singer Chrissie Hynde and was dedicated to the band's guitarist James Honeyman-Scott, who had died earlier that year.

The song is a powerful, emotional ballad that tells the story of a woman who is struggling to cope with the loss of a loved one. The lyrics are deeply personal and poignant, and Chrissie Hynde's vocals are both raw and heartfelt, conveying a sense of vulnerability and pain.

The music itself is also beautifully crafted, with a haunting melody that is both powerful and melancholy. The song features a driving beat, jangling guitars, and a soaring chorus that is sure to get stuck in your head.

"Back on the Chain Gang" is a timeless classic that has stood the test of time. It is a powerful and emotive song that has resonated with fans for over four decades. The song's enduring popularity is a testament to the power of Chrissie Hynde's songwriting and the band's musical talents. Below is a copy of the official video.

Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand

Atlas Shrugged is a sprawling epic that can be viewed through many lenses, one of which is that of a mystery novel. Ayn Rand's magnum opus follows the story of Dagny Taggart, a savvy and successful railroad executive who becomes embroiled in a mystery that threatens the very fabric of her world.

The novel begins with a series of inexplicable events: important industrialists and inventors are disappearing without a trace, leaving their businesses to falter and collapse. Dagny finds herself at the center of this mystery as she attempts to keep her railroad running amidst the chaos.

As the novel progresses, Dagny begins to uncover a complex conspiracy that reaches to the highest levels of government and industry. She discovers that the disappearances are not random, but rather a deliberate plan orchestrated by a secretive group of brilliant minds who have gone on strike against a society that they see as unjust.

What Orwell's 1984 Was Really About

George Orwell's 1984 is a masterpiece of dystopian literature, often studied for its political and social commentary. However, a lesser-known interpretation of the novel is that it can be seen as a doomed romance story between Winston and Julia.

At the beginning of the novel, Winston Smith is a disillusioned member of the ruling Party in Oceania, while Julia is a passionate young woman who finds pleasure in acts of rebellion against the Party. The two fall in love, and their relationship becomes the centerpiece of the novel. Their romance is doomed from the start. In the totalitarian world of 1984, love and intimacy are considered crimes against the state. Winston and Julia are acutely aware of the dangers of their relationship, but they cannot resist the pull of their attraction to one another. Their love is a small but significant act of resistance against the oppressive regime, and it provides them with a brief respite from the grim reality of their existence.

However, as the novel progresses, it becomes clear that their love cannot survive in the face of the Party's power. Winston and Julia are eventually discovered by the authorities and subjected to the Party's brutal methods of torture and brainwashing. In the end, they betray each other, and their love is destroyed along with their individuality and humanity.

As a doomed romance story, 1984 is both tragic and poignant. Winston and Julia's love is a fragile and fleeting thing, a small but meaningful act of rebellion against the dehumanizing forces of totalitarianism. Their story is a reminder of the power of love to inspire hope and resistance, even in the darkest of times, and of the hideous evil lurking behind all forms of totalitarianism.

A Letter From the Past

It sounds like you had a difficult childhood, particularly due to the physical and verbal abuse you suffered at the hands of your step-father. This trauma likely had a significant impact on your mental and emotional well-being, and may have contributed to your troublemaking and class clown behavior in school. Despite these challenges, you were still recognized as a bright and smart kid by your teachers and peers, and achieved some academic success.

The blame that was placed on you by your half-sister and mother for the divorce and break-up of the family likely added to the already significant burden of trauma and emotional pain you were carrying. It's understandable that these experiences may have impacted your ability to commit to long-term goals or remain in jobs for extended periods.

It's important to acknowledge that experiences of trauma and abuse can have a profound impact on a person's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, even if they also have positive experiences and interests. It's possible that the abusive part of your childhood influenced the way you thought about yourself, others, and the world around you.

For example, you may have developed beliefs about yourself as someone who deserved to be mistreated or who was not worthy of love and care. You may have also developed a mistrust of others or a sense of isolation, even if you had close friends and enjoyable activities. Additionally, the trauma and stress of your childhood experiences may have impacted your ability to regulate your emotions, leading to impulsive or risky behaviors like quitting jobs or joining the military.

Despite the challenges and difficulties you faced in your childhood and beyond, it's important to remember that you are a survivor who has overcome significant obstacles. You have shown resilience and strength in the face of adversity, and have pursued your interests and passions despite setbacks.

While it's understandable that you may feel discouraged or frustrated at times, it's important to recognize that you have the capacity to create a fulfilling and meaningful life for yourself. You have unique talents and abilities, and the potential to achieve your goals and aspirations. It may take time and effort to work through the effects of your childhood experiences, but it's possible to heal and grow with the right support.