Month: December 2021

YA Retellings.

Beauty and the beast:

Into the heartless wood by Joanna Ruth Meyer.

The woodland is a deadly place where men and women are lured to their deaths by siren song. A witch has been harvesting souls to feed the callous tree for ages, harnessing its power to expand her realm.

Seren, one of the witch’s tree-siren daughters, saves Owen Merrick’s life rather than ending it after he is led into the witch’s wood. Every night, he climbs over the garden wall to see her, and her desire to be human becomes stronger. Seren’s desire to become human will take them into an old struggle waging between the witch and the king who is trying to stop her, as a shift in the constellations foreshadows a dreadful curse.

Romeo and Juliet

Roman and Jewel by Dana L. Davis

Who would play the leads in a Hamilton remake of Romeo and Juliet? This is the storey of a young woman who believes she has what it takes…and the rest of the world agrees.

Jerzie Jhames will go to any length to get the main role in Roman and Jewel, Broadway’s hottest new show, a Romeo and Juliet inspired hip-hopera with a diverse cast and current twists on the play. Her aspirations are dashed, however, when she discovers that Cinny, the mega-star, has won the lead…and Jerzie is her understudy.

It’s a bad idea for Jerzie to fall for male lead Zeppelin Reid, especially after she knows Cinny wants him for herself. Star-crossed love is doomed to fail. When a video of Jerzie and Zepp practising goes online and the entire world votes on who should play Jewel, Jerzie realises that while fame is expensive, friendship, family, and love are invaluable.

The phantom of the Opera:

Sing Me Forgotten by Jessica S. Olson.

There is no such thing as Isda. At least not beyond the opera house’s ornate walls.

Cyril, the opera house’s owner, protected her from being cast into a well at birth for being one of the magical few who can modify memories when people sing. He has protected her from the violent world outside since that day. He only requests that she use her influence to keep ticket sales high—and that she stay hidden. Isda and Cyril would pay the price if it was discovered she had survived.

But when Isda meets Emeric Rodin, a handsome boy who upsets her tranquil, isolated life, she defies Cyril’s cardinal rule. His voice is unlike any she’s ever heard, but the true shock comes when she discovers glimpses of a way out of her gilded prison in his recollections.Isda spends more and more time with Emeric, haunted by the potential, searching for answers in his music and his past. But the cost of liberty is far greater than Isda could ever imagine. Even as she battles with her growing affections for Emeric, she realises that the only way she can control her own future is to become the monster the world sought to drown in the first place.

Pride and Prejudice:

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price

Despite the meddling of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the stern young heir to the prominent company Pemberley Associates, seventeen-year-old aspiring lawyer Lizzie Bennet seizes the opportunity to establish herself when a shocking murder shakes London high society.

Lizzie vows to solve the murder on her own, convinced that the authorities have imprisoned the wrong person. However, as the case—and her feelings for Darcy—become more convoluted, Lizzie realises that her ideal career may make her happy, but it may also lead to her death.

Rapunzel:

What Once Was Mine by Liz Braswell

The virtuous people of Corona search for the all-healing Sundrop flower to cure their queen and her unborn child in a desperate attempt to preserve their queen’s life—but instead obtain the sparkling Moondrop flower. Regardless, it heals the queen, and she gives birth to a healthy baby girl with moon-like silver and grey hair. It brings with it perilous magical abilities: the ability to harm rather than cure. Rapunzel is imprisoned in a tower and placed in the care of Mother Gothel, a powerful goodwife, for her own and the kingdom’s safety.

Rapunzel has been kept away for eighteen years, knowing she must protect people from her miraculous hair. However, when she leaves the only home she’s ever known in order to witness the floating lights that emerge on her birthday, she becomes entangled in an adventure with two robbers that takes her throughout the kingdom. Rapunzel discovers that there may be more to her storey, and her miraculous tresses, than she ever imagined before she reaches her happy ending.

Important inventions that changed our world.

 

This is an image of important inventions that changed our world.

The only thing constant in this ever-changing world is change. This ‘change’ has cultivated some interesting inventions that shaped our world and made our lives easier. So much easier that today we cannot imagine our lives without them. These innovations further evolve and develop to create new possibilities in the future. From the modeling of a wheel to designing a medium that travels beyond the earth, here are some of the important inventions that changed our world. 

So be ready to be amazed!

1.Compass

This is an image of compass

The earliest form of compasses were likely to be invented by the Chinese in 200 BC for religious purposes. It was started being used for navigational purposes by the 11th century. Over the years this invention saw several developments and modifications and it currently resides in our smartphones. 

2. Automobiles

This is an image of automobiles.

This is an invention that eventually went on to take the load off the horses and put them on the wheels! It all began from Nicholas Joseph Cugno who designed an automobile powered by steam that was suitable for human transportation. The evolution of the automobiles witnessed the contribution of different engineers and scientists. It became mainstream due to Henry Ford’s mass production techniques. Other popular manufacturers such as General Motors and Chrysler also contributed to the mass production of automobiles. 

3. Steam Engine

This is an image of a steam engine.

Trains have been a popular, reliable, and affordable choice of transport for many years, the origin of the same can be traced back to 1698, when Thomas Savory invented the steam engine to withdraw water from the congested mines by using pressure from the steam. After some modifications by forthcoming engineers, this steam engine was being used to power trains. 

Although not in use today, it is an important milestone in the development of today’s modern transport system. 

4. Airplanes

This is an image of airplane.

Leonardo da Vinci’s sketches of flying machines and countless other inventions over the centuries led to the first successfully controlled flight by the well-known Wright brothers. Their achievement laid the foundation for development and commercialisation in the field of aeronautical engineering which is prevalent today. 

5. Light bulb

This is an image of a Light bulb

There is more to the history of a lightbulb than the ever famous Thomas A Edison. Humphry Davy pioneered the functional electric bulb during the early 19th century. Wilson Swan made modifications to the conventional electric lightbulb and increased it’s span of use. 

Thomas A Edison can be credited for the commercialisation of the lightbulbs as he further increased it’s illumination span by 1200 hours. He went on to produce and sell these lightbulbs under his company named Edison Electric Light Company. 

6. Printing Press

This is an image of a printing press

The establishment of the Printing Press in 1436 by Johannes Gutenberg, a German goldsmith, helped spread knowledge and information among the public. Although the origins of the printing press can be traced back to the Chinese and Koreans’ printing methods, HIs printing machine was a development over the pre-existing printing modes and had been first introduced to the west. Gutenberg’s press went on to produce upto 20 million materials in the following years which consisted of books, individual papers, and pamphlets. 

We hope that you too would marvel at these inventions that has shaped our present. 

PANCHAYAT – A REVIEW

The 2020 comedy – drama, Hindi web series Panchayat is a social commentary on the prevailing system in most part of rural India. As the title, the plot revolves around a Pnnchayat office in a remote village called Phulera. Abhishek Tripathi is a fresh engineering graduate who didn’t got placement in his final year. As he got this job opportunity as the panchayat secretary, he decides to give an attempt, as there are no other options left after his graduation. The series opens with his arrival at Phulera and meets former village Sarpanch who is the husband of current village Sarpanch, the deputy sarpanch and his assistant. Through a series of funny episodes, the director shows the present condition of the panchayat office, the people and the ruling system. Jitendra is working to crack CAT so that he can switch his job. The first season of Panchayt consists of eight episodes named “Gram Panchayat Phulera”, “Bhootha ped”, “Chakke wali Kursi”, “Hamara Neta Kaisa Ho?”, “Computer Nahi Monitor”, “Bahot Hua Samman”, “Ladka Tez Hai Lekin”, and “Jab Jago Tabhi Seva”. Each episodes carry sarcastic portrayal of the Panchayat, such as the issue of solar plantation and the revolving chair. Sarpanch feels diminished in the eyes of villageres, because of not possessing a revolving chair like that of the secretary. A poorly phrased slogan for the family planning leads to a chain of events later.

The script, actors, characters and situations are well connected. The system of village politics, the low level corruption, simple lifestyle, the role of women in politics, kindheartedness of villagers are presented in a realistic manner. The present woman Panchayat secretary is the perfect example for the role of women in Indian politics. Even though she is a representative , as part of women reservation, the power is still in the hands of her husband. The performance of Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav and other artists made the series more realistic and gained many critical acclamation.

Finding the motivation to work harder.

Our society often requires us to work harder. Anything that we want to achieve needs our dedication towards it and hardwork. But we don’t often burn the midnight oil for the test that’s soon to be taken. Or we don’t give our best in the jobs we have. Leaving us dissatisfied and troubled for a while. We have all been there. Maybe now is the time to motivate yourself to work harder, and reap the fruits that you deserve. 

Motivating yourself to work harder shouldn’t be a short term boost that you experience after listening to some motivational speaker. It should be your lifestyle. 

Here are some of the ways you can motivate yourself to work harder. 

The task could be easier than you think.

An effective way of convincing yourself to work harder is to change your perception about the task. Maybe it is not that hard, after all. Shift your focus from the level of difficulty to the feeling of accomplishment you might feel upon finishing the task in hand. It isn’t really fun to have it easy in life. Facing challenges makes you feel better and feel more capable. 

You are way more in control than you think. 

Although you cannot control the circumstances. You can control what you choose to do with your time. With proper planning and adequate help from people, you can finish your tasks one by one. Leaving you with less guilt and stress by the end of the day and a sense of accomplishment. 

As they work harder, so do you. 

When you surround yourself with people who work hard, you will also be motivated to work hard. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if peer pressure influenced you to work hard on the important things in life? Join forces with people who influence you to work hard and help you during the process. 

No human is an island! We all need to be motivated and helped by people around us to work harder. 

Break your assignments into smaller fragments!

Writing an assignment with a word limit of 3,000 words does seem like a daunting task! But writing a few words everyday, way before the due date can ensure that you do a small portion of the task each day and still finish the assignment of 3,000 words on time. 

Never fail to celebrate your small victories while you prepare for the bigger success. Although the win may seem small, their accumulation results in bigger accomplishments. Bearing this in mind motivates you to work harder. 

Train to focus.

Focusing on a task, helps you to finish it more efficiently and faster. Thus, motivating you to work harder on the important things in life. Distractions can cause delay and lack of efficiency, which leads to lack of motivation and interest in completing your tasks. 

It is advisable to set a time period and distance yourself from everything else apart from the resources required to accomplish a task. Perhaps, you can set a time limit for the distracting elements or use it as a reward for your small wins!

Why are you doing what you are doing?

Since you are already doing what you are doing and you need the motivation to work harder on it. It is essential to remind yourself of why you are doing what you are doing. It could be because you are passionate about it, or you want to make a better future for yourself, or maybe even because you are bored and have nothing else to do. 

The ‘why’ behind the task you are doing, often acts as a driving force that motivates you to work harder on the same. 

Finally, bring in some positivity!

Although, positivity is a term that is already being used a tedious number of times. It must be reiterated once again because of its significance. One cannot carry on with a task in hand while having a negative attitude. We are faced with unfortunate circumstances sometimes or we become weary due to our responsibilities. It’s wiser to take a day or two off from your assignments and challenges during such occasions and do things that comfort you. 

Start again with a positive outlook over your life. You will indeed feel motivated to work harder. 

So there you go! These are some points covered that can motivate you to work harder. Do mention in the comment box if any technique inspired you or motivated you to work harder. 

SOCIAL MEDIA AND IT’S ROLE IN SOCIETY

Social media plays vital role in present society.It become one of the daily necessary activity.Social media is typically used for social interaction and access to news and information, and decision making. It is a valuable communication tool with locally and worldwide, as well as to share, create, and spread information.Social media enables its users to stay in contact by making communication easier. Sharing pictures, videos, expressing thoughts, ideas, and documents are just one click away. Exchanging messages and data from one corner of world to other is made easiest with the help of social media.The term social media refers to a computer-based technology that facilitates the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and information through virtual networks and communities. Social media is internet-based and gives users quick electronic communication of content, such as personal information, documents, videos, and photos.

The negative effects of mass media on society can lead people towards poverty, crime, nudity, violence, bad mental and physical health disorders and others as such severe outcomes. For example mob hitting innocents by getting carried away from the rumors spread on the internet has been common.Social media, or more specifically news media- plays an important role in democratic societies because they allow for participation among citizens.when it comes to healthy democratic networks, it is crucial that that news remains true so it doesn’t affect citizens levels of trust.Eighty-six percent (86%) of people use social media at least once per day, including 72% who use it multiple times per day. Social media is so popular because it allows people to manage and accomplish their everyday activities. Social media is a great way to connect with people who you may not see all the time. It’s also great for making friends. Social media helps you build connections with kids who have the same interests. It is a quick way for people to get to know each other, even if they’re living across the world from one another.

“Don’t use social media to impress people use it to impact people”.

The Upper Paleolithic World

Introduction

After about 40,000 years ago, we see many significant changes in the archaeological record, reflecting important changes in cultural and social life. We see art, many new inventions, and considerable increases in the population. This period of cultural history in Europe, the Near East, and Asia is known as the Upper Paleolithic and dates from about 40,000 years ago to the period known as the Neolithic (beginning about 10,000 years ago, depending on the area). In Africa, the cultural period comparable to the Upper Paleolithic is known as the Later Stone Age and many have begun much earlier.

In many respects, lifestyles during the Upper Paleolithic were similar to lifestyles before. People were still mainly hunters, gatherers, and fishers who probably lived in small mobile bands. They made their camps out in the open in skin-covered huts and in caves and rock shelters. And they continued to produce smaller and smaller stone tools.

But the Upper Paleolithic is also characterized by a variety of new developments. One of the most striking developments is the emergence of art – painting on cave walls and stone slabs, and carving tools, decorative objects, and personal ornaments out of bone, antler, shell and stone. (Perhaps for this, as well as other purposes, people began to obtain materials from distant sources.) Because more archaeological sites date from the Upper Paleolithic than from any previous period and some Upper Paleolithic sites seem larger than any before, many archaeologists think that the human population increased considerably during the Upper Paleolithic. And the new inventions, such as the bow and arrow, the spear thrower, and tiny replaceable blades that could be fitted into handles, appear for the first time.

The Last Ice Age

The Upper Paleolithic world had an environment very different from today’s. The earth was gripped by the last ice age, with glaciers covering Europe as far south as Berlin and Warsaw, and North America as far south as Chicago. To the south of these glacial fronts was a tundra zone extending in Europe to the Alps and in North America to the Ozarks, Appalachians, and well out onto the Great Plains. Environmentally, both Europe and North America probably resembled contemporary Siberia and northern Canada. Elsewhere in the world conditions were not as extreme but were still different from conditions today.

For one thing, the climate was different. Annual temperatures were as much as 50 °F below today’s, and changes in ocean currents would have made temperature contrasts (i.e., the differences between summer and winter months) more extreme. The changing ocean currents also changed weather patterns, and Europe experienced heavy annual snowfall. Not all the world was cold, however; still, the presence of huge ice sheets in the north changed the climate throughout the world. North Africa, for example, appears to have been much wetter than today, and South Asia was apparently drier. And everywhere the climate seems to have been highly variable.

Upper Paleolithic Europe

With the vast supplies of meat available from megafauna, it is not surprising that many Upper Paleolithic cultures relied on hunting, and this was particularly true of the Upper Paleolithic people of Europe, on whom we focus here. Their way of life represents a small pattern throughout the Old World. But as people began to use more diverse resources in their environments, the use of local resources allowed Upper Paleolithic groups in much of the Old World to become more sedentary than their predecessors. They also began to trade with neighbouring groups to obtain resources not available in their local territories.

Reference : Anthropology by Ember and Ember