10/30/2024
10/24/2024
Brutalist Architecture: A Bold Expression of Functionality and Form
Brutalist architecture emerged in the mid-20th century, characterized by its raw, unpolished aesthetic and emphasis on functionality. This architectural style developed primarily from the Modernist movement, with its roots tracing back to the work of Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier. The term “Brutalism” derives from the French word béton brut, meaning “raw concrete,” which was a primary material in many of these structures. It became a dominant architectural trend between the 1950s and 1970s, especially in post-war Europe, as governments sought to rebuild cities efficiently using affordable materials. Brutalism’s appeal lay in its honest, utilitarian approach, where buildings were designed to reflect their purpose without excessive ornamentation.
A defining feature of brutalist buildings is their monumental, block-like forms. These structures often appear heavy and imposing, with an emphasis on geometric shapes and repetitive patterns. The use of concrete not only enabled architects to experiment with bold, angular designs but also allowed for flexibility in shaping spaces. While brutalist buildings were typically government institutions, universities, and housing projects, their commanding presence and rugged beauty also made them polarizing. Many critics and the general public found these structures cold, alienating, and even oppressive. However, proponents argue that brutalism’s stark aesthetic reflects a direct, honest relationship between form and function.
Brutalism’s rise to prominence was largely driven by the social and economic conditions of the post-war period. As cities across Europe and the United States sought to rebuild quickly and affordably, brutalist architecture provided a solution with its focus on cost-effective materials and minimal decoration. This style also reflected a broader societal shift towards socialism and the prioritization of public works and communal spaces. In cities like London, Boston, and Paris, brutalist structures became symbolic of the new, modern cityscape. Despite its utilitarian roots, brutalism offered architects the opportunity to create iconic landmarks, such as Boston City Hall or London’s Barbican Estate, which remain points of debate today.
Over time, however, brutalist architecture fell out of favor. By the late 1970s, as architectural tastes shifted towards postmodernism, with its emphasis on ornamentation and historical references, brutalism began to be viewed as outdated and harsh. Many of its buildings were neglected or demolished as they were associated with urban decay or soulless government bureaucracy. Additionally, the maintenance of these concrete structures proved challenging, as exposed concrete weathers poorly over time, further diminishing their appeal. Yet, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in brutalism, with many architectural enthusiasts and preservationists recognizing the style’s historical significance and aesthetic power.
In conclusion, brutalist architecture remains one of the most controversial and evocative architectural styles of the 20th century. Its bold, uncompromising designs, focused on practicality and unadorned materials, reflected the societal changes and economic realities of the post-war period. While it fell out of favor due to its perceived coldness and lack of humanity, recent efforts to preserve and appreciate brutalist buildings suggest that their architectural significance endures. Today, brutalism stands as a reminder of a time when architecture sought to merge social ideals with modern functionality, leaving behind some of the most striking and enduring urban landmarks in cities around the world.
9/18/2024
Simulation
Escaping a simulation, if we assume we’re in one, is a fascinating concept that blends philosophy, technology, and even elements of metaphysics. Here are a few key ideas to explore:
1. Understanding the Nature of the Simulation
• First, you’d need to understand what kind of simulation you’re in. If it’s digital (like in “The Matrix”), it may be run by a higher intelligence. You’d need to investigate signs of glitches, patterns, or anomalies that don’t fit within the known laws of nature or reality.
2. Consciousness and Self-Awareness
• One idea is that if we are in a simulation, our consciousness could exist outside of it. Some philosophical traditions suggest that gaining higher self-awareness or enlightenment could give you insight into the underlying nature of reality. Practices like deep meditation, lucid dreaming, or altered states of consciousness could potentially give you a different perspective on what is real.
3. Finding Weak Spots or “Glitches”
• In the context of a technological simulation, you might seek glitches—things that don’t behave as expected. This could be akin to breaking the boundaries of a video game. Some theoretical physicists argue that certain inconsistencies in the fabric of reality could hint at its simulated nature.
4. Hacking the Simulation
• If the simulation is technological, one might imagine that hacking or manipulating the code could offer a way out. This would involve understanding the rules (laws of physics, etc.) and possibly exploiting them. Of course, this is purely speculative.
5. Transcendence or Higher Realms
• Many religious and spiritual philosophies propose that this physical reality is a form of illusion or simulation (e.g., Hinduism’s concept of Maya). Escaping it would involve transcending the material realm, often through spiritual enlightenment or detachment.
6. Communication with the Simulators
• If you believe there are entities running the simulation, perhaps finding a way to communicate with them could be a way out. But this raises questions about whether they’d allow that, or even if they’d care.
7. Practical Experiments in Reality
• Some physicists propose testing the limits of the universe to see if it’s simulated. They theorize that a simulated universe might have certain computational limits or exhibit signs of artificiality under extreme conditions (e.g., high-energy physics experiments).
8. Resignation to the Simulation
• Finally, it’s possible that if we are in a simulation, escaping it might not be feasible or even desirable. It could be more about understanding and mastering the rules within the simulation, rather than escaping it entirely.
9/06/2024
Zombies
In today’s fast-paced world, the term “zombie” has evolved beyond its traditional association with the undead. It has become a metaphor for people who mindlessly follow authorities and narratives without critical thought. These “zombies” are not ghoulish creatures shuffling down the street but rather masses of individuals who have relinquished their capacity for independent thinking. They move through life, consuming information passively, unquestioningly accepting the words of politicians, media outlets, or social media influencers as truth.
This metaphor speaks to the danger of conforming to dominant narratives without scrutiny. In a world where information is abundant, yet critical thinking is often neglected, people can be led to believe in ideas or causes without understanding their implications. Blind obedience to authority creates a society that is easy to control, where dissent and debate are discouraged, and diversity of thought is suppressed.
The rise of technology and constant connectivity only amplifies this zombification. We scroll through curated news feeds, echo chambers reinforcing the same beliefs, and algorithms feeding us what we already agree with. The antidote to becoming a zombie is cultivating awareness, questioning the status quo, and embracing the complexities of the world around us rather than succumbing to mindless conformity.
2/23/2024
background of the protests of all-European rural workers against the Ukrainian agricultural sector
4/17/2023
”Experts”
4/15/2023
2/26/2023
7/05/2022
4/17/2022
4/07/2022
Who exactly entered Bucha once Russian troops left?
3/19/2022
3/12/2022
Ukraine On Fire
2/24/2022
2/08/2022
2/04/2022
1/14/2022
Clowns
Adriana Sosa, DO: Medical Resident
Adrianna Tseretopoulos, MBBS, MRCGP: Physician
Alexis Paulson, MSN, APRN: Nurse Practitioner
Alie Ward: Host/Science Correspondent, Ologies Podcast
Allison Myers, MD, MPH: Nurse Practitioner
Allison Neitzel, MD: Physician
Alyssa Fears, PhD, MPH&TM: Postdoctoral Fellow; University of Texas Medical Branch
Anand Swaminathan, MD, MPH: Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, St. Joseph’s University Medical Center
Andrea Love, PhD: Immunologist/Microbiologist
Andrei Mayer, PhD: Assistant Professor, Federal University of Santa Catarina
Andrew Bauman, MD: Medical Faculty; Geisle School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Angela Lindsay, AGPCNP: Nurse Practitioner
Angharad Ames, MD: Chief Resident, University of California Riverside
Anita Patel, MD: Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Childrens National Medical Center
Anna Stovall, PhD: Associate Medical Writer, Apothecom
April English, MPH: Science Correspondent, Unbiased Science Podcast
Arden Heath: Clinical Microbiology MS Student
AS Richards: Research Fellow, Science Communicator
Asher Williams, PhD: Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow, Cornell University
Ashim Ahuja, MD: Physician
Ashley Pacheco, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC: Nurse Practitioner
Atoosa Kourosh, MD, MPH: Clinical Faculty, Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Autumn Schuster, MSW, LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, University of California Irvine
Avisha NessAiver, MS: Chief Science Officer, MedStartr Direct
Azad Gucwa, PhD, MT(ASCP): Assistant Professor; Farmingdale State College
Azizul Rehman, MD: Interventional Cardiologist
Azza Gadir, PhD: Immunologist
Baptiste Lacoste, PhD: Assistant Professor, University of Ottawa
Barry Jarvis, MD: Attending Physician
Ben Rein, PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford University
Benjamin Steinberg, PsyD: Psychologist
Bianca Patel, MD, MPH: Pediatrician
Blair Bentley, PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Bnar Talabani, MBBCh: Clinical Nephrologist
Boris Tezak, PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, Duke University Medical Center
Breann Abernathy, PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Minnesota
Brianna Soreth, MA: Clinical Research Coordinator
Bridget Scallen, MS: Editor, Unbiased Science Podcast
Cara Grome, MD: Psychiatrist
Cara L Santa Maria, MS, MA: Psychotherapist, PhD Candidate, Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Carl Nathan, MD: Professor, Weill Cornell Medicine
Carrie Ingersoll-Wood: PhD Candidate, Syracuse University
Cassandre Gousse, BSN, RN: Registered Nurse
Chelsea Matos, MSN, FNP-C: Family Nurse Practitioner
Christian Capitini, MD: Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Christine Garvey, DVM: Associate Veterinarian
Christopher McMillan, PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, The University of Queensland
Cole Kraten: Director of Research, Grasshopper Farms
Colleen Trecartin-Frost, DMD: Dentist
Courtney Kennedy, MS, PA-C: Physician Assistant
Crissi Stokes, DHSc: Professor
Crystal Pawula, MSN: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Cydney Jardine, MPH: Epidemiological Researcher, Colorado State University
Daniel Anthony Barone, MD: Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology; Weill Cornell Medicine
Daniel Wilson, PhD: Analytical Scientist, Eurofins
Danielle Jones, MD, FACOG: Consultant, Southland DHB
Danielle Levitt, PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
David Craig, MD: Emergency Medicine Physician
David Levine, MA: Writer/Researcher, Johns Hopkins University
David Stukus, MD: Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Nationwide Childrens Hospital and The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Dee Chohan, MBBChir, FACEM: Staff Specialist in Emergency Medicine
Divya Ramjee, MS: PhD Candidate, Adjunct Professor, American University
Dorothy Zahor, MS: Eastern Michigan University
Eden Maness, MA: Psychiatry Research Fellow, Harvard Medical School
Elisabeth Marnik, PhD: Assistant Professor of Molecular Biochemistry and Microbiology
Elissa Tremblay, MSN: Nurse Practitioner
Elizabeth Cebul, PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow
Elizabeth Delery, PhD: Assistant Professor, Marian University
Elle Michel, LMFT: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Emily Cheng, BSN, RN, CCRN-CSC: ICU Nurse
Emily Scott, RN, BSN: Registered Nurse
Emma Fite-Wassilak, MD: Family Physician
Eric Burnett, MD, MBS: Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine
Eric Topol, MD: Professor and EVP, Scripps Research
Erica Wilson, PharmD, BCPS: Assistant Professor, Notre Dame of MD University School of Pharmacy
Erin MacMillan, PA: Physician Associate
Esther Sandoval, MSc: Associate Professor, College of the Sequoias
Ethan Chapin, MD: Emergency Physician
Forrest Valkai: Masters Student, University of Tulsa
Flyne Anderson, RN, BSN: Registered Nurse
Francis Barany, PhD: Professor, Weill Cornell Medicine
Gabriel Evaristo, MD: Obstetrician-Gynecologist
Gabrielle Hood, MD: Staff Physician
Georgina Morley, PhD
Glen Pyle, PhD: Professor, University of Guelph
Gregory Baker, MD: Attending Anesthesiologist
Haley Amplo: Graduate Researcher, Rutgers University Newark
Hayley Dewey-Hagborg, MS: Associate Scientist, Intellia Therapeutics
Heather Caslin, PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, Vanderbilt University
Heather Irobunda, MD: Attending Physician
Imogen R Coe, PhD: Professor, Ryerson University
Inna Kanevsky, PhD: Professor, San Diego Mesa College
Jaclyn Steinbach, BVetMed MRCVS: Head of Veterinary Translational Medicine
Jaclyn Usuriello, RN, BSN: Research Nurse
Jaclyn Wolfe: Senior Biochemist
James Bradac, PhD: Former Chief, Preclinical R&D, Division of Aids, NIAID, NIH
Jason Prystowsky, MD, MPH: Emergency Physician
Jen Gunter, MD: Physician
Jen Nossokoff, PA-C: Physician Assistant
Jena Hales, PhD: Associate Professor of Neuroscience, University of San Diego
Jenna Lizewski, DNP, FNP-C: Family Nurse Practitioner
Jenna Meyers, MSN, CPNP: Emergency Medicine Nurse Practitioner
Jennifer Hickey: Senior Research Associate, Sherlock Biosciences
Jennifer Lincoln, MD: Attending Physician
Jennifer Wenzel, PhD: Assistant Professor, University of San Diego
Jessica Malaty Rivera, MS: Infectious Disease Epidemiology Research Fellow, Boston Children’s Hospital
Jessica Steier, DrPH: Public Health Scientist
Jessica Stokes-Parish, PhD, RN, MNurs: Assistant Professor of Medicine, Bond University
Jessie Brown, PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, Columbia University
Jilyan Decker, MD: Resident Physician
Joan Chandra, MD: Instructor in Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Johanna Hild, DO: Resident Physician
John Brownstein, PhD: Professor, Harvard Medical School
John P Moore, PhD: Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine
Jonathan Alessi: MD/PhD Candidate
Jonathan Jarry, MSc: Science Correspondent, McGill University
Jonathan Laxton, MD, FRCPC: Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Manitoba
Jonathan N Stea, PhD: Clinical Psychologist, Adjust Assistant Professor, University of Calgary
Joseph Osmundson, PhD: Clinical Assistant Professor, New York University
Joseph Zundell, PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Pennsylvania
Juan R Cubillos-Ruiz, PhD: Associate Professor of Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine
Justin Trotter, PhD: Instructor, Stanford University
Justyna Kulpa, PhD: Senior Scientist, Canopy Growth Corporation
Kaitlyn Gooding, MD: Medical Resident
Karen Nguyen: Public Health Microbiologist, Cal State University Fullerton
Karen Tang, MD, MPH: Senior Physician
Karl Nadolsky, DO: Endocrinologist, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Michigan State University
Katie Ruschman, RN, BSN: Nurse
Katie Stiles, PhD: Assistant Professor of Research, Weill Cornell Medicine
Katrine L Wallace, PhD: Epidemiologist, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health
Kayla A Nichols, PharmD: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Emory University
Kirsta Hoffman, MD: Physician
Korinne Bricker: COVID-19 Laboratory Supervisor
Kristen Watt, RPh: Pharmacist
Kristin Fontes, MD: Emergency Medicine Physician
Lace Riggs, PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow; Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Lara Lambert, MD: Physician
Laur Rubino, PhD
Laura Dees, BSN, MS, APRN, CRNA
Laura Hlohinec, RN: Registered Nurse
Lauren Bello-Matricaria, MPH: Clinical Research Monitor
Laren Seserko, OTR/L
Leah Steinberg: Medical Student
Lexi Goldstein, MD: Medical Resident
Lia Griffiths, PsyD: Psychologist
Lindsey Shultz, MD: Public Health Advisor
Lisa Boone, PA-C: Physician Assistant
Lisle Winston, MD: Medical Resident
Loralee Richter, PA-C, MS: Physician Assistant
Lorna Tychostup, MS: Senior Communications Consultant, NYU
Maddy Lewis, MPH: Infectious Disease Epidemiologist
Madelyn Pecyne, PA-C:Physician Assistant
Maike Neuhaus, PhD: Honorary Research Fellow, University of Queensland
Mallory Harris: PhD Student, Stanford University
Marcia Miller, MD: Physician
Maren Abromowitz, MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
Maria Victoria Dreher Wentz, MSc: Science Communicator
Marie-Helene Lofland ANP-BC, CCRN, NEA: Nurse Practitioner
Mary Colasanto, PhD: Clinical Genomic Scientist, PerkinElmer Genomics
Mauricio Gonzales-Arias, MD: Attending Physician
Megan Hanley, NAR: Nursing Assistant
Melanie Evans Jakle, MSc: Research Scientist
Melissa Aswad, MPAS, PA-C: Physician Assistant
Merridee Lefner, PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Texas at San Antonio
Michael Aptman, MD: Professor, University of Miami School of Medicine
Michael LaFontaine, PhD: Professor of Medical Biochemistry, Marian University COM
Michael Lederman, MD: Professor of Medicine (Emeritus), Case Western Reserve University
Michael Natter, MD: Endocrinology Fellow
Michelle Krogsgaard, PhD: Associate Professor, New York University School of Medicine
Milene Vandal, PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Calgary
Mirella Salvatore, MD: Assistant Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine
Miriam Merad, MD, PhD: Director, Precision Immunology Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Mirvat Termos, MPH: PhD Student
Moira Rashid, MD, MPH
Molly Nowels: PhD Candidate, Rutgers School of Public Health
Monique L. Smith, PhD: Assistant Professor of Neuroscience, University of San Diego
Morgan Freney: PhD Candidate, University of Queensland
Natalie Soto, MSc: Science Teacher
Natasha Bolotinsky, MD: Attending Physician
Navinder Jassil, MD: Endocrinologist
Neil Harrison, PhD: Professor, Columbia University
Nils-Petter Rudqvist, PhD: Assistant Professor
Nini Muñoz, PhD: Senior Design Engineer, Garmin Intl.
Océane Sorel, DVM, PhD
Olivia Grant: PhD Student
Pascal S.C. Juang, MD: Physician, Former Chief Resident at Harvard Emergency Medicine
Paul Ian Cross, MSc, PhD: Clinical Research Consultant
Poorvi Desai, MD:Hematologist/Oncologist
Pushpendra Patel, MS, MD: Medical Student
Rachael Zemek, PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Western Australia
Rachel Aslanian, BSN
Rachel Mirabai Moore Troll, BSN, RN: Registered Nurse
Rashmi Advani, MD, DABOM: Gastroenterology Fellow, Stony Brook University Hospital
Rayna Sobieski, MD: Attending Physician
Renee Cavanagh, PsyD: Subject Matter Expert, DHA
Risa Hoshino, MD: Pediatrician
Robert Duff, PhD: Clinical Neuropsychologist
Robin Hills, MMSci, MSRCS: Instructor, Shoreline Community College
Roger Nattrass, MD: Anesthesiologist
Romy Blacklaw, RN, IPN: Registered Nurse
Roshni Rao, PhD: Director, Johns Hopkins University
Ruben Diaz, DNP, FNP-BC: Nurse Practitioner
Ryan Marino, MD: Assistant Professor, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Sabina Vohra-Miller, MSc: DrPH Student
Sallie Permar, MD, PhD: Professor and Chair of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine
Samantha Yammine, PhD: Neuroscientist, University of Toronto
Samira Jeimy, MD, PhD, FRCPC: Program Director and Assistant Professor, Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Western University
Sampril Banerjee, PhD, MStat: Associate Professor, Weill Cornell Medicine
Samuel Cohn, MD: Neurologist
Sandra Demaria, MD: Professor of Radiation Oncology and Pathology, Weill Cornell Medicine
Sara Gering, RN, BSN: Registered Nurse
Sara Pentlicky, MD, MPH: Chief, Division of Complex Family Planning
Sarah J McAnulty, PhD: Executive Director, Skype a Scientist, University of Connecticut
Sarah Perl, LCSW-R: Licensed Clinical Worker
Sasha Strul, MD: Pediatric Ophthalmologist and Strabismus Surgeon, University of Minnesota
Saskia Popescu, PhD, MPH, MA: Assistant Professor, George Mason University
Scott Fujimoto, DO: Assistant Professor, Loma Linda University
Sean Adwar, MD: Interventional Radiologist
Seth Trueger, MD, MPH, FACEP: Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Seth Turner, MD: Physician
Shari K Moore, DO: Resident Physician
Shauna O’Neal, CNM, FNP-C, RN, MSN: Registered Nurse
Shawn Carbonell, MD, PhD: CEO, Brazen Bio
Sheridan Nygard, MPH: Behavioral Health Case Manager, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Shoshana Ungerleider, MD: Internal Medicine / Host, TED Health Podcast
Silvia Chiara Formenti, MD: Professor, Weill Cornell Medicine
Sindhu Sathyanarayana, MBBS: Physician
Siyamak Saleh, MD: Medical Doctor, Department of Health South Africa
Spencer R Scott, PhD
Staci Tanouye, MD: Staff Physician
Stacey De-Lin, MD: Associate Medical Director
Steve Rathje: PhD Candidate
Stuart Horowitz, PhD, MBA: President and CEO, Institution Insights, LLC
Susanna Harris, PhD: Senior Manager of Communications, Xontogeny
Sushmita Mukherjee, PhD: Associate Professor of Research, Weill Cornell Medicine
Sydney Vita, PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, Louisiana State University Health Sciences College
Tanya Lama, PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, SUNY Stony Brook
Taylor Nichols, MD: Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor, University of California San Francisco
Teagan Wall, PhD
Teresa Albernas, MSN: Nurse Practitioner
Terra Kater, MSN, AGNP-C: Nurse Practitioner
Tessa Cremer: MPH Student, University of Minnesota
Thierry Alquier, PhD: Associate Professor, University of Montreal
Timothy Caulfield: Professor, University of Alberta
Todd Wolynn, MD: Pediatrician, CEO, Kids Plus Pediatrics
Tracy Ruscetti, PhD: Science Correspondent
Troy Wood, PhD: Associate Professor, University at Buffalo
Tyler Kuhk, MN, ARNP, AGNP-C: Nurse Practitioner
Valentina Martinez Damonte, PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford University
Veronica Certeza, RN: Nurse Practitioner
Victor Ruthig, PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, Weill Cornell Medicine
Walter Ian Lipkin, MD: Professor, Columbia University
Wen H Shen, PhD: Associate Professor, Weill Cornell Medicine
Willem Hanekom, MBChB: Professor, University College London
William Giardino, PhD: Assistant Professor, Stanford University
William Hanage, PhD: Associate Professor, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Yasmin Mohseni, PhD: Scientist, Quell Therapeutics
Yevgeniya Sergeyenko, MD, MPH: Medicine Fellow, Emory University School of Medicine
Zachary Rubin, MD: Clinical Immunologist
Zainab Tanvir, MS: PhD Student,
12/28/2021
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https://youtu.be/Jmp6OMC2XVo?si=RkTkTmAeZxnC1MiH
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Brutalist Architecture: A Bold Expression of Functionality and Form Brutalist architecture emerged in the mid-20th century, characterize...