Boris Vallejo.
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There is public laundry in Sicily which looks absolutely stunning.
It was built in 1514 AD, in a small seaside town in Sicily called Cefalù, over a similar structure which was destroyed in order to redesign hydraulics and redirect soapy waters straight into sea.
It has individual vats for soaping and scrubbing cloths, and large, communal ones for rinsing, where water flows through twenty-two cast-iron mouths most of which are shaped like lion heads.
Town was inhabited by original Greek-speaking Christians following Byzantine faith, plus Arab Muslims and French speaking Normans following Roman church.
Wash-house is built below street level, and there is a sign at entrance saying that “river” comes from an underground source of sweet water which has been known since ancient times. Locals call river Cefalino, and believe it was generated by tears of a nymph who regretted sentencing her disloyal lover to death. Something else sign says is that washing area was used predominately during Arab-Norman era, meaning that original layout was built when Cefalù was part of Emirate of Sicily, an Islamic kingdom that ruled island between 831-1090 CE.
Emirate was part of a large dynasty of emirs called Aghlabids, who ended up controlling coastal regions of today’s eastern Algeria, Tunisia, and western Libya, what was called Ifriqiya plus whole of Corsica, Sicily, Calabria, and Puglia. They initiated land reforms which encouraged smallholdings and enhanced productivity, improved irrigation systems, introduced oranges, lemons, pistachio, and sugarcane, and made Palermo their capital, which rose in size to become one of largest European cities of time, second only to Córdoba and Constantinople.
© Salvatore Tortorici
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HUMANISM
"A Core Movement of Renaissance Thoughts"
1️⃣. Introduction to Humanism:
Humanism was an intellectual, cultural and educational movement that emerged in Europe during the Renaissance roughly from the 14th to the 16th century. It marked a decisive shift away from medieval scholasticism and church-centered thinking toward a renewed interest in human life, human values and human potential.
At its heart, Humanism emphasized the dignity, worth and capabilities of human beings. Humanists believed that humans were not merely sinful creatures waiting for salvation in the afterlife as medieval theology often suggested but rational, creative individuals capable of shaping their own lives and societies.
2️⃣. Background: Humanism and the End of the Medieval Age:
To understand Humanism one must first understand what it was reacting against.
During the Middle Ages, intellectual life was dominated by:
🔹The Church
🔹Scholastic philosophy
🔹Latin theology
Blind reliance on authority rather than observation or experience
Education focused mainly on religious doctrine, logic and debate often ignoring literature, history and the emotional depth of human experience.
As medieval structures weakened due to events like:
🔹The Black Death
🔹Decline of feudalism
🔹Growth of cities and trade
🔹Rise of a new educated middle class
People began questioning old beliefs. This questioning spirit gave birth to Humanism.
3️⃣. Origin of Humanism:
Humanism originated in Italy particularly in cities such as:
🔹Florence
🔹Venice
🔹Rome
Italy was ideal for this movement because:
🔹It had direct access to ancient Greek and Roman ruins
🔹Wealthy patrons (like the Medici family) supported scholars and artists
🔹Trade brought new ideas from the East
Humanists turned back to classical antiquity the works of Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Virgil, Seneca and other ancient thinkers believing these texts contained wisdom about life, ethics, politics and art.
4️⃣. Meaning of Humanism:
The term Humanism comes from the Latin phrase studia humanitatis, meaning “studies of humanity.”
These studies included:
🔹Grammar
🔹Rhetoric
🔹Poetry
🔹History
🔹Moral philosophy
Unlike medieval education, these subjects focused on human experience, language, emotions and moral responsibility.
Humanism did not reject religion but it rejected the idea that religion should control every aspect of thought. Humanists believed faith and reason could coexist.
5️⃣. Core Principles of Humanism:
a) Faith in Human Potential:
Humanists believed that human beings possess:
🔹Reason
🔹Free will
🔹Creativity
🔹Moral responsibility
Man was seen as a creator not just a follower.
b) Emphasis on Classical Learning:
Humanists revived classical Greek and Roman texts studying them not as religious tools but as guides to living a meaningful life.
c) Individualism:
Unlike the medieval focus on community and hierarchy, Humanism celebrated:
🔹Individual achievement
🔹Personal identity
🔹Self-expression
This idea deeply influenced Renaissance literature and art.
d) Secular Outlook:
Humanism shifted attention from the afterlife to the present life. Happiness, success, beauty and knowledge in this world were considered important.
e) Importance of Education;
Education was seen as a means to:
🔹Develop character
🔹Cultivate wisdom
🔹Create responsible citizens
6️⃣. Humanism and Literature:
Humanism transformed literature in several ways:
🔹Writers began using vernacular languages instead of Latin
🔹Literature focused on human emotions, love, ambition, conflict, power and identity
🔹Classical forms like tragedy, comedy, epic and lyric poetry were revived
Major Literary Changes:
🔹Characters became psychologically complex
🔹Moral dilemmas replaced religious sermons
🔹Writers explored human strengths and weaknesses
7️⃣. Major Humanist Writers and Thinkers:
a) Francesco Petrarch (1304–1374)
🔹Known as the Father of Humanism
🔹Promoted classical learning
🔹His sonnets focus on love, inner conflict and self-reflection
b) Erasmus (1466–1536):
🔹Christian Humanist
🔹Believed in reform through education
🔹Famous work: In Praise of Folly
c) Sir Thomas More (1478–1535):
🔹English Humanist
🔹Wrote Utopia, exploring ideal society and moral philosophy
d) William Shakespeare (1564–1616):
Though not a humanist philosopher, Shakespeare’s works are deeply humanistic:
🔹His characters struggle with identity, ambition, love, jealousy, power
🔹Focus on psychological realism (Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear)
8️⃣. Humanism in England:
Humanism reached England in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, mainly through:
🔹Scholars returning from Italy
🔹Royal patronage under Henry VIII
🔹Influence of Erasmus and Thomas More
English Humanism shaped:
🔹Renaissance drama
🔹Poetry
🔹Prose
🔹Education reforms
9️⃣. Impact and Legacy of Humanism:
Humanism laid the foundation for:
🔹The Renaissance
🔹Modern education systems
🔹Scientific inquiry
🔹Democratic thinking
🔹Modern literature and philosophy
It reshaped how humans viewed:
🔹Themselves
🔹Society
🔹Knowledge
🔹Art
🔹Power
🔟. Conclusion:
Humanism was not just a movement, it was a change in mindset. It taught people to look inward, to question, to read, to feel and to think freely. By placing humanity at the center of intellectual life, Humanism became the bridge between the medieval world and the modern age.
In English literature, Humanism gave writers the courage to explore real human experiences, making literature richer, deeper and more psychologically realistic.
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When ‘Gladiator’ hit theaters in 2000, it redefined the historical epic for a modern audience. Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe as the betrayed Roman general Maximus, the film delivered breathtaking battle sequences, political intrigue, and raw emotion.
It was both a critical and box office success, winning multiple Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe.
The movie’s impact went beyond awards, sparking a renewed interest in ancient Rome on screen and influencing countless films and TV shows that followed. Behind the finished product lies a wealth of fascinating details about its production, creative choices, and legacy. Here are ten things you might not know about ‘Gladiator’.
The Script Was Rewritten During Filming
When production began, the script was not fully complete. Writers often reworked scenes on set to improve dialogue and pacing.
Russell Crowe even contributed by voicing his frustrations and pushing for stronger lines, including the famous “Are you not entertained?” moment, which was improvised. The constant rewrites made filming challenging but helped shape iconic scenes.
The Film Boosted Tourism in Rome
After the release of ‘Gladiator,’ interest in Roman history skyrocketed. The Colosseum and other ancient sites in Rome saw a major increase in tourism, as fans wanted to experience the settings from the movie.
Museums and historical landmarks even credited the film for drawing younger audiences to learn about Roman history. This “Gladiator effect” continued for years after its release.
Oliver Reed Died During Production
Veteran actor Oliver Reed, who played Proximo, passed away unexpectedly before finishing his scenes. The filmmakers used body doubles and digital effects to complete his role without cutting the character.
This was one of the earliest high-profile examples of CGI being used to recreate an actor for key sequences. Despite the challenges, Reed’s performance remains one of the most memorable in the film.
Joaquin Phoenix Studied Ancient Rulers for His Role
To play the unstable Emperor Commodus, Joaquin Phoenix researched historical rulers and their behaviors. He studied accounts of Roman emperors who were known for paranoia and cruelty to capture the character’s instability.
His performance brought nuance to the villain, making him both menacing and pitiful. Phoenix earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for the role.
The Colosseum Was Recreated with CGI and Sets
Filming in the actual Colosseum was impossible, so the production built a massive partial replica in Malta. The lower sections were real, while the upper levels were digitally added in post-production.
This blending of practical sets and CGI created a convincing illusion of a full Roman arena. It was groundbreaking at the time and set a new standard for historical epics.
Hans Zimmer’s Score Became Iconic
The film’s soundtrack, composed by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard, is considered one of the greatest movie scores of all time. The music blended traditional orchestral sounds with haunting vocals that added emotional depth.
Tracks like “Now We Are Free” became instantly recognizable and remain popular in trailers, commercials, and live performances today. The score helped elevate the film’s epic scale.
Russell Crowe Was Injured During Filming
The demanding battle scenes took a physical toll on Russell Crowe. He suffered multiple injuries, including broken bones and tendon damage, during the months of filming.
Despite the setbacks, he continued performing many of his own stunts. His physical dedication added authenticity to Maximus’s grueling journey.
The Opening Battle Was Filmed in England
The epic opening sequence depicting Rome’s war against Germanic tribes was filmed in a forest in England. The production team coordinated with local authorities to burn sections of the forest for realism.
The gritty, smoky look gave the battle an intense atmosphere and set the tone for the rest of the movie. It remains one of the most powerful openings in modern cinema.
The Dialogue Drew from Real Roman History
Some of the film’s lines and speeches were inspired by actual Roman writings. Ridley Scott and the writers looked at accounts from historians like Suetonius and Marcus Aurelius’s own philosophical works for inspiration.
This historical grounding gave the dialogue weight and authenticity, even though the story itself was fictional. It helped make the world feel more immersive.
A Sequel Was Once Planned with a Wild Script
After the film’s success, ideas for a sequel were discussed. One unused script famously imagined Maximus resurrected by Roman gods to fight through history, even appearing in modern wars.
The concept was never filmed, but it became legendary among fans for its boldness. Instead, plans for a more grounded continuation have surfaced in recent years...
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This unusual-looking fish is a monkfish!
Perfectly camouflaged on the seafloor, monkfish lie in wait, using a lure that extends from their head to tempt unsuspecting prey. When the moment’s right—snap!—it’s an easy meal.
We came across this monkfish on the move during our North Sea expedition to document seafloor habitats and help strengthen the region's network of Marine Protected Areas.
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#islands #scuba #marinelife
The "Poker Theory," uses poker as a metaphor for life.
Life is like poker, not chess: Most people believe life is like chess, with a fixed board, pieces, and perfect information, allowing control over every move. The theory argues life is more like poker, where everyone starts with different "cards" (circumstances), and luck is real and uneven.
Decisions matter more than cards: While the initial cards (circumstances) matter, the decisions made with those cards are more important. Professionals know this.
The danger of complaining: Complaining about a bad hand (unlucky circumstances) doesn't change the situation. Instead, it drains energy, steals attention, and pulls focus away from the few moves that can still make a difference.
Albert Camus
"Every time I hear a political speech or I read those of our leaders, I am horrified at having, for years, heard nothing which sounded human. It is always the same words telling the same lies. And the fact that men accept this, that the people’s anger has not destroyed these hollow clowns, strikes me as proof that men attribute no importance to the way they are governed; that they gamble – yes, gamble – with a whole part of their life and their so called 'vital interests."
"Albert Camus, (born Nov. 7, 1913, Mondovi, Alg. —died Jan. 4, 1960, near Sens, France), Algerian-French novelist, essayist, and playwright. Born into a working-class family, Camus graduated from the university in Algiers and then worked with a theatrical company, becoming associated with leftist causes.
He spent the war years in Paris, and the French Resistance brought him into the circle of Jean-Paul Sartre and existentialism. He became a leading literary figure with his enigmatic first novel, The Stranger (1942), a study of 20th-century alienation, and the philosophical essay “The Myth of Sisyphus” (1942), an analysis of contemporary nihilism and the concept of the absurd.
The Plague (1947), his allegorical second novel, and “The Rebel” (1951), another long essay, developed related issues. Other major works include the short-story collection Exile and the Kingdom (1957) and the posthumous autobiographical novel The First Man (1994). His plays include Le Malentendu (1944) and Caligula (1944). Camus won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1957. He died in a car accident." (Britannica)
Albert Camus (1978). “Notebooks, 1935-1942”, Harcourt
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See how biomimicry reveals nature’s solutions to engineering challenges, inspiring tools, architecture, and technology by studying biological systems refined over billions of years for efficiency, resilience, and sustainability.
$64,509
market price of bitcoin in USD
1,549
value of 1 USD measured in satoshis.
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Electric Light Orchestra
– 3-Hour Greatest Hits
Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) is a British rock band formed in Birmingham in 1970 by Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood and Bev Bevan
The band is famous for blending catchy pop-rock melodies with lush orchestral strings, creating a “symphonic rock” sound that expanded the concept of classic pop and rock.
Jeff Lynne’s visionary production and songwriting – combining Beatlesque hooks with layered harmonies and futuristic studio effects – made ELO one of the 1970s’ most popular groups.
Over their original career (1970–86) the band sold over 50 million records worldwide, earning numerous gold and platinum awards.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, ELO released a string of hit albums and singles
A centerpiece is the 1977 double album Out of the Blue, often regarded as their magnum opus – even called “ELO’s Sgt. Pepper” – which contains fan-favorites like “Mr. Blue Sky” (the upbeat finale of its famed Concerto for a Rainy Day suite).
Other standout tracks include the disco-pop groove “Don’t Bring Me Down” (1979) – the band’s biggest U.S. single, which reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 – and the smooth ballad “Telephone Line” (1977), which topped the charts in Canada and New Zealand and reached the Top 10 in the UK and US.
The title song “Xanadu” (1980, featuring Olivia Newton-John) was the band’s only UK No. 1 single.
Early hits like the funky “Evil Woman” (1975) also helped establish their international fame.
This playlist brings together all these classics and more, from symphonic rock epics to catchy pop anthems.
ELO’s music is noted for its rich arrangements – sweeping strings, classic rock rhythms, and layered vocals – which created a boundary-breaking approach to rock/pop. As Parke Puterbaugh writes in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame essay, their songs are a “marriage of tuneful, rocking pop songs with instruments from the symphonic realm”.
The band even added disco beats and studio wizardry to their sound, expanding what rock could be. Whether soaring on up-tempo anthems or driven by gentle melodies, these timeless tracks capture ELO’s joyful energy and creative ingenuity.
The result is a playlist that perfectly showcases Electric Light Orchestra’s legacy, ideal for classic rock fans or anyone seeking an upbeat, orchestral-pop-rock experience.
📌Tracklist:
0:00 Mr. Blue Sky
5:03 Last Train to London
9:33 Don't Bring Me Down
13:36 Livin' Thing
17:08 Evil Woman
21:20 Telephone Line
26:00 Sweet Talkin' Woman
29:49 Turn to Stone
33:38 Xanadu feat Olivia Newton-John
37:07 Hold On Tight
40:13 Showdown
44:22 Do Ya
48:07 Strange Magic
52:13 Can't Get It out of My Head
56:34 Confusion
1:00:14 Rock 'N' Roll Is King
1:03:22 All Over the World
1:07:26 Midnight Blue
1:11:43 Shine a Little Love
1:15:54 Twilight
1:19:36 Calling America
1:23:05 When I Was a Boy
1:26:18 Rockaria!
1:29:30 It's Over
1:33:38 Need Her Love
1:38:49 Tightrope
1:43:55 Ticket to the Moon
1:48:02 Starlight
1:52:33 Shangri-La
1:58:08 Standin' in the Rain
2:02:07 Four Little Diamonds
2:06:16 The Way Life's Meant to Be
2:10:54 Here Is the News
2:14:39 Rain Is Falling
2:18:33 Fire On High
2:24:04 So Serious
2:26:45 I'm Alive
2:30:31 Don't Walk Away
2:35:19 Secret Messages
2:40:02 Bluebird Is Dead
2:44:24 Waterfall
2:48:35 One Summer Dream
2:54:21 Stranger
2:58:49 Boy Blue
3:04:08 Getting to the Point
3:08:38 Help Yourself
3:11:50 Latitude 88 North
3:15:13 Long Black Road
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