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> The Nature of the Brain
The Nature of the Brain | briancapleton.com
From the book The Nonsense Play
More readings from The Nonsense Play
There are billions of brains, but there are not billions of brain principles. Rather, there is one principle, uniquely instantiated in each instance of a brain. As far as modern neuroscience is concerned the human mind arises as a construct of brain function. It arises through the brain. Which is a unique, single instantiation of the one principle of the brain. Essentially, therefore, nature produces billions of minds that are each a unique instantiation of the one principle of the mind. Essentially, beyond the individual, personal idea of "who I am", there is one mind in nature, of which each individual human mind, is a uniquely configured instantiation.
As the entire human race, we are a network. We live in a world in which there is a global network called the Internet, and the idea of a network, or a network of networks - an idea that once we didn't even have - is now easy to grasp by most people.
So it's relatively easy now to talk about us being a network of human brains. Especially now that we know the brain itself is a super-complex neural network, and that we literally change each other's brains just by communicating with each other, through the network of human brains.
In society, the spread of ideas, and the function of repeated messaging, from political propaganda to advertising, is literally about changing the brain. And when strategists talk about changing hearts and minds, what they're actually talking about, is quite literally, changing brains.
The networks that we exist in, the networks we exist as, are mechanisms of that change. The connectivity between our brains through our interactions with each other, is now a network of connections that has never been so densely connected, so directly connected, and so efficiently connected. The existence of the Internet has literally changed the topology of the network we are all a part of.
Neuroplasticity is a most remarkable feature of the brain, as we now realise. It is the brain's ability to constantly change its functioning and its "wiring". It changes its actual, physical, anatomical patterns of connectivity in its complex network of neurons.
Even before this "rewiring" takes place, change establishes itself in functional ways. Our brain function changes with our experiences and thoughts, and with our interactions with each other. Repeated experiences, repeated thinking, actions or exposure to ideas and perceptions, always work towards changing the brain. Even if that change is to increase resistance to the embracing of new ideas. Changes in brain function eventually become physical changes in the network connectivity of brain. They become anatomical changes in its material network.
There is a window of opportunity that can be opened up, in changing the brain, where it becomes more rapidly and more easily changeable. Neuroscience calls this a "critical period", and we know from neuroscience that critical periods can be opened, and closed. We all know that there are certain things children learn more easily than adults. That's because of a critical period in the relevant learning part of brain function, that is especially "open" in childhood.
Those involved in advertising or political propaganda know that messages can be absorbed and learned more easily if their input is associated with emotional excitation. So there is a lot of emotional excitation in the world that is deliberately associated with the spreading of "messages" where one group or network is trying to influence the whole. Because emotional excitement can open up a temporary critical period.
Sometimes, whole networks of human minds can be changed relatively rapidly, when the network activity involves emotional excitation. Powerful narrators, such as those involved in rapid political change, are implicitly aware of that. And part of the evolutionary way in which the mind functions, is to find safety in numbers, and therefore to follow the crowd. The formation of networks, and the powerful way in which networks themselves influence and change the brains that are connected as these networks, is a prominent feature underlying the dynamics of the human world.
So in terms of modern neuroscience, a change in the mind is a change in the brain and its functioning. And one of the most powerful mechanisms for changing brains, is to address the network, to change what is going on in a network of brains, into which brains are connected. Which is basically what social engineering amounts to. Especially by addressing what is going on that network, as emotion.
Our brains are now changing faster than ever before, due to the new connectivity in the human network into which we are all connected. It is a kind of evolution, literally, a continuing evolution of the brain, a continuing change that is sometimes referred to as non-Darwinian evolution.
In the evolution of the human brain, the brain has not only changed its structure and developed its connective configurations due to genetic mutations or survival advantage - the basic mechanisms of Darwinian and neo-Darwinian evolution. Rather, the brain significantly changes its structure and functional connectivity constantly through non-Darwinian means. The "response time" for the brain to change itself in terms of its network connectivity, due to neuroplasticity, can be tiny compared to Darwinian evolutionary timescales.
Neuroplastic changes can take place over wide networks of brains and across generations, faster than processes of procreation and gene transmission. They can happen on the timescale of the transmission and establishment of ideas and thought.
Neuroplastic changes that are widespread (effected through the human network in ways such as "culture", education and teaching), mean that there are changes that come about that are not determined by the passive Darwinian process of natural selection, or through genetic mutation. They are changes that can be passed "horizontally" (in terms of a "time tree") between brains. They can also be passed down generations (straight across generational gaps) by means other than the Darwinian survival principle.
The changes are passed on, for example, through ideas, and teaching. Cultural behaviours, beliefs, thoughts, and ideas, can be passed on across generations just through the process of brains communicating with each other.
Brains across several different generations in people who are are alive at the same time, can communicate with each other, and change each other, without dependence on procreation for the transmission of that change.
Maybe tempting to say that these changes or changes in the mind, rather than evolutionary changes in the brain, but in terms of modern neuroscience, materially, the mind is the brain.
The paradigm for the human brain used to be one of "localzationism", in which its different anatomical areas were thought to be immutable in their function, like parts of a car engine. It was thought that the brain functioned as a connected collection of separate parts, like the way the parts of the car engine make the engine work as a whole.
Because the adult brain is almost (but we now know not entirely) incapable of producing new cells, it was thought that in the case of brain damage, the brain's functioning was therefore irreparable. We now know that this paradigm is incorrect.
We now know that the brain can repair its own functioning, even while the brain material may remain damaged. This is due to the neuroplasticity principle.
So we can think of the brain as a complex neural network, whose connections and functioning are created as much through the principle of neuroplasticity - the ability of the brain to change itself - as they are through "genetic blueprint".
In the analogy of the car engine, this would be rather like an engine whose parts are made of material that can change its own functioning, according to requirements. This ability to change isn't unlimited, and takes time. But in principle, in the analogy, part of what was a dynamo, could change its function to that of say, a speed detector. We know that the brain can recruit areas of brain material for purposes other than their original function.
As we learn, the brain rewires itself to accommodate the learning. If we do not continue to use what we have learned, the functioning corresponding to that learning can be lost, and recruited by the brain for some other purpose. This is the so-called "use it or lose it" principle.
What is going on in the brain is super-complex. Mindbogglingly so. And as far as we know, the brain is one complete, connected network. Every part is connected to every other part, not mostly directly, but indirectly, through other parts of the brain. And what constitutes what we call our "conscious experience", or our ability to do anything, including thinking, involves the high-level integration of many "layers" of complexity.
This ability of the brain to change itself means that our thought tendencies, experiences, ideas, and behaviours, can change and become established in new ways. Survival advantage, for example, can be learned. Without being part of genetic change being passed on through procreation.
However, plasticity isn't the same thing as flexibility. It means the stuff of our mind and behaviour can be changed, in a way that is more like the way in which say, a plasticine model can be changed.
Even a changeable plasticine model can remain fixed. And not being perfectly flexible, it has a certain resistance to change. Each time you successfully change it, it tends to remain fixed in its new shape. Even though its very nature is that it can be changed or moulded. Brain plasticity is somewhat like this, and so it is also the reason people can become set in their ways.
The structure and form of the brain is a mix of genetic and neuroplastic configurations. It still contains the representation of what we conventionally regard as its "evolutionary history". So in evolutionary terms the "earliest" part of the brain is the brainstem, whose structure is most arguably the result of principles that are in line with the basic ideas of Darwinian evolution. It deals with fundamental bodily functions, such as breathing. Then, a "later" part, in evolutionary terms, the next part "up", so to speak, has sometimes been called the "reptilian complex".
This is the inner part of the brain that has something in common with reptile brains. Then, "next up", is the "limbic system", which has something in common with mammals in general. Because it is where emotional responses arise, it is sometimes called the "emotional brain".
Then, "next up", is the cerebral cortex, a "later" part of the brain, in evolutionary terms, the surrounding outer area of the mammalian brain. And the "latest" part of this, is the frontal lobes of the neocortex.
All these parts of the brain are still connected, and as far as its giving us our experience of being is concerned, the brain still works as a whole, as a high-level integration of the parts. It regulates and interacts with the body on which depends.
From our so-called "conscious mind", associated with the neocortex and frontal lobes, we can control our breathing and pulse rate, once we have learned how, whose functions are associated with evolutionarily earlier parts of the brain.
What about the way in which genetics determines the kind of mind and self that we are being? Rather than being a method for "setting in stone" aspects of our characteristics, and merely reproducing long-term evolutionary past, we now know that genes themselves can be "switched on" or "switched off" in certain functions, through the processes of gene expression.
Not only that, but we know that experience itself, is one of the things that can do this, by affecting brain cells and contributing to lasting changes in the brain that can be genetically passed on in procreation. (Gene expression controlled in specific brain cells is also now part of the new science of optogenetics).
The result of all this is that what we might conventionally consider to be the "evolution of the human mind", is far from being something that Darwinian evolution theory is not capable of coping with. Even conventional neo-Darwinianism concerned specifically with gene transmission, is not capable of it.
In the "old view", with "modular theory", the evolution of life forms on Earth, through principles such as genetic mutation and consequential survival advantage, produces life forms leading to the human body and brain, and hence the human mind.
In the "new view", the way in which the brain, as a neural network, structures itself, is based on neuroplasticity, as well as on genetics and survival advantage.
Genetics still provides a "blueprint" based on the past, in order to "build" each individual brain organ through the procreation process. But once there is such a thing as a brain in existence, even a relatively simple one, even though it starts out with whatever the genetic "blueprint" is at any point, the most salient thing about its functionality is neuroplasticity. Its ability to self-change, in other words, its ability to undergo self-morphism in both its functioning and its actual structure.
When this is applied to a brain through which what we might recognise as experience of being arises, then this self-change also refers literally to change in what is experienced as self.
The brain is adaptive. Different parts of the brain often share functions. It has been shown that rodents can learn to see, using parts of the brain that according to the genetic "blueprint" were never developed for seeing, but rather, for hearing.
In humans it is possible for the occipital lobe at the back of the brain - which is normally devoted to processing vision - to process alternative sensory input, from hearing and touch. This happens in blind people.
As we mentioned a little earlier, in brains in general, human and otherwise, when a specialised part of the brain is no longer available, due to damage or disease, it is possible for other areas to take over at least some of that function. If a part of the brain becomes little used, then adjacent parts may take over that part of the brain for their own functioning. This is known as the "use it or lose it" principle.
There are of course limits to what is possible. Because the very existence of the brain, the existence of neuroplasticity, still rests on millions of years of evolution (to use that model of understanding).
At a fundamental level, brain function is a "universal" principle, able to become "specialised" in whatever way is necessary, with adaptivity. Including brain cells themselves, becoming specialised types of brain cells. This is one reason why neuron stem cell research is now so promising.
Basically, in the brain we are talking about principles. The way brains biologically work, is a principle, whereby what is already functioning in terms of networks of neural networks, can be biologically improved by the brain "rewiring" itself through neuroplasticity.
This in turn then changes the actual connective anatomy of the brain. So the anatomy of the modern human brain can be considered somewhat as an anatomical arrangement arising from its own functioning, just as much as something that just functions as a consequence of what its anatomical arrangement already is. Essentially, whilst the human mind is tied to the brain, the mind has its own means of evolution.
The basic principle determining how a brain "wires itself", how it modifies its own functioning, and then modifies its actual anatomy in line with that functioning, is neuroplasticity. What neuroplasticity enables, is the changing of the brain according to experience, of all kinds, including thought, and emotion. Not just bodily behaviour.
In short, the structure of the brain is the result of the immaterial, experiential things that have had a hand in determining that structure, such as experience and thought and learning. To think that this scenario can be fully understood on the basis of bodily or genetic evolution, without understanding how material brain function equates to mind experience of being, would be a mistake.
There is a two-sided coin here, so to speak. The coin of "mind versus matter". The immaterial is on one side of the coin, whilst there is the material, as the material functioning of the brain, on the other side of the coin. The "coin" itself is the brain, and brain function.
These things that change the brain, in themselves, are as much about mind and experience, as they are about the material and the behavioural. Our human mind is arising through brain function that is not separable from the material, but is not the same thing as the material alone. We don't experience our mind and experience of being as material brain function. We experience it as mind and experience of being.
In much the same way, the experience "I am" at the core of all our sentient experience, arises through the material, but is not in itself material. At the core of our being as a human being is the immaterial - our actual experience of being.
In nature there is the evolution of the principle of the brain. There are billions of brains, but there are not billions of principles. Rather, there is one principal, uniquely instantiated in each instance of a brain.
As far as modern neuroscience is concerned the human mind arises as a construct of brain function. It arises through the brain. Which is a unique, single instantiation of the one principle of the brain.
Essentially, therefore, nature produces billions of minds that are each a unique instantiation of the one principle of the mind. Essentially, beyond the individual, personal idea of "who I am", there is one mind in nature, of which each individual human mind, is a uniquely configured instantiation.
Basically, then, we are missing something that ought to be obvious, when we try to "explain" the nature of our mind and experience of being with only a material view of the brain.
In other words, we cannot regard brain structure and function as just the vehicle of the immaterial that happens to be our experience of mind and being.
In the mainstream of modern brain science, mind and brain function are not considered as two separate things. It is a scientific fact that the brain's structure and functioning has everything to do with our mind and experience of being. However, not only that, but both collectively as human beings, over the evolutionary timescale, and individually, our mind and experience of being as it is now has had a hand in its very development.
In the model of evolution, all the lesser life forms through which the brain is seen as having evolved, can be considered as being somewhere on the spectrum of mind and experience of being, a spectrum that extends from the mineral, or even the quantum, to the brain.
What in brains occurs as neuroplasticity, doesn't even start with brains. Neuroplasticity, is just a supremely evolved, more complex version of principles that we are also now discovering apply even to the most primitive organisms, such as single-celled moulds (Much research into this has been carried out on the slime mould Physarum polycephalum).
It is just that in our brains, these principles in their complex form arise as something that we know first hand as mind and experience of being. And we see the appearance of that also, in lesser brains, such as the great apes, and dogs, and cats, and so on.
The immaterial or psychical - in our case, our mind and experience of being - is very much an integral part of the picture of how the brain comes into existence. Not only that, but in the light of what we are discovering about organisms without brains, such as Physarum polycephalum, it is sensible to regard the immaterial or psychical, as an evolutionary spectrum in its own right, and as part of how evolution takes place.
Why would we regard the brain as having come about in the first place, from its earliest evolutionary roots, through principles separate from mind and experience of being? Principles that have nothing to do with mind and experience of being?
That attitude is a hangover from the days of regarding mind in human beings as separate from matter, and scientists as "independent, objective observers" of a world that in itself has nothing to do with human beings, other than that we happen to have arisen in it.
In fact, quite obviously, the brain's most salient feature is that through it arises our experience of being, as self, mind, thought, imagination, and experience of the world. It may well be that this gives us survival advantage. So we may well want to say that our "conscious experience" has evolved because it gives survival advantage. But that is not the point that should strike us.
We can say that the principle of the brain has evolved, if we wish. That's one way of understanding it. So we don't have to overthrow that model. But still the most salient point about brain function overall, is that it constructs what is both our experience of self, and what we experience as a material world.
What we experience as the material world is a construct of brain function. Furthermore, all our scientific understanding of it, beyond what we actually experience through our senses, is also a construct of brain function.
By ignoring the latter fact of neuroscience and pretending that it doesn't exist, or is something other than what it actually is, we completely miss the target.
This is how we should look at it, rather than asking "how does the brain create consciousness" of a world that we take to be other than a construct of brain function.
We do not experience as our world, material or otherwise, anything that is other than a construct of brain function. That remains true, even if we group ourselves together in networks of ourselves, and start measuring things, and formulating laws that describe material behaviour. Which is what science is all about. This still all happens as a construct of brain function.
As human beings, there is no intelligence in us, separate from this, that is "using" brain function as a means of observing and experiencing the world. A world separate from brain function. Our observations and experiences of the world are inseparable from brain function. Just as our experience of being this human self is inseparable from brain function. All of it is the construct of brain function.
This doesn't imply that there is such a thing as a material world, indeed a material universe, with all the glories of it that modern astronomy and cosmology is discovering, that exists independently of us, in the sense that it has nothing to do with us, other than that we happen to be in it. Rather, it means that you cannot separate the two.
Before any other consideration, this construct that brain function creates, is the two-sided "coin". It is what we experience as the objective material world, and it is the immaterial nature of our own self-experience.
The material, and the immaterial, occur together through the principle of the brain. The material and our self experience are created together, as one construct. As far as our human experience of being is concerned, it is not the case that one is "prior" to the other.
The principle of the brain, the whole principle, is not about the material as something separable from the immaterial. It is both material and immaterial, in the way we encounter it. Just as you cannot separate what we encounter, from our encountering of it.


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YouTube Will Now Ban Videos Alleging Election Fraud
By Drew Dietsch | 1 month ago
YouTube is accepting the results of the 2020 presidential election and recognizing Joseph Biden as president-elect. As a result, they have made the decision to remove any videos that allege that Donald Trump lost the election due to fraud or errors. The video giant made the announcement via their official blog.
YouTube has been attempting to deal with a slew of misinformation regarding the 2020 election, and this definitive stance is part of that strategy. Now that the US has reached the safe harbor deadline, it looks like Google's video platform is going to take a hardline stance against any accounts that purport to share information that contradicts the results of the election.
You can see part of YouTube's statement in this thread from their YouTubeInsider Twitter account which boiled down their stance and reasons for the decision:
1/ Our goal this election was to connect people to authoritative info, limit harmful misinfo & remove violative content. Subsequently, authoritative news was widely watched & recommended, and since Sept, we removed 8K+ channels for violating our policies. https://t.co/3It2xphe70
— YouTubeInsider (@YouTubeInsider) December 9, 2020
It looks like YouTube is adding some fuel to the fire when it comes to the ever-growing divide between people who recognize the legitimacy of the 2020 election results and those who seem to believe there was fraud involved. The US Supreme Court unanimously shot down a Republican push to overturn Joseph Biden's win in Pennsylvania on the basis of election fraud. It certainly looks like the election fraud narrative is becoming more and more fringe and difficult to maintain.
There is some criticism being directed towards YouTube's decision. Obviously, those who mistakenly believe that there was fraud present in the 2020 presidential election are upset, but the Justice Department has unequivocally declared that there is no evidence of fraud. But, there is some disdain at YouTube for waiting to make this policy decision and enforcement a month after the election. It looks like they were waiting for this safe harbor deadline to cover their bases.
It will be interesting to see if conservative audiences use this as an excuse to boycott YouTube. We have seen conservative users flee from other high profile internet services for applications like Parler, but they don't seem to be too happy with that either. Will they attempt a similar exodus from YouTube to a platform where they feel entirely free to post whatever they want regardless of factual information? Could a company try and corner the market on conservative-targeted internet video? Or will prominent conservative voices try and find a way around the new laws that Google is implementing for their platform?
Though it may have taken them a while, it is reassuring to see YouTube take this stance. Widespread misinformation and outright disinformation have been a problem for the site for many years. They seem to be taking some steps towards fighting these issues and it is certain that this initiative will be a stepping stone towards dealing with those larger problems. But again, it is going to be interesting to see how its users try and circumvent the established rules and codes of conduct. We will simply have to wait and see how Google implements this directive and how successful it will be.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Why did GhostNet succeed?
By Srijith on April 22, 2010 in Espionage
The recent increase in attention given to cyber security is thanks in no small measures to the works published by Information Warfare Monitor and Shadowserver Foundation titled "Shadows in the Cloud: Investigating Cyber Espionage 2.0" as well as the earlier report titled "Tracking GhostNet: Investigating a Cyber Espionage Network". Both detail the existence of cyber espionage operations targeted against Tibetan and Indian officials and institutions, allegedly run by the Chinese. If you haven't read these reports yet, you should.
There is enough content in these reports to provide fodder for several posts at Vyuha ranging from technical discussions on how the espionage network was run to more higher level "what have we learnt" ones. This post looks at one of the factors that allowed this episode to play out – the effectiveness of the malware attacks that were used to set the exfiltration network up.
The reports identify that the attackers used Microsoft Office (DOC, XLS, PPT) and PDF files to deliver their malwares and that the information acquisition phase before the delivery must have been involved and meticulous.
What is surprising and frustrating about the whole attack is that while the malwares were delivered using targeted effictiveness, there is no proof that they exploited any 0-day vulnerabilities in the applications and hence could have been caught and prevented from wrecking havoc on target machines. Why were the vulnerable applications not patched? Did the targeted machines have protective mechanisms in place like updated anti-virus or HIPS software installed on it? If not, why were they not? Given the fact that the information leaked from the documents exfiltrated were of sensitive nature, it can be assumed that the people operating those machines had specific clearance. Why were their working environment not secured enough? In addition were network based Intrusion Prevention/Detections Systems installed on these networks and if so, why were they not effective in preventing or even detecting these attacks?
A lot of questions with few answers. But then that has been the case with all the questions raised by the public about this incident.
Links for 4-11-2011
Hardware security and the Chinese
Duqu: an indicator of the next Stuxnet?
Dissecting Defense Minister's response "Hacking of Security Information"
The second "attack" – a no hold barred for Iran?
Connect to us through these channels
Espionage, GhostNet
← In the Beginning
Rise of infection in Indian cyberspace →
5 Responses to Why did GhostNet succeed?
trickey April 22, 2010 at 3:42 pm #
So long as data secuirty depends on the individual, there is no chance of eliminating all vulnerabilities. Somebody or the other will have classified information totally exposed.
A decent document management system would have prevented this exposure no matter what the state of maintenance of these systems.
skn April 22, 2010 at 4:23 pm #
@trickey: interesting thought. I wonder how would that work though. Once you have installed trojan and backdoors on to the local machines most forms of document control would not be able to mitigate ensuing problems.
trickey April 23, 2010 at 11:42 am #
@skn
My idea here is to have a central document management system in place which would enforce authorization, access control and encryption on the documents. Naturally, such a system is accessible only in the intranet.
e.g. Access to the most sensitive documents could be restricted to actively maintained off-grid nodes with saving/caching,copy-paste and screen shots disabled.
There is plenty that can be done once such a system is place, especially with a DMS based on modern security frameworks such as PAM,JAAS and Kerberos.
Single-use passwords (delivered by secured means) could be enforced.
On-screen keyboards could be added.
Off-grid authentication(via SMS for example) could be enforced.
Restrictions could be placed to allow access only via remote terminal with copy-paste disabled, so that there is no chance of caching/saving.
The system could be as secure as you wanted it to be. It could evolve with the changing security environment.
Hardware security and the Chinese | Vyuha - May 17, 2010
[…] some call it extreme paranoia and see these as a knee-jerk response to the recent reports of cyber espionage attributed to non-state Chinese actors, while others claim it as having something to do with the 3G license auction or do with the cheap […]
Early-Warning Indicators for Predicting Cyberwar Operations | Vyūha - November 23, 2010
[…] argument could be made that cyber early warning would not be feasible against a silent multi-month effort like that against Indian government and Tibetan computers. True, there are major differences. For […]


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Tests in mice and now pigs have shown a new targeted gene therapy can treat a major cause of heart disease. The findings suggest that the therapy, which has now passed all animal trials, could be teamed up with a different gene therapy that is already showing positive results in human trials.
The experimental therapy delivers the SUMO-1 gene into heart tissue cells using a harmless modified flu virus. Once inside the cells the gene produces a protein. This protein has been found to be lacking in some heart failure patients and was recently revealed to regulate a second protein, called SERCA2, in experiments using single cells. In further experiments, SUMO-1 gene therapy substantially improved heart function in mice with damaged hearts. SERCA2 is responsible for pumping calcium out of the cells. It is this calcium flow which creates the electrical signal that makes the heart beat. SERCA2 is already being tested as a gene therapy in human clinical trials and has so far proved safe and effective. The scientists therefore reasoned that SUMO-1 could potentially boost the power of SERCA2 therapy.
The team tested delivery of SUMO-1 gene therapy alone, SERCA2 gene therapy alone, and a combination of SUMO-1 and SERCA2 in pigs with heart failure induced by cutting off blood flow using an inflated balloon. They found that gene therapy delivery of high dose SUMO-1 alone, as well as SUMO-1 and SERCA2 together, result in stronger heart contractions, better blood flow, and reduced heart volumes, compared to just SERCA2 gene therapy alone.
The advanced stage of SERCA2 therapy could allow the team to begin human trials of their combination therapy sooner than otherwise might be the case. This is good news for the many thousands that suffer coronary heart disease. It is the UK's biggest killer, causing around 82,000 deaths each year. About one in five men and one in eight women die from the disease.


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The Faber and Faber film list features the luminaries of the filmmaking world, with works by leading directors - including Martin Scorsese, David Lynch, Tim Burton, Wes Anderson, Werner Herzog, Mike Leigh, Christopher Nolan, Danny Boyle and Quentin Tarantino - and screenplays of iconic works from Chinatown to Goodfellas and Pulp Fiction to Fargo.
The Innocence of Memories
The Innocence of Memories is an important addition to the oeuvre of Nobel Prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk. Comprised of the screenplay of the acclaimed film by Grant Gee from 2015 (by the same name), a transcript of the author and filmmaker in conversation, and captivating colour stills, it is an essential volume for understanding Pamuk's work.
Drawing on the themes from Pamuk's best-selling books, The Museum of Innocence, Istanbul and The Black Book, this book is both an accompaniment to the author's previous publications and a wonderfully revelatory exploration of Orhan Pamuk's key ideas about art, love, and memory.
The Innocence of Memories is an important addition to the oeuvre of Nobel Prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk. Comprised of the screenplay of the acclaimed film by Grant Gee from 2015 (by the same name), a transcript of the author and filmmaker in conversation, and captivating colour stills, it is an essential volume for understanding Pamuk's work.Drawing on the themes from Pamuk's best-selling books, The Museum of Innocence, Istanbul and The Black Book, this book is both an accompaniment to the author's previous publications and a wonderfully revelatory exploration of Orhan Pamuk's key ideas about art, love, and memory.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Death is always the issue—in life, and in the Western. Joel and Ethan Coen's The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is a movie of six Western stories. In each, our common destination is approached by a different road. Through each, diverse characters hurry for their final appointment: Oregon Trail-travelers, a gold prospector, a motley crew of stagecoach passengers, a high-plains drifting bank robber, even a singing cowboy. These six stories escort them with a care that either respects, or mocks, the dignity of all.
The film stars Tom Waits, James Franco, Liam Neeson, Tim Bake Nelson and Zoe Kazan and is shot with the harsh grandeur of the classic John Ford westerns.
Death is always the issue—in life, and in the Western. Joel and Ethan Coen's The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is a movie of six Western stories. In each, our common destination is approached by a different road. Through each, diverse characters hurry for their final appointment: Oregon Trail-travelers, a gold prospector, a motley crew of stagecoach passengers, a high-plains drifting bank robber, even a singing cowboy. These six stories escort them with a care that either respects, or mocks, the dignity of all.The film stars Tom Waits, James Franco, Liam Neeson, Tim Bake Nelson and Zoe Kazan and is shot with the harsh grandeur of the classic John Ford westerns.
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Demetrios Matheou
Konstantin Stanislavsky
Richard E. Williams
Peter Cowie
Alexander Mackendrick
Ryan Gilbey
Laurent Tirard
Coleman Hough
James Mottram
Peter Farrelly
Todd Solondz
John Milius
Donald Cammell
Don Roos
Robert Towne
Barry Levinson
Jeff Young
Marc Norman
I.A.L. Diamond
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck
Walter Donohue
Chris Rodley
Eleanor Coppola
Budd Schulberg
Krzystof Kieslowski
John Lahr
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Joy Press
Nick Fraser
Sam Wasson
Tom Shone


Chapman MA/MFA candidate and a member of Sigma Tau Delta, Michelle Arch, has been chronicling her journey through Chapman's program on her blog, Archetype. Recently, she posted an interview with recent MA/MFA graduate Ruben Guzman. Ruben just self-published his novel thesis and, in the interview, opens up about that decision, as well as the MFA program, the merits of workshops, the MFA thesis defense experience, and the creative writing process.
As a graduate student enrolled in Chapman University's dual MA in English and MFA in Creative Writing program, Ruben Guzman wrote his debut novel The Fountain in Forsyth Park, the tale of a middle-aged homosexual man searching for meaning in his melancholy life. Guzman and I were peers in the program until his graduation last year. Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Guzman about the MFA program from his perspective, his first book, and his experience with self-publishing.
Arch: As an MFA student myself, I'm always curious about which came first for other student writers: the program requirement of the 150-page novel thesis or the story premise that needed the discipline and critical feedback of an MFA program. In your case, was The Fountain in Forsyth Park already in progress when you began your work at Chapman, or was it conceived and written entirely while pursuing your English and Creative Writing degrees?
Guzman: Fountain came about after starting my MFA. In my third writing workshop class, I felt I finally had something substantial to write. Up to then I'd been writing short stories – likely bad ones when thinking back. I was inspired to write Fountain while on a trip to Savannah to help my best friend open a furniture and design store. I was so intrigued with the city and was charmed by its history, architecture, culture, and traditions. It was really that first trip that inspired me to write my novel. I even made several trips back during the writing process to do my research.
Arch: I've found that the demands of graduate school both promote and hinder the advancement of creative projects. Challenging reading and writing assignments immerse students in classic and contemporary literature and develop their critical thinking and writing skills. However, the course load can be daunting for most and leave little time for thesis work and other creative endeavors. With a full time job and demanding class schedule, how did you carve out the time to write Fountain?
Guzman: I can agree that managing a job and graduate school made for a trying creative writing process at times. I recall that there were semesters when I couldn't even touch my novel project due to other commitments. That was frustrating.
However, as I reflect on it now, those times were critical in two ways. One, my immersion in other literary topics like critical theory, special authors, and period and contemporary literature contributed in developing my own thoughts about my novel. I had a chance to read Saramago, Nabokov, Whitman, and Wilde – all influential to Fountain in one way or another. Learning theory afforded me the chance to think of fiction and metafiction in different ways. In Fountain, I even took the opportunity to play with literary terms like fabula and syuzhet – two important ideas on narrative intent that I couldn't have used without studying theory.
Two, it allowed me to let my ideas ferment (whether consciously or unconsciously). Those breaks worked for me in the sense that, when time opened up, I was ready and eager to write something. During those productive periods, I would eat my lunch in the office in order to take coffee breaks instead. I would write at the coffee shop for an hour each day. Come to think of it, I wrote nearly all of Fountain at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.
Arch: One of the most important elements of writing we learn about in workshop is the necessity of revision. The willingness and ability to review early drafts with an increasingly critical eye and make appropriate edits is crucial to the final product. How often did you find yourself revising sections of Fountain? Were the edits you made in response to observations from your peers and professors or to your own development as a writer?
Guzman: I think workshops are effective for writers in a number of ways, but I also realized early on that I could take or leave other criticisms. Readers weren't going to necessarily understand the full scope of my ideas, so I had to learn which constructive suggestions to take from workshops.
With respect to revisions, the breaks away from writing I mentioned earlier allowed me to realize the greater need to revise when returning to writing. I found that revisions became just as natural as the writing itself after a while. However, I didn't let revisions get in the way of getting content written first. Instead, I focused more on revising as I got closer to finishing Fountain. I think it was better to have a nearly complete draft of my novel before I could solidify unity in motifs, character development, arcs, and the like.
I also found myself continuing to revise up to the point at which I submitted my thesis, as well as after, when I started the self-publishing process. By then, I was focused on tightening syntax, form, and punctuation; eliminating anachronisms; etc. I'll confess, I realized at that late point that I'd added references to the autumnal equinox but never changed the time of my story from October to September! I knew when the equinox was all along but didn't notice the problem until I was focused on revisions. Hence, I can't stress how important the revision process is.
Arch: Your story is told from the interesting perspective of your protagonist's inner voice. In Fountain, mystical elements, universal questions, and philosophical themes are probed in a stream-of-consciousness narrative style. Were there times when the criticism you received from your peers or professors seemed disconnected with your artistic vision?
Guzman: Absolutely. I remember not being able to articulate the difference between the inner voice and the conscience. In my mind, the inner voice speaks constantly about anything from the mundane to the fantastic. I had an idea of writing the narrative of one's inner voice that worked in ways that one's conscience wouldn't. In fact, Remy's conscience is completely absent from the story. It's his inner voice, the uninhibited voice, the imp, the voice of impulse that fights to tell Remy's story. Jinn is based on the Arabic characterizations of the djinn or genie as we know it in Western culture. It's a parallel voice to the human one and can be known to work for or against us. I remember one student in my workshop being really confused about that idea. At the time, all I could explain was that Jinn was a voice inside Remy that wasn't a moral compass. It just was.
I knew that this inner voice would give greater dimension to my marginalized protagonist. It would have been one thing for Remy to narrate Fountain as a marginalized protagonist. For me it was another thing to read a marginalized narrative voice contained within that marginalized protagonist.
There were so many times I could have resorted to writing Jinn as Remy's conscience, but it was neither spontaneous nor real to my expectations for the story. Jinn's stream-of-consciousness narrative left uncertainties and instabilities for the reader – something that was much more interesting for me to write.
Arch: You and I have talked about the creative stall (most often referred to as "writer's block," a term I think sounds more ominously permanent); was there ever a time while writing Fountain when you felt unsure about how the story or the protagonist, Remy, was developing?
Guzman: Before starting my MFA, I was in a graduate program in screenwriting. So I think part of that formulaic way of storytelling rubbed off, which is odd because that's the reason I abandoned screenwriting. When I was told that certain plot points had to happen by page 30 or 45, I felt I wasn't embracing a fully creative and organic storytelling process.
After writing a couple of chapters of Fountain nonlinearly, I discovered that I was able to formulate the outline of the whole story in my head. What I did find useful was generally planning out what happens through the story early on. I deduced that if I knew something would take place later on and this is what happens, I would have a target to shoot for. My advice is to write nonlinearly. I found that I wanted to write about a drag show at a Savannah nightclub way before my story ever got there. For me, nonlinear writing worked well in this case because I had to get the story and characters to that drag show. It also prevented me from veering off on tangents and losing focus.
Arch: I'm writing my thesis nonlinearly, as well, and couldn't agree more. It really does help you keep the characters and story moving towards pivotal events or targets, as you referred to them. You once mentioned a breakthrough point at which the narrative began to practically pour out of you. How far along were you in the project when you reached that moment, and to what do you attribute the breakthrough? Once there, how was the pace of your writing impacted?
Guzman: I reached that point when I read James Gleick's Chaos: Making a New Science during the winter break before my final thesis class. I was simply channel surfing one night and came across a program on chaos theory on cable. It piqued my interest since much of it seemed to make sense as metaphor for Fountain. By the time the program mentioned fractals, I was already online buying Gleick's book. Fountain really explores the balance between the scientific and metaphysical aspects of life.
In reflecting back on that moment of discovery, I believe that keeping an open mind throughout a project is worth the risk. Passion for the story can emerge at a least expected time. When I started watching that show, I was asking myself how I could possibly apply chaos theory to my story. It sounded really odd at first, but something was telling me to give it a chance. Getting to a point of inspiration and letting the writing happen, with no expectations, was a big and cool discovery for me. It made me a believer in trusting impulse – trusting in my Jinn so to speak.
Arch: I'm a fan of Gleick's book, too, and applied his theories of chaos and Lorenz's butterfly effect to the works of Virginia Woolf recently, so I know what you mean about those seemingly unlikely connections. Defense of the thesis is one of the final components of the MFA program. Were you confident about Fountain when you submitted it? Assuming you had been working with your defense committee members prior to submitting the narrative as your final thesis, was there any aspect of the process that surprised you?
Guzman: From the first day of writing Fountain, I'd made a commitment to write something that I wanted to read. My focus wasn't on something that made sense, was moralistic, was commercially viable, or otherwise. I made my vow and stuck to it. I was fortunate that my faculty advisor, James Blaylock, is a science fiction writer with numerous novels. He was able to give me support when I doubted myself in some of the risks I was taking. He got what I was trying to do and helped me to sharpen my story.
Fortunately, my thesis committee responded favorably to my final product. They praised me for the risks and were unanimous in stating that they hadn't read anything like it before. When they then asked what I planned to do with it, I told them that I'd reached my goal of writing what I wanted to read. That's when they urged me to seek publication. Needless to say, I was floating after my thesis defense.
Arch: Last year I attended a writing conference with several other MFA candidates, and we discussed the advantages and value of a literary peer group. After graduation, MFA students lose that inherent forum for critical feedback. Are you concerned about that now that you have completed the program?
Guzman: It will be tough to retain a reliable network of others like one would have in a workshop or thesis setting. Not having a thesis committee to sign off on future projects is a little sad. Like other writers, I do tend to be a loner when writing. But I know a few other writers and peers I can look to for workshopping new projects. I can also do the same for them in their writing projects. I'm also considering finding writing groups with which to share ideas and work. They're a little tough to find, but they're out there.
Arch: After finishing The Fountain in Forsyth Park, you decided to self-publish it. What led you to that decision, and what was the process like? Can you offer any suggestions or insights to others who are considering self-publishing?
Guzman: Self-publishing has expanded into a viable way of getting exposure and is at a point where it's quickly gaining respectability. I wanted to experiment with self-publishing for the sake of getting immediate feedback from others outside of academia. Landing a publisher is incredibly difficult; it could take years or not happen at all. I didn't want to wait. Much like the writing process, I pursued an unconventional way of publishing. Self-publishing was attractive and was timely and cost-effective for me.
The down side is the reality that I am the marketing department. So connecting with websites, reviews, contests, and blogs like yours are marketing strategies. As a writer, I've also had to put myself in a marketing frame of mind with my product.
Arch: What's next for you? Is there another project in progress?
Guzman: Yes, I've got a few projects going. While my priority is marketing Fountain for more readers, I'm also writing a collection of short stories that all revolve around childhood fears. I'm also playing with other forms of narrative such as audio narrative and episodic writing for podcasting to see where they may lead. My focus is to further any one of these projects on a day-to-day basis – and there's never enough time, that's for sure.


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fue un kugyō (cortesano japonés de alta categoría) que vivió durante la era Nanbokucho. Fue miembro de la familia Nijō (derivada del clan Fujiwara) e hijo de Nijō Yoshimoto.

Ingresó en la corte imperial en 1349 con el rango shōgoi inferior, y luego al rango jushii inferior. En 1350 fue promovido al rango jushii superior, 1353 al jusanmi, en 1354 asignado como vicegobernador de la provincia de Harima y gonchūnagon. En 1356 fue ascendido al rango shōsanmi y en 1358 como junii. En 1359 fue designado gondainagon y en 1360 ascendido al rango shōnii.

En 1366 fue asignado naidaijin y en 1367 promovido a udaijin. En 1369 fue designado kanpaku (regente) del Emperador Go-Kōgon y del Emperador Go-En'yū de la Corte del Norte, hasta 1375. Desde 1370 hasta 1375 fue nombrado sadaijin. En 1371 fue ascendido al rango juichii.

En 1381 renunció a la vida como cortesano y se convirtió en monje budista (shukke), falleciendo al año siguiente.

Tuvo dos hijos, pero fueron adoptados posteriormente por su padre Yoshimoto.

Referencias

Sekkan
M
Políticos de Japón del siglo XIV

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


In his first policy speech since he officially began his run for the United States Senate, Representative Rick A. Lazio said at a conference of mayors today that he would continue to back federally supported housing and community development programs but offered no new proposals of his own.
Appearing before the New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials, which was holding its annual conference at a hotel here, Mr. Lazio told the roughly 200 mayors, council members and other municipal officials of varying political affiliations about his legislative record as a congressman and listed some of his qualifications for the Senate.
He delivered mostly crowd favorites on the need to direct federal dollars -- in concert with private financing -- to help improve to downtown areas and housing for the elderly and the poor.
Mr. Lazio then said his philosophy for housing and economic development includes partnerships between the private sector and the government to finance and manage programs.
He promised to oppose any reduction in the Community Development Block Grant program, which provides local communities financing for homegrown projects. The government, he said, should allow more flexibility with the money, too. And Mr. Lazio vowed support for federal programs that help first-time homebuyers and help the homeless move into permanent housing.
The speech hewed to Mr. Lazio's early campaign strategy, as outlined by his aides, in at least two respects. It focused on social issues more often aligned with Democrats and offered few specifics.
David Egner, a spokesman for Mr. Cuomo, said Mr. Lazio overstated Republicans' support for housing. ''Republicans wanted to eliminate HUD entirely, stop housing production, sell the Federal Housing Administration and kick the poor out of public housing,'' Mr. Egner said in a statement.
Among those at the conference, reaction to Mr. Lazio's speech was mixed, reflecting what one organizer said was the makeup of the audience, roughly evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats. Some Democrats noted that Mr. Lazio made no new proposals of his own.
But Republicans, and a few Democrats, said Mr. Lazio carried himself well and smartly showed empathy for their perennial headaches in finding ways to shore up downtowns and build affordable housing.


HARARE - Danhiko project has been praised for providing the ladder that helps disabled and disadvantaged Zimbabweans to reach the summit of their aspirations and ability.
An official from cement manufacturer PPC Zimbabwe, Kelibone Masiyane said this as his company donated 100 desks and 100 chairs to Danhiko Secondary School.
"In the task to educate and to be educated, there are many tools that are needed to ensure that the knowledge the teacher holds is passed on to the student as efficiently as possible.
Danhiko Project was established to deliver quality education, skills training and production for people with disabilities and the disadvantaged within society to prepare them for employment and self-employment.
At a function attended by guests including officials from the ministry of Education, staff and students, PPC Zimbabwe said the donation was in recognition of the magnitude of the work that Danhiko Project has achieved.
"Danhiko's values of Ubuntu, patriotism, empathy, integrity, professionalism, loyalty and humility are values that resonate with us at PPC. We believe that our role is to make builders' projects easier to complete from start to finish, and to support our customers as our most valuable partners, through the building materials and solutions we provide," Masiyane said.
PPC recently completed and commissioned a new $80 million cement milling plant, and the gesture was part of the company's priority to uplift and invest in local people by giving back to the community.


After several failed plans to visit Himachal over the years, I finally got the opportunity in June 2017. Even though I had visited this state 12 years ago, during my undergrad days, I knew I would come back. There is something extraordinarily calming and soothing about this place that helps clear the mind and experience pure bliss.
My journey started by taking an hour long flight from Delhi to Amritsar. The close proximity of Amritsar to Dalhousie, my first destination in Himachal, made it the ideal starting point. Since I had planned just a day stay in Amritsar, I decided to Visit the the Golden Temple and the Wagah Border retreat parade. The Golden temple is located at the city centre and is open at all hours.
For the Wagah Border retreat parade, it is advisable to reach by 2-3pm after which the general ticket (Price: Rs.10) is usually sold out. The only other way to enter is with a signed permission slip from a senior official. It usually takes an hour to reach the Wagah border from the city. Even though the parade starts at 5:30pm, the wait is totally worth it. There is a lot of excitement and patriotism on display from both sides of the border.
After a memorable day in Amritsar, I took the early morning bus to Pathankot. The journey time is about 3 hours. From here I hired a cab to cover the 80kms journey to Dalhousie. The drive is enjoyable with a few hairpin bends along the way.
Dalhousie is a beautiful hill station located at a height of 2000m. It is a good getaway destination for a few days to beat the heat. Here I chose to stay near Gandhi chowk . After settling into the hotel, I walked down the 2kms to Panchpula which has a small waterfall. There are also various cafes and souvenir shops along the way.
The next day I decided to visit Khajjiar which is 22kms from the town centre. There are both taxis and bus available to cover the journey. Khajjiar is a small beautiful valley up in the mountains and is known as the Swiss of the Himachal. The title bestowed upon it is completely justified by its beauty. With a small lake at the centre surrounded by evergreen cedar trees, it is the perfect picnic spot. There are also several fun activities available here like Paragliding, Horse riding, zorbing. A visit to this place should be on the bucket list.
Mcleodganj, which is 10 kms from Dharamshala, was my next destination in the itinerary. To get here, I took the bus from the Dalhousie bus terminal to Dharamshala (Travel time= 5hours). After that I boarded the second bus to McLeodganj (Travel time = 45 minutes) I had planned to spend four nights in 8 auspicious Him view hotel, owned and managed by a very friendly Tibetan family. This hotel is very close to the main town square is and is highly recommended.
On my first day in McLeodganj, I decided to complete the Triund Trek. I was joined by another backpacker from the hotel in this trek. Just beware of the travel /tours agents hard-selling guides for this trek, costing upto Rs.1500, which is not required. The route is pretty well marked and can be done independently. Though the total length of the trek is 9kms from Mcleodganj, it is possible to hire a cab to cover the first 2kms (upto Galu Devi Temple). The entire trek is of moderate difficulty, albeit the final 2kms, which is a pretty steep uphill climb. It is best to avoid this trek during the rainy season. Also it is better to get an early start in the morning to avoid the sun. The two of us were able to trek the whole 9kms in 3:15 hours, which wasn't too bad for two regular white-collar workers.
Upon reaching the summit, the mesmerising view of the Dhauladhar range and the moon peak makes the whole journey very memorable. A few hot paranthas with a warm cup of tea and a view of the mountains will surely help in beating the fatigue from the trek. If not, there are tents available for hire for Rs.400-500 a night. For me this trek was one of the most memorable part of my trip and is highly recommended.
The next day I decided to sightsee around McLeodganj and visited the Dal Lake, Dalai Lama temple and St John's church. All three are within walking distance from the town square and can be covered on the same day. However the Dal Lake is not very appealing and can be avoided. Apart from these Mcleodganj also has good street shopping and cafes. A few must try places include MoonPeak Espresso, Nick's Italian Kitchen, Namgyal Cafe and a vegetarian Japanese restaurant called Lung Ta. Yes vegans, u read correctly, it is a Vegetarian Japanese restaurant- probably the only one in the globe.
On my third day, I decided to visit Dharamkot, Bhagsuanth temple and the waterfall. Dharamkot is the quieter part of McLeodganj and is less crowded. It is 2kms from the main square and is a good stay option for people in search of peace. Morgan's Place is one of the good cafes/hotel here. From Dharamkot to Bhagsunath temple is a short twenty minutes walk. Further down the same path is the Bhagsunath Waterfalls. This view of the valley from here is pretty sweet. Hidden in the jungle, on top of the waterfall, is the famous Shiva Cafe. The location of the cafe is really kool and a visit is highly recommended.
For my final day of the trip, I decided to trek down to Dharamshala. One of the main attractions here is the cricket stadium with an incredible view of the Dauladhar Mountains at the background. Even though the stadium is small, it is the highest in the world. There is also a shopping street here to pickup knick-knick and antiques as souvenir for the trip. In the evening, I bid adieu to this beautiful place and boarded my bus for Delhi with a promise to be back again someday.
Feel free to message me for any feedback/queries.
Dalhousie to Khajjiar – Pick your pine cones!


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the lower abdomen; posterior ventral area, as of an animal's body.
the lower surface of an object; underside: the underbelly of an airplane.
a vulnerable area; weak point: an attack on the soft underbelly of Europe.
a dark, seamy, often hidden area or side: a police officer continually exposed to the underbelly of society.
What does 🐈 - Cat Emoji mean?Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
Come to think of it, the underbelly of Clinton & Co. has been on display all summer.


In recent years, the most significant and fastest development in the entire laser industry in China is undoubtedly the fiber laser market. Since entering the market, fiber lasers have experienced spurt growth over the past decade. At present, the market share of fiber lasers in the industrial field has exceeded 50%, which is an unassailable overlord in this field. Global industrial laser revenues have increased from $2.34 billion in 2012 to $4.88 billion in 2017, and the market has doubled. There is no doubt that fiber lasers have become the mainstay of the laser industry, and this situation will remain for a long time in the future.
One of the most attractive advantages of fiber lasers is their wide range of materials, their applicability, and low maintenance costs. It can process not only common carbon steel, stainless steel, alloy and non-metal materials, but also cutting and welding highly reflective metals such as brass, aluminum, copper, gold and silver.
Fiber lasers can be used not only for cutting a variety of highly reflective metals, but also for a wide range of applications. For example, cutting thick copper for electrical connection to the bus, cutting thin copper for building materials, cutting/welding gold and silver for jewelry design, welding aluminum for fuselage structure or automobile body.
If the development trend of fiber lasers is seen from the trend of medium and high power laser processing, the most popular fiber lasers in the early market are 1 kW to 2 kW. However, with the pursuit of improved processing speed and efficiency, 3k ~ 6kW products have become the industry's hottest. In the future, this trend is expected to drive the industry's demand for 10 kW and higher power segment fiber lasers.


Air and Sea Stories is pleased to welcome Jemahl Evans, author of the critically acclaimed The Last Roundhead (Caerus Press, 2015) and the forthcoming sequel This Deceitful Light, which is due for publication in September. Jemahl graduated with an MA in History, focussing on poetry and propaganda during the Wars of the Roses, and started writing The Last Roundhead in 2013. Jemahl has just been made a full member of the Historical Writers Association.
The Last Roundhead is a rattling good read, combining historical settings of striking authenticity with a compelling story and one of the most singular characters to emerge from historical fiction in the last twenty years, the rakish but vulnerable Blandford Candy. The second book is, from the early draft I've seen, even better. I'm delighted to chat with Jemhal about history, creating fictional historical worlds and the process of writing.
Welcome Jemahl. Can you tell us when the character of Blandford Candy first appeared to you? Did you decide from the beginning he was an ancestor of Clive Candy, or did the idea of a charming but cynical Civil War parvenu come first?
You're a historian by training, but I understand the Civil War wasn't originally the period you specialised in. What was it that appealed to you about the Civil War? And do you think that period has anything to say to us in these somewhat fractious times in British politics and life?
How did you go about researching The Last Roundhead and This Deceitful Light? Did you start with the historical events and plot Candy's course through them, or did you fit events to Candy's narrative?
There are a lot of real historical figures who make an appearance in both books, who appear as fully realised characters with their own internal lives. How much of this was based on the historical record and how much did you fill in with imagination?
The voice in both books feels very authentic, with a bawdiness and earthiness that is nevertheless the antithesis of the puritans who were increasingly dominant. To what extent did the voice emerge itself and to what extent was it influenced by the writings of the day?
It sounds as though the writing and editing of This Deceitful Light has been challenging. How have you found the particular difficulties of following up a successful first novel? Have you found it a case of the 'difficult second novel' as many writers face or is it something more specific?
What, in your opinion, is the best thing about writing historical fiction?


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Home | Book | Cheap Flights | To Baltimore | From Saskatoon
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Tenerife South Airport
Car Hire Tenerife South Airport
* Rates include tax and are based on a 7 day rental from 27/01/2020-03/02/2020 at Tenerife South Airport
Reina Sofia Airport, 38610, , Local 1 - Granadilla de Abona, , Canary Islands
Telephone: +34 922 759319
Arrive safely and we'll make sure you depart in comfort. Please speak to our local branch team about optional extras or any questions you may have about driving in Tenerife.
Hertz Car Hire at Tenerife South Airport
There's no denying Tenerife's popularity. The Spanish island plays host to over 10 million visitors every year, with the majority arriving here at Tenerife South Airport. But the size and variety of the island means there's something here for everyone.
Whether it's family-friendly resorts, quiet places to get some winter sun or volcanic regions to explore, Tenerife has it all. There's sunshine all year round, and a hire car allows you to explore it all at your own pace.
With so much traffic through Tenerife South Airport we know just what to do to get you into the car of your choice and on your way as quickly as possible. You can speed up the process by paying in advance when you book online, but you're also free to pay on collection.
Don't forget our 24-hour helpline too, so that you can relax and make the most of this magical island in the Canaries.
Driving in and around Tenerife
With so many visitors to the island, it makes sense that Tenerife has a well-developed road network that makes accessing all its attractions with ease. You can stick to the coast or take the winding, scenic drive up Mount Teide – the world's third highest volcanic structure.
The driving rules are the same as in mainland Spain, with driving on the right side of the road and overtaking on the left. You also need to be 21 to hire a car here. Another difference is that you drive in an anti-clockwise direction at roundabouts.
There's plenty of free on-street parking at the major resorts, including reasonable priced underground parking. Watch out for yellow or white lines as that means parking isn't allowed while blue lines indicate a pay to park service.
Please note that children aged 12 and below cannot sit in the car's front passenger seat. Speed limits are in km/h and vary by area. In towns it can be as low as 40km/h (24mph), while some motorways have a top speed of 110km/h (68mph) to 120km/h (74mph). There are no toll roads in Tenerife.
Tenerife's main road is the TF-1, which snakes its way all around the island. You'll be able to get onto it close to the airport and follow it west for the popular areas of Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas before it heads up towards Las Manchas. Alternatively, you can go east for Candelaria, Guimar, El Medano and other quieter, less touristy villages and beaches.
If you plan on visiting Mount Teide, you can access the national park from different parts of the island. From the south, take the TF-21, or if you've driven to the north of the island, the TF-24. The two roads meet up, allowing you to cut through the park. Some of the roads in the mountain routes can be winding and narrow, so adjust your speed accordingly – or park up and enjoy the views.
A quick guide to Tenerife and beyond
It doesn't matter whether you're joining the millions of happy holidayers who come here every year, or travelling for business, you'll still be able to enjoy Tenerife's year-round mild climate and rugged volcanic good looks. Sandy beaches curve against the warm ocean, mountains soar, and you'll be spoiled for choice for places to eat, dance and party.
A UNESCO gem
It might just be a small city in Tenerife, but La Laguna has had an impact far beyond the shores of the island. Its layout has served as the inspiration for many colonial towns all across the Americas and its well-preserved beauty moved UNESCO to make it a World Heritage Site at the turn of the millennium.
Many of the pastel-hued buildings date from the 15th to 17th centuries, while you'll find 16th century convents, an impressive cathedral (albeit one rebuilt in 1913) and, perhaps best of all, the 1502 Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion. This church has also been reworked but contains many graceful Gothic elements and some Islamic-style work on the ceilings.
Wander the squares and you'll come across markets, boutiques, cafes and restaurants aplenty. Nub can boast a Michelin star, dishing up extravagant and innovative fusion food in a colonial building. Expect Spanish food with more than a nod to Chile and Italy, where the owners and chefs hail from.
High Teide
It's hard to ignore El Teide. At just over 12,000ft it's the highest point in Spain. This long-dormant volcano sits in the heart of its own national park and attracts millions of visitors a year – including plenty of locals who come here for its incredible hiking routes.
Otherworldly rock formations greet you as you ascend to the lofty peak, with numerous vantage points where you can whip out your camera and catch the perfect view.
There's a cable car for those who can't make it all the way on foot, and you can get tickets for a guided visit of the Teide Observatory, one of the world's largest and most important. Stay up late enough and you'll see for yourself why Tenerife has a reputation as a stunning spot for star-gazing.
Ride the wave
There's a lot to see in the island's capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It's unapologetically Spanish and a contrast to some of the more touristy coastal resorts. Tapas bars and hotels jostle for your attention, but there are squares where you can find serenity, world-class museums and picturesque parks.
One highlight is the Auditorio de Tenerife. Completed in 2003, Santiago Calatrava's ravishing and instantly iconic building is reminiscent of the Sydney Opera House but has a wave-like shape of its own that's deeply suited to its location.
It's more than just a looker – the acoustics are world-famous, so try to take in a performance here. If you can't, you can still book ahead to get an English language tour of this modern classic.
Stark volcanic beauty mixed with golden beaches, Spanish towns full of old world charm and buzzing resorts – car hire at Tenerife South Airport opens the door to an island that offers something for every taste.
A Travel Guide to Tenerife
Planning the Perfect Family Getaway to Tenerife


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GoodGearGuide
Good Gear Guide
Authors contend Google's book-scanning project hur...
Authors contend Google's book-scanning project hurting millions
A group representing authors in the copyright case seeks class-action status while Google asks for dismissal
Agam Shah (IDG News Service) on 04 May, 2012 05:42
A group representing authors in a copyright case slammed Google in court on Thursday, saying the company's book-scanning project has hurt millions of authors whose works have been digitized.
The Authors Guild is seeking class-certification status for its claims case in order to represent all copyright holders in the U.S whose books have been scanned by Google as part of its Library Project. Around 20 million books have already been digitized by Google since the project started in 2004, and the guild is seeking minimum statutory damages for the authors it wants to represent.
The case brought by the authors was filed in 2005 and is one of three separate lawsuits tied to Google's book-scanning program. Groups representing publishers and photographers also claim that Google has infringed copyrights via the Library program, in which digital copies of scanned public domain and in-copyright books from participating libraries are stored on Google servers and are searchable via its search engine. Google presents only snippets of in-copyright books, while public-domain books are fully accessible.
Google is asking the court to dismiss the authors' case, saying the group does not represent the copyrights owned by individual authors or publishers. Google maintains that it is not violating copyright law, and that its actions are protected by the "fair use" principle, which allows for reproduction of limited copyrighted material without permission.
The authors filed a document requesting class-action certification in December last year after a proposed settlement between Google and the authors and publishers was rejected by the judge earlier in the year.
There is no fair-use issue at stake in the case, said Joanne Zack, a lawyer at Boni and Zack, representing The Authors Guild, when arguing about the class-action motion in court on Thursday.
"Google engaged in a campaign that affected millions of authors," Zack said.
Calling Google "intimidating," Zack also said that asking individual authors to individually litigate Google is unfair. She said a class-action status is a fair procedural route and economical way to represent the rights of the authors.
Representing Google, Daralyn Durie of law firm Durie Tangri argued that a class-action status for the group could have "far-reaching implication" on copyright laws. She also said Google's displaying snippets could advance sales of books, which could in fact benefit authors. Durie also pointed out that the issue of author ownership is murky, as some copyrights are held by publishers.
There is an overlap in the class-action and dismissal claims revolving around the ownership of works, noted the presiding judge, Denny Chin of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. He said he will make decisions on the motions at a later date, but gave no timetable.
The Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers filed a case against Google in 2005, and Google reached a settlement agreement with the authors and publishers October 2008. Under the settlement, Google would pay US$125 million to obtain rights to display snippets of in-copyright books and provide full online access through individual purchases or subscriptions. The settlement also called for the creation of a Book Rights Registry, an independent nonprofit entity that would locate copyright owners and compensate authors and publishers for access to their works.
The proposed settlement was amended, but was rejected in March last year by Chin, who said it was not fair or reasonable because it would have given Google the rights to full books without explicit permission from copyright owners. Some arguments against the settlement proposal also revolved around the possibility of giving Google too much control over "orphan works," whose copyright owners can't be located and which are often out of print.
Orphan works also came up in the arguments on Thursday, tied to Google's request to dismiss the case. Google's lawyer said the contract and copyright status of many out-of-print works are unclear.
In September, Google and the representatives for authors and publishers told Chin they would like to continue discussions on a revised settlement. A Google spokeswoman Thursday declined to comment on whether negotiations were going on between the company and authors or the American Society of Media Photographers, which represents the photographers. Negotiations with the publishers are ongoing, the spokeswoman said.
Participants in the Google Books Library Project include some of the top university libraries in the U.S. and Europe.
Agam Shah covers PCs, tablets, servers, chips and semiconductors for IDG News Service. Follow Agam on Twitter at @agamsh. Agam's e-mail address is agam_shah@idg.com
Keep up with the latest tech news, reviews and previews by subscribing to the Good Gear Guide newsletter.
Agam Shah
IDG News Service
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Alfred Angelo Special Occasions
Top Color Navy
Top Size 10
Alfred Angelo "In Stock" Special Occasion Separates Top- Style 7256
Alfred Angelo Special Occasion Separates Top, Spring 2013. Satin Top with Rhinestone Buttons Available in 50 Colors Shown with Skirt 70722 Top & Skirt Sold Separately
Michael Shettel - For more than 80 years, Alfred Angelo has been a force in the bridal industry, designing and creating dreamy and affordable bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, flower girl dresses and special occasion dresses. Founded in Philadelphia in the 1930s by Alfred Angelo Piccione and his wife Edythe, the company remains family-owned and family-operated, managed today by Alfred and Edythe's son and daughter, Vincient Piccione and Michelle Piccione. Vice President of Design Michael Shettel joined the Alfred Angelo team in 1999, bringing with him a rich fashion background, working with prestigious fashion names such as Diana Vreeland, Tommy Hilfiger, and Givenchy. For fairy tale brides everywhere, Alfred Angelo is the exclusive designer of the coveted Disney Bridal Collection, delivering the kind of princess-worthy wedding dresses that little girls' dreams are made of.


Here's a feature I have yearned for in Android Wear since I first used my LG G Watch: disabling the gesture monitoring that wakes the screen when you tilt the watch toward you. Sure, it feels a bit magical at first, but I am a fairly active person and I wave and gesture a lot when I'm talking. This means that my watch's screen keeps turning on when I'm running, driving, or just having a regular conversation. It's distracting, especially at night when I'm driving or riding in a car, and it sure wasn't helping the battery life either. Wear 5.0.1 solves this issue for me and everyone else who has been annoyed by it.
As you may recall from the Facebook Home launch event, chat heads are little bubbles that float over whatever you're doing and allow you to jump straight into a conversation no matter where you are in the OS. Just tap your friend's face and an IM window appears.


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Federal grants aimed at Sound to Olympics Trail, Fairgrounds Road, buses, more in Kitsap
Nathan Pilling
A swath of long-range transportation projects in Kitsap County will get boosts from millions of dollars in federal grant money approved by the Puget Sound Regional Council last month.
The federal funds will be matched up with local dollars to pay for projects like road, sidewalk and transit improvements for use in 2023 and 2024. PSRC's executive board — made up of elected officials in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties — gave their approval to a long list of projects around Puget Sound last month as part of a 2020 funding cycle. Nearly $540 million in funding will be directed out into communities in the region as part of the cycle, according to a PSRC funding list.
Here's where that funding is going in Kitsap County:
Fairgrounds Road: Kitsap County to receive $2.3 million for an estimated $3.6 million project to construct 6-foot sidewalks, 11-foot vehicle lanes and a bike lane along Fairgrounds Road from Woodridge Lane to Nels Nelson Road, just east of the Kitsap County Fairgrounds.
In their application for the project, county officials noted the four nearby schools – Fairview Middle School, Cottonwood Elementary School, Woodlands Elementary School and Olympic High School: "The non-motorized facilities will increase walking and bicycle riding and physical activity among the students and provide obvious health benefits," the application said. "It will also hopefully decrease the number of automobiles transporting students to school and reduce the possibility of pedestrian/vehicle conflicts. Existing shoulders along the roadway do not provide an adequate pedestrian or bicycle facility."
Sound to Olympics Trail: Kitsap County will receive $2 million for a $3.6 million project to build out 3.4 miles of shared-use pathway near Port Gamble, from the community to the Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park. The pathway will connect to the regional Sound to Olympics Trail network.
Sixth Street: The city of Bremerton is set to receive $1.8 million for a $2.2 million project to fund designs and construction on Sixth Street between Naval Avenue and Warren Avenue. The project includes funding for pavement work, signs, upgrading ADA ramps and the replacement of a traffic signal at Veneta Avenue.
City officials noted in their application that Sixth Street was previously paved in the early 1990s and is in need of another preservation treatment to extend its life for another 15 years or more.
Southworth Ferry Terminal: Kitsap Transit is to receive $2.3 million to do preparation work to extend the life of the Southworth Ferry Terminal. The project would ultimately replace the timber trestle with concrete and steel, the dock and transfer span, add a new shoreside terminal building, add shoreside electrification infrastructure for both Kitsap Transit and Washington State Ferries vessels, and add a new berthing facility.
Passenger-only ferry terminals: Kitsap Transit to receive $2.5 million for preliminary work on adding capacity at the Seattle passenger-only ferry terminal and about $593,000 for labor on passenger-only ferry terminal maintenance projects.
Buses: Kitsap Transit to receive $8.3 million for vehicle acquisitions.
Bainbridge bike lanes: The city of Bainbridge Island is to receive $735,000 for a $1.3 million project adding bicycle lanes along a .5-mile segment of Eagle Harbor Drive from Wyatt Way south to the point where the road leaves the shoreline at the head of Eagle Harbor. The project includes a fish passage improvement on Cooper Creek.
South Kitsap park and ride: Kitsap Transit is to receive $1.7 million for right-of-way acquisition as part of a $10 million park and ride project in South Kitsap. Plans aim for a lot that could hold more than 150 vehicles and be located along Highway 16 near Port Orchard between Gorst and Burley Olalla Road. Analysis has targeted half-mile zones around the Tremont Street and Sedgwick Road interchanges.
Colman Dock work: Washington State Ferries is to receive $3.5 million for the ongoing renovations at Colman Dock in Seattle.
State ferry maintenance: Washington State Ferries is to receive $22.5 million for vessel preservation and improvements.
Noll Road corridor work: The city of Poulsbo is to receive $1.1 million for construction of a $1.5 million segment of the city's Noll Road corridor project, adding new road, sidewalk and shared-use path segments.
Nathan Pilling is a reporter covering Bainbridge Island, North Kitsap and Washington State Ferries for the Kitsap Sun. He can be reached at 360-792-5242, nathan.pilling@kitsapsun.com or on Twitter at @KSNatePilling.


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Omar Goes Into Election Mode, Promises 80,000 Jobs
Observer News Service | January 6, 2013
'Govt to make budgetary provision for stipend, insurance of panchs, sarpanchs'
SRINAGAR: With completion of four years in power, chief minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday went into election mode after he announced "fast track recruitment of 80,000 educated youth in government service through service selection agencies within next some months".
"We have already set in motion a mechanism to fill up vacancies in government departments as fast as possible", Omar said while addressing a big rally of panchs and sarpanchs at TRC Grounds here. He claimed that employment generation in government and private sectors has been the top most priority of his government.
Omar took oath as the youngest-ever chief minister of Kashmir on January 05 of year 2009. Although promising to heal the wounds of a state hit by two decades of violence, his period saw two consecutive years of unrest with over 110 youth falling to the bullets of security forces in 2010.
With New Delhi behind him, Omar Abdullah came out of the crisis and became the first chief minister of the state in the past decade to hold the office for more than three years.
For the peaceful years of 2011 and 2012, panchayat elections were held after a gap of 30 years.
Kashmir will be going to elections by the end of year 2014.
Omar told panchs and sarpanchs that the state government would make provision for honorarium and insurance cover to them in the next year's budget irrespective of any financial assistance from the central government.
"We have taken up the issue with Union government as it would involve 100 crore rupees annually", he added. The Chief Minister said he was personally reviewing the progress on empowerment of panchs and sarpanchs in the state and that he has called a meeting of officials in the regard on the 14th of January in Srinagar.
While highlighting his government's achievements Omar lashing out at the opposition parties "Report card of our government is before the people of the state and they will judge us by our performance. We are not among those who sign their own Annual Performance Reports (APRs). We will ask the people to go through our performance and give their verdict in 2014 elections", the Chief Minister said.
On people's grievances regarding curtailments in power supply, the CM said that the Peoples' Democratic Party did nothing during their tenure to launch even a single power project in the state. "Instead they scuttled the 1200 MW Sawalkote Power Project signed by Farooq Abdullah government. Why are they now making noise over the issue and expecting increase in power when they did nothing during their own tenure", he asked.
On recent incidents of crimes against women, the Chief Minister said the state government was already reviewing the laws of Ranbir Penal Code to ensure stricter punishment to culprits of sexual violence against women. He said the state's law department was already on job of reviewing the laws protecting women. However, while speaking with media persons on the sidelines of the function, the Chief Minister said laws alone cannot change the scenario of crime against women and the society as a whole needs to put efforts for preventing such unfortunate incidents as Delhi Gang rape, Shopian rape incident and recent acid attack on a city teacher.
Regarding providing security to panchayat members in the state, Omar Abdullah said the state government has put efforts for ensuring safety of the members. "There have been handful of unfortunate incidents of killings of panchs and sarpanchs, however police investigations have shown that the killings were a result of personal rivalry", he said adding the killings have not been carried out by active militants and some surrendered or ex-millitants were involved in such killings.
On the issue of corruption, the Chief Minister said his government had taken lot of measures for curbing the menace. "However, the corruption in the state is not in shape of big scandals but is on a much smaller scale. We have enacted laws like PSGA to curb corruption in the state and people should make use of such legal provisions to discourage and fight against corruption", he added.