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… I know, i know … Halloween is already two days past … but Phyllis had to suffer that much emotions during the shoot Wednesday, … the clay and blood on her skin, the insects coming out the leafs, … I could not wait till next year, I had to show it now … Phyllis, you were absolutely s.u.p.e.r.b. as zombie, but promised, next time you will be a princess instead - Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art 1/160s f/6.3 ISO100 - #funfunfun #lovelyshoot #halloween #zombie #blood #teenmodel #theartofchildhood #conceptualphotography #childphotographer #childmodel #childportrait #sigma50mmart #creatmood #artofportrait #portrait_mood #thierryvermeirephotographer #childhoodunplugged #canon #eos5dmarkiv #mylittleprincess #mymuze @ilsevanhaesebrouck
You don't know that I know,
You watch me every night
And I just can't resist the urge
To stand here in the light
You're greedy eyes upon me
And then I come undone
And I could close the curtains
But this too much fun
I get off on you
Getting off on me
I give you what you want
But nothing is for free
It's a give and take
Kinda life we make
When your line is crossed
I get off
- I Get Off, Halestorm
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Norio knows today was warm again and so it was appropriate to take off his tunic. I groomed him and got large wads of loose fur, which is much better than having him swallow it...
I bet many of you know about the organization called Invisible Children & this whole thing about Kony 2012. Well, I went into watching this video. At first, I thought it was just a really long boring stupid video. A video that I would eventually forget, but I was wrong. It's a video about these children in Africa that are being abducted overnight and being forced to be soldiers in Kony's army or "wives" for his officers. . This has been going on for 26 years and no one has done anything about it. Not many were even informed about this until now 2012. Over this long expansion of 26 years Kony and his army has abducted over 30,000 children, and displaced over 2.1 million. I just can't even imagine how someone could even do this for 26 years. This picture is for those "invisible children" because they truly are invisible. If this ever happened in the United States, the whole world would know. But guess what, we are the future of our world, and we can make a change by simply spreading the word. I encourage you to watch that video or pledge here. I somehow want to be the change for my world as it grows. I want my kids to feel like my generation did something important, and maybe by doing this you can do that. Our world can be a peaceful place, but it's our decisions that do that. I say we can make our world better and make Kony famous for being one of the world's worst criminals.
I hope you all enjoy this photo. This photo truly has meaning to it and I hope everyone can see that. I hope you all can feel for the children that are invisible when you look at this photo. Well, I hope this inspires. It's been so lovely here. Have a fantastic day everyone! :)
Really? We all know clothes make the man! Even the farmer's work clothes. That makes them easy to spot by the righties so that they can brand them as under class. What? The righies are the unproductive non-working under class regardless of their clothes. Perhaps if they were in scrubs and carried butcher knives.
I am adding to my Mundt stash. I already spied another shack toward the mountains and made my way back. The Mundt barn is well behind me so I am on my way to investigate the back shack. This shed looks like a different style of construction. Here is where I spotted the marker on the traveler's grave. There are more possibilities to investigate than the Mundt barn out here. I wasn't ready for this.
The Mundt barn behind me and the Meining barn, west on county road #4, were built by the same contractor and both north of the Little Thompson river. Both families were related through marriage. Perhaps Ron Meining can fill me in. There are more possibilities than the Mundt barn around. I think that I see another shack toward the mountains. I found several prizes.
eDDie always finds barns for my agricultural collections. I have passed this place any number of times and it usually had a large dump bin in the view of the barn. This was shot north of Logmont and the barn. The place is about as abandoned as the fences.
A great sky showed up for a while and I raced north from town but could have found better skies an hour earlier. These clouds are coming in waves. Any sky dictated a day of trolling around Mundt with the camera. There have been too many blank and milk skies lately.
Old does not mean anything in this area, as it's very complicated to know or guess the age. Those women work like slaves for the men of the tribe, and cover their skin with clay, butter and animal fat, so they have a really scary look.
South Ethiopia Omo valley
The Hamar is a catlle herder tribe which lives on the Eastern side of the Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia. Honey collection is their major activity and their cattle is the meaning of their life. There are at least 27 words for the subtle variations of colours and textures of a cattle ! And each man has three names: a human, a goat and a cow name.
The Hamar have very unique rituals such as a bull-leaping ceremony, that a young men has to succeed in order to get married. The cow jumping is an initiation rite of passage for boys coming of age in Hamar tribe. Cows are lined up in a row. The initiate, naked, has to leap on the back of the first cow, then from one bull to another, until he finally reaches the end of the row. He must not fall of the row and must repeat successfully the test four times to have the right to become a husband. While the boys walk on cows, Hamar women accompany him: they jump and sing. Totally committed to their initiated sons, the mothers are whipped to blood, in order to prove their courage and accompany their sons during the test.
The Hamar are very preoccupied with their beauty. They have at times spectular haidresses.
Men use a wooden head rest which prevents the hair from touching the ground. You can see them walking with it everywhere ! It is used as head rest to protect the clay wig that some do on the top of the head, but it is also usefulas a seat ! Even if there is a chair close to them, they prefer to use the head rest !
Women know many ways to do their hair. The most famous hair style is when their hair is in short tufts rolled in ochre and fat or in long twisted strands. These coppery coloured strands are called "goscha", it's a sign of health and welfare.
They also wear bead necklaces, iron bracelets around their arms, and decorate their breast with lots of cowry shells, like a natural bra.
Around married women's necks, you can see "esente": torques made of iron wrapped in leather. These are engagement presents; they are worn for life and indicate their husband's wealth. One of the necklaces catch more especially the attention: it is called the "bignere". It's also an iron and leather ring, which has a phallic-shape end. But this jewelry can only be worn by a man's first wife.
I remember a woman I have met. On her neck, there were three necklaces. According to what I just explained about the bignere, the biggest one at the top means she was "First Wife". This is important, as her statut is the higher one in Hamer society. But as she has two more simple necklaces around her neck: that means her husband took two more wives... The Hamar women who are not first wife have a really hard life and they are more slaves than wives... During my trip, I could see some of these women, working like slaves for the men: their skin were covered with clay, butter and animal fat... So they were a little scary ! Another thing to know about these women: the more scars one has on her back, the higher is her status.
The young unmarried girls, for their part, wear a kind of oval shape plate, in metal. It is used like a sunshield, but it tends to be rare in the tribe. Some of them have fund their future husband, but have to wait in their house until the so-called prentender can provide all the money for the ceremony: he has to pay for all the cows the bride-to-be's family asks for. These girls are called "Uta" and have to wait three months, entirely covered with red clay... And no right to take baths or showers ! They cannot go out of the house, let alone the village.That's why it is very rare to see or take a photo of a Uta. A cruel tradition still has currency for some Hamar: unmarried women can have babies to test their fertility, but some of them are just abandonned in the bush. This tradition tends to disapear but NGO still save abandonned new borns. Abandonments are all the more frequent than some Hamar believe that a child born out of formal marriages has "mingi", as to say something abnormal and unclean. For them, it is the expression of the devil, which may cause disasters such as epidemics or drought in the village. So, illegitimate children are abandoned. This kind of beliefs can also be observed in other Ethiopan tribes: many parents prefer to sacrifice their own child rather than risk being affected by the evil eye.
Something left me a really strong impression in Africa: football is of the highest importance, even in the most remote places !
I remember a boy, who was living several days-walk from the Turmi market. But as most of the young Hamar, he came there to watch football on television ! This guy was wearing a Chelsea tee-shirt, but still had to jump over ten bulls to be able to marry a girl in his tribe: a real culture shock! They are all really into Chelsea, Arsenal... such as many Ethiopians, who are just crazy about English football, because the national TV brodcasts every single match ! So, while I was in deep South Ethiopia, I still could ask “did Arsenal win?”, and always had an accurate answer: the score, the name of the scorers, etc...Strange, but true ! Meantime, the world economic crisis was at its high ! Even if you do not speak their language, you can exchange with those guys with few words like “Ribery, Thierry Henry, Drogba", etc. ! Of course, all the tribes do not go into this village, and only the ones who are not too far have this passion.
Other special feature in these tribes: their relation to the photos. I remember a day, in a restaurant in Dimeka -not to say the only one around there. I made a polaroid of a Hamar couple. The man was angry because, as he said, "the colors were not good" ; he threw the picture away. But the lady finally let him go, and took the picture with her ! It' was not the first time those people, from remote areas, do not have any pictures of themselves and so are very demanding about the quality of the picture they are on! For instance, the Mursi do not understand why the picture do not have their own real size !
Besides, it is not so easy to get smiles in this area. First, because people work really hard and second, because it is very difficult to share anything with them as we are seen as walking wallet with cameras !
© Eric Lafforgue
You know life is good when Hannah sends you a message saying she is in the mood for some photo therapy. She had a new outfit she wanted to try out and she wanted to do in a natural setting. Sounds good to me. We did this shoot on a blazing hot evening at the Scentsy campus in Meridian, Idaho in July 2022. Hannah is simply awesome to shoot with and we're already plotting future shoots.
Quick aside - this is the same area I shot Hannah at the beginning of 2022 - it was snowy and bitterly cold - about 20 degrees. She was turning blue. Big difference!
Well you know I had to be doing two things at once during the Super Bowl. Well at least during the pre-game :)
While our Baltimore Ravens were preparing for their game, I was outside taking in the sunset that was falling over Maryland. The river that was frozen over last sunday was not thawed out, with some reminder large chunks of ice along the beach.
Set up this shot on the beach to capture this remaining ice and the sunset lighting falling onto it and the very choppy water. The ten minute expsoure really smoothed out the water, and the flow captured of the clouds and the sunset light was just fabulous. This was taken after the sun was set. This wide crop focuses on the beach. I will also post the upper crop of this that is more about that great sky later.
Best part about setting up the 15 stops of light for the 10 minute exposure ... I was able to go inside and watch the pregame show and Eat!!!
We know that earlier diagnosis of cervical cancer can help save lives, so our message to women is to start talking, spread the word about signs and symptoms of the diseases, and help break down the wall of embarrassment that could put their lives at risk.
Sources: The Eve Appeal Cervical Cancer Information Leaflet
By The Eve Appeal gynaecology cancer research fund, London UK - on Facebook and Twitter
Our Posts about - Cervical Cancer - Ovarian Cancer - Women's Health
Again, I know it has been a long time since I posted some new pics. Last night, I had the opportunity to get dressed and go to an LGBT slowdance. This is where they play slow dance music all night long and people ask each other to dance. I have been there many times as a boy, but this time I thought I would go there dressed as I have seen some other trans people there. So, got my blouse, short leather skirt and high heels out and went! I knew that I would run into people that knew me as a boy, but I feel that I am changing my perspective on this -- I decided to show myself. The people that knew me were very supportive. What I realized is that most of the gay guys pretty much ignored me, but I did dance with a few women, so I'm sure some of you heterosexual crossdressers would appreciate that! Things started looking up though when I met a tall bi man who asked me to dance several times -- he was very nice...alas, he is married! He made me feel like a lady!
MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT THIS PICTURE.
Gen Nguyen Ngoc Loan, South Vietnamese chief of the national police, fires his pistol into the head of Van Lem aka Bay Lop (Viet Cong death squad Captain), on a Saigon street early on in the Tet offensive on 1 February 1968.
Van Lem led a sabotage unit, with Viet Cong tanks alongside him, with the purpose of attacking the Armor Camp in Go Vap at approximately 4.30am. After his troops took command of the base, Van Lem arrested Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Tuan, along with his family and made him show him and his troops how to drive tanks. When Tuan refused to help, VAN LEM KILLED ALL MEMBERS OF TUAN'S FAMILY, INCLUDING HIS MOTHER WHO WAS 80 YEARS OLD. Only one member survived this slaughter, a 10-year-old boy who was seriously injured.
Van Lem was caught close to a mass grave that held 34 innocent bodies of civilians. He admitted that he was proud of killing these people, carrying out orders from his unit leader to do so. Loan had personally witnessed one of his officers being murdered, along with his three small children and wife in cold blood so when Van Lem was brought to him following his capture Loan executed him using his own sidearm (a .38 Smith & Wesson Model 38) right before the NBC News television Cameraman Vo Suu and AP photographer Eddie Adams. This meant the image and video of this execution was broadcast worldwide and bolstered the anti-war movement.
Photographer Eddie Adams reported that after the shooting, Loan approached him and said: “They killed many of my people, and yours too,” then walked away.
The photographic image enabled Eddie Adams to win the 1969 Pulitzer Prize in the category ‘Spot News Photography’ although Adams was later to regret the images impact (supposedly). The image went on to be used as an anti-war icon. Adams went on to write in Time Magazine ‘The general killed the Viet Cong; I killed the general with my camera. Still photographs are the most powerful weapon in the world. People believe them, but photographs do lie, even without manipulation. They are only half-truths. What the photograph didn’t say was, “What would you do if you were the general at that time and place on that hot day, and you caught the so-called bad guy after he blew away one, two or three American soldiers?”’
A few months after the execution picture was taken, Loan was seriously wounded by machine gun fire that led to the amputation of his leg. Again his picture hit the world press, this time as Australian war correspondent Pat Burgess carried him back to his lines. In addition to his military service, Loan was an advocate for hospital construction.
In 1975, during the fall of Saigon, Loan fled South Vietnam. He moved to the United States. When he arrived, the Immigration and Nationalization Services wanted to deport him partially because of the photo taken by Adams. They approached Adams to testify against Loan, but Adams instead testified in his favor and Loan was allowed to stay, and opened a pizza restaurant in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Burke, Virginia at Rolling Valley Mall called "Les Trois Continents". In 1991, he was forced into retirement when publicity about his past led to a sharp decline in business. Adams recalled that on his last visit to the pizza parlor, he had seen written on a toilet wall, "We know who you are, fucker".
Nguyễn was married to Chinh Mai, with whom he raised five children. Nguyễn Ngọc Loan died of cancer on 14 July 1998, aged 67, in Burke, Virginia.
Eddie Adams apologized in person at a later date to Loan and his immediate family for any damage the picture and his statements about it had done to Loan’s reputation. After Loan passed away of cancer in Virginia, Adams said of him ‘The guy was a hero. America should be crying. I just hate to see him go this way, without people knowing anything about him.’ Loan was married to Chinh Mai and together they raised 5 children, Loan succumbed to cancer and died on July 14th, 1998 aged 67 in Burke, Virginia.
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© This photograph is copyrighted. Under no circumstances can it be reproduced, distributed, modified, copied, posted to websites or printed or published in media or other medium or used for commercial or other uses without the prior written consent and permission of the photographer.
Goodness knows how many months have passed since , Harlow Bus Garage passed from the control of TGM to Arriva Kent Thameside . ( Part of Arriva Southern Counties ) .
One of Kent Thameside ‘s first “jobs” was to ditch the “Network Harlow” brand and colours . The vehicles started to appear in Arriva’s Corporate Livery .
However , here on 02nd July 2018 , Optare Solo M880 1454 YJ06FXT , still carries the “Network Harlow” colours .
Delivered new in March-2006 to Arriva East Herts & Essex , it has worked for now four Arriva companies . East Herts & Essex , The Shires , TGM and now Kent Thameside .
Caught here entering Harlow’s Bus Station , working on Town Route 1 , inbound from Sumners Estate , and Katherines Estate .
About an hour later I subsequently had a ride here on out to Katherines , to visit my family , who live there-on .
I know its a cliché,but if these walls could talk,I'd love to hear there stories...This old farmhouse has such a wonderful setting,looking out over a green valley where cattle graze and corn grows.I can imagine the builder of this house standing on top that hill and thinking,"this is paradise"...
The farm is located in an area called Pleasant Valley,go figure...
I didn't know this walking trail went this way! With open areas passing businesses and adjoining neighborhoods with benches to relax and rest.
Shameless anthropomorphism I know.
A family birthday at Skegness , a five hour free window Identified , one hour there , one hour back , three hours photography possible , and could make the birthday dinner.
Always wanted to go to Donna Nook.
Met Alison again happy days, great to see you again :0)
Kevin I forgot my zoom Dohhh !!!
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
ƒ/8.0
300.0 mm
1/640
iso 1250
At munich airport i had to show that my camera was not a bomb or some other kind of terrorist thing. So they wanted to make a photo. Do not know why this was happened. I like it.
What we see and what we hear is not always real. We live in illusions of all kinds. Seek to see and hear truth. But enjoy art we know it is all illusions. Art should be our moment of escape to a place that can be safe and far from all the things to real. Even if that be just a fast moment.
Mike
Father and son collaboration
Our photographic art is a kinetic motion study, from the results of interacting with my son A.J and his toys.
He was born severely handicapped much like a quadriplegic. On December 17,1998. Our family’s goal has always been to help A.J. use his mind, even though he has minimal use of his body.
A.J. likes to watch lights and movement. One of the few things he can do for himself is to operate a switch that sets in motion lights and various shiny, colorful streamers and toys that swirl above his bed.
One day I took a picture of A.J. with his toys flying out from the big mobile near his bed like swings on a carnival ride. I liked the way the swirling objects and colors looked in the photo.
I wanted to study the motion more and photograph the whirling objects in an artful way, I wanted my son A.J. to be a part of it. After all, he’s the one who inspires me. When A.J. and I work together on our motion artwork, A.J. starts his streamers and objects twirling, I take the photographs.
Activating a tiny switch might not seem like much to some, but it’s all A.J. can do. He controls the direction the mobile will spin, as well as when it starts and stops. The shutter speeds are long, and sometimes, I move the camera and other times I hold it still.
I begin our creation with a Nikon digital camera. Then I use my computer with Photoshop to alter the images into what I feel might be an artistic way. Working with Photoshop, I find the best parts from several images and combine them into the final composite photograph. I consider the finished work to be fine art. The computer is just the vehicle that helps my expressions grow.
I take the photographs and A.J. adds the magic. It’s something this father and son do together. After I’ve taken a few shots, I show him the photos in the back of the camera. When the images are completed, I show him from a laptop. He just looks. He can’t tell me whether or not he likes the images, but he’s always ready to work with me again.
It offers me my only glance into A.J.’s secret world. We’ve built a large collection of images and I hope the motion and color move you as much as they do me.
A.J. inspires me to work harder to understand my life in the areas of art, photography, people, spirituality, and so much more. He truly sets my mind in motion and helps me find the beauty in everyday things.
Mike
Abstract Art set:
www.flickr.com/photos/patnode-rainbowman/sets/72157602269...
AJ Patnode - A Journey of Hope (documentary):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR7m8QFcmRM
This shows how I do the Camera work:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmjVVGraUVw
AJ'S blog:
I know these might not look like spectacular pictures, but they’re incredibly difficult to take. Ever heard the expression “quick as lightning”? So in the same split-second, you have to spot the lightning bolt in a sea of black clouds from 400 km above, aim at this minuscule white dot with your viewfinder and a big 800mm lens, focus (in the dark), and shoot. Needless to say this is impossible unless you figure out another technique… Oh well, maybe looking at the thunder striking the planet from above the massive night clouds doesn’t impress you, but I find it excessively beautiful and menacing, like swimming in deep dark waters at night and wondering what’s below you… Huge respect to Andreas Mogensen who only spent eight days on the ISS but still managed to capture a lightning strike and an even more elusive blue jet erupting upwards from it. His photo (well it was a video still actually) encouraged the "space storm hunter" ASIM facility that is now outside the Columbus module. It is purpose-built to take pictures like this, but they are not so beautiful as they use different wavelengths that are much more interesting and useful to scientists. Also it takes 720 pictures of our planet a minute... continuously, how can we compete with that? Come to think of it, Andreas must be an extremely lucky guy! ;) ASIM is revealing things nobody knew about thunderstorms, explaining new phenomena and discovering new ways of how lightning is interacting with our atmosphere and influencing our climate! www.esa.int/asim
Survolés de nuit, les orages sont spectaculaires, à la fois magnifiques et un peu inquiétants – un peu comme nager de nuit dans des eaux sombres sans savoir ce qui se cache dans les profondeurs... On devine la couverture nuageuse qui recouvre les lumières des villes et donne une texture ouatée au noir du sol, et puis de manière aléatoire, une espèce de boule de lumière s’allume ici et là et dessine les contours du nuage jusqu’ici complètement indistinct dans l’obscurité.
Pendant ma première mission, je n’ai jamais réussi à prendre d’orages en photo de nuit, pour la simple raison que la durée d’un éclair ne donne pas le temps de viser, faire la mise au point et prendre la photo… Cette fois-ci j’ai changé de tactique : je vise une zone d’orages intense avec une mise au point qui devrait être la bonne et je prends les photos au hasard en espérant avoir la chance qu’un éclair claque au moment où j’appuie sur le déclencheur (et que mon exposition et ma mise au point sont correctes). Pour une fois, après 5 minutes de mitraillage, je ne suis pas revenu bredouille de la chasse aux éclairs. Mon collègue et ami Andy Mogensen a quant à lui réussi à photographier des jets bleus jaillissant par-dessus un orage pendant sa mission en 2015, dans le cadre de l’expérience THOR, et a ainsi permis de lever le voile sur un phénomène jusque-là resté très mystérieux. A la suite de son cliché, l’ESA a fait installer l'équipement ASIM sur l’extérieur de la Station, capable de mitrailler les orages (longueurs d'ondes différentes et 720 photos par minute !). On a encore beaucoup à apprendre sur la foudre, notamment comment elle interagit avec notre atmosphère et influence notre climat.
Credits: ESA/NASA–T. Pesquet
513B6258
i dont know what to do.
in regards to the 365 project.
in regards to photography.
i walked into my schools art show today to find only my black paper mattes left for over 6 of my photos spaces today.
my art teacher had taken them down after she had approved of them for the show.
i wouldnt have even known they were down before people saw them unless i had gone in to check before the show tonight.
i am lost.
i am not sure if i will continue this project.
He knows what to do with a drill. Seemed very comfortable with it. Was not aware he'd seen anyone use a drill.
The adjourning of the Great Congress of Lenfald brought with it almost as many questions as it did answers. For Abner, it also brought new orders.
Gottfried, Abner's commander, strode over as the delegates began to rise and file out of the chamber.
"Abner," he said, looking directly into his subordinate's face. "Do you know why I chose you to accompany me to such an important occurrence?"
Abner stood and addressed his captain. "I know not, sir."
"It is because I feel you are trustworthy and that you possess great patience," continued Captain Gottfried. "Am I incorrect in my judgments?"
"Nay, sir, I am worthy of your trust and I am a patient man," replied Abner, somewhat confused.
Captain Gottfried's mouth turned up in a rare mischievous smile. "Good, because we have been given the task of escorting his lordship the Grand Duke Meyrick back to Ainesford!"
Abner shook his head in disbelief. "That is just not fair, sir," he replied.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The small company departed Stonewald the following morning on horseback; Grand Duke Meyrick and his aide, Captain Gottfried, Abner, and a small detachment of rangers from the capital.
The journey was uneventful, and the riders came in view of the Ainesford gates in a few days' time. The city itself, however, was another matter.
Smoke billowed from an old warehouse just inside the perimeter wall and the shouts of men working frantically to douse the flames could be heard even outside the city. Rioters charged through the streets, hurling torches and brandishing various farm implements menacingly. Soldiers stood guard in front of key buildings, clashing occasionally with particularly bold citizens.
Grand Duke Meyrick motioned for the rangers to follow and trotted his horse ahead, leading the party towards the city center. A cry came up from a woman in the street, "Aye, look 'ere! Tis the duke, returnin' to take 'way all our 'ard-earn'd money!"
People began to shout and run after the horsemen, who now galloped towards a large building only a few hundred yards ahead. Abner recognized it as the city hall of Ainesford - an old, worn, but still beautiful building originally constructed as a symbol of the city's economic prosperity. It was surrounded by soldiers, a handful of whom rushed forward to greet their lord and take away the horses.
The group dismounted hastily and the captain of the guard ushered them inside, shutting the heavy oaken doors firmly behind them.
"This is madness," said Gottfried, pointing back towards the chaos. "Utter madness."
The din of the mob could still be heard clearly outside.
"It will subside," replied Sorley Meyrick cooly, taking a seat at the long table in the center of the hall.
"That's your answer?!" cried Gottfried, seating himself across from the duke and his aide, "Ignore the problem and wait for it to solve itself?"
The grand duke glared at the ranger captain. "Don't question me, Captain. Remember that you are a guest in my city and that I was a ranger once as well. I know how hot-headed you types are."
Gottfried rose angrily, knocking over his chair and slamming his sword on the table. "YOU have no power but that which the people grant to you!" he yelled. "And by the sound of it," he said, cupping his hand to his ear dramatically (the rioters could be heard just outside the hall), "they don't seem very supportive right now."
Now the duke rose, and his aide with him. "How DARE you!" screamed Meyrick, "How dare you question a Grand Duke- a lord- a, a, a NOBLEMAN! I will not have this kind of disrespect. I will have your head! You will pay for this- hang for this! You lily-livered, toad-licking-"
"ENOUGH!"
The room fell utterly silent and everyone turned in shock to the man who had just shouted. Abner stepped forward from the shadows into the light of the chandelier.
"What did you just say to me, boy?" growled the duke.
"I said 'enough'," replied Abner calmly. "Now I believe my commander was about to propose a resolution to this issue that you seem incapable of handling on your own." He inclined his head to Gottfried. "Pardon the interruption, sir. Please continue."
Captain Gottfried shook his head, placed his hands on his hips, and let out a hearty laugh. He looked back up at the duke and said, "Now when is the last time you met someone who could make me chuckle?"
Grand Duke Meyrick took a moment to recover, then a thin smile spread across his face as well. "Your man doesn't disappoint in the least, Gottfried. Bring him to the table, let's see what kind of ideas this young man has for solving our rioting problem."
Abner, utterly confused, walked slowly up to the table and took his chair as the other men sat.
"Our apologies for the deception, friend, but we had to know you were willing to risk your own self in these difficult times before we trusted your counsel," said the duke. "Gottfried here has spoken most highly of you- he says you are very wise."
Abner, still completely lost, stammered, "You gentlemen... know each other?"
Grand Duke Meyrick and Captain Gottfried looked at each other for a moment, then broke out into another fit of laughter.
"I'm telling you!" said Gottfried between laughs, "This fellow is hilarious!"
Seeing the bewildered expression still plastered across Abner's face, Grand Duke Meyrick said, "Abner, this is my brother-Gottfried Meyrick."
Unrestricted entry to the LoR GCX - Unrest.
All of my friends know that I love to travel. But while I love seeing new places and countries, I don't feel the same way about flying....or rather the act of flying. And the smaller the plane, the more I tend to get that sinking feeling. My friend Bruce has been a bit of an aviation buff for many years. He can easily tell you the names and paths of just about every type of plane landing at the airport. So when a mutual acquaintance of ours made a suggestion to take a short flight around the island (for his pilot's license requirements), he was ready to jump at the chance. I will admit that I was lukewarm to the idea but their enthusiasm was infectious.
Maybe it was time to try something new. So, even with the initial misgivings, I decided to jump in. The first flight got cancelled due to the weather but the second one looked good. So on May 5 2018 (Cinco de Mayo), I decided to bite the bullet and packed up my camera to take in a side of Barbados not seen by many. I've been on a plane to and from Barbados before, but never circling the island at around 2,000 ft. And what an experience it was.
One of the things that I discovered about flying in a small plane is that while you're in the air at 2,000 feet, a simple kit lens can still get you some great detail shots. My telephoto lens was in my camera bag which was stowed away in the baggage compartment (under the plane). So that was out of the question. I was going to shoot wide mostly anyway, but it was nice to know that the 55mm setting was enough to get this close.
More to come....hope you're excited to see this series.
To all of you, hope you enjoyed the weekend and have an awesome week ahead, wherever you are!
Read more about that afternoon in my blog post here:
Facing Fears: A Cinco De Mayo Adventure
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Local tradition knows that Dortmund was founded by Charlemagne in the course of the Saxon Wars. The first written mention of "Throtmanni" dates back to 882.
In 1152, a court day was held in Dortmund under King Frederick Barbarossa. Craftsmen and merchants settled and so Dortmund developed into city. A fire in 1232 almost completely destroyed the town. The fire also caused the loss of the town's archives and with them all documents from the time before the fire. Dortmund's privileges, which had been lost in the fire, were renewed by Frederick II in 1236.
In 1293 the city was granted the brewing right and unprecedented development of the beer industry within the city began. In 1389, Dortmund survived the "Great Dortmund Feud" against the Count of the Mark and the Archbishop of Cologne. However, an economic decline was initiated. This process was continued and intensified by the Thirty Years' War and led to the city's decline, with the population falling to 4500 by 1793. Dortmund became an exclave of the Principality of Orange-Nassau. In 1808 Dortmund became part of the Napoleonic Grand Duchy of Berg. After the Prussian victory over Napoleon, Dortmund fell to the Prussian province of Westphalia in 1815. From the mid of 19th century, Dortmund's renewed rise and transformation into an industrial city began due to coal mining and steel processing. Since the opening of the railroad in 1847, Dortmund became a transportation hub in the Ruhr region. Another contribution to development came in 1899 with the opening of the Dortmund-Ems Canal. This infrastructure paved Dortmund's way to becoming a major city. The city grew beyond the narrow confines of the medieval ramparts.
By the outbreak of WWII, the townscape had changed from a farming town to a metropolitan appearance. During WWII, more than 100 air raids destroyed more than 90 percent of the city, including its historic churches. Reconstruction proceeded quickly, and by 1950 the city had 500,000 inhabitants.
Today, with about 590,000 inhabitants, Dortmund is part of the "Ruhr district", a polycentric urban area. With a population of over 5 million, it is the largest urban area in Germany.
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There is evidence of a palatine church from the Ottonian period, which was destroyed during war unrest around 1060 and then rebuilt with a new outer crypt to house the St. Reinoldus relics, which may have been brought to Dortmund in 1065. St. Reinholdus (aka "Renaud de Montauban") is since Dortmund´s patron saint
This church was probably destroyed again during fighting between 1113 and 1115 and then rebuilt. The fire of 1232 destroyed the church a third time. It was built from 1250 to 1270, and is located at the crossing of the Hellweg (a historic trade route) and the historic road from Cologne to Bremen. From 1421 to 1450, the large council chancel was built.. After its completion of the tower in 1454, it was 112 m tall and was referred to as the "Miracle of Westphalia".
The furnishings of St. Reinoldi make it clear that an essential function of the building was the representation of Dortmund's imperial freedom.
In 1562 the congregations of Dortmund confirmed their adoption of Lutheranism in St. Reinold's Church. In 1661, the tower collapsed after being damaged during an earthquake. The foundation for the new tower was laid in 1662, and the building was completed in 1701, with a baroque ornament on the top.
The church was heavily damaged in WW II. The reconstruction, partly financed by donations, began in 1950 and lasted six years. In June 1956, consecration was celebrated in the rebuilt church.
The statues of St. Reinoldi (left) and Charlemagne (right) flank the choir. Here a detail of Charlemagne.
Yes, I know I haven't uploaded for what seems like an eternity, but I've had a tough couple of weeks having to cope with family illness and juggling that with work. I'm ploughing through image collections as fast as I can and at the moment, I'm editing wedding photos. The Groom for this one is an electronics buff and made this for the top table. . . interesting!!
Ian Garfield Photography Website
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O.k. ... So my heater has been acting up for a couple weeks. Some days the thermostat won't kick it on. I fiddle with it...and eventually it comes on. Well today...nothing. I went to work, came home for lunch and realized it was out of whack. I tried to fix it to no avail. I bundled the dogs up with blankies on the couch and went back to work. Came home, it's still not working. Snoopy is in a bit of a panic when he's cold. He likes to burrow and heat up his surroundings. I had his sweater on but sometimes his little front leg gets tweaked. It's 68 degrees in the house and I usually keep it like 72-74. (I know, we're wussies! ) ; ) Everybody has their pleasure...ours at my house is being cool in the summer, and warm in the winter/spring. I pay my SMUD utility bill, so "I do what I want." They're coming tomorrow to fix the unit.
Moob: man-boob, Snoopy has one big one. hee hee
3/29/06 It's fixed! Yeah, It's rainy and cold, but we're all warm and toasty.
Henry should know better than to try and steal Zachary's Lacrosse Ball.
Although I'm not quite sure the punishment fits the crime.
Daily Dog Challenge 2378. "Pleased"
Well, Zachary's clearly pleased with himself for catching the culprit!
Those who have been playing along at home know I've spent many months (and yards of fabric) trying to come up with a good collar pattern for the boys.
From the first square of felt, binder-clipped to a dog collar (Jul 23 2011 - "On the Rocks") through a long line of cross-stitched "V" collars using plastic canvas, to the transition to the same collar in wide ribbon and then fabric (a ~34"x4" rectangular strip) to the sparkly purple curved-V collar with a black shawl collar of last month.
(In between were simple collars that look like I cut them from dress-shirts (I didn't), elaborate "waistcoats" (including a lovely blue brocade), and various full vests from fleece that never fit right.)
That sparkly purple curved-V collar was a combination of the plain "V" collar and a men's vest pattern. The purple collar didn't fit quite right, but with a few critical changes to the join in front (and yet another pattern generated) I ended up with something that I finally liked.
Since then, I've made it "plain", with a hood, with a mandarin collar (none photographed yet) and this - Zachary's police uniform.
This collar (shirt?) is a bit different from the other recent three, being cut higher at the neck to accommodate the afore mentioned shirt-collar pattern - both pattern's recut, of course, as nothing is ever that easy.
I might not make this variant again, but it worked perfectly here.
"And the seamstress looked upon her work, and she was (finally) pleased."
(Well, I suppose the collar could be a bit smaller. And I probably should have have a placket in front, and...)
Our Daily Challenge - May 7, 2018 - "It was a Gift"
I typically pick up fabric from the remnant bin at the local fabric store (end of bolts, so a yard or less) at 50% off current bolt price, and most importantly - I don't have to wait for it to be cut.
There are exceptions, however, and last week there was a big sale on flannel. Flannel is awesome fabric for my needs, so I picked up a veritable rainbow of colors including this handsome blue.
And I use a Gift Card from my mom to pay for my purchase. :)
Thanks Mom!
(All four recent collars were cut from my new "stash" - with plenty of fabric left to go)
100x : 2018 - #40
Stop on by Zachary and Henry's blog: bzdogs.com - The Secret Life of the Suburban Dog
My small contribution. Feel free to copy, post and modify it! Well I'd be happy if you let me know :).
Greenmonster
I post the whole essay of Kant in German first. The English version is below.
BEANTWORTUNG DER FRAGE: WAS IST AUFKLÄRUNG ?
Berlinische Monatsschrift. Dezember-Heft 1784. S. 481-494
IMMANUEL KANT
AUFKLÄRUNG ist der Ausgang des Menschen aus seiner selbstverschuldeten Unmündigkeit. Unmündigkeit ist das Unvermögen, sich seines Verstandes ohne Leitung eines anderen zu bedienen. Selbstverschuldet ist diese Unmündigkeit, wenn die Ursache derselben nicht am Mangel des Verstandes, sondern der Entschließung und des Mutes liegt, sich seiner ohne Leitung eines andern zu bedienen. Sapere aude! Habe Mut, dich deines eigenen Verstandes zu bedienen! ist also der Wahlspruch der Aufklärung.
Faulheit und Feigheit sind die Ursachen, warum ein so großer Teil der Menschen, nachdem sie die Natur längst von fremder Leitung freigesprochen [A482] (naturaliter maiorennes), dennoch gerne zeitlebens unmündig bleiben; und warum es anderen so leicht wird, sich zu deren Vormündern aufzuwerfen. Es ist so bequem, unmündig zu sein. Habe ich ein Buch, das für mich Verstand hat, einen Seelsorger, der für mich Gewissen hat, einen Arzt, der für mich die Diät beurteilt usw., so brauche ich mich ja nicht selbst zu bemühen. Ich habe nicht nötig zu denken, wenn ich nur bezahlen kann; andere werden das verdrießliche Geschäft schon für mich übernehmen. Daß der bei weitem größte Teil der Menschen (darunter das ganze schöne Geschlecht) den Schritt zur Mündigkeit, außer dem daß er beschwerlich ist, auch für sehr gefährlich halte, dafür sorgen schon jene Vormünder, die die Oberaufsicht über sie gütigst auf sich genommen haben. Nachdem sie ihr Hausvieh zuerst dumm gemacht haben und sorgfältig verhüteten, daß diese ruhigen Geschöpfe ja keinen Schritt außer dem Gängelwagen, darin sie sie einsperreten, wagen durften, so zeigen sie ihnen nachher die Gefahr, die ihnen drohet, wenn sie es versuchen, allein zu gehen. Nun ist diese Gefahr zwar eben so groß nicht, denn sie würden durch einigemal Fallen wohl endlich gehen lernen; allein ein Beispiel von der Art macht doch schüchtern und schreckt gemeiniglich von allen ferneren Versuchen ab.
Es ist also für jeden einzelnen Menschen schwer, sich aus der ihm beinahe zur Natur gewordenen Unmündigkeit [A483] herauszuarbeiten. Er hat sie sogar liebgewonnen und ist vorderhand wirklich unfähig, sich seines eigenen Verstandes zu bedienen, weil man ihn niemals den Versuch davon machen ließ. Satzungen und Formeln, diese mechanischen Werkzeuge eines vernünftigen Gebrauchs oder vielmehr Mißbrauchs seiner Naturgaben, sind die Fußschellen einer immerwährenden Unmündigkeit. Wer sie auch abwürfe, würde dennoch auch über den schmalesten Graben einen nur unsicheren Sprung tun, weil er zu dergleichen freier Bewegung nicht gewöhnt ist. Daher gibt es nur wenige, denen es gelungen ist, durch eigene Bearbeitung ihres Geistes sich aus der Unmündigkeit herauszuwickeln und dennoch einen sicheren Gang zu tun.
Daß aber ein Publikum sich selbst aufkläre, ist eher möglich; ja es ist, wenn man ihm nur Freiheit läßt, beinahe unausbleiblich. Denn da werden sich immer einige Selbstdenkende, sogar unter den eingesetzten Vormündern des großen Haufens finden, welche, nachdem sie das Joch der Unmündigkeit selbst abgeworfen haben, den Geist einer vernünftigen Schätzung des eigenen Werts und des Berufs jedes Menschen, selbst zu denken, um sich verbreiten werden. Besonders ist hiebei: daß das Publikum, welches zuvor von ihnen unter dieses Joch gebracht worden, sie hernach selbst zwingt, darunter zu bleiben, wenn es von einigen seiner Vormünder, die selbst aller Aufklärung unfähig sind, dazu aufgewiegelt [A484] worden; so schädlich ist es, Vorurteile zu pflanzen, weil sie sich zuletzt an denen selbst rächen, die oder deren Vorgänger ihre Urheber gewesen sind. Daher kann ein Publikum nur langsam zur Aufklärung gelangen. Durch eine Revolution wird vielleicht wohl ein Abfall von persönlichem Despotism und gewinnsüchtiger oder herrschsüchtiger Bedrückung, aber niemals wahre Reform der Denkungsart zustande kommen; sondern neue Vorurteile werden, ebensowohl als die alten, zum Leitbande des gedankenlosen großen Haufens dienen.
Zu dieser Aufklärung aber wird nichts erfordert als Freiheit; und zwar die unschädlichste unter allem, was nur Freiheit heißen mag, nämlich die: von seiner Vernunft in allen Stücken öffentlichen Gebrauch zu machen. Nun höre ich aber von allen Seiten rufen: Räsonniert nicht! Der Offizier sagt: Räsonniert nicht, sondern exerziert! Der Finanzrat: Räsonniert nicht, sondern bezahlt! Der Geistliche: Räsonniert nicht, sondern glaubt! (Nur ein einziger Herr in der Welt sagt: Räsonniert, soviel ihr wollt und worüber ihr wollt, aber gehorcht!) Hier ist überall Einschränkung der Freiheit. Welche Einschränkung aber ist der Aufklärung hinderlich, welche nicht, sondern ihr wohl gar beförderlich? – Ich antworte: Der öffentliche Gebrauch seiner Vernunft muß jederzeit frei sein, und der allein kann Aufklärung unter Menschen zustande [A485] bringen; der Privatgebrauch derselben aber darf öfters sehr enge eingeschränkt sein, ohne doch darum den Fortschritt der Aufklärung sonderlich zu hindern. Ich verstehe aber unter dem öffentlichen Gebrauche seiner eigenen Vernunft denjenigen, den jemand als Gelehrter von ihr vor dem ganzen Publikum der Leserwelt macht. Den Privatgebrauch nenne ich denjenigen, den er in einem gewissen ihm anvertrauten bürgerlichen Posten oder Amte von seiner Vernunft machen darf. Nun ist zu manchen Geschäften, die in das Interesse des gemeinen Wesens laufen, ein gewisser Mechanism notwendig, vermittelst dessen einige Glieder des gemeinen Wesens sich bloß passiv verhalten müssen, um durch eine künstliche Einhelligkeit von der Regierung zu öffentlichen Zwecken gerichtet oder wenigstens von der Zerstörung dieser Zwecke abgehalten zu werden. Hier ist es nun freilich nicht erlaubt zu räsonnieren; sondern man muß gehorchen. Sofern sich aber dieser Teil der Maschine zugleich als Glied eines ganzen gemeinen Wesens, ja sogar der Weltbürgergesellschaft ansieht, mithin in der Qualität eines Gelehrten, der sich an ein Publikum im eigentlichen Verstande durch Schriften wendet, kann er allerdings räsonnieren, ohne daß dadurch die Geschäfte leiden, zu denen er zum Teile als passives Glied angesetzt ist. So würde es sehr verderblich sein, wenn ein Offizier, dem von seinen Oberen etwas anbefohlen wird, im Dienste [A486] über die Zweckmäßigkeit oder Nützlichkeit dieses Befehls laut vernünfteln wollte; er muß gehorchen. Es kann ihm aber billigermaßen nicht verwehrt werden, als Gelehrter über die Fehler im Kriegesdienste Anmerkungen zu machen und diese seinem Publikum zur Beurteilung vorzulegen. Der Bürger kann sich nicht weigern, die ihm auferlegten Abgaben zu leisten; sogar kann ein vorwitziger Tadel solcher Auflagen, wenn sie von ihm geleistet werden sollen, als ein Skandal, (das allgemeine Widersetzlichkeiten veranlassen könnte), bestraft werden. Ebenderselbe handelt demohngeachtet der Pflicht eines Bürgers nicht entgegen, wenn er als Gelehrter wider die Unschicklichkeit oder auch Ungerechtigkeit solcher Ausschreibungen öffentlich seine Gedanken äußert. Ebenso ist ein Geistlicher verbunden, seinen Katechismusschülern und seiner Gemeine nach dem Symbol der Kirche, der er dient, seinen Vortrag zu tun, denn er ist auf diese Bedingung angenommen worden. Aber als Gelehrter hat er volle Freiheit, ja sogar den Beruf dazu, alle seine sorgfältig geprüften und wohlmeinenden Gedanken über das Fehlerhafte in jenem Symbol und Vorschläge wegen besserer Einrichtung des Religions- und Kirchenwesens dem Publikum mitzuteilen. Es ist hiebei auch nichts, was dem Gewissen zur Last gelegt werden könnte. Denn was er zufolge seines Amts als Geschäftträger der Kirche lehrt, das stellt er als etwas vor, in Ansehung [A487] dessen er nicht freie Gewalt hat, nach eigenem Gutdünken zu lehren, sondern das er nach Vorschrift und im Namen eines andern vorzutragen angestellt ist. Er wird sagen: unsere Kirche lehrt dieses oder jenes; das sind die Beweisgründe, deren sie sich bedient. Er zieht alsdann allen praktischen Nutzen für seine Gemeinde aus Satzungen, die er selbst nicht mit voller Überzeugung unterschreiben würde, zu deren Vortrag er sich gleichwohl anheischig machen kann, weil es doch nicht ganz unmöglich ist, daß darin Wahrheit verborgen läge, auf alle Fälle aber wenigstens doch nichts der innern Religion Widersprechendes darin angetroffen wird. Denn glaubte er das letztere darin zu finden, so würde er sein Amt mit Gewissen nicht verwalten können; er müßte es niederlegen. Der Gebrauch also, den ein angestellter Lehrer von seiner Vernunft vor seiner Gemeinde macht, ist bloß ein Privatgebrauch, weil diese immer nur eine häusliche, obzwar noch so große Versammlung ist; und in Ansehung dessen ist er als Priester nicht frei und darf es auch nicht sein, weil er einen fremden Auftrag ausrichtet. Dagegen als Gelehrter, der durch Schriften zum eigentlichen Publikum, nämlich der Welt spricht, mithin der Geistliche im öffentlichen Gebrauche seiner Vernunft, genießt einer uneingeschränkten Freiheit, sich seiner eigenen Vernunft zu bedienen und in seiner eigenen Person zu sprechen. Denn daß die Vormünder des Volks [A488] (in geistlichen Dingen) selbst wieder unmündig sein sollen, ist eine Ungereimtheit, die auf Verewigung der Ungereimtheiten hinausläuft.
Aber sollte nicht eine Gesellschaft von Geistlichen, etwa eine Kirchenversammlung oder eine ehrwürdige Classis (wie sie sich unter den Holländern selbst nennt), berechtigt sein, sich eidlich auf ein gewisses unveränderliches Symbol zu verpflichten, um so eine unaufhörliche Obervormundschaft über jedes ihrer Glieder und vermittelst ihrer über das Volk zu führen und diese so gar zu verewigen? Ich sage: das ist ganz unmöglich. Ein solcher Kontrakt, der auf immer alle weitere Aufklärung vom Menschengeschlechte abzuhalten geschlossen würde, ist schlechterdings null und nichtig; und sollte er auch durch die oberste Gewalt, durch Reichstage und die feierlichsten Friedensschlüsse bestätigt sein. Ein Zeitalter kann sich nicht verbünden und darauf verschwören, das folgende in einen Zustand zu setzen, darin es ihm unmöglich werden muß, seine (vornehmlich so sehr angelegentliche) Erkenntnisse zu erweitern, von Irrtümern zu reinigen und überhaupt in der Aufklärung weiterzuschreiten. Das wäre ein Verbrechen wider die menschliche Natur, deren ursprüngliche Bestimmung gerade in diesem Fortschreiten besteht; und die Nachkommen sind also vollkommen dazu berechtigt, jene Beschlüsse, als unbefugter und frevelhafter Weise genommen, zu verwerfen. Der Probierstein [A489] alles dessen, was über ein Volk als Gesetz beschlossen werden kann, liegt in der Frage: ob ein Volk sich selbst wohl ein solches Gesetz auferlegen könnte? Nun wäre dieses wohl, gleichsam in der Erwartung eines bessern, auf eine bestimmte kurze Zeit möglich, um eine gewisse Ordnung einzuführen: indem man es zugleich jedem der Bürger, vornehmlich dem Geistlichen, frei ließe, in der Qualität eines Gelehrten öffentlich, d. i. durch Schriften, über das Fehlerhafte der dermaligen Einrichtung seine Anmerkungen zu machen, indessen die eingeführte Ordnung noch immer fortdauerte, bis die Einsicht in die Beschaffenheit dieser Sachen öffentlich so weit gekommen und bewähret worden, daß sie durch Vereinigung ihrer Stimmen (wenngleich nicht aller) einen Vorschlag vor den Thron bringen könnte, um diejenigen Gemeinden in Schutz zu nehmen, die sich etwa nach ihren Begriffen der besseren Einsicht zu einer veränderten Religionseinrichtung geeinigt hätten, ohne doch diejenigen zu hindern, die es beim alten wollten bewenden lassen. Aber auf eine beharrliche, von niemanden öffentlich zu bezweifelnde Religionsverfassung auch nur binnen der Lebensdauer eines Menschen sich zu einigen, und dadurch einen Zeitraum in dem Fortgange der Menschheit zur Verbesserung gleichsam zu vernichten und fruchtlos, dadurch aber wohl gar der Nachkommenschaft nachteilig zu machen ist schlechterdings unerlaubt. Ein Mensch kann zwar für seine Person [A490] und auch alsdann nur auf einige Zeit in dem, was ihm zu wissen obliegt, die Aufklärung aufschieben; aber auf sie Verzicht zu tun, es sei für seine Person, mehr aber noch für die Nachkommenschaft, heißt die heiligen Rechte der Menschheit verletzen und mit Füßen treten. Was aber nicht einmal ein Volk über sich selbst beschließen darf, das darf noch weniger ein Monarch über das Volk beschließen; denn sein gesetzgebendes Ansehen beruht eben darauf, daß er den gesamten Volkswillen in dem seinigen vereinigt. Wenn er nur darauf sieht, daß alle wahre oder vermeinte Verbesserung mit der bürgerlichen Ordnung zusammenbestehe, so kann er seine Untertanen übrigens nur selbst machen lassen, was sie um ihres Seelenheils willen zu tun nötig finden; das geht ihn nichts an, wohl aber zu verhüten, daß nicht einer den andern gewalttätig hindere, an der Bestimmung und Beförderung desselben nach allem seinen Vermögen zu arbeiten. Es tut selbst seiner Majestät Abbruch, wenn er sich hierin mischt, indem er die Schriften, wodurch seine Untertanen ihre Einsichten ins reine zu bringen suchen, seiner Regierungsaufsicht würdigt, sowohl wenn er dieses aus eigener höchsten Einsicht tut, wo er sich dem Vorwurfe aussetzt: Caesar non est supra grammaticos, als auch und noch weit mehr, wenn er seine oberste Gewalt soweit erniedrigt, den geistlichen Despotism einiger Tyrannen [A491] in seinem Staate gegen seine übrigen Untertanen zu unterstützen.
Wenn denn nun gefragt wird: leben wir jetzt in einem aufgeklärten Zeitalter? so ist die Antwort: Nein, aber wohl in einem Zeitalter der Aufklärung. Daß die Menschen, wie die Sachen jetzt stehen, im ganzen genommen, schon imstande wären oder darin auch nur gesetzt werden könnten, in Religionsdingen sich ihres eigenen Verstandes ohne Leitung eines andern sicher und gut zu bedienen, daran fehlt noch sehr viel. Allein, daß jetzt ihnen doch das Feld geöffnet wird, sich dahin frei zu bearbeiten und die Hindernisse der allgemeinen Aufklärung oder des Ausganges aus ihrer selbstverschuldeten Unmündigkeit allmählich weniger werden, davon haben wir doch deutliche Anzeigen. In diesem Betracht ist dieses Zeitalter das Zeitalter der Aufklärung oder das Jahrhundert FRIEDERICHS.
Ein Fürst, der es seiner nicht unwürdig findet zu sagen, daß er es für Pflicht halte, in Religionsdingen den Menschen nichts vorzuschreiben, sondern ihnen darin volle Freiheit zu lassen, der also selbst den hochmütigen Namen der Toleranz von sich ablehnt, ist selbst aufgeklärt und verdient von der dankbaren Welt und Nachwelt als derjenige gepriesen zu werden, der zuerst das menschliche Geschlecht der Unmündigkeit, wenigsten von seiten der Regierung, entschlug und jedem frei ließ, sich [A492] in allem, was Gewissensangelegenheit ist, seiner eigenen Vernunft zu bedienen. Unter ihm dürfen verehrungswürdige Geistliche, unbeschadet ihrer Amtspflicht, ihre vom angenommenen Symbol hier oder da abweichenden Urteile und Einsichten in der Qualität der Gelehrten frei und öffentlich der Welt zur Prüfung darlegen; noch mehr aber jeder andere, der durch keine Amtspflicht eingeschränkt ist. Dieser Geist der Freiheit breitet sich auch außerhalb aus, selbst da, wo er mit äußeren Hindernissen einer sich selbst mißverstehenden Regierung zu ringen hat. Denn es leuchtet dieser doch ein Beispiel vor, daß bei Freiheit für die öffentliche Ruhe und Einigkeit des gemeinen Wesens nicht das mindeste zu besorgen sei. Die Menschen arbeiten sich von selbst nach und nach aus der Rohigkeit heraus, wenn man nur nicht absichtlich künstelt, um sie darin zu erhalten.
Ich habe den Hauptpunkt der Aufklärung, d. i. des Ausganges der Menschen aus ihrer selbstverschuldeten Unmündigkeit, vorzüglich in Religionssachen gesetzt, weil in Ansehung der Künste und Wissenschaften unsere Beherrscher kein Interesse haben, den Vormund über ihre Untertanen zu spielen, überdem auch jene Unmündigkeit, so wie die schädlichste, also auch die entehrendste unter allen ist. Aber die Denkungsart eines Staatsoberhaupts, der die erstere begünstigt, geht noch weiter und sieht ein: daß selbst in Ansehung seiner Gesetzgebung [A493] es ohne Gefahr sei, seinen Untertanen zu erlauben, von ihrer eigenen Vernunft öffentlichen Gebrauch zu machen und ihre Gedanken über eine bessere Abfassung derselben, sogar mit einer freimütigen Kritik der schon gegebenen, der Welt öffentlich vorzulegen; davon wir ein glänzendes Beispiel haben, wodurch noch kein Monarch demjenigen vorging, welchen wir verehren.
Aber auch nur derjenige, der, selbst aufgeklärt, sich nicht vor Schatten fürchtet, zugleich aber ein wohldiszipliniertes zahlreiches Heer zum Bürgen der öffentlichen Ruhe zur Hand hat, – kann das sagen, was ein Freistaat nicht wagen darf: Räsonniert, soviel ihr wollt, und worüber ihr wollt; nur gehorcht! So zeigt sich hier ein befremdlicher, nicht erwarteter Gang menschlicher Dinge; sowie auch sonst, wenn man ihn im großen betrachtet, darin fast alles paradox ist. Ein größerer Grad bürgerlicher Freiheit scheint der Freiheit des Geistes des Volks vorteilhaft und setzt ihr doch unübersteigliche Schranken; ein Grad weniger von jener verschafft hingegen diesem Raum, sich nach allem seinen Vermögen auszubreiten. Wenn denn die Natur unter dieser harten Hülle den Keim, für den sie am zärtlichsten sorgt, nämlich den Hang und Beruf zum freien Denken, ausgewickelt hat: so wirkt dieser allmählich zurück auf die Sinnesart des Volks, (wodurch dies der Freiheit zu handeln [A494] nach und nach fähiger wird), und endlich auch sogar auf die Grundsätze der Regierung, die es ihr selbst zuträglich findet, den Menschen, der nun mehr als Maschine ist, seiner Würde gemäß zu behandeln.¹
Königsberg in Preußen, den 30. Septemb. 1784. I. Kant.
___________________________________________________
An Answer to the Question:
What is Enlightenment? (1784)
by IMMANUEL KANT
Enlightenment is man's emergence from his self-imposed immaturity. Immaturity is the inability to use one's understanding without guidance from another. This immaturity is self-imposed when its cause lies not in lack of understanding, but in lack of resolve and courage to use it without guidance from another. Sapere Aude! [dare to know] "Have courage to use your own understanding!"--that is the motto of enlightenment.
Laziness and cowardice are the reasons why so great a proportion of men, long after nature has released them from alien guidance (natura-liter maiorennes), nonetheless gladly remain in lifelong immaturity, and why it is so easy for others to establish themselves as their guardians. It is so easy to be immature. If I have a book to serve as my understanding, a pastor to serve as my conscience, a physician to determine my diet for me, and so on, I need not exert myself at all. I need not think, if only I can pay: others will readily undertake the irksome work for me. The guardians who have so benevolently taken over the supervision of men have carefully seen to it that the far greatest part of them (including the entire fair sex) regard taking the step to maturity as very dangerous, not to mention difficult. Having first made their domestic livestock dumb, and having carefully made sure that these docile creatures will not take a single step without the go-cart to which they are harnessed, these guardians then show them the danger that threatens them, should they attempt to walk alone. Now this danger is not actually so great, for after falling a few times they would in the end certainly learn to walk; but an example of this kind makes men timid and usually frightens them out of all further attempts.
Thus, it is difficult for any individual man to work himself out of the immaturity that has all but become his nature. He has even become fond of this state and for the time being is actually incapable of using his own understanding, for no one has ever allowed him to attempt it. Rules and formulas, those mechanical aids to the rational use, or rather misuse, of his natural gifts, are the shackles of a permanent immaturity. Whoever threw them off would still make only an uncertain leap over the smallest ditch, since he is unaccustomed to this kind of free movement. Consequently, only a few have succeeded, by cultivating their own minds, in freeing themselves from immaturity and pursuing a secure course.
But that the public should enlighten itself is more likely; indeed, if it is only allowed freedom, enlightenment is almost inevitable. For even among the entrenched guardians of the great masses a few will always think for themselves, a few who, after having themselves thrown off the yoke of immaturity, will spread the spirit of a rational appreciation for both their own worth and for each person's calling to think for himself. But it should be particularly noted that if a public that was first placed in this yoke by the guardians is suitably aroused by some of those who are altogether incapable of enlightenment, it may force the guardians themselves to remain under the yoke--so pernicious is it to instill prejudices, for they finally take revenge upon their originators, or on their descendants. Thus a public can only attain enlightenment slowly. Perhaps a revolution can overthrow autocratic despotism and profiteering or power-grabbing oppression, but it can never truly reform a manner of thinking; instead, new prejudices, just like the old ones they replace, will serve as a leash for the great unthinking mass.
Nothing is required for this enlightenment, however, except freedom; and the freedom in question is the least harmful of all, namely, the freedom to use reason publicly in all matters. But on all sides I hear: "Do not argue!" The officer says, "Do not argue, drill!" The tax man says, "Do not argue, pay!" The pastor says, "Do not argue, believe!" (Only one ruler in the World says, "Argue as much as you want and about what you want, but obey!") In this we have examples of pervasive restrictions on freedom. But which restriction hinders enlightenment and which does not, but instead actually advances it? I reply: The public use of one's reason must always be free, and it alone can bring about enlightenment among mankind; the private use of reason may, however, often be very narrowly restricted, without otherwise hindering the progress of enlightenment. By the public use of one's own reason I understand the use that anyone as a scholar makes of reason before the entire literate world. I call the private use of reason that which a person may make in a civic post or office that has been entrusted to him. Now in many affairs conducted in the interests of a community, a certain mechanism is required by means of which some of its members must conduct themselves in an entirely passive manner so that through an artificial unanimity the government may guide them toward public ends, or at least prevent them from destroying such ends. Here one certainly must not argue, instead one must obey. However, insofar as this part of the machine also regards himself as a member of the community as a whole, or even of the world community, and as a consequence addresses the public in the role of a scholar, in the proper sense of that term, he can most certainly argue, without thereby harming the affairs for which as a passive member he is partly responsible. Thus it would be disastrous if an officer on duty who was given a command by his superior were to question the appropriateness or utility of the order. He must obey. But as a scholar he cannot be justly constrained from making comments about errors in military service, or from placing them before the public for its judgment. The citizen cannot refuse to pay the taxes imposed on him; indeed, impertinent criticism of such levies, when they should be paid by him, can be punished as a scandal (since it can lead to widespread insubordination). But the same person does not act contrary to civic duty when, as a scholar, he publicly expresses his thoughts regarding the impropriety or even injustice of such taxes. Likewise a pastor is bound to instruct his catecumens and congregation in accordance with the symbol of the church he serves, for he was appointed on that condition. But as a scholar he has complete freedom, indeed even the calling, to impart to the public all of his carefully considered and well-intentioned thoughts concerning mistaken aspects of that symbol, as well as his suggestions for the better arrangement of religious and church matters. Nothing in this can weigh on his conscience. What he teaches in consequence of his office as a servant of the church he sets out as something with regard to which he has no discretion to teach in accord with his own lights; rather, he offers it under the direction and in the name of another. He will say, "Our church teaches this or that and these are the demonstrations it uses." He thereby extracts for his congregation all practical uses from precepts to which he would not himself subscribe with complete conviction, but whose presentation he can nonetheless undertake, since it is not entirely impossible that truth lies hidden in them, and, in any case, nothing contrary to the very nature of religion is to be found in them. If he believed he could find anything of the latter sort in them, he could not in good conscience serve in his position; he would have to resign. Thus an appointed teacher's use of his reason for the sake of his congregation is merely private, because, however large the congregation is, this use is always only domestic; in this regard, as a priest, he is not free and cannot be such because he is acting under instructions from someone else. By contrast, the cleric--as a scholar who speaks through his writings to the public as such, i.e., the world--enjoys in this public use of reason an unrestricted freedom to use his own rational capacities and to speak his own mind. For that the (spiritual) guardians of a people should themselves be immature is an absurdity that would insure the perpetuation of absurdities.
But would a society of pastors, perhaps a church assembly or venerable presbytery (as those among the Dutch call themselves), not be justified in binding itself by oath to a certain unalterable symbol in order to secure a constant guardianship over each of its members and through them over the people, and this for all time: I say that this is wholly impossible. Such a contract, whose intention is to preclude forever all further enlightenment of the human race, is absolutely null and void, even if it should be ratified by the supreme power, by parliaments, and by the most solemn peace treaties. One age cannot bind itself, and thus conspire, to place a succeeding one in a condition whereby it would be impossible for the later age to expand its knowledge (particularly where it is so very important), to rid itself of errors,and generally to increase its enlightenment. That would be a crime against human nature, whose essential destiny lies precisely in such progress; subsequent generations are thus completely justified in dismissing such agreements as unauthorized and criminal. The criterion of everything that can be agreed upon as a law by a people lies in this question: Can a people impose such a law on itself? Now it might be possible, in anticipation of a better state of affairs, to introduce a provisional order for a specific, short time, all the while giving all citizens, especially clergy, in their role as scholars, the freedom to comment publicly, i.e., in writing, on the present institution's shortcomings. The provisional order might last until insight into the nature of these matters had become so widespread and obvious that the combined (if not unanimous) voices of the populace could propose to the crown that it take under its protection those congregations that, in accord with their newly gained insight, had organized themselves under altered religious institutions, but without interfering with those wishing to allow matters to remain as before. However, it is absolutely forbidden that they unite into a religious organization that nobody may for the duration of a man's lifetime publicly question, for so do-ing would deny, render fruitless, and make detrimental to succeeding generations an era in man's progress toward improvement. A man may put off enlightenment with regard to what he ought to know, though only for a short time and for his own person; but to renounce it for himself, or, even more, for subsequent generations, is to violate and trample man's divine rights underfoot. And what a people may not decree for itself may still less be imposed on it by a monarch, for his lawgiving authority rests on his unification of the people's collective will in his own. If he only sees to it that all genuine or purported improvement is consonant with civil order, he can allow his subjects to do what they find necessary to their spiritual well-being, which is not his affair. However, he must prevent anyone from forcibly interfering with another's working as best he can to determine and promote his well-being. It detracts from his own majesty when he interferes in these matters, since the writings in which his subjects attempt to clarify their insights lend value to his conception of governance. This holds whether he acts from his own highest insight--whereby he calls upon himself the reproach, "Caesar non eat supra grammaticos."'--as well as, indeed even more, when he despoils his highest authority by supporting the spiritual despotism of some tyrants in his state over his other subjects.
If it is now asked, "Do we presently live in an enlightened age?" the answer is, "No, but we do live in an age of enlightenment." As matters now stand, a great deal is still lacking in order for men as a whole to be, or even to put themselves into a position to be able without external guidance to apply understanding confidently to religious issues. But we do have clear indications that the way is now being opened for men to proceed freely in this direction and that the obstacles to general enlightenment--to their release from their self-imposed immaturity--are gradually diminishing. In this regard, this age is the age of enlightenment, the century of Frederick.
A prince who does not find it beneath him to say that he takes it to be his duty to prescribe nothing, but rather to allow men complete freedom in religious matters--who thereby renounces the arrogant title of tolerance--is himself enlightened and deserves to be praised by a grateful present and by posterity as the first, at least where the government is concerned, to release the human race from immaturity and to leave everyone free to use his own reason in all matters of conscience. Under his rule, venerable pastors, in their role as scholars and without prejudice to their official duties, may freely and openly set out for the world's scrutiny their judgments and views, even where these occasionally differ from the accepted symbol. Still greater freedom is afforded to those who are not restricted by an official post. This spirit of freedom is expanding even where it must struggle against the external obstacles of governments that misunderstand their own function. Such governments are illuminated by the example that the existence of freedom need not give cause for the least concern regarding public order and harmony in the commonwealth. If only they refrain from inventing artifices to keep themselves in it, men will gradually raise themselves from barbarism.
I have focused on religious matters in setting out my main point concerning enlightenment, i.e., man's emergence from self-imposed immaturity, first because our rulers have no interest in assuming the role of their subjects' guardians with respect to the arts and sciences, and secondly because that form of immaturity is both the most pernicious and disgraceful of all. But the manner of thinking of a head of state who favors religious enlightenment goes even further, for he realizes that there is no danger to his legislation in allowing his subjects to use reason publicly and to set before the world their thoughts concerning better formulations of his laws, even if this involves frank criticism of legislation currently in effect. We have before us a shining example, with respect to which no monarch surpasses the one whom we honor.
But only a ruler who is himself enlightened and has no dread of shadows, yet who likewise has a well-disciplined, numerous army to guarantee public peace, can say what no republic may dare, namely: "Argue as much as you want and about what you want, but obey!" Here as elsewhere, when things are considered in broad perspective, a strange, unexpected pattern in human affairs reveals itself, one in which almost everything is paradoxical. A greater degree of civil freedom seems advantageous to a people's spiritual freedom; yet the former established impassable boundaries for the latter; conversely, a lesser degree of civil freedom provides enough room for all fully to expand their abilities. Thus, once nature has removed the hard shell from this kernel for which she has most fondly cared, namely, the inclination to and vocation for free thinking, the kernel gradually reacts on a people's mentality (whereby they become increasingly able to act freely), and it finally even influences the principles of government, which finds that it can profit by treating men, who are now more than machines, in accord with their dignity.
I. Kant
Konigsberg in Prussia, 30 September 1784
“FATHER, thou canst never know
The anguish that smote my heart
For my disobedience, the moment I felt
The remorseless wheel of the engine
Sink into the crying flesh of my leg.
As they carried me to the home of widow Morris
I could see the school-house in the valley
To which I played truant to steal rides upon the trains.
I prayed to live until I could ask your forgiveness—
And then your tears, your broken words of comfort!
From the solace of that hour I have gained infinite happiness.
Thou wert wise to chisel for me:
"Taken from the evil to come.”
Passi di: Edgar Lee Masters. “Spoon River Anthology”. iBooks.
I honestly don't know how to feel right now. Happy, confused, sad, mad, or all the above. On the one hand, it wasn't actually Walter Hardy.. On the other hand, that means I never caught the man that killed Uncle Ben.
"So? What'd you think? Do you believe me now?" Felica asks, almost as if she's trying to rub it in.
"I guess.. But I doubt they're going to accept this as new evidence in your father's case."
"Oh don't worry, I'll figure out a way.. You know what this all means though?"
"What?" I ask with curiosity, not really sure where she's going with this.
"I don't have to steal anymore.. That means, we don't have to fight against each other. We can fight beside one another, as partners.." She says with a smile, as she makes eye contact with me. I try to look away, but I get lost looking at her piercing green eyes. A moment of weakness. Maybe moments like this are fine every now and then. I mean I deserve this right? As some sort of reward for saving lives everyday.
"That.. That could be nice." I say pausing, as I lean in close, going for the kiss. Right before our lips touch, I stop myself.
"I'm sorry.. I should probably go." I pull back, and get up off her bed, before walking to the door.
"Oh.. Okay. Well, thanks for coming by. Hopefully I see ya again soon Peter.." Felicia looks disappointed as I turn to face her.
"Of course. Glad to hear you won't be stealing anymore!" I say, trying to lighten the mood, before I walk out the door. I navigate my way through the hallway, and down the stairs. Sitting down on the steps near the front door, I put on my converse, tying and tightening the shoelaces. Opening the door, I walk outside, before I closed the door behind me. Once I'm a safe distance away from the house, I start swinging back home, with it taking about 10 minutes.
"Hey Aunt May, I'm back from Felicia's." I say, as I enter the house, and start walking to my room.
"You're back quicker than I expected." I can hear the surprise in her voice with her reply.
"Well, thanking someone doesn't really take all that long. Anyways, I'm going to go to sleep. Haven't gotten much sleep recently."
"Good night Peter. Don't let the bed bugs bite."
"Yeah alright Aunt May." my voice trails off as I enter my room, and start undressing for bed. I get under the covers, as I try to fall asleep. Before I know it, I'm sound asleep.
---------------------------
My alarm sounds, and somehow, I instantly wake up. No snoozing, no 1 more minute. I'm just awake. I go through my morning routine, eating breakfast, finishing up some of my homework, along with making sure I don't have bed head hair. Soon enough, it's time for me to go to the bus stop. I say goodbye to Aunt May, as I leave with my backpack on my back. I walk across the street when it's clear, and arrive at the bus stop. Sitting down on the bench there, I see Henry Jackson coming.
"Hey Henry." I say, trying to make conversation.
"Oh hey Parker. You hear the news?" He asks me, as he sits down beside me.
"What news?" I ask, intrigued.
"They're shooting part of a Spider-Man movie at Midtown, with Jason Reed as Spidey."
"Should I know who that is?"
"Have you been living under a rock these last few years Pete? Jason Reed's one of the biggest movie stars of our time. The fact they have him, playing Spider-Man is so cool!" Right, I forgot that Henry's a big Spidey fan. Not sure how I feel about them making a movie so soon about me. They didn't even come ask me for rights.
"Oh yeah, right.. Sorry." I say, pretending like I know who that is.
The bus arrives, and we board it, me first, with Henry behind me. I sit down by myself, and Henry goes to the back, where his friends are. I stare outside the window, as the bus driver pulls out, and starts driving to Midtown. I doubt this Jason Reed guy can give an accurate portrayal of yours truly. I guess we'll wait and see. Soon enough, we pull into Midtown High's parking lot. The bus stops, and the doors open. We exit, and I head towards my locker. Right, left, right, I go through the hallways, squeezing my way past the crowded clumps of people. The PA system comes on, announcing that first period will be cancelled so that we can watch the filming of the Spider-Man movie. I meet up with Harry and Lana, after putting my backpack in my locker. We walk outside to the back field, and we see a lot of cameras, and a few actors getting ready. One is in a spider-man costume. But it's red and blue. They can't even get my costume right!
"Red and blue? I thought Spidey's colours were red and black?" I ask, as the three of us sit on the bleachers.
"I heard it was because they thought red and blue was more kid friendly." Lana responds.
"Yeah Pete, red and black is kind of dark for a superhero character." Harry says with a chuckle.
Soon enough, the filming begins, with 'Spider-Man' facing off against a villain that definitely was made for the movie, as I've never seen him before. But the dialogue is so bland, and there's no fun banter, like c'mon!! The scenes about to end I think when my Spider Sense goes off.
"JASON REED! YOU CHEATING BASTARD!" I hear a voice yell out, and a girl walks onto the field, dressed in silver and grey robes. I get up and step off the bleachers, running to my locker, where my other bag with my costume is. Making sure there's no one around, after grabbing my bag from my locker, I head outside. climbing up to the roof, I then put on my costume. It takes me about a minute to put it on. Really wish there was a more efficient way of doing things. Thankfully there's spare webshooters in the bag, as I forgot my main pair at home. Running across the roof, I leap off at just the right moment, as I then swing off the flag pole.
"It's okay everyone, Spidey's here!" I say, announcing myself upon landing on the field.
"Jason Reed needs to pay.. After what he's done to so many girls.. I can't let that scum live any longer." The woman in grey says, as tendrils coming out of her robe start shooting towards him. I quickly attach a webline to Jason Reed, and pull him away from her, trying to prevent him from getting skewered.
"While I'm sure he's done some not so great things, that doesn't give you the right to kill him." Jason Reed looks at me, offended, as I'm talking to this woman.
"No offence." Too little too late Parker. Nice attempt to patch that up though. She takes this time to immobilize me, she pulls my pants down so to speak. I trip and fall, as she uses my costume against me once again, making sure I'm unable to see. Last thing I see are security guards for Jason Reed showing up and start shooting at her, as she creates cloth shields, but somehow, the bullets don't rip through. Seems like I got another case of supervillains on my hands.
"Skein will crush you for breaking my heart!" She says, as I figure out what to do. I can't see, but if I take my mask off, people will know who I am. I shoot off some web balls in the direction I last saw her in. This is the first time I've felt useless in a long time.. Think, Peter, think. I hear some screams, as I'm assuming she's killing a bunch of the guards. How does Daredevil fight like this? Fighting blind I mean.. Looks like I'll have to get some lessons from him sometime. I pull up my tights, as I run straight ahead.
"Oh wow, a villain that has a relatively clever name! With the way my last few encounters with supervillains have gone, I would've expected you to name yourself something really dumb, like Gypsy Moth or something."
"You talk too much!" She screeches, as my Spider Sense goes off. I create a web barrier around me as quick as I can, as I don't know where it's coming from. I hear a screeching sound, as though Jason's making his getaway. Soon enough I can see again, as I watch Skein shoot out her cloth line, trying to grab hold of the car. Being too far away, she misses, and she starts running after the car. I start running after her. The students and crew have mostly cleared out, but there's 6 dead guards on the field. The school banner starts to fall, and wraps me up like a mummy. Unfortunately this gives her enough time to escape, before the effect wears off, and the banner just drops to the ground. And I let her escape.. Just like that.
---------------------------
Later, Unknown Location
"Damnit, how could I let some kid stall me like that.. Jason Reed should've died. That cheating scumbag." I mutter to myself, as I'm walking through the streets of Midtown, going back to my base. I notice a shadow following me, and I look behind me, but there's no one there. As I turn back, there's someone standing in front of me. She has black wings, and her hair is jet black, swooped down the left side of her face.
"Sybil Dvorak? Or should I be calling you Skein now?" The woman asks me, as though she knows me. But I don't know her.
"How do you know who I am?"
"We've done our research. Sybil Dvorak, the woman who was about to marry Jason Reed, before she walked in on him cheating on her with another woman. Has had mutant abilities since birth.."
"Yeah, like that's not creepy at all. What do you want with me anyway?"
"We have similar goals. You, want Jason Reed dead, for what he did to you. Spider-Man stopped you from getting revenge, some of us know what that feels like. To be stopped by Spider-Man. We want you to join us."
"You act like there's a group of you, yet here you are, asking me alone."
"The others are on different assignments right now. So, you interested?"
"I've never been much of a team player.."
"There's a first time for everything! Especially when we'll be the first to take down Spider-Man once and for all."
"Ok fine.. What's your name anyway? Probably should know the name of an ally."
"Raptor. Glad to have you aboard."
"Yeah yeah yeah.. So when do we start?"
I know you can't tell by looking at this that I was bit up like crazy by mosquitos! When I see this pic, I start to itch. I went to Crabtree Nature Center right after having my hair done, not remembering how much the mosquitos love mousse! A not so gentle reminder to wear a baseball cap (at the very least). Finally got this shot on the outskirts of the property, where there were no mousse loving mosquitos! 1 lady stopped me and said, "what do you see?" I said butterflies, dragonflies, and last but not least, no mosquitos!" She completely understood, her daughter had 13 bites.
I know someone wanted a vegetarian dish a few days ago.
Tomatoes (freezed or dry - rehydrated if necessary);
Olive oil;
Tagliatelle pasta;
Brie, chopped;
Single cream;
Parmesan;
Oregano;
Salt&pepper.
Pinch of olive oil into a pan with chopped tomatoes (these were from the freezer).
Mix a little.
Add chopped brie cheese.
Add single gream (double cream can also be thinned down with water).
Let the cheese melt slowly, add the oregano, mix and let it boil for a few minutes.
Salt and pepper (white) according to your own taste.
Boil the pasta according to packet instructions.
Put the pasta on a plate, then add the souce. Over it use parmesan cheese.
Don't forget to choose the wine.
This is the neighborhood Cooper's hawk who is getting a bit hungry. It is coming to my stick and branch pile more often now trying to catch a small songbird, dove or cowbird by surprise so it can get an easy meal. So far it hasn't been successful that I know of in my yard, but perhaps in another. Meanwhile the birds continue to enjoy the seed, peanuts and pieces of fruit that they find in the pile.
Éste es el gavilán de Cooper que parece ponerse más y más hambriento porque visita el montón de ramas y palitos que les ofrezco a las aves como protección y como lugar donde pueden obtener semillas, cacahuates y trozos de fruta. Quiere atrapar un ave cantora, una paloma o un tordo de cabeza café por sorpresa para calmar su hambre. Por lo que sepa, no ha tenido éxito en mi patio, tal vez en otro.
High potential? Parents want to know
Psychological examinations are increasingly common to identify gifted children. It’s a trend that hides a complex reality, as gifted children can also be prone to failure.
Enéa gets good marks. But she disturbs the class, talks a lot and complains often. This situation surprises her mother, Stéphanie Laurent. At home, this seven-year old schoolgirl from Lausanne is quiet, responsible and not the type to bother others. What’s wrong? School. Enéa is bored. A teacher friend advised Stéphanie Laurent to enter her daughter for tests to determine whether she was “high potential”. And the result came back positive.
High potential (HP) children are referred to as gifted or precocious. They are sometimes compared with child prodigies, which is one reason for the increase in requests for psychological examinations. “Interest in these tests is growing,” states Pierre Fumeaux, a child psychiatrist at Lausanne University Hospital who is currently conducting a study on the subject. “A few years ago when parents or teachers had to deal with a difficult student, they would ask the doctor if the child was hyperactive. Now the term ‘high potential’ has taken centre stage in the media.” Contrary to popular belief, gifted is not always synonymous with success. High potential children can also be prone to failure.
A different brain
To be diagnosed as “HP”, an individual has to obtain a score of at least 130 on IQ tests. “But the score isn’t enough,” explains Claudia Jankech, a psychotherapist in Lausanne specialised in child and teenager psychology. “We also need to understand their family and social context and their personality.”
Surprisingly, a high number of HP children have trouble in school. “When it’s too easy for them, they get used to being on autopilot,” says the psychologist. “They’ve never learnt how to learn.” These difficulties are partly due to what specialists call arborescent thinking. “Normal people develop logical reasoning through linear, sequential thinking. However, the thought process in HP children is like fireworks exploding with ideas and impressive intuition. They can solve complex equations but will have difficulty explaining how they came up with the answer,” explains Pierre Fumeaux.
Surprisingly, a high number of HP children have trouble in school. “When it’s too easy for them, they get used to being on autopilot,” says the psychologist. “They’ve never learnt how to learn.”
Studies suggest that HP children’s brains function differently. Information moves better between the two cerebral hemispheres. “We assume that they use both their left and right brains easily and have excellent abilities in both logic and creativity,” says the child psychiatrist. “Other work has shown that HP children can more easily juggle with concepts and think in the abstract, such as performing mental calculations. “In a functional MRI, a dye is injected to highlight the areas of the brain with the highest blood flow.
Using a scanner, we can then see which areas are activated,” Pierre Fumeaux explains. “A stimulus or given task will activate certain areas of the brain in normal individuals. In HP children, sometimes several larger areas are activated at the same time,” he adds. These indicators help doctors understand how an HP mind works. “But our knowledge in neuroscience remains limited,” the researcher admits. “Being high potential is not an illness, but a special cognitive ability. And that’s not a priority for researchers.”
INTERVIEW: “The methods of diagnosis are debatable”
In a survey conducted on gifted children, the French sociologist Wilfried Lignier noted that specialists do not agree about the tests designed to diagnose giftedness.
In Vivo You observe that most gifted children don’t have difficulty in school or psychological problems. Why then do parents have them take tests?
Wilfried Lignier These parents are very concerned that their children will face difficulties, whereas they actually have every chance of success. They think that the school’s assessment is not enough. Psychology offers greater legitimacy for their concerns.
IV You approach giftedness as a “debated and debatable” issue. Why?
WL Many psychologists don’t recognise giftedness mainly because they doubt the credibility of IQ tests. These tests are meant to assess something other than academic skills, but in form they are quite similar to the exercises performed in school. Furthermore, children also have this impression. After the test is over, some say that they did well in the “maths” section, referring to the logical reasoning, or the “language” section, referring to the vocabulary. Being so similar to exercises done in school, these tests contradict the idea that intelligence isn’t the same as academic performance. Yet most of the social repercussions expected from test results are based on the idea that they tell a truth that school does not.
IV You show that the diagnosis swings in favour of one gender. How do you explain that high potential is more often diagnosed in boys?
WL Parents tend to express greater concern about their future, as it more readily carries their hopes of upward social mobility. The fact that boys have greater chances of having “symptoms”, such as openly expressing their boredom or not being able to stay still, also plays a role.
Hyper-sensitivity
HP children also typically have emotional characteristics featuring high sensitivity or a high level of empathy. Stéphanie Laurent’s two other children, boys, have also been diagnosed as high potential. “Nathael, age six, cries at Christmas because poor people are cold and have nothing to eat.” His hyper-sensitivity distresses him. “It can take on huge proportions. At one point, Mathys, age eight, felt unreasonable fear because he knew that there was a core on fire at the centre of the earth.” Myriam Bickle Graz, a developmental paediatrician at Lausanne University Hospital who wrote a thesis on the subject, says, “The children seen at consultations were often overwhelmed by their emotions. For some, it was incredibly difficult; they have no filter,” she explains. “The fear of death, for example, comes very early.” They develop symptoms such as anxiety, sleep disorders, strained relationships with other children and aggression.
THE HAPPIEST HP CHILDREN ARE THOSE WHO ARE NOT IDENTIFIED AS SUCH AND MANAGE TO ADAPT.
As in the Laurent family, there are often several gifted siblings. “Not all siblings are necessarily going to be HP, but there is a certain degree of genetic heritage. However, that hasn’t been proven scientifically,” explains Myriam Bickle Graz. “It remains a clinical observation.”
Although some high potential children suffer, the majority of them lead normal lives. As summed up by Pierre Fumeaux, “the happiest HP children are those who are not identified as such and manage to adapt.”
Arborescent thinking deploying in several directions, simultaneously, extremely fast and without boundaries. While it is a important source of creativity, it also implies: Difficulties to identify relevant information; all these thoughts in all directions may be confusing when the child is faced with a question, a problem or a task at school, An absolute need to organise these thoughts within a sturdy frame so that the child feels affectively, emotionally and socially secure. A “global” information processing system, with analogic and intuitive thinking. While it enables a very rich and deep understanding, with photographic memory, it also implies: Serious difficulties to adapt to the traditional schooling systems which treat information in details and sequentially (one thing after the other), An inability to develop arguments or justify their reasoning. Gifted children usually can’t explain their results, they consider the answers obvious, they know intuitively. The necessity to use in parallel the traditional school learning methods and their own knowledge aquisition systems; they do not want to feel useless, rejected or stupid. A thinking mode that needs meaning to function and complexity to develop and bloom. While it is an endless source of information data stored in an exceptional memory, it also implies: Difficulties or even refusal to acquire skills or information which they consider useless, too simple or not exciting enough to justify their attention and efforts, Constant challenges of established rules and norms, to satisfy their needs for meaning, To “learn how to learn” while taming their impatience through inventive and stimulating methodologies, with deep enrichment on all subjects. A way of thinking constantly integrating affective aspects of its environment. While it is a rich incentive to learning, it also implies: Frustration, even rejection of some teachers whom they see as incompetent in their teaching methods or behaviours, Excessive, even pathological reactions if these children, who try to master their environment and their variations, cannot find reassurance. They are scared by what they do not understand and they know, from a very young age, many things that they cannot put in perspective due to their short life experience. A need for constant reassurance on their learning progress, with a learning methodology adapted to their needs and offering a long-term continuity and homogeneity, thus reducing affective disruptions as much as possible.
anhugar.wifeo.com/arborescent-way-of-thinking.php A difficulty encountered by many gifed children is the fact that they think in an arborescent way instead of a linear one. The usual teaching methods are linear - when forced to learn in that mode, gifted children need to make a lot of efforts to voluntarily slow-down their “processing” thinking pace.
Arborescent thinking is very adequate for gifted people; it allows them to use all their mental capacities and their knowledge simultaneously. However, it needs to be guided and framed otherwise their thinking takes them far away from the subject of that day.
Here is an example from Jeanne Siaud-Fachin: The teacher gives a spelling test. He dictates “the boat sails on the sea”. The gifted child will initially visualize an image of a boat on the sea before seeing the sentence made of 6 words. Following the image, her thoughts will go in all directions: well, it is not a good idea to sail today because there is a lot of wind are there any people on that boat? my friend Frank owns a boat, he’s lucky but his parents are divorced, that is not fun I hope my parents will never get divorced yet, Frank has twice as many presents for Christmas now that he has 2 homes which reminds me, I have not yet prepared a wish-list for Christmas etc. While the other children have finished writing the initial sentance, the gifted child does not remember it at all and if she’s pressed, she may write the last sentence that went through her head “ I have not yet prepared a wish-list for Christmas ”.
Also
www.talentdifferent.com/la-pensee-en-arborescence-901.htm...
www.asep-suisse.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_docman&am... (pdf) How to help such children overcome their ‘handicap’
From the main link in the title (translated from the French by Google Chrome, I think): Surprisingly, a high number of high potential children have trouble in school. “When it’s too easy for them, they get used to being on autopilot,” says the psychologist. “They’ve never learnt how to learn.” These difficulties are partly due to what specialists call arborescent thinking. “Normal people develop logical reasoning through linear, sequential thinking. However, the thought process in HP children is like fireworks exploding with ideas and impressive intuition. They can solve complex equations but will have difficulty explaining how they came up with the answer,” explains Pierre Fumeaux.
Surprisingly, a high number of HP children have trouble in school. “When it’s too easy for them, they get used to being on autopilot,” says the psychologist. “They’ve never learnt how to learn.”
Studies suggest that HP children’s brains function differently. Information moves better between the two cerebral hemispheres. “We assume that they use both their left and right brains easily and have excellent abilities in both logic and creativity,” says the child psychiatrist. “Other work has shown that HP children can more easily juggle with concepts and think in the abstract, such as performing mental calculations. “In a functional MRI, a dye is injected to highlight the areas of the brain with the highest blood flow.
I know these are really cruddy pictures, but they document the 2 new lifers (birds I've never seen before) I got this morning. That's my 3rd lifer in 2 days! Usually I have to go out of state to get that many lifers in 2 days. The first one is a streak-backed oriole. Such a brilliant orange/yellow color. They can make an appearance in Arizona in the winter, but its primarily a Mexican bird. I desperately wanted to get a clean shot, but alas, it wasn't to be. Hopefully it hangs around a couple of days. The lifer on the right is a cackling goose. You might say, those are just Canada Geese. But note how much smaller the one in the middle is. That's the cackling goose. There were reports of a cackling goose last year, but I didn't see it. Not a stunning bird, but hey, a lifer is a lifer!