Podcasts about Romanticism

Fernando Valverde (Granada, 1980) has been voted the most relevant Spanish-language poet born since 1970 by nearly two hundred critics and researchers from more than one hundred international universities (Harvard, Oxford, Columbia, Princeton, Bologna, Salamanca, UNAM and the Sorbonne).His books have been published in different countries in Europe and America and translated into several languages. He has received some of the most prestigious awards for poetry in Spanish, including the Federico García Lorca, the Emilio Alarcos del Principado de Asturias and the Antonio Machado. His last book, The Insistence of Harm, received the Book of the Year award from the Latino American Writers Institute of the City University of New York.For ten years he has worked as a journalist for the Spanish newspaper El País. He directs the International Festival of Poetry in Granada and is a professor at the University of Virginia (Charlottesville, EEUU).His last bilingual book, America, has been published by Copper Canyon Press with translation by Carolyn Forché.In 2022, Fernando Valverde published the first biography of the poet Percy B. Shelley in Spanish and in 2024 he published a monumental biography of Lord Byron. Valverde is considered one of the greatest specialists in Romanticism today.-bio via FernandoValverde.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe

Have you ever wondered why Jane Austen isn't counted among the Romantics of her era when she is now known now as the most romantic of writers? Julia and Katy take a deep dive into what Romantism was (poets such as Wordsworth and Byron) and discuss how Jane connected or criticised the literary movement of her era. In short, this episode is everything you need to know about Romanticism and were too afraid to ask!We end with our latest news about Jane Austen events and Julia's new book The Wordsworth Key which you can find here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wordsworth-Key-page-turning-historical-adventure-ebook/dp/B0DSZ94PDW/ or at your local bookseller.

King Hannah is an indie-rock duo from Liverpool consisting of singer and songwriter Hannah Merrick and guitarist Craig Whittle. Their latest album, Big Swimmer, seems to be the result of Merrick's observations after touring around the United States, where it wasn't the big cities or expansive vistas that inspired her songs, but the little moments and conversations and observations – details that inspire songs that can be drily funny, unsettling, or both. She also toggles between a kind of pitched speech and outright singing over moody electrified rockenroll - sometimes fuzz-drenched, sometimes jangly. King Hannah plays in-studio. Set list: 1. New York Let's Do Nothing 2. Crème Brûlée 3. Big Swimmer

Episode: 3310 Nature, Romanticism, and the Poetry of John Clare.  Today, we look closely at Romantic nature.

Topics: Galahad, Perceaval's Sister, Malory, Jousting, Poetry, Reader's Guide, Arthur, Emperor of Rome, Mordred, Guinevere, Lancelot, Corruption, Roundtable, British Empire, Romanticism, Wagner, Imagination, Fancy, Courtly Love, Perfect Love

In this episode, Austin Walker joins the show to discuss his new book on the life and theology of Robert Hall Jr. Walker shows the anti-confessionalism of Hall and how his legacy stretches as far as today, foreshadowing many of the ideas prominent in modern evangelicalism. To learn more about the 18th Century Baptists, the impact of Romanticism on the health of the churches in this era, and many other issues - tune into this episode!Austin Walker's book is available at brokenwharfe.com/bookshop/Send us a textContact Broken Wharfe Tweet us @Brokenwharfe Find us on Facebook at BrokenWharfe Follow us on Instagram at BrokenWharfe Email us at info@brokenwharfe.com Thanks for listening!

What made C.S. Lewis such a compelling thinker and writer? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer is joined by Dr. Jeffrey Barbeau, professor of theology at Wheaton College and author of The Last Romantic: C.S. Lewis, English Literature, and Modern Theology. Together, they explore Lewis’s unique ability to blend reason, imagination, and theology—making faith more accessible in a world increasingly skeptical of God.

This week, we tried an experiment: a Substack live event! Matthew Gasda wrote a popular article about Romanticism, his contribution to an ongoing debate. Samuel Kimbriel had a few disagreements with Gasda's piece. In the spirit of Wisdom of Crowds, we hosted our first-ever live-streamed Substack debate.It went pretty well! We hope to host more. By popular demand, here is a video recording of that debate. Please continue the discussion in the comments below!— Santiago Ramos, executive editorRequired Reading:* Matthew Gasda, “A Few Doubts About Neo-Romanticism” (WoC).* CrowdSource: “Hopeful Romantics” (WoC).* Ted Gioia, “Notes Toward a New Romanticism” (The Honest Broker).* Ross Barkan, “The zeitgeist is changing. A strange, romantic backlash to the tech era looms” (Guardian).Recommendations:Matthew Gasda: * Terence Malick, To the Wonder (YouTube).* Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, The Sorrows of Young Werther (Amazon). * Any biography of Goethe (Amazon). Samuel Kimbriel:* Percy Bysshe Shelley, “Hymn to Intellectual Beauty” (Poets.org). * Novalis, Hymns to the Night (Amazon). Santiago Ramos:* Ludwig von Beethoven, Piano Concerto Number 4, Second Movement (YouTube). Wisdom of Crowds is a platform challenging premises and understanding first principles on politics and culture. Join us! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wisdomofcrowds.live/subscribe

In early 1820 a young farm boy by the name of Joseph Smith believed he had a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ appearing to him, exhorting him not to join any of the existing churches of his day, for they were all corrupt. Just over 200 years later in 2023 in Wilmore, Kentuck in the main chapel on the campus of Asbury Theological Seminary, something of a revival began. For two weeks, thousands of people from all over the world came to Ashbury to see for themselves what was happening. During these two weeks, people prayed and sang worship songs. Many Christians, however, debated as to whether or not this was a genuine revival or just an emotive outpouring of mostly Gen-Z'ers. And most Evangelical Christians criticize Joseph's Smith's first vision as either legendary, completely fabricated, or theologically aberrant. How can we rightly discern whether or not people's personal experiences are truly from God? This week on the Profile we wrap up our conversation with theologian and literary scholar Dr. Jeffery Barbeau about his new book The Last Romantic - C.S. Lewis, English Literature, and Modern Theology and consider more of Lewis's insights and how they can equip us to think biblically about personal religious experiences.Jeffery Barbeau (Ph.D., Marquette University) is professor of theology at Wheaton College, Editor of The Coleridge Bulletin, and a writer on British Romanticism, religion and literature, and the history of Christian thought. His other works include The Cambridge Companion to British Romanticism and Religion (2021), The Spirit of Methodism: From the Wesleys to a Global Communion (2019), and Religion in Romantic England (2018).Related Links: Go deeper with these related apologetics tools: Watchman Fellowship's Spiritual Abuse Recovery Workbook by David Henke: www.watchman.org/SA Watchman Fellowship Profile on the International Christian Church: by Steve Matthews and Dr. Brady Blevins: www.watchman.org/ICC Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Tim Martin: www.watchman.org/Mormonism Watchman Fellowship Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman, Jr: www.watchman.org/Mormonism Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Islam by James Walker: www.watchman.org/Muslim Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/GiveApologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

As Radio 4 marks the 5th anniversary of the first COVID lockdown, Free Thinking investigates one of the defining experiences of that period for many people: isolation. It's a word that entered the English language in the 18th century, and arguably its emergence as a concept marked a change in the way people saw their relationships with other people and the wider community, towards a more individualistic society. And yet there's a long history of religious mystics seeking solitude. From Robinson Crusoe to the crew of the International Space Station, via monasticism and Romanticism, Matthew Sweet investigates the histories of isolation and solitude.With: Mark Vernon, psychotherapist with a deep interest in the role of solitude in the Western spiritual tradition. His book Awake! William Blake and the Power of the Imagination will be published in June. Lucy Powell, Lecturer in English Literature at the University of Oxford Kathleen Burk, Professor Emerita of Modern and Contemporary History at University College London, who will talk about isolationism as an aspect of the American political psyche Jim Hoare, diplomat who opened the first British embassy in North Korea in the 1990s. Catherine Coldstream, writer and former Carmelite nun, her memoir is Cloistered: My Years As A NunProducer: Luke Mulhall

Jake Edgar is a comedian, camera operator, and gaffer working in Chicago, Illinois!

If you have ever had a deeply moving personal experience with God, you know it can be something that words cannot adequately convey. Perhaps it is deeply emotional, powerful, and moving. The experience solidifies your conviction that what you believe about God is true. You might also believe God "spoke" to you in that moment. But given that there are a multitude of other religions today with devotees who claim to have similar experiences, how can we know that what we have experienced is an authentic movement of the God who is there? This week and next on the Profile, we talk with theologian and literary scholar Dr. Jeffrey Barbeau about his new book The Last Romantic - C.S. Lewis, English Literature, and Modern Theology and how Lewis's thoughts about Romantic poetry might give us some insight about the nature of personal religious experiences and how properly to think about them.Jeffery Barbeau (Ph.D., Marquette University) is professor of theology at Wheaton College, Editor of The Coleridge Bulletin, and a writer on British Romanticism, religion and literature, and the history of Christian thought. His books include monographs, anthologies, and edited books, including The Last Romantic: C. S. Lewis, English Literature, and Modern Theology (2025), The Cambridge Companion to British Romanticism and Religion (2021), The Spirit of Methodism: From the Wesleys to a Global Communion (2019), Religion in Romantic England (2018), and Sara Coleridge: Her Life and Thought (2014).Related Links: Go deeper with these related apologetics tools: Watchman Fellowship's Spiritual Abuse Recovery Workbook by David Henke: www.watchman.org/SA Watchman Fellowship Profile on the International Christian Church: by Steve Matthews and Dr. Brady Blevins: www.watchman.org/ICC Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Tim Martin: www.watchman.org/Mormonism Watchman Fellowship Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman, Jr: www.watchman.org/Mormonism Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Islam by James Walker: www.watchman.org/Muslim Former Latter-day Saint, Isaac Hess, describes Mormonism's "Burning in the Bosom" https://youtu.be/ChULWVM6AF8 Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/GiveApologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Journalist and author Ross Barkan returns to the show to discuss why traditional media is in crisis, whether we're living in a new romantic age, and why 2025 may be the year we resist the lure of technology.  Ravi and Ross then turn to the political landscape and explain why we're seeing a shift away from hyper-online politics. They also examine the Democratic Party's future and what to make of the influence of figures like Elon Musk and Vice President J.D. Vance within a Republican coalition that is increasingly ideologically flexible. Finally, Ravi and Ross turn to New York City, where Mayor Eric Adams is deeply unpopular, Andrew Cuomo is considering a comeback, and progressives are jockeying for position in a crowded mayoral race. Could a socialist be elected mayor, or is the city shifting back to the center? Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570 Follow Ravi on Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/ravimgupta --- Follow Ravi at @ravimgupta Follow The Branch at @thebranchmedia Notes from this episode are available on Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/ Lost Debate is available on the following platforms:  • Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lost-debate/id1591300785 • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xR9pch9DrQDiZfGB5oF0F • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LostDebate • Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vTERJNTc1ODE3Mzk3Nw  • iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-lost-debate-88330217/ • Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/752ca262-2801-466d-9654-2024de72bd1f/the-lost-debate

This Day in Legal History: John Mitchell SentencedOn February 21, 1975, former U.S. Attorney General John Mitchell was sentenced to prison for his role in the Watergate scandal, along with Nixon's Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman and domestic adviser John Ehrlichman. The three men were convicted of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and perjury for their involvement in the cover-up of the 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters. Mitchell, the highest-ranking U.S. law enforcement official at the time of the scandal, was sentenced to 2 ½ to 8 years in prison, marking a significant moment in American legal history. His conviction underscored the principle that no one, not even top government officials, is above the law. Watergate, which ultimately led to President Richard Nixon's resignation in 1974, exposed widespread political corruption and abuses of power within the administration. Mitchell's sentencing reinforced the legal consequences of obstructing justice and abusing executive power. Though he served only 19 months before being released on parole, his downfall symbolized the erosion of public trust in government. The Watergate scandal also led to legal reforms, including campaign finance regulations and increased congressional oversight of the executive branch. Mitchell, once a powerful political figure, spent his later years largely out of the public eye. His case remains a key example of how legal accountability can reach even the highest levels of government.A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration failed to comply with an order to resume USAID foreign assistance payments but declined to hold the government in contempt. The lawsuit, brought by two nonprofits, accused the administration of ignoring a Feb. 13 temporary restraining order meant to restart funding while a broader injunction was considered. The government argued it had discretion under existing agreements to terminate funding despite the ruling. Judge Amir Ali disagreed, finding that the administration continued to block funds in defiance of his order, though he stopped short of issuing a contempt ruling. Concerns about Trump defying court orders have grown, especially after another judge found his administration in violation of a similar ruling on domestic funding. The Justice Department claimed it complied with the order by reviewing contracts and canceling most payments, prompting the nonprofits to file a contempt motion. The case highlights ongoing legal battles over executive power and funding decisions.Judge Says Trump Administration Didn't Follow His Funding OrderRecent legal and executive actions have significantly reshaped the power and independence of federal agencies and administrative law judges. President Donald Trump issued an executive order asserting greater presidential control over independent agencies like the SEC and FTC, undermining their traditional autonomy from the White House. The order requires these agencies to submit rulemaking proposals for executive review, allows the president to direct their legal interpretations, and grants the Office of Management and Budget control over agency spending. Critics argue this effectively eliminates the independent agency model Congress created to insulate regulatory bodies from political influence. Meanwhile, the Justice Department has declared the legal protections preventing the removal of administrative law judges unconstitutional, signaling a shift in how executive power may be used to reshape agency adjudication. This move follows Supreme Court rulings limiting agency authority and reflects broader conservative efforts, backed by figures like Elon Musk, to curb the regulatory state. Lawsuits over Trump's agency firings and judicial challenges to the Justice Department's stance are ongoing, setting the stage for further legal battles over executive power and regulatory oversight.Trump's Independent Agency Order Strikes at Model Congress MadeUS declares administrative law judge removal rules unconstitutional | ReutersThe IRS planned to notify thousands of employees of their termination via email on Thursday, but a technical glitch prevented many from receiving the message. Despite the error, the terminations are proceeding, with affected employees set to receive official notices via overnight mail. The layoffs affect approximately 6,700 probationary workers as part of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency initiative, which is implementing widespread job cuts across federal agencies. Other agencies, including the Small Business Administration and the Department of Energy, have faced similar challenges, mistakenly sending and retracting termination notices. The IRS has not indicated any reversal of its decision, stating that the cuts align with an executive order to eliminate non-critical probationary employees.IRS Plans to Cut Thousands of Workers by Post After Email Glitch - BloombergThe Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), requiring U.S. businesses to disclose their beneficial owners, is set to take effect on March 21, but uncertainty remains as legal and political challenges continue. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced the deadline after a court lifted the last nationwide injunction against the law, though it may still modify the rules or delay enforcement. The CTA aims to combat financial crimes by cracking down on anonymous shell companies, but businesses argue that the requirements are overly broad and burdensome. Political opposition, particularly from Republican lawmakers, has led to efforts to repeal or delay the law, with the House overwhelmingly passing a bill to push the deadline to 2026. FinCEN also faces practical difficulties, including technical issues with its filing system and uncertainty over the number of businesses required to report. While some companies have already submitted their disclosures, others remain hesitant due to confidentiality concerns. Ongoing court battles could further disrupt enforcement, leaving many businesses frustrated by the shifting legal landscape.Corporate Transparency Deadline Set, but Uncertainty Still LoomsThis week's closing theme is by Frédéric Chopin. Frédéric Chopin, one of the most beloved composers of the Romantic era, was born in 1810, though the exact date remains a matter of debate. Some sources claim he was born on February 22, while others insist it was March 1. Regardless, his influence on classical music is undeniable. A Polish virtuoso pianist and composer, Chopin's works are celebrated for their emotional depth, intricate melodies, and rich harmonic textures. Unlike many composers of his time, he focused almost exclusively on piano music, creating some of the most poetic and technically refined pieces in the instrument's repertoire.Chopin's music was deeply personal, often reflecting his longing for his homeland after leaving Poland in 1830. His compositions blend the elegance of classical forms with the expressive lyricism of Romanticism, making his works both technically challenging and emotionally profound. His health was fragile throughout his life, and he died of tuberculosis in 1849 at just 39 years old. Despite his short career, his music remains a cornerstone of the piano repertoire, admired for its beauty and complexity.For this week's closing theme, we turn to one of Chopin's most famous and cherished works: Nocturne No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2. This nocturne captures the essence of Chopin's style—graceful, flowing melodies, delicate ornamentation, and an intimate, dreamlike atmosphere. The piece unfolds like a quiet conversation, with its gently lilting rhythm and luminous harmonies evoking a sense of nostalgia and serenity. It's a perfect way to end on a reflective note, immersing us in the timeless beauty of Chopin's music.Without further ado Frédéric Chopin's Nocturne No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2, enjoy. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

In today's episode, I'm talking about Andrej Sládkovič's poem Marína. In the Slovak lesson, you are going to learn a few words from poem Marína. You will also learn how to say “It's impossible NOT to love you!“ in Slovak. At the end of this episode, you can find a few stanzas of the poem Marína.Episode notesIn today's episode, I'm talking about Andrej Sládkovič's poem Marína. In the Slovak lesson, you are going to learn a few words from poem Marína. You will also learn how to say “It's impossible NOT to love you!“ in Slovak. At the end of this episode, you can find a few stanzas of the poem Marína.Slovak lesson1.    túžba (desire)2.    krása (beauty)3.    svietiť (to shine)4.    pohýnať (to move)5.    čarovné tóny (magic tones)6.    os (axis)7.    kolej (track)8.    odrieknuť (to renounce)9.    utieknuť (to escape)10. umierať (dieing)11. zhubiť (to destroy)12. nemožné (impossible)13. Nemožno mi ťa neľúbiť! (It's impossible NOT to love you!)Youtube: IVANELY (helping students to learn Marína stanzas)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8B-5mhYJ5E MARÍNAJa sladké túžby, túžby po krásespievam peknotou nadšený,a v tomto duše mojej ohlasesvet môj je celý zavrený;z výsosti Tatier ona mi svieti,ona mi z ohňov nebeských letí,ona mi svety pohýna;ona mi kýva zo sto životov:No centrom, živlom, nebom, jednotoukrás mojich moja Marína!2 Ako vy, Tatry, keď oblak zlatý na hory svoje hodíte: tak ona duchom svojím mi šatí tône v života úsvite. Ako vy tamhor', božie plamene, svetiel ste žriedla, fakle, korene: ona blesk myšlienky mojej! — Ako vy, večné svetov zákony, harmónij božích čarovné tóny: tak tá mne os, zenit, kolej! 41 Možno mi tvojich úst sa odrieknuť, možno mi ruku nedostať, možno mi v diaľky žiaľne utieknuť, možno mi nemilým ostať, možno mi ústam smädom umierať, možno mi žialiť v samote, možno mi život v púšťach zavierať, možno mi nežiť v živote, možno mi seba samého zhubiť: — nemožno mi ťa neľúbiť!72 Slovensko mladé, rodisko moje aj mohyla mojich kostí! V tebe mám pekných obrazov dvoje a dvoje veľkých ľúbostí! — Ako je krásna tá moja deva, aká k nej ľúbosť vo mne horieva: tak ty a k tebe, otčina! Ako tys' pekná, krajina moja, ako mladistvosť milá mi tvoja: tak pekná, milá Marína!Timestamps 00:32 Intro02:27 Andrej Sládkovič and Marína04:29 Fun fact 113:47 More fun facts14:43 Slovak lesson19:05 Poem Marína24:19 Final thoughtsIf you have any questions, send it to my email hello@bozenasslovak.com. Check my Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bozenasslovak/ where I am posting the pictures of what I am talking about on my podcast. Also, check my website https://www.bozenasslovak.com © All copywrites reserved to Bozena O Hilko LLC

Experience one of the greatest American choral works of all time, American composer Robert Nathaniel Dett's The Ordering of Moses, performed by hundreds of combined voices from the Fairfield County Chorale, Heritage Chorale of New Haven, and New Haven Chorale. From Music Director Perry So: “Finally after almost a century this great work is starting to receive its due. The Ordering of Moses was never forgotten – church choirs, community groups and others have kept the piece in our ears – but the first performance at Carnegie was only in 2014, and the British premiere in 2022. What remarkable sound worlds are contained in the piece: lush late-Romanticism with echoes of Wagner and Elgar, but as a context for the immediacy of the African-American spiritual that sounds stark and timeless. The sound of actual chains being pulled emanate from the orchestra against harmonies that dissolve into suggestions of near-Eastern scales. All in the service of the story and the emotion contained at the core of the work – a young Moses discovering his calling to lead his people out of slavery, perhaps the most eloquent musical cry against oppression in the American tradition.”

For ADHDers, romanticism is a common struggle where you find yourself constantly daydreaming about an ideal future and struggling with the reality of the present.In this flashback episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the intricacies of romanticizing experiences and the repercussions that come with it. As neurodivergent mental health professionals, they offer a unique perspective on how projecting ideal futures can create a disconnect with the present, leading to disappointment and restlessness.Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:Discover the impact of romanticizing future outcomes on mental health, particularly for those with ADHD and other neurodivergent traits, and how it can disrupt your ability to enjoy the present moment.Hear Dr. Neff and Patrick's personal stories about their struggles with restlessness and the unending need for new experiences, and learn how this affects their daily lives.Explore strategies to reconcile your idealized visions of the future with the messy reality of the present, and find out how to cultivate a sense of settled contentment.Take some time to reflect on your own tendencies to romanticize the future. Consider how this impacts your well-being and what steps you can take to stay grounded in the present and find balance one moment at a time.***This episode is the 1st of 10 episodes that Divergent Conversations is re-releasing for 2025. Please enjoy, and we'll be back with new content, resources, and guests in a couple of months.————————————————————————————————

In this episode, we dive into Romani representation in Robert Eggers' Nosferatu with Madeline Potter, Romani scholar of 19th century Gothic literature! We also get into vampire lore, Romani folklore, mulo, strigoi, and Romani tropes in Gothic literature and media. Madeline Potter is a research and teaching fellow at the University of Edinburgh, in the literature of the long 19th century (Romanticism to Victorianism). At Edinburgh, she teaches on a range of courses, including one on vampire literature in the long 19th century, which she has designed. Her work primarily looks at Gothic literature and theology: her first academic book is called Theological Monsters: Religion and Irish Gothic and will be published by University of Wales Press. Her first trade book is called The Roma: A Travelling History and will be launched later this year, published by The Bodley Head in the UK and Harper Collins in the USA. Follow her work on madeline-potter.com and on X and Instagram .This episode's Romani crush in Katarina Taikon.  Our festival, Welcome to Romanistan, is taking place March 28-30, 2025 in New Orleans! Please visit https://www.romanistanpodcast.com/romanistan-festival-neworleans for tickets, and spread the word! Thank you for listening to Romanistan podcast.You can find us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @romanistanpodcast, and on Twitter @romanistanpod. To support us, Join our Patreon for extra content or donate to Ko-fi.com/romanistan, and please rate, review, and subscribe. It helps us so much. Follow Jez on Instagram @jezmina.vonthiele & Paulina @romaniholistic. You can get our book Secrets of Romani Fortune Telling, online or wherever books are sold. Visit romanistanpodcast.com for events, educational resources, merch, and more. Please support our book tour fundraiser if you can. Email us at romanistanpodcast@gmail.com for inquiries. Romanistan is hosted by Jezmina Von Thiele and Paulina StevensConceived of by Paulina StevensEdited by Viktor PachasWith Music by Viktor PachasAnd Artwork by Elijah Vardo  

This Day in Legal History: 13th Amendment PassedOn January 31, 1865, the U.S. Congress passed the 13th Amendment, formally abolishing slavery in the United States. The amendment declared that "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." While President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation had freed enslaved people in Confederate-held territories two years earlier, it lacked the permanence of a constitutional amendment. The House of Representatives passed the measure by a vote of 119 to 56, narrowly reaching the required two-thirds majority after intense political maneuvering. The Senate had already approved it in April 1864. Ratification by the states followed, culminating in its adoption on December 6, 1865. The amendment marked a legal end to slavery, but systemic racial discrimination persisted through Black Codes, Jim Crow laws, and other restrictive measures. Despite this, the 13th Amendment laid the foundation for future civil rights advancements. Its passage was a key victory for abolitionists and a defining moment of the Civil War's aftermath. The amendment's "punishment for crime" clause later became a subject of controversy, as it allowed convict leasing and forced labor in prisons, disproportionately affecting Black Americans. Even today, debates continue over its implications for the U.S. prison system.Fox Rothschild LLP has blocked its lawyers from using DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, due to concerns about client data security. While the firm allows AI tools like ChatGPT with restrictions, DeepSeek's data storage in China raises unique risks, according to Mark G. McCreary, the firm's chief AI and information security officer. A recent data breach involving DeepSeek further heightened security concerns. Other major law firms, including Wilson Sonsini and Polsinelli, are also implementing strict vetting processes for new AI models. Wilson Sonsini requires its chief information security officer and general counsel to approve AI tools before use, while Polsinelli enforces firm-wide restrictions on unapproved AI software. Law firms are also monitoring AI use by third-party vendors to ensure compliance with security protocols. McCreary emphasized that established legal tech companies prioritize data protection, reducing the risk of firms switching to less secure AI models.Fox Rothschild Blocks DeepSeek's AI Model for Attorney UseA federal appeals court has ruled that the U.S. government's ban on licensed firearms dealers selling handguns to adults under 21 is unconstitutional. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a previous ruling, citing the Supreme Court's 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which requires modern gun laws to align with historical firearm regulations. The federal ban, enacted in 1968, was challenged by young adults and gun rights groups, who argued it violated the Second Amendment. Judge Edith Jones, writing for the court, found insufficient historical evidence to justify restricting gun sales for 18-to-20-year-olds. The ruling marks a major shift in gun policy, aligning with broader legal trends expanding Second Amendment protections. The Justice Department, which defended the ban under the Biden administration, has not yet commented on the decision. Gun rights advocates hailed the ruling as a victory against age-based firearm restrictions.US ban on gun sales to adults under age 21 is unconstitutional, court rules | ReutersIn a piece for Techdirt, Karl Bode critiques the Trump FCC's decision to roll back efforts to curb exclusive broadband deals between landlords and internet providers. The Biden FCC had attempted to update outdated rules that allowed ISPs to form monopolies within apartment buildings, driving up prices and reducing competition. However, due to delays caused by industry opposition and the failed nomination of reformer Gigi Sohn, key proposals—including a ban on bulk billing—were left unapproved. When Brendan Carr took over as FCC chair under Trump, he quickly scrapped these pending consumer protections. Bode argues that U.S. telecom policy is stuck in a cycle where Democrats make half-hearted attempts at reform, only for Republicans to dismantle them entirely under the guise of deregulation. The result is a landscape where telecom giants and landlords continue to collude, leaving consumers with fewer choices, higher costs, and poor service.The Trump FCC Makes It Easier For Your Landlord And Your ISP To Collude To Rip You Off | TechdirtBally's Chicago casino project is facing a legal challenge over its commitment to reserving 25% of its investment opportunities for women and people of color. Conservative activist Edward Blum, known for spearheading lawsuits against affirmative action, filed the suit on behalf of two white men who claim they were unfairly excluded from investing. The lawsuit argues that the policy violates federal civil rights law and should be open to all investors regardless of race. This case is part of a broader push against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which gained momentum after a recent executive order from President Trump eliminating DEI programs in the federal government. Bally's maintains that its agreement with the city complies with legal requirements. The lawsuit references an 1866 civil rights law originally meant to protect Black Americans' economic rights and is similar to other cases challenging race-conscious corporate policies. Blum's organization has previously led legal battles against diversity-focused scholarships, grants, and hiring programs, including the Supreme Court case that struck down race-based college admissions in 2023.America's Battle Over DEI Strikes a Chicago Casino's Financing PlanThis week's closing theme is by Franz Schubert.Franz Schubert, one of the most beloved composers of the early Romantic era, was born on this day in 1797 in Vienna, Austria. Though he lived only 31 years, his vast output of music—ranging from symphonies and chamber works to piano music and over 600 songs—continues to inspire musicians and audiences alike. Schubert's music is often characterized by its lyricism, rich harmonies, and deep emotional expression, seamlessly bridging the clarity of the Classical era with the passion of Romanticism.Despite his immense talent, Schubert struggled with financial stability and never achieved widespread fame during his lifetime. He spent much of his career composing in relative obscurity, supported by a close-knit circle of friends and fellow artists. His songs, or lieder, are especially celebrated for their ability to capture both the beauty and melancholy of the human experience, with works like Erlkönig and Winterreise standing as some of the greatest achievements in the genre.His instrumental music, however, remained underappreciated until long after his death. Today, his symphonies, string quartets, and piano sonatas are recognized as masterpieces, filled with lyrical beauty and striking contrasts. Among his later works, the Piano Sonata No. 20 in A major, D. 959 showcases his mature style, blending elegance with deep introspection. The final movement, Rondo: Allegretto, serves as this week's closing theme, capturing both Schubert's charm and his poignant sense of longing.Though he died in 1828, just a year after Beethoven, Schubert's influence only grew in the decades that followed. Composers like Schumann, Brahms, and even Mahler admired his work, helping to cement his legacy as one of music's great geniuses. Today, on the anniversary of his birth, we celebrate the life and music of a composer who, despite facing struggles and setbacks, left behind an extraordinary body of work that continues to resonate across centuries.Without further ado, Franz Schubert's Piano Sonata No. 20 in A major, D. 959.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Text your questions, comments, & topic suggestions here! You can also email billy@mindfulmidlifecrisis.com.Starting a new chapter in Seoul brought me face-to-face with the uncertainty of whether I'd made the right choice. This episode explores how to navigate big decisions when your head, heart, and gut aren't in alignment. Drawing inspiration from the Enlightenment and Romanticism movements, I reflect on how balancing logic, values, and intuition can bring clarity. Through personal stories and conversations with trusted mentors, I share 5 Essential Questions to help you make sound decisions rooted in your core values.Key Talking Points:My First Days in Seoul: The excitement, doubt, and inner conflict of starting over.Enlightenment vs. Romanticism: Using logic (logos) and emotion (pathos) to approach life's crossroads.Conversations with Mentors: Insights from Bradley James Davies (intuition-focused) and Robyn (logic-driven).The Role of Ethos: Why trusted voices are key to balancing perspectives when facing uncertainty.The Power of Perspective: How integrating reason, values, and intuition leads to more complete decisions.All of our episodes are available at www.mindfulmidlifecrisis.com.Need a place to start? Check out our Fan Faves Page!Join the Mindful Midlife Community Newsletter! Thank you for listening to The Mindful Midlife Crisis!If this episode resonates with you, please share it with your family and friends.This Week's Sponsors:The B.E.L.L. Center: Expand your understanding of mindfulness and breathwork with their MindHacking Meditation Course.Kari Schwear: Explore what drives your habits, refocus what truly matters, and develop daily tools to start moving forward with Decide30.Genie Love: Schedule your FREE consultation to empower your neurodivergent strengths!Brian Gallagher: Download your Solo Business Blueprint and escape the 9-5 grind!This Week's Affiliates:Buzzsprout:  Launch your podcast today and get $20 worth of credit towards your account!Fiverr:  Get your next project done brilliantly by skilled professionals and earn 10% off your first purchase.Systeme.IO:  Simplify your online business.Riverside.fm:  Record your podcast in studio-quality audio and video.Follow us!Instagram:  @mindful_midlife_crisisFacebook: The Mindful Midlife Crisis PodcastLinkedIn: Billy LahrPlease leave us a 5-Star Review!Support the show

Immanuel Kant was popular at his death. The whole town emptied out to see him. His last words were "it is good". But was his philosophy any good? In order to find out, we dive into Chapter 7 of Conjectures and Refutations: Kant's Critique and Cosmology, where Popper rescues Kant's reputation from the clutches of the dastardly German Idealists. We discuss Deontology vs consquentialism vs virtue ethics Kant's Categorical Imperative Kant's contributions to cosmology and politics Kant as a defender of the enlightenment Romanticism vs (German) idealism vs critical rationalism Kant's cosmology and cosmogony Kant's antimony and his proofs that the universe is both finite and infinite in time Kant's Copernican revolution and transcendental idealism Kant's morality Why Popper admired Kant so much, and why he compares him to Socrates Quotes Enlightenment is man's emergence from his self-imposed immaturity. Immaturity is the inability to use one's understanding without guidance from another. This immaturity is self-imposed when its cause lies not in lack of understanding, but in lack of resolve and courage to use it without guidance from another. Sapere Aude! "Have courage to use your own understanding!" --that is the motto of enlightenment. - An Answer to the Question: What is Enlightenment? (Translated by Ted Humphrey, Hackett Publishing, 1992) (Alternate translation from Popper: Enlightenment is the emancipation of man from a state of self-imposed tutelage . . . of incapacity to use his own intelligence without external guidance. Such a state of tutelage I call ‘self-imposed' if it is due, not to lack of intelligence, but to lack of courage or determination to use one's own intelligence without the help of a leader. Sapere aude! Dare to use your own intelligence! This is the battle-cry of the Enlightenment.) - C&R, Chap 6 What lesson did Kant draw from these bewildering antinomies? He concluded that our ideas of space and time are inapplicable to the universe as a whole. We can, of course, apply the ideas of space and time to ordinary physical things and physical events. But space and time themselves are neither things nor events: they cannot even be observed: they are more elusive. They are a kind of framework for things and events: something like a system of pigeon-holes, or a filing system, for observations. Space and time are not part of the real empir- ical world of things and events, but rather part of our mental outfit, our apparatus for grasping this world. Their proper use is as instruments of observation: in observing any event we locate it, as a rule, immediately and intuitively in an order of space and time. Thus space and time may be described as a frame of reference which is not based upon experience but intuitively used in experience, and properly applicable to experience. This is why we get into trouble if we misapply the ideas of space and time by using them in a field which transcends all possible experience—as we did in our two proofs about the universe as a whole. ... To the view which I have just outlined Kant chose to give the ugly and doubly misleading name ‘Transcendental Idealism'. He soon regretted this choice, for it made people believe that he was an idealist in the sense of denying the reality of physical things: that he declared physical things to be mere ideas. Kant hastened to explain that he had only denied that space and time are empirical and real — empirical and real in the sense in which physical things and events are empirical and real. But in vain did he protest. His difficult style sealed his fate: he was to be revered as the father of German Idealism. I suggest that it is time to put this right. - C&R, Chap 6 Kant believed in the Enlightenment. He was its last great defender. I realize that this is not the usual view. While I see Kant as the defender of the Enlightenment, he is more often taken as the founder of the school which destroyed it—of the Romantic School of Fichte, Schelling, and Hegel. I contend that these two interpretations are incompatible. Fichte, and later Hegel, tried to appropriate Kant as the founder of their school. But Kant lived long enough to reject the persistent advances of Fichte, who proclaimed himself Kant's successor and heir. In A Public Declaration Concerning Fichte, which is too little known, Kant wrote: ‘May God protect us from our friends. . . . For there are fraudulent and perfidious so-called friends who are scheming for our ruin while speaking the language of good-will.' - C&R, Chap 6 As Kant puts it, Copernicus, finding that no progress was being made with the theory of the revolving heavens, broke the deadlock by turning the tables, as it were: he assumed that it is not the heavens which revolve while we the observers stand still, but that we the observers revolve while the heavens stand still. In a similar way, Kant says, the problem of scientific knowledge is to be solved — the problem how an exact science, such as Newtonian theory, is possible, and how it could ever have been found. We must give up the view that we are passive observers, waiting for nature to impress its regularity upon us. Instead we must adopt the view that in digesting our sense-data we actively impress the order and the laws of our intellect upon them. Our cosmos bears the imprint of our minds. - C&R, Chap 6 From Kant the cosmologist, the philosopher of knowledge and of science, I now turn to Kant the moralist. I do not know whether it has been noticed before that the fundamental idea of Kant's ethics amounts to another Copernican Revolution, analogous in every respect to the one I have described. For Kant makes man the lawgiver of morality just as he makes him the lawgiver of nature. And in doing so he gives back to man his central place both in his moral and in his physical universe. Kant humanized ethics, as he had humanized science. ... Kant's Copernican Revolution in the field of ethics is contained in his doctrine of autonomy—the doctrine that we cannot accept the command of an authority, however exalted, as the ultimate basis of ethics. For whenever we are faced with a command by an authority, it is our responsibility to judge whether this command is moral or immoral. The authority may have power to enforce its commands, and we may be powerless to resist. But unless we are physically prevented from choosing the responsibility remains ours. It is our decision whether to obey a command, whether to accept authority. - C&R, Chap 6 Stepping back further to get a still more distant view of Kant's historical role, we may compare him with Socrates. Both were accused of perverting the state religion, and of corrupting the minds of the young. Both denied the charge; and both stood up for freedom of thought. Freedom meant more to them than absence of constraint; it was for both a way of life. ... To this Socratic idea of self-sufficiency, which forms part of our western heritage, Kant has given a new meaning in the fields of both knowledge and morals. And he has added to it further the idea of a community of free men—of all men. For he has shown that every man is free; not because he is born free, but because he is born with the burden of responsibility for free decision. - C&R, Chap 6 Socials Follow us on Twitter at @IncrementsPod, @BennyChugg, @VadenMasrani Come join our discord server! DM us on twitter or send us an email to get a supersecret link Become a patreon subscriber here (https://www.patreon.com/Increments). Or give us one-time cash donations to help cover our lack of cash donations here (https://ko-fi.com/increments). Click dem like buttons on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_4wZzQyoW4s4ZuE4FY9DQQ) Follow the Kantian Imperative: Stop masturbating and/or/while getting your hair cut, and start sending emails over to incrementspodcast@gmail.com.

Doing it Cold War style.By kittybeaver, in 5 parts. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels. It was difficult for Dirk to pretend he wasn't having sex. Tina's cunt felt so good. He wanted to close his eyes, shut out the rest of the universe, and just experience it."Adjust left," Fact-Tel said. "Left, you malfunctioning flesh machine, left."Dirk made the adjustment while Tina whimpered, "I love it, I love it."Behind them the banging grew louder. There was also the sound of an occasional laugh or a "Whoa, cool." Dirk had to bring Tina to orgasm before the Doopherilians broke into the control room."Now you're drifting down," Fact-Tel said. "Pull up on the interfaces just a tiny bit."Dirk tugged on the steering sticks with all the subtle nuance of a man fucking his hot coworker."Too much!" Fact-Tel cried. "You're wildly off course. Push down and try to do it right this time."Tina's breath came in short, shallow pants. Her ass undulated against Dirk at a faster and faster rate. "Oh baby, yes!"This was harder than Dirk ever thought it would be. He dug his teeth into his lower lip and resisted the urge to thrust. Instead he gently pushed on the steering sticks, which wasn't nearly as satisfying."I'm cumming," Tina moaned, "oh God, I'm cumming."At the same moment the Doopherinians broke through the door and the chair jamming it shut. Dirk could imagine what they saw; his arms stretched across the control panel, his bare ass hanging out, and Tina beneath him writhing with an uncontrolled fury."Stop them!" a silly alien voice shouted."Yes, yes, yes, I'm cumming!" Tina screamed. And then she did.Her back arched and her cunt squeezed his cock in a quick staccato rhythm. Dirk moaned. He was so desperate to cum too. He wouldn't be able to hold it much longer."That's the stuff," a Doopherilian said.Dirk glanced over his shoulder to see the little aliens fall like bowling pins when the orgasm hit them."Earth!" Tina said.He looked back at the view screen to see a blue dot growing bigger behind the yellow dot. They were almost home. He just had to hold it,"Fact-Tel, how much longer?""Two minutes before we hit Earth's atmosphere," the AI answered.Two minutes? Dirk couldn't hold it for another two minutes."Agent Blondell," Fact-Tel continued, "press the green button in the center of the console to initiate speed dampening thrusters. We need to slow the ship down.""Don't slow down," Dirk begged. "I need to cum.""You have to slow down," Fact-Tel said, "or this ship won't land as much as crater.""Pull out before you orgasm," Tina said. "I'm serious, do not ejaculate inside me or we'll have a whole other problem.""Must, sober, up." The Doopherilians were starting to stir. "Must, stop, human.""Oh no." Tina pushed her ass against Dirk, working herself up and down the length of his cock. "I have to orgasm again, but you can't," she said. "Got it?""No." Tears gathered in the corner of Dirk's eyes. His balls felt like they were going to explode."Get back on course!" Fact-Tel shouted. "You're going to hit the moon."How Dirk managed to steer around the moon, he couldn't say. All his concentration was now focused on not cumming. His face, he was sure, had to be a deep shade of red, his balls a bright blue. Every muscle in his body was straining to hold back the inevitable."When you enter the Earth's atmosphere, I'm going to count down from five," Fact-Tel explained. "When I say 'Hit it,' you'll have to pull up on the steering interfaces as hard as you can. You'll be fighting against the planet's gravity and it'll be a rough ride.""Mmmm, yeah." Tina rocked back and forth, working her way toward another orgasm. "That's what Mama likes.""Entering the atmosphere in three, two, "Fact-Tel was cut off abruptly and the whole ship jolted."Oh Fuck Yes!!" Tina screamed as another climax consumed her. The lucky bitch."Five," Fact-Tel started counting down, "Four, "There was no way the Doopherilians would recover from Tina's last orgasm, not before they were safely on Earth. There was no reason for Dirk to hold back any longer."Three, ""I'm going to do it," Dirk growled.Two, ""I'm going to cum.""One," Fact-Tel shouted. "Pull up! Pull up!""Pull out! Pull out!" Tina added.Dirk yanked back on the steering sticks, his cock slipping from Tina. When he shot his load it went airborne, over her head and landed in an arc across the view screen. It was a different kind of Milky Way.The ship hit water and bounced, skipping two or three more times before it came to rest with an impressive splash. Fortunately it stayed afloat. They were back home. Somewhat safe and sound."Fact-Tel." Tina rolled out from underneath Dirk, stood and pulled down her skirt. "Do you have our location?""Affirmative," the AI answered. "Sending rescue team now. Are the Doopherilians still a threat?"Dirk lay collapsed on top of the control panel. His heart pounded and he couldn't catch his breath. He didn't have the energy to pleasure Tina one more time. He almost hoped the Doopherilians would shoot him with their ray gun orbs. At least then he'd have an excuse to lie prone on the ground.He turned his head slightly to see Tina bending over one of the purple aliens. It, like the others, lay on the floor and stared up at nothing."They're no threat," he said. "They're still tripping.""No, they aren't." Tina looked grave. "They aren't breathing. I think they all overdosed.""What?" The jolt from the news gave Dirk enough energy to stand up. "They're dead?""Shit," Fact-Tel muttered as the ship gently bobbed up and down with the rolling waves. "That's a lot of forms I'll have to fill out.""Do you think the Doopherilian King will take this to the Universal Council of Supreme Beings?" Tina asked. "Are we in for another biblical flood?""Probably not," Fact-Tel said. "We'll most likely do what we did when something similar happened with the Martians."Dirk tucked his cock back into his jeans and zipped up his fly. "What was that?""We'll pay the Doopherilians off with opium," the AI explained. "I mean, that is what Earth is known for, best snack foods and narcotics in the galaxy."Dirk didn't mean to laugh, but the whole situation was so absurd he couldn't help it. He expected Tina to scold him for laughing at a tragic event, so it was a surprise to hear her light chuckles mix with his low belly laughs. Their eyes met across the room and the laughter grew between them.Tina got Dirk. She understood him in a way no woman had before. She got his sense of humor, his need to improve the world, his outlook on life. She was the human connection he didn't even know he'd been searching for. And he knew this moment of connection, of shared mirth, was a moment he'd remember for the rest of his life.But eventually, they both fell silent, stared at the death surrounding them and waited for the rescue boat to come.The breeze ruffled through Dirk's hair like the fingers of a lover. He smiled, enjoying the playful caresses along his scalp. He picked up his speed and the wind reciprocated. What had been flirting before was now full on foreplay.That was probably taking the metaphor too far. He was running really fast. It was kind of fun.Not long ago he'd been ashamed of his unique talents. That was when he'd made his living as a male model. The fashion industry prized men with tall, muscular bodies and facial features too bold to be feminine yet still very, very pretty. All of which Dirk Allen had. He also had the ability to run at near the speed of sound, pick up a car with one hand and hardly ever get tired. Those were not useful skills for a man whose job it was to stand still and look good, so he'd kept them hidden.That all changed when he changed his career. Now he was a secret agent in training. Tina, his partner as well as his mentor, said speed and strength and stamina were essential. The fact that he could run faster, lift more and stamina longer meant he had the makings of a legendary secret agent.It was possible, she had told him, that one day he'd be the second best agent in the SWSO. Tina Blondell was the best agent and she planned on keeping that position.At that moment, the position she was keeping was more of a fetal position. Dirk held her in his arms and tried his hardest not to grope her ass or her breasts. It would've been easier if he didn't have to think about where he couldn't touch her and just place his hands where they needed to be so that she wouldn't fall out of his arms.Not that Tina wasn't grope worthy, because she was. Her breasts filled a hand perfectly, with soft flesh to cushion one's fingers and pert nipples to poke one's palm. Her ass was round and bouncy and oh so wholesome. Dirk couldn't look at it without thinking about working the land.But it was inappropriate to think of her that way. They were coworkers and nothing more. Yes, he'd seen enough of Tina to know she wasn't a natural blonde, but that was work related. He had pleasured her orally and she'd given him a hand-job to save lives. For secret agents, the ends justified the means. They were prepared to do whatever it took, with whoever was handy, to protect the world. That's why, nowadays, Dirk made sure he had a condom on him. He'd feel awful if the world fell into the clutches of an evil despot simply because he was afraid of catching something.The jury was still out on whether General Zero was a global despot or simply a municipal annoyance. So much about Zero was a mystery, such as background, motive and preferred pronouns. It was impossible to predict what their next move would be. Tina and Dirk with the help of Fact-Tel, SWSO's mastermind computer, had managed to foil one plot, but Zero had escaped. It looked as though the villain had dodged justice, until now.In the wee hours of the morning, long before Dirk woke up (so like, around 9:30), Fact-Tel had intercepted a series of coded tweets. It'd taken the artificial intelligence nearly an hour to break the encryption but once it had, it presented Tina with the coordinates to Zero's hideout. Soon Dirk and Tina would capture Zero. The city of Middleburg would be safe once again.There was no doubt in Dirk's mind that he and Tina would succeed. How could they not? With his strength and speed and her intelligence they were unstoppable."Stop," Fact-Tel chirped in Dirk's ear. "You're going to run right past it."Dirk was still getting used to the earpiece that connected him to the A.I. at regional headquarters, but he did manage to slow down to a jog without stumbling."Fact-Tel," Tina said as she stirred in Dirk's arms. "Where are we exactly?" She was in the habit of shielding her face against his chest when he ran. The wind tended to dry out her contact lenses."This," Fact-Tel said with a touch of dramatic flair, "is the section of Middleburg known as Old Crap Town.""Of course." She slipped out of Dirk's grasp and looked around, taking in their surroundings. "I should've known by all the abandoned manure factories.""And the smell," Dirk added. "It smells like shit.""How close are we to the coordinates?" Tina asked."Turn left," the A.I. instructed, "about 20 degrees."Dirk put a hand on Tina's arm. "Let me do it," he said. "I'm a trained model. I know how to turn."It was perhaps the most perfect turn of his career. He pivoted on his heels in a smooth yet decisive manner. When he stopped he lifted his chin and struck a pose that showed off his body and, by extension, his clothes at a favorable angle. A tight, blue T-shirt and black jeans never looked so good."So the red, abandoned, poop factory?" Tina asked."Yeah," Fact-Tel confirmed. "The red one."Dirk followed his partner across the street to the massive and dilapidated building, keeping his eyes peeled for any signs of a sniper in the windows or booby traps in the trash scattered along the sidewalk. He'd trained the past few months for just this sort of situation.When they got to the double doors of the red manure factory, Tina reached behind her and pulled her gun from her holster.She owned a lot of guns and a lot of holsters and she had a knack for coordinating them with her outfits. There was a thigh holster for skirts that fell just above the knee. Or there was the back holster for ensembles like the one she was wearing today, gray slacks and a white spaghetti strap tank top. On rare occasions, when she wore a micro mini, she'd tuck her gun into her thigh high boots. That was Dirk's favorite. There was something about that outfit that made him want to surrender to Tina and then defile her. Of course, those sorts of thoughts fell into the inappropriate category, so he never thought them."Draw your weapon, Agent Allen," Tina whispered.

C.S. Lewis has influenced millions, but who influenced him? The answer may surprise you. This week, Steve and the gang chat about it with author/professor Jeffrey Barbeau. The post Jeffrey Barbeau | C.S. Lewis & Romanticism | Steve Brown, Etc. appeared first on Key Life.

Get the blood out of your mustache and get ready for A Bite Of's review of Robert Eggers' Nosferatu! On the menu: a return to classic vampire horror, Lily-Rose Depp's body bending performance, rats on rats, Bill Skrsgård's animalistic Orlok and more! Check out the links below and connect with us!!   INSTAGRAM: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/abiteofpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠    TWITTER: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ABiteOfPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   THREADS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@abiteofpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ABiteOfPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WEBSITE:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.abiteofpod.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   DISCORD: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/461OOcf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (2:46) - Initial Thoughts (5:34) - The Gothic-ness & Setting (9:27) - Performances (13:21) - What is Nosferatu trying to say? (16:49) - Bill Skarsgård's Count Orlok (18:08) - Back to scary Vampires & Romanticism (23:58) - Final Thoughts Hosts: Derek Ivie and Noah Reed For business inquiries please contact abiteofpod@gmail.com

Writers of the Meiji Period included some of the most influential Japanese authors of all time, many of whom are still regularly included in reading curriculum today.Soseki ProjectSupport the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, Bookshop.org, and many other online platforms!

Guest host Jessica Kleinschmidt interviews radio voice of the New York Mets Howie Rose. Jess and Howie discuss a wide range of topics including Howie's childhood love of the Mets, how baseball was "in trouble" before the pitch clock, his call of Pete Alonso's home run in the Wild Card Series, and more.-2:00: Love for Mets origin story-4:28: Fan interactions-5:44: Being more of a recognizable personality-9:30: 50 years in sports media industry-10:56: Being introspective-12:39: Baseball on radio-15:37: Romanticism of baseball on the radio-18:18: Adjusting to pitch clock in doing radio-20:33: Baseball being “in trouble” pre-pitch clock-21:39: Were people surprised by Howie's pitch clock take?-22:36: Asking questions on “Mets Extra” like a beat reporter-27:19: Athlete/manager relationship with media in 80s-31:05: Pete Alonso's home run call during Wild Card Series-38:27: Feedback from peers about the call-40:35: Fraternity of radio broadcasters-42:04: Doing bridal party or gender reveal announcementsDownload the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The panel reads three poems by A.E. Housman, the renowned British classicist and poet, and discusses the presence of death in his poetry, the influences of Romanticism, the importance of the speaker's role, and the poetic ironies of his biography.Continue reading

 Rediscovering the ancient lore of being in love..Based on the works of ron de, in 2 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories."Jessica told me she wanted me to breed her again. I know I can't, not yet, but after she said that, I found the idea was rather exciting. Is it wrong that she felt that way or that I thought I'd like to breed her again?"Regina shook her head."No, it's not wrong. What you were both feeling was the release of endorphins into your brains during the orgasm and it's a little like the addiction to some drugs. You feel the endorphins and want to have the feeling again."Danny pursed his lips."Why haven't I felt like this before? The breeder and I always have an orgasm."Regina smiled."We really don't know, Danny. That's part of what this experiment is all about - to find out. What we know is impregnation is much more successful if the breeder feels something for the sire and the sire's sperm count is higher if he feels something for the breeder."Danny thought for a while about that. He did like Jessica, but he'd liked Barbara too. The feeling had been there with Barbara, a little, but not as strongly as with Jessica. Maybe that was because Barbara hadn't said anything like Jessica had. Maybe that was the reason.He looked at Regina then."Do you feel that when you're bred - like you want to be bred again by the same sire?"Regina looked at the floor when she answered."I've never been bred, Danny, because I was designated as a critical employee. If I took time off for pregnancy and to raise a child it would cause serious damage to the program."She looked up at Danny then."Maybe once we get this all figured out, I can be bred. I would like to have children someday."Over the course of the next eighteen weeks, Danny selected and bred eighteen more breeders and completed what he jokingly referred to in his weekly after breeding reports as his harem. In those after breeding reports, he tried to explain what had attracted him to each breeder. Often, he really didn't know exactly what that was so his answers were a little confusing.The breeders were also interviewed and asked if they were attracted to Danny, if they would like him to breed them again, and were asked to rate their attraction to Danny from a list of characteristics on a scale of one to ten.Over the months, she began to see a pattern in Danny's selections and the breeder's responses. That was important because once the twenty breeders were selected, bred, and in residence, Danny would have the freedom to choose a breeder once a week even though all were in some stage of pregnancy. Only in the last month of gestation was a breeder not able to engage in sex.In her last report to the W R E, Regina had put the remaining reservations to rest. Danny's impregnation rate had been ninety-five percent, much better than even the best of the other sires. The data indicated that even though genetically matching sires and breeders was very successful, the last key to the puzzle was in the mental processes of both sires and breeders.When Danny had bred the twentieth breeder and she had conceived, Regina sat down with him and explained the data she had collected and what that meant to the experiment."Danny, the data I've gathered is interesting to say the least. Even though your ratings of the breeders you selected are fairly consistent -- large breasts, wide hips, and an attitude of eagerness to be bred, your sperm count shows me something different."Your sperm count tends to indicate you prefer brunettes who have not shaved their pubic hair. Another interesting thing is that while breast and hip size do show some correlation, in general, your sperm count is lower if the woman has any hair color other than brunette. It seems as if you prefer her pubic hair to be the same color as well."The other thing that is rather unusual is your sperm count is higher if the breeder's after breeding report indicates she was nervous about the breeding. Your sperm count is even higher than if she was very confident. I'm still trying to figure that one out. Any thoughts about why that would be?"Danny thought back over his times with the twenty breeders. Yes, some seemed to be nervous so he had taken special care to make sure they were completely aroused before he bred them. The others, the ones who seemed to be more than ready, he had just bred them like he had over a hundred others. What could make him treat a nervous breeder differently?"I'm not sure. It just seemed like to ones who were nervous needed more stimulation, so I tried to give them that."Regina had watched the videos of each breeding and though she had seen some differences in what Danny did with those breeders and how they reacted, she couldn't see enough detail to really understand what he was doing."Danny, what did you do differently with the nervous breeders?"Danny had to think about that for a few moments, because he didn't really remember doing anything consciously. He just did what seemed to arouse the breeder and it was more or less instinctive."I'm not sure except when something I did seemed to arouse them, I did it some more."Regina smiled."Can you give me some examples...like what did you do with Heather, the little brunette with large breasts? She started out being nervous, but her orgasm left her shaking and breathless."Danny remembered Heather. He'd found her especially attractive and planned on breeding her several more times."Heather didn't put much on her application form about what excited her, so I had to figure it out as I went. Like you said, she had large breasts and she seemed to really like having them gently stroked. Once I figured that out, that's what I started doing. She also had large nipples, and as I stroked her breasts they got even larger. From what I've seen, most breeders like having their nipples lightly pinched and sucked. When I did that to Heather's nipples and then checked to see if she was becoming aroused, I found out she was very slippery inside, more so than most other breeders I've bred, so I kept doing it while stimulating her with a finger until she spread her legs and pulled me between them. It was pretty exciting for me too, to find out that a simple thing like sucking her nipples could excite her so quickly. I've bred a lot of breeders, but not as many as you've studied. Is that a normal reaction?"Regina said she'd seen similar reactions in the population of breeders she'd studied. She didn't tell him that just listening to the description of his actions with Heather had caused her own nipples to swell and that she felt as if she was becoming wet. That would have been embarrassing besides being unprofessional. She wasn't supposed to be excited by what she witnessed during the breedings or by what the sire and breeder said in their after-breeding interviews."Yes, Danny, I've seen that before in some women. Other's not so much."Danny had been watching Regina while he related what he'd done with Heather, and what he saw made him smile. Regina was breathing a little faster and she'd closed her thighs tight and then moved them up and down a little when she changed position. That was the same way Heather had reacted.That reaction caused Danny to look at Regina in a different light as well. Before, she'd been just another researcher who happened to be female, and she was always calm and analytical in her questions and responses. Now, knowing she had dreams of someday being bred and seeing that he'd excited her a little, she became a woman, a woman with large breasts and brown hair and the small but full figured body that attracted him to some of the breeders more than to others.He thought maybe part of the reason for the change was they were no longer in the sterile environment of the breeding center. They now lived together in a house in the countryside and he'd become more aware of her appearance since she'd dispensed with the white lab coats she always wore at the breeding center. That let Danny see how her large breasts moved when she did, and how her wide hips swayed when she walked. He'd been more than a little aroused by Regina in street clothes, and now..."Regina, a man stroking your breasts and sucking your nipples does the same thing to you, doesn't it?"The thought of Danny doing that to her flashed through Regina's mind and she felt her nipples stiffen a little more and the feeling of dampness between her thighs increased. No man had ever touched her that way, but it was what she did to herself when she was alone in her bed at night. She would watch one of the videos of one of Danny's breeding sessions and fantasize about how it must feel to the breeder. At the end, when Regina stifled the cry as her hips raised off the bed because of the orgasm, she was thinking about how it must feel to the breeder to have Danny groan and pump his sperm inside her.Regina frowned at that thought. It wasn't right. She was supposed to be an unbiased observer of the breedings and then analyze them so future breedings would be more successful. She couldn't let Danny know she even thought about sex, let alone that his description was affecting her. That might bias his actions and the study data would be contaminated."Danny, I've never been touched that way, so I don't know. Now, what else did you do with Heather that was different?"Danny wasn't dumb and he was very observant. Those qualities are what made him a very valuable sire. He could watch a breeder's reactions to what he did and modify his behavior accordingly. He didn't miss the fact that in spite of the bra Regina wore, her nipples had stiffened enough he could see the bumps they made in her light blouse. He decided to see if he could cause any other responses in Regina, partly because it would be teasing her a little, but also because he was thinking he'd like to breed her. He didn't really know why, but the feeling was there and it was a stronger feeling than he'd had with any of the breeders he'd bred."Well, once I slipped a finger inside her, I knew she was probably ready, but she was still a little stiff. I remembered what you said about breeding success being better if the breeder was very aroused, so I kept stroking her inner lips and clitoris until she rolled her head to the side and started to take panting breaths. That's when I entered her. It didn't take her long to have an orgasm after that, and that was fortunate. The way she was responding was extremely erotic and I was having difficulty not having my own orgasm before she did."Regina squirmed in her chair because there was no doubt in her mind her panties were wet. She felt the wet warmth on the lips between her thighs. What Danny had just described was the same thing she did almost every night in her bed. She'd stroke her inner lips until they were wet with her juices and then move her finger up to the little button at the top of her lips.The first touch of that little stiff nub would make her gasp. Gentle rubbing would make her pant. All it took then was moving that finger quickly in and out. Regina would feel the tension building inside her, building to a level that tightened the muscles in her belly, hips, and legs and was almost unbearable. Then, suddenly, that tension would explode in a release that left her gasping for breath and quivering. She could only imagine how Heather had felt at that moment.Regina was uncomfortable about how she was reacting to what Danny told her, but she was also a little dumbfounded. They'd had this conversation many, many times and it had never affected her before. She'd always just assumed her clinical mindset and faithfully recorded what Danny said he had done. What could be the reason she couldn't do that now? The education and experience she'd gained in psychology should have been able to explain her reaction, and yet, she couldn't find any logical reason for it.She was the same, wasn't she? Danny was the same, wasn't he? Then what was different? Regina's mind was racing for an explanation when Danny smiled. He was going to push Regina just a little to see what she did."I could show you if you want. You would be getting first-hand experience into what a breeder feels. That might help your study more than just talking."Regina felt her face and chest grow warm. What Danny had just proposed was against all her training and education. A scientist was never, never, ever supposed to become personally involved in an experiment. Doing so would cause questions about ethics and validity of the data. She could not allow that to happen after so much time and money had been spent.The warmth that was spreading down to her breasts wasn't caused by Danny's challenge to her ethics though. It was caused by her desire to let him do what he said -- excite her until she wanted him and then breed her.It was the same thought that filled her mind when she aroused herself at night, though up until that day, the sire was just a faceless body. Now, that body had Danny's face, his broad shoulders, and his tall build. For an instant, the vision filled her mind of Danny between her open thighs, his cock buried deep inside her as the waves of her orgasm swept her away into the exquisite abyss of release.Regina felt her stomach contract and then more wet warmth between her thighs. She took a deep breath that didn't do anything to still what was happening to her."Danny, I -- I think I have enough information about your experience with Heather for now. Have you given any thought to which breeder you'd like to choose to breed a second time?"Danny smiled to himself because it was obvious he'd aroused Regina. Her face was flushed and she was breathing much faster than before he'd explained what he'd done with Heather. That in itself had started him on the road to arousal, but there was something else, something he couldn't put his finger on, but it was there. He wanted Regina, wanted to hear her gasps and moans as he aroused her. He wanted to feel the spasms that tightened her passage around his stiff, stroking cock and caused him to let go and fill her with his sperm. He wanted to feel her hands on his back as she tried to pull his cock deeper inside her as they made love.That was it, he suddenly realized. He didn't want to breed Regina. He wanted to make love with her. That was a new feeling for him. He'd always taken great care to make sure the breeder reached orgasm, but other than a very few, it had just been his job. He couldn't think of Regina as just another breeder. She was different.Danny smiled again."You're not going to like my answer.""Danny, you know there are no wrong answers to any of my questions. What you say is just how you honestly feel. Now, which breeder would you like to breed again?"Danny leaned forward and put his hand on Regina's knee."You", was all he said, and he smiled again when he felt the little tremble of Regina's leg.Regina's mind swirled again with that same vision of her and Danny together, naked and striving for the goal of release. She caught her breath when Danny squeezed her knee gently, then stammered, "Umm, me? I'm not a breeder.""I know and that's why"."But I can't."Danny slowly moved his hand a little higher up Regina's leg."Why? From what I'm seeing, you wouldn't be completely against the idea. You're breathing faster and your face is flushed. That's the same way the breeders react when I touch them, though it usually takes more touching in more places."Regina knew she couldn't hide what her body was doing from Danny, but she had thought maybe he wouldn't notice. Now that he had and was absolutely correct in his assessment of her, what could she say?"Even if I wanted to -- and I'm not saying I would - that would invalidate all my work because I'd be biased."Danny smiled and moved his hand up a little more."Wouldn't it just make it easier for you to understand how a breeder feels when I breed her? I'd think that was valuable information you could never get from an interview."Regina abruptly brushed Danny's hand off her leg and then stood up."I think we'd better end the interview right now."Without waiting for Danny to respond, she walked out of the interview room and left Danny sitting there.Academic Theories Be DamnedWhen she got back to her room, Regina dropped her clipboard on her desk and then sat down on the bed. What was wrong with her? What Danny had said was true. She did want him to breed her, wanted it more than she could remember ever wanting anything else. The thought had stirred something deep in her mind, something she'd never felt before.It's just hormones, she thought, and I know how to fix that for at least a while. She stood up, took off her clothes and lay back down on the bed.The first touch between her thighs told her she hadn't been imagining the wetness there, and she knew the reason. Her body was preparing itself to be penetrated by a man's rigid cock. She tried slipping a finger into her entrance and found it was even wetter there. The second finger she slipped in made Regina catch her breath.With her other hand, Regina closed two fingers around her right nipple and pinched gently. The effect was immediate. She stifled the moan that threatened to slip from her throat as her belly tightened. Another pinch tightened her belly again and she felt the tension begin building in her core.Regina's two fingers moved slowly in and out a few times, then moved up to the little smooth button at the top of her lips. Just a few strokes was all it took. Regina gasped as the first wave of spasms wracked her body, then arched up off the bed as the wave swept over her. She couldn't control what her body was doing. It just did what it felt like, and the only thing she saw in her mind was Danny's face above hers, a face wearing a mask of intense pleasure as he pumped his stiff cock in and out and spurted his sperm inside her.Regina lay there panting until the contractions in her core mostly stopped. It was relief from the tension, but as another twinge of tightness swept over her, she realized the orgasm had done nothing to take away the vision that still filled her mind. The only thing that would do that was the vision becoming reality and that scared her.She'd never before experienced such a longing, no, such a need, and she didn't know what to do about it. If she did as her scientist's mind was telling her, she'd put that need out of her mind and go on as she always had. The problem was the other part of her mind, the part that was screaming at her to go to Danny's room and make that vision a reality was quickly drowning out her logical self.Her logical mind struggled to be heard through the din.What if I got pregnant? That would be the end of my career. No, that can't happen. The W R E knew some psychologists might be tempted so all female psychologists had been temporarily sterilized by an implant. Regina felt for the implant and found the small bump on her shoulder where it had been inserted. No, she couldn't get pregnant.What if somebody found out? That would also end my career. Then she shook her head. Like Danny had said, that wasn't likely to happen. It wasn't unusual for her to spend hours interviewing a sire or a breeder. If she and Danny were together long enough for him to breed her, everybody would just think it was part of the interview process. It was a cardinal rule that once an interview started, no one was permitted to interrupt it unless there was some life threatening emergency that required evacuation of the residence. They wouldn't be disturbed no matter how long it took.In trying to give herself a reason why she shouldn't, all Regina had done was convince herself she could do this without any repercussions. Her logical mind then softly told her that Danny was right. She could never truly understand how a breeder felt unless she herself had had the experience.RomanticismThat night, during dinner, Regina noticed Danny looking at her and smiling. She forced herself to look away, but secretly enjoyed the fact that he didn't seem to have lost interest in her. That was a new feeling too. She'd experienced many male scientists praising her work, but never had even one said anything about wanting to get to know her better much less have sex with her. She'd always been proud that her achievements had been recognized by her peers. Now, she was proud that Danny was recognizing her as a woman.When dinner was over, Danny walked up to her and smiled."Regina, what happened today...if I offended you in any way, I apologize. All I was doing is what I always do. I was telling you my true feelings. I know nothing can come of it, but that's how I really feel."Regina felt her emotions raging inside her, but she'd made up her mind."Danny, I still have a few questions I need to ask you. Could we continue the interview now?"Danny started down the hall the interview rooms, but Regina caught his arm. She couldn't look at him when she spoke for fear she'd change her mind."Danny, I was thinking about someplace else, some place a little more private."Danny felt a little tingle race up his spine. Could this be what it seemed?"Where would you suggest?"Regina's voice was so soft he barely heard her."I was thinking maybe my room if that's OK with you."Once they were inside Regina's room, she locked the door and then turned to Danny."Danny, I've thought a lot about this afternoon. I'd never thought about it before, but what you said about experience is true. If you still want to...to give me that experience..."Danny took Regina's hand in his."Regina, are you sure about this? If you aren't, I'll just leave."Regina shook her head."No, I'm not sure, but I don't know any other way to...since this afternoon, I've been going crazy imagining how it would be and telling myself it shouldn't be but I want it to be. I can't keep going on like this. I have to know."Danny didn't say anything. He just moved closer, took Regina in his arms and pulled her close. As his hands stroked over her back, Regina felt her skin begin to tingle. She'd never felt her breasts pressed against a man's chest before, and the feeling started a tiny little tremor in her core. When Danny's hands cupped her hips and squeezed gently, that little tremor got a little stronger, strong enough she gently backed away and smiled sheepishly."This is where I take off my clothes, right?"Danny shook his head."No, Regina. You're not a breeder. I want to take this slow in case you change your mind. I'll undress you a little at a time. If you do change your mind, just tell me and I'll stop, no questions asked."Danny kissed Regina then. Kissing wasn't something he usually did with a breeder. Though he'd been taught how to kiss a woman to excite her, usually it happened only when a breeder kissed him first, and he seldom felt anything. When he pulled Regina tight against him again, she closed her eyes and her mouth opened a little. Danny didn't really understand why, but it seemed like he should kiss her, so he did.When their lips touched, Danny felt something he'd never felt before. A strange sensation raced from his lips down to his cock and caused it to begin to swell. When Regina tentatively touched his lips with her tongue, Danny knew he should do the same because he'd been taught to do that. When their tongues touched, Regina moaned, and Danny surprised himself by moaning too.Regina had felt the kiss tighten her core. It was the same as when she excited herself, but different. It was different because it was caused by Danny. She hadn't expected it, and that made the feeling stronger, so strong she wanted to keep feeling it.Regina pulled gently away then and whispered, "Danny, I don't want you to stop. I want to know what it feels like to be bred and I want to feel that now."Danny continued to undress Regina slowly, taking great care to stroke her skin as soon as he'd removed the clothing covering it. He hadn't been taught to do that and yet it seemed like something he should do. That was also a new experience for him. Always with a breeder, he'd stroked her skin in the places he'd been taught, but with Regina, it was so much different.A breeder would have been slow to respond to his touch at first. That was because most breeders were a little unsure, or at least that's what he'd learned in training. Regina seemed to instantly respond to every touch. When he stroked her bare back, she shivered, but pressed her bra-clad breasts into his chest again. When he removed her bra and then cupped her breasts, she kissed him again and then moaned into his mouth when his fingertips touched her nipples.Danny was a little surprised when after he'd removed Regina's bra, she began unbuttoning his shirt. After undoing the last button, she put her arms around his neck and pressed her bare breasts against his bare chest. That had never happened to him before either. A breeder might pull him down on top of her after her orgasm, but usually they didn't do anything like that during the breeding.Regina was attempting to maintain her objectivity in order to mentally record all the sensations she was feeling, but as Danny eased her pants down over her hips, then cupped her cheeks and squeezed, her thoughts slipped from remembering to just experiencing. She stepped out of her pants when he pulled them down her legs, then gasped when he slid his hands up her inner thighs.She'd have been embarrassed to be nude in front of any other man, but when Danny began pulling her panties down, she wasn't embarrassed. She knew what Danny was going to do next because she'd watched the videos of his breedings countless times. She wasn't nervous or afraid. If anything, she wanted him to do it faster.After Danny gently lifted her legs one at a time so he could slip the panties off her feet, he quickly removed his own clothes and then took Regina in his arms again. As with a lot of things that had just happened, he hadn't been taught to do that. It just seemed like something he should do, and once he'd felt her naked body against his, all he knew was he wanted Regina, wanted her like he'd never wanted a breeder.He didn't understand the feeling, but it was there, the feeling that he wanted to feel his cock sliding inside her, stroking until she had an orgasm, and then letting himself go. He gently laid her down on the bed, then sat down on the edge.When Danny slipped his index finger inside Regina to see if she was becoming aroused, that was different too. With all but a few breeders, he'd had to use a lot of stimulation before they were slippery enough his cock wouldn't hurt them when he slipped it in. Regina was already slippery with the fluid that would ease his first thrust.Danny explored her entrance with that finger and found it was snug. Could it be that Regina had never been penetrated before? Regina answered that question by catching her breath and wincing when he tried to insert a second finger. Danny withdrew the second finger and began gently massaging the little button at the top of Regina's lips.As he massaged with his right hand, Danny stroked Regina's breasts and nipples with his left, and when her nipples tightened, he leaned down and took the right one between his lips. Regina's hips rocked when he sucked gently, and Danny felt her hand on his head, holding him there. He sucked a little harder, and Regina moaned a little moan. Danny felt the finger inside her get a little more slippery. She was reacting faster than any breeder he'd ever bred.Regina's mind was a blur of sensations that stopped her attempts to think. Every time Danny sucked her nipple, she felt her core tighten, and the tightening didn't completely go away when he stopped. It was like it tensed, relaxed a little and then tensed even more when he sucked her nipple again. The finger between her lips was causing even more sensations. She felt another tension building, a different tension that made her open her thighs wide and pull on Danny's shoulder. It wasn't conscious thought that made her do that. It was just something her body made her do.When Regina began rocking her hips into his finger, Danny knew she was ready for him. He also knew he'd hurt Regina if he just did what he felt like doing and thrust his cock inside her in one quick stroke. When he felt her pulling on his shoulder, Danny knelt between her spread thighs and slipped his cock head between her swollen, slippery lips. He found her entrance and pushed in gently.Regina gasped at the feeling, but didn't push him away. She only raised her knees and opened her thighs a little wider. Danny kept massaging the stiff, swollen little nub of flesh at the top of her lips as he began slowly pressing in and then withdrawing. After only three of these gentle strokes, Regina began lifting her hips to meet his cockhead. Danny knew she was close to having an orgasm, and had to will himself to not just ram his cock inside her. He was too close himself.Suddenly, Regina gasped and held her breath while she lifted her hips higher. Danny felt his cockhead pressing against something soft that yielded a little. He pulled back when Regina breathed again and let her hips fall back to the mattress. She did it again when he pressed his cock in a little more firmly, then her thighs began to shake against his sides.Danny withdrew, then pushed in again while his fingertip rapidly stroked the throbbing center of Regina's sex. She cried out, dug her nails into his back and heaved her body into the stroke. As Regina's body shook and she cried out again, Danny pushed his cock through the barrier and deep inside Regina, then gasped as his own orgasm wracked his body. He made four quick but deep strokes before he stopped. Regina continued to pant and shake for a while, and Danny held his weight on his arms and enjoyed the feeling of the contractions that seemed to milk at his cock.Regina then let her body ease back down to the mattress, put her arms around Danny and kissed him. This time, Danny felt a different feeling. It wasn't a feeling that stiffened his cock. That wouldn't happen again for at least half an hour. It was a feeling of...he couldn't describe it, but it was there. It was kind of like the feeling he'd had with one or two breeders, but it was more intense. It was a feeling of wanting to breed Regina again, and a feeling of wanting to stay with her.As the waves of her orgasm ebbed, Regina could think again, and she was having two thoughts. One was that she liked feeling Danny's cock inside her. It was a feeling of being content, warm, and secure. The other was that as good as it felt, it was also uncomfortable. She knew this was because Danny had taken her virginity. For a while the feeling of contentment overrode the feeling of discomfort, but when Danny's cock softened and slipped out of her, Regina winced.Danny whispered, "Did I hurt you?"Regina stroked his back."Just a little, but it wasn't bad. Everything else was more than I ever expected. I didn't realize it would be like this."Danny kissed Regina on the forehead, something else he'd never done to a breeder, and then whispered back."I didn't expect it to be like this either."She Ruined HimDanny didn't spend the night with Regina. She said someone would notice and suspect what had happened. He dressed and went back to his room, then lay on his bed and wondered at what had just happened.It had been so different than when he bred a breeder, but it shouldn't have been. All he'd done was show Regina how a breeder felt when he bred her. Then, he realized the difference wasn't Regina. The difference was him. He'd never felt with a breeder like he'd felt with Regina. It was like they'd been one for a while, one body straining to achieve the orgasm that both wanted and needed instead of him giving the breeder an orgasm and then enjoying his own. He fell asleep still wondering if that was right or wrong.Strange FeelingsRegina took a shower that night, and as she washed between her thighs, she remembered how she'd felt. She didn't remember any breeder telling her she'd felt anything but a nice orgasm and relief that it was done and she was probably pregnant. That wasn't what Regina had felt, not at all. What she'd felt was a need to have Danny inside her, a need to feel his body moving against hers, and a feeling of not wanting him to stop. Was this normal, or was she letting the sensations of her first actual sex make her think that way? She fell asleep trying to analyze those feelings and put them into the context of what she'd learned in college and through experience.Conflicting EmotionsThe next morning at breakfast, Regina couldn't talk to Danny or even look at him. She was afraid she'd blurt out how she felt about what they'd done or somehow give away their secret with her expressions. Danny was the same. He was still confused. He needed to talk with Regina, but the breakfast table with the other breeders wasn't the time or the place.That time was that afternoon. Danny had no breeders scheduled so neither he nor Regina had any interviews. He walked down to Regina's room and knocked on the door.When she opened the door, Danny said, "We need to talk". Regina didn't say anything. She just opened the door and motioned him in. When Danny said "About, last night...", Regina cut him off."I think I know what you're going to say Danny. You're going to say you don't understand what happened. I don't understand it either. It was supposed to be just an experiment so I'd understand what the breeders feel, but it didn't turn out that way. I've watched hundreds of videos of breedings, and the breeders never displayed what I felt. Is that about it, the way I acted?"Danny shook his head."No, that's only half of it. I've never felt the same way with a breeder either. It was like...I don't know what it was like, but it was an entirely different feeling. It didn't feel like I was breeding you. It felt like we were the same, like we were one person for a while. I don't know what to think about that. I mean, you said I was free to choose any breeder now, but...well...you're not a breeder, but when I thought about that last night, I realized the only one I want to choose is you."Regina smiled, though she wasn't smiling inside. She was trying to think of a reason for the way they both felt that wouldn't cause Danny to hope for something that could never be."Danny, what I think is we've worked so closely together over the past weeks that we've become very comfortable with each other. Once you breed another breeder, you'll feel differently about me."Danny shook his head again."I don't think I will. I don't think it will ever be the same with a breeder again. You said my sperm count is higher if I like the breeder. It probably won't be in the future because I'll keep remembering how it was with you."Regina put her hand on Danny's shoulder."Danny, you can't think that way. There's too much at stake."Danny put his arms around Regina's waist."Are you saying you don't want to do it again?"Regina felt a tear trickle down her cheek and hastily wiped it away."No, Danny, I'm not saying that because I do. What I'm saying is I can't, not if I'm going to keep the study going, and I have to do that. I have to finish the study so I can learn how to improve the breeding program."Danny let his hands slip under the waistband of Regina's pants and down to her hips. He then cupped and squeezed them gently and grinned when Regina shivered."I think you've learned a lot about how to improve the breeding program from just doing it once. How many breeders have you interviewed who said they want to keep being bred by the same sire?"Regina thought for a second, then answered."Not many...maybe a percent or so."Danny gently separated Regina's cheeks and stroked between them with a fingertip."But you think you'd like me to breed you again, right?"Regina felt her nipples begin to swell at the thought of having Danny inside her again."I suppose I would. How does that help anything?"Danny moved one hand up Regina's side until he touched her breast."Well, since the more times a breeder is bred, the more likely it is she'll get pregnant, doesn't it make sense to pair a breeder with a sire she wants to breed with as much as she wants instead of a sire she can breed with only once?"Regina's tummy tightened when she felt Danny's thumb on her nipple."Yes, but how would that be possible? There are a lot more breeders than sires. We could never match up a different sire for each breeder."Danny chuckled as he stroked his thumb over the stiff bump of Regina's nipple."You're the scientist. Can't you figure out how to do that?"Regina pulled Danny's hand away from her breast."Please stop that."Danny grinned."Don't you like it? If feels like you do.""I can't think when you do that. We can't just let any man breed any woman. There are things like genetic propensity for birth defects and low intelligence and anti-social behavior that have to be considered."Danny slipped his hand down and squeezed Regina's cheek again."Well, I thought about that last night. Right now, there are about six hundred thousand breeders across the globe and about forty thousand sires, right?"Regina nodded as Danny again slipped his hand up her side and smiled when he found her nipple was still stiff."So, what you get is about six hundred thousand babies in a year?"Regina shivered when Danny stroked her stiff nipple."Yes, but more like six twenty. Sometimes a breeder has twins."Danny lightly pinched Regina's nipple through her bra, then smiled."So, what would happen if you had four million breeders and four million sires breeding every other day until the breeder was pregnant?"Regina started to pull Danny's hand away, but then felt her core tighten enough she caught her breath."We'd have over four million babies in about a year. But Danny, some of those babies wouldn't be healthy and some wouldn't be a smart and --""Which would be better for the world population -- six hundred and twenty thousand perfect babies a year or four million with a few that aren't quite perfect?"Regina shook her head, partly to shake off the feeling of Danny stroking her nipple and partly to have a second or two to think."If we did that, most of the sires wouldn't know how to make the breeder have an orgasm, and all our studies say that would lower the impregnation rate."Danny picked Regina up and carried her to the bed, then laid her down and unbuttoned her blouse."They would if you taught them like I was taught."Danny had never disclosed the details his grandmother used to tell him, when he was a little boy. The chivalrous tales of men who devoted their very lives to a woman they were.. The term was “In love”.  He knew there was a concept referred to as ‘loving'; but the term, ‘in love' was completely alien to his current-day culture.Mankind had so deeply obsessed itself with birth control, and fighting over-population of the earth. They had become a cult of intellect which was devoid of wisdom. They'd become a cold world.The urgent reforms would never be adopted if the academics were made to feel threatened or discredited. The strategy required manipulating the group-think, so that the universities could claim to have discovered the concepts for the rest of the world to follow.Policy ReformsRegina's proposal wasn't accepted at first. It took several sessions with the W R E before they granted approval for a pilot program consisting of ten thousand sires and ten thousand breeders. A year after the program started, the impregnation rate was ninety-nine percent and the W R E increased the program from a pilot to an alternative program. A year after that, the alternative of half a million sires and half a million breeders became the standard because it was producing babies fast enough the population was beginning to increase.The new generation of humans were allowed to live outside of the juvenile centers. If the parents agreed, the children were kept with them, in what was referred to a familation unit.Ten years into the reforms, there were familation units with as many as 9 young offspring. The offspring were educated by the parents and socialized with other familation units.After 20 years, the Academies declared an end of the emergency and proudly congratulated themselves for saving humanity. The new generation came of age and some cultural conflicts emerged. The youth developed their odd musical expressions, clothing and hair fashions, and even started some communes. This new generation had no interest in the symphony music which was prevalent. Instead they used crude wooden contraptions with tight strings, to accommodate their simplistic music. It was referred to as ‘folk' music, and obsessed itself in themes about love and other such frivolous emotions that intellectuals dismissed as unproductive.Based on the works of ron de, in 2 parts, for Literotica

Chapter 1 What's Arnold Schoenberg by Charles Rosen"Arnold Schoenberg" by Charles Rosen is a comprehensive exploration of the life and works of the influential composer Arnold Schoenberg, a key figure in 20th-century music. Rosen elaborates on Schoenberg's innovative contributions, particularly his development of the twelve-tone technique, which revolutionized compositional approaches and aesthetics. The book delves into Schoenberg's artistic philosophy, examining his relationships with other composers and his impact on modern music. Additionally, Rosen discusses specific works, providing an analysis that highlights Schoenberg's unique style and his place in the historical narrative of classical music. Through this examination, readers gain insights into Schoenberg's complexities as both a person and an artist, illustrating how his experiences shaped his creative output.Chapter 2 Arnold Schoenberg by Charles Rosen Summary"Arnold Schoenberg" by Charles Rosen is a comprehensive exploration of the life, music, and impact of one of the 20th century's most influential composers. The book highlights Schoenberg's revolutionary contributions to music, particularly his development of the twelve-tone technique, which transformed compositional methods and aesthetics.Rosen delves into Schoenberg's early life in Vienna, where he was exposed to various musical influences, including late Romanticism and early modernism. He discusses Schoenberg's evolution as a composer, his move from traditional tonal music to atonality, and the philosophical underpinnings of his work. The author meticulously analyzes Schoenberg's major compositions, providing insights into their structure, emotional depth, and innovative use of harmony. He also addresses Schoenberg's role as a teacher and mentor, influencing a generation of composers who followed, including Alban Berg and Anton Webern.Rosen does not shy away from the controversies surrounding Schoenberg's music, including its reception by audiences and critics, and the challenges of promoting atonal music in a predominantly tonal landscape. The book presents a nuanced view of Schoenberg as both a radical innovator and a deeply introspective artist, exploring his struggles with identity, faith, and the role of the artist in society.In summary, Charles Rosen's work on Arnold Schoenberg is both a biographical account and a critical analysis, capturing the essence of a composer whose music remains a profound and challenging part of the canon of modern classical music.Chapter 3 Arnold Schoenberg AuthorCharles Rosen was a distinguished American pianist, musicologist, and author, widely recognized for his contributions to the understanding of classical music and its history. He was born on March 5, 1927, and passed away on December 9, 2019. In addition to his extensive performing career, Rosen's writings have had a significant impact on musicology. Book DetailsArnold Schoenberg: Charles Rosen's book on the composer Arnold Schoenberg was published in 1975. This work delves into the life, music, and innovations of Schoenberg, who was a pivotal figure in the evolution of 20th-century music. Other Notable WorksCharles Rosen authored several other important books, including:The Classical Style (1971) This book explores the music and style of major composers such as Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven.Piano Notes: The Hidden World of the Pianist (2002) A collection of essays reflecting on the experience and art of being a pianist.The Romantic Generation (1995) This examines the music and cultural life of the nineteenth century, focusing on composers like Chopin, Wagner, and Liszt.Freedom and the Arts (2010) A collection of essays on various topics concerning art and culture. Best EditionsThe best edition of his works typically considers both critical reception and availability. The...

Rediscovering the ancient lore of being in love..Based on the works of ron de, in 2 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories."Jessica told me she wanted me to breed her again. I know I can't, not yet, but after she said that, I found the idea was rather exciting. Is it wrong that she felt that way or that I thought I'd like to breed her again?"Regina shook her head."No, it's not wrong. What you were both feeling was the release of endorphins into your brains during the orgasm and it's a little like the addiction to some drugs. You feel the endorphins and want to have the feeling again."Danny pursed his lips."Why haven't I felt like this before? The breeder and I always have an orgasm."Regina smiled."We really don't know, Danny. That's part of what this experiment is all about - to find out. What we know is impregnation is much more successful if the breeder feels something for the sire and the sire's sperm count is higher if he feels something for the breeder."Danny thought for a while about that. He did like Jessica, but he'd liked Barbara too. The feeling had been there with Barbara, a little, but not as strongly as with Jessica. Maybe that was because Barbara hadn't said anything like Jessica had. Maybe that was the reason.He looked at Regina then."Do you feel that when you're bred - like you want to be bred again by the same sire?"Regina looked at the floor when she answered."I've never been bred, Danny, because I was designated as a critical employee. If I took time off for pregnancy and to raise a child it would cause serious damage to the program."She looked up at Danny then."Maybe once we get this all figured out, I can be bred. I would like to have children someday."Over the course of the next eighteen weeks, Danny selected and bred eighteen more breeders and completed what he jokingly referred to in his weekly after breeding reports as his harem. In those after breeding reports, he tried to explain what had attracted him to each breeder. Often, he really didn't know exactly what that was so his answers were a little confusing.The breeders were also interviewed and asked if they were attracted to Danny, if they would like him to breed them again, and were asked to rate their attraction to Danny from a list of characteristics on a scale of one to ten.Over the months, she began to see a pattern in Danny's selections and the breeder's responses. That was important because once the twenty breeders were selected, bred, and in residence, Danny would have the freedom to choose a breeder once a week even though all were in some stage of pregnancy. Only in the last month of gestation was a breeder not able to engage in sex.In her last report to the W R E, Regina had put the remaining reservations to rest. Danny's impregnation rate had been ninety-five percent, much better than even the best of the other sires. The data indicated that even though genetically matching sires and breeders was very successful, the last key to the puzzle was in the mental processes of both sires and breeders.When Danny had bred the twentieth breeder and she had conceived, Regina sat down with him and explained the data she had collected and what that meant to the experiment."Danny, the data I've gathered is interesting to say the least. Even though your ratings of the breeders you selected are fairly consistent -- large breasts, wide hips, and an attitude of eagerness to be bred, your sperm count shows me something different."Your sperm count tends to indicate you prefer brunettes who have not shaved their pubic hair. Another interesting thing is that while breast and hip size do show some correlation, in general, your sperm count is lower if the woman has any hair color other than brunette. It seems as if you prefer her pubic hair to be the same color as well."The other thing that is rather unusual is your sperm count is higher if the breeder's after breeding report indicates she was nervous about the breeding. Your sperm count is even higher than if she was very confident. I'm still trying to figure that one out. Any thoughts about why that would be?"Danny thought back over his times with the twenty breeders. Yes, some seemed to be nervous so he had taken special care to make sure they were completely aroused before he bred them. The others, the ones who seemed to be more than ready, he had just bred them like he had over a hundred others. What could make him treat a nervous breeder differently?"I'm not sure. It just seemed like to ones who were nervous needed more stimulation, so I tried to give them that."Regina had watched the videos of each breeding and though she had seen some differences in what Danny did with those breeders and how they reacted, she couldn't see enough detail to really understand what he was doing."Danny, what did you do differently with the nervous breeders?"Danny had to think about that for a few moments, because he didn't really remember doing anything consciously. He just did what seemed to arouse the breeder and it was more or less instinctive."I'm not sure except when something I did seemed to arouse them, I did it some more."Regina smiled."Can you give me some examples...like what did you do with Heather, the little brunette with large breasts? She started out being nervous, but her orgasm left her shaking and breathless."Danny remembered Heather. He'd found her especially attractive and planned on breeding her several more times."Heather didn't put much on her application form about what excited her, so I had to figure it out as I went. Like you said, she had large breasts and she seemed to really like having them gently stroked. Once I figured that out, that's what I started doing. She also had large nipples, and as I stroked her breasts they got even larger. From what I've seen, most breeders like having their nipples lightly pinched and sucked. When I did that to Heather's nipples and then checked to see if she was becoming aroused, I found out she was very slippery inside, more so than most other breeders I've bred, so I kept doing it while stimulating her with a finger until she spread her legs and pulled me between them. It was pretty exciting for me too, to find out that a simple thing like sucking her nipples could excite her so quickly. I've bred a lot of breeders, but not as many as you've studied. Is that a normal reaction?"Regina said she'd seen similar reactions in the population of breeders she'd studied. She didn't tell him that just listening to the description of his actions with Heather had caused her own nipples to swell and that she felt as if she was becoming wet. That would have been embarrassing besides being unprofessional. She wasn't supposed to be excited by what she witnessed during the breedings or by what the sire and breeder said in their after-breeding interviews."Yes, Danny, I've seen that before in some women. Other's not so much."Danny had been watching Regina while he related what he'd done with Heather, and what he saw made him smile. Regina was breathing a little faster and she'd closed her thighs tight and then moved them up and down a little when she changed position. That was the same way Heather had reacted.That reaction caused Danny to look at Regina in a different light as well. Before, she'd been just another researcher who happened to be female, and she was always calm and analytical in her questions and responses. Now, knowing she had dreams of someday being bred and seeing that he'd excited her a little, she became a woman, a woman with large breasts and brown hair and the small but full figured body that attracted him to some of the breeders more than to others.He thought maybe part of the reason for the change was they were no longer in the sterile environment of the breeding center. They now lived together in a house in the countryside and he'd become more aware of her appearance since she'd dispensed with the white lab coats she always wore at the breeding center. That let Danny see how her large breasts moved when she did, and how her wide hips swayed when she walked. He'd been more than a little aroused by Regina in street clothes, and now..."Regina, a man stroking your breasts and sucking your nipples does the same thing to you, doesn't it?"The thought of Danny doing that to her flashed through Regina's mind and she felt her nipples stiffen a little more and the feeling of dampness between her thighs increased. No man had ever touched her that way, but it was what she did to herself when she was alone in her bed at night. She would watch one of the videos of one of Danny's breeding sessions and fantasize about how it must feel to the breeder. At the end, when Regina stifled the cry as her hips raised off the bed because of the orgasm, she was thinking about how it must feel to the breeder to have Danny groan and pump his sperm inside her.Regina frowned at that thought. It wasn't right. She was supposed to be an unbiased observer of the breedings and then analyze them so future breedings would be more successful. She couldn't let Danny know she even thought about sex, let alone that his description was affecting her. That might bias his actions and the study data would be contaminated."Danny, I've never been touched that way, so I don't know. Now, what else did you do with Heather that was different?"Danny wasn't dumb and he was very observant. Those qualities are what made him a very valuable sire. He could watch a breeder's reactions to what he did and modify his behavior accordingly. He didn't miss the fact that in spite of the bra Regina wore, her nipples had stiffened enough he could see the bumps they made in her light blouse. He decided to see if he could cause any other responses in Regina, partly because it would be teasing her a little, but also because he was thinking he'd like to breed her. He didn't really know why, but the feeling was there and it was a stronger feeling than he'd had with any of the breeders he'd bred."Well, once I slipped a finger inside her, I knew she was probably ready, but she was still a little stiff. I remembered what you said about breeding success being better if the breeder was very aroused, so I kept stroking her inner lips and clitoris until she rolled her head to the side and started to take panting breaths. That's when I entered her. It didn't take her long to have an orgasm after that, and that was fortunate. The way she was responding was extremely erotic and I was having difficulty not having my own orgasm before she did."Regina squirmed in her chair because there was no doubt in her mind her panties were wet. She felt the wet warmth on the lips between her thighs. What Danny had just described was the same thing she did almost every night in her bed. She'd stroke her inner lips until they were wet with her juices and then move her finger up to the little button at the top of her lips.The first touch of that little stiff nub would make her gasp. Gentle rubbing would make her pant. All it took then was moving that finger quickly in and out. Regina would feel the tension building inside her, building to a level that tightened the muscles in her belly, hips, and legs and was almost unbearable. Then, suddenly, that tension would explode in a release that left her gasping for breath and quivering. She could only imagine how Heather had felt at that moment.Regina was uncomfortable about how she was reacting to what Danny told her, but she was also a little dumbfounded. They'd had this conversation many, many times and it had never affected her before. She'd always just assumed her clinical mindset and faithfully recorded what Danny said he had done. What could be the reason she couldn't do that now? The education and experience she'd gained in psychology should have been able to explain her reaction, and yet, she couldn't find any logical reason for it.She was the same, wasn't she? Danny was the same, wasn't he? Then what was different? Regina's mind was racing for an explanation when Danny smiled. He was going to push Regina just a little to see what she did."I could show you if you want. You would be getting first-hand experience into what a breeder feels. That might help your study more than just talking."Regina felt her face and chest grow warm. What Danny had just proposed was against all her training and education. A scientist was never, never, ever supposed to become personally involved in an experiment. Doing so would cause questions about ethics and validity of the data. She could not allow that to happen after so much time and money had been spent.The warmth that was spreading down to her breasts wasn't caused by Danny's challenge to her ethics though. It was caused by her desire to let him do what he said -- excite her until she wanted him and then breed her.It was the same thought that filled her mind when she aroused herself at night, though up until that day, the sire was just a faceless body. Now, that body had Danny's face, his broad shoulders, and his tall build. For an instant, the vision filled her mind of Danny between her open thighs, his cock buried deep inside her as the waves of her orgasm swept her away into the exquisite abyss of release.Regina felt her stomach contract and then more wet warmth between her thighs. She took a deep breath that didn't do anything to still what was happening to her."Danny, I -- I think I have enough information about your experience with Heather for now. Have you given any thought to which breeder you'd like to choose to breed a second time?"Danny smiled to himself because it was obvious he'd aroused Regina. Her face was flushed and she was breathing much faster than before he'd explained what he'd done with Heather. That in itself had started him on the road to arousal, but there was something else, something he couldn't put his finger on, but it was there. He wanted Regina, wanted to hear her gasps and moans as he aroused her. He wanted to feel the spasms that tightened her passage around his stiff, stroking cock and caused him to let go and fill her with his sperm. He wanted to feel her hands on his back as she tried to pull his cock deeper inside her as they made love.That was it, he suddenly realized. He didn't want to breed Regina. He wanted to make love with her. That was a new feeling for him. He'd always taken great care to make sure the breeder reached orgasm, but other than a very few, it had just been his job. He couldn't think of Regina as just another breeder. She was different.Danny smiled again."You're not going to like my answer.""Danny, you know there are no wrong answers to any of my questions. What you say is just how you honestly feel. Now, which breeder would you like to breed again?"Danny leaned forward and put his hand on Regina's knee."You", was all he said, and he smiled again when he felt the little tremble of Regina's leg.Regina's mind swirled again with that same vision of her and Danny together, naked and striving for the goal of release. She caught her breath when Danny squeezed her knee gently, then stammered, "Umm, me? I'm not a breeder.""I know and that's why"."But I can't."Danny slowly moved his hand a little higher up Regina's leg."Why? From what I'm seeing, you wouldn't be completely against the idea. You're breathing faster and your face is flushed. That's the same way the breeders react when I touch them, though it usually takes more touching in more places."Regina knew she couldn't hide what her body was doing from Danny, but she had thought maybe he wouldn't notice. Now that he had and was absolutely correct in his assessment of her, what could she say?"Even if I wanted to -- and I'm not saying I would - that would invalidate all my work because I'd be biased."Danny smiled and moved his hand up a little more."Wouldn't it just make it easier for you to understand how a breeder feels when I breed her? I'd think that was valuable information you could never get from an interview."Regina abruptly brushed Danny's hand off her leg and then stood up."I think we'd better end the interview right now."Without waiting for Danny to respond, she walked out of the interview room and left Danny sitting there.Academic Theories Be DamnedWhen she got back to her room, Regina dropped her clipboard on her desk and then sat down on the bed. What was wrong with her? What Danny had said was true. She did want him to breed her, wanted it more than she could remember ever wanting anything else. The thought had stirred something deep in her mind, something she'd never felt before.It's just hormones, she thought, and I know how to fix that for at least a while. She stood up, took off her clothes and lay back down on the bed.The first touch between her thighs told her she hadn't been imagining the wetness there, and she knew the reason. Her body was preparing itself to be penetrated by a man's rigid cock. She tried slipping a finger into her entrance and found it was even wetter there. The second finger she slipped in made Regina catch her breath.With her other hand, Regina closed two fingers around her right nipple and pinched gently. The effect was immediate. She stifled the moan that threatened to slip from her throat as her belly tightened. Another pinch tightened her belly again and she felt the tension begin building in her core.Regina's two fingers moved slowly in and out a few times, then moved up to the little smooth button at the top of her lips. Just a few strokes was all it took. Regina gasped as the first wave of spasms wracked her body, then arched up off the bed as the wave swept over her. She couldn't control what her body was doing. It just did what it felt like, and the only thing she saw in her mind was Danny's face above hers, a face wearing a mask of intense pleasure as he pumped his stiff cock in and out and spurted his sperm inside her.Regina lay there panting until the contractions in her core mostly stopped. It was relief from the tension, but as another twinge of tightness swept over her, she realized the orgasm had done nothing to take away the vision that still filled her mind. The only thing that would do that was the vision becoming reality and that scared her.She'd never before experienced such a longing, no, such a need, and she didn't know what to do about it. If she did as her scientist's mind was telling her, she'd put that need out of her mind and go on as she always had. The problem was the other part of her mind, the part that was screaming at her to go to Danny's room and make that vision a reality was quickly drowning out her logical self.Her logical mind struggled to be heard through the din.What if I got pregnant? That would be the end of my career. No, that can't happen. The W R E knew some psychologists might be tempted so all female psychologists had been temporarily sterilized by an implant. Regina felt for the implant and found the small bump on her shoulder where it had been inserted. No, she couldn't get pregnant.What if somebody found out? That would also end my career. Then she shook her head. Like Danny had said, that wasn't likely to happen. It wasn't unusual for her to spend hours interviewing a sire or a breeder. If she and Danny were together long enough for him to breed her, everybody would just think it was part of the interview process. It was a cardinal rule that once an interview started, no one was permitted to interrupt it unless there was some life threatening emergency that required evacuation of the residence. They wouldn't be disturbed no matter how long it took.In trying to give herself a reason why she shoul

Naomi Fisher is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Loyola University Chicago. She earned her Ph.D in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame in 2016, and prior to that earned her M.S. in physics from UC Davis.Her research focuses on Kant and German Idealism and Romanticism, specifically the relationship between nature, freedom, and rationality in Kant and Schelling. Currently, she is working on projects related to the impact of Plato and Neoplatonism on Schelling's philosophy. She also has interests in the broader history of philosophy, philosophy of science, and philosophy of religion.In her talk, she discusses: The disconnect between epiphanies and everyday thoughtOn the function of imagination in philosophyThe philosophy of art according to SchellingManifesting the divine through the power of imaginationComparing Schelling's work to the RomanticsOn accessing transcendent realitiesTo learn more about Naomi, you can find her at: Website: https://naomifisher.weebly.com/ Email: naomi.luce@gmail.com This episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/)Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

This week, we report from a lakeside cottage for a writer's retreat, so naturally we chose songs with themes of nature and escapism: the lakes + I Hate It Here! And, for the first time, Shakespeare joins us on the couch. Tune in to hear us talk about our unplugged weekend away as well as our thoughts on maladaptive daydreaming and Romanticism in literature. Enjoy! Follow us on Instagram or TikTok @swiftlorepod for clips, polls, and other fun things. To join our ⁠Patreon⁠, subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/SwiftlorePodcast. Want to send us something? Here's our P.O. Box address! Swiftlore Podcast P.O Box 53 Penfield, NY, 14526 Lastly! If you're interested in purchasing "Daisy, Plucked", here is the link to ⁠order:⁠ https://cewitherow.com/daisy-plucked See you all next week!

Author Jonathan Geltner and newcomer James Lapeyre join Chris to discuss the question that has doubtless kept all of us awake in the pre-dawn hours: Who was more of a Romantic: C.S. Lewis or J.R.R. Tolkien? Yes, the stakes have never been higher. We also talk generally about how the Inklings' view of their own roles overlapped with (and were influenced by) those of the eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Romantics. To what extent were the Inklings the real Romantics of their own age? I really enjoyed this conversation. Thanks to both James and Jonathan for coming on the show.  Apologies to all of you for the poor sound quality of my microphone. Also, a little more than halfway through, the Internet goes out--apologies for that, though we do find our footing pretty quickly thereafter. Many, many thanks to James for fixing the sound so that I'm actually intelligible here. Check out his substack at otterhat.substack.com/. Check out Jonathan's at jonathangeltner.substack.com/ I appreciate everyone's patience for this episode! Circumstances have conspired so that I have less time to edit since the semester ended, but I'll keep grinding these out occasionally if you all keep listening! I'll also try to keep putting out the old episodes Saturdays. Also! As always, my wife and I have a Christmas site and a Christmas book. If you're looking for ways to celebrate Advent and Christmas that both engage with the storehouse of tradition available to us--while allowing you and your family to forge your own Christmas traditions, you might find them helpful! The basic premise is that rather than having one day of Christmas (so much pressure!), we spread gift-giving out over the traditional twelve days of Christmas and pair it with reflection and other activities. It's really worked wonderfully for our family. As always, email me at inklingsvarietyhour@gmail.com if you have thoughts! And give us a five-star rating on iTunes (why not, it's Christmas) if you like what you hear. Also, I am planning to record on The Horse and His Boy this month (to be released at the beginning of Season 5 in March). If you'd like to join us to talk about it, just let me know!

Virgil has finished his second, clarifying discourse on love, but it hasn't done the trick. The pilgrim Dante is even more full of doubts . . . pregnant with them, in fact.Let's look at the pilgrim's second question to Virgil's discourse on love and talk about the complex ways Beatrice and even physical desire operate in the poem.I'm Mark Scarbrough. Thanks for coming on the journey with me.If you'd like to help underwrite the many fees associated with this podcast, you can do so at this PayPal link right here.Here are the segments for this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:[02:19] My English translation of the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XVIII, lines 40 - 48. If you'd like to read along or continue the conversation with me, please find this episode on my website, markscarbrough.com.[03:47] To understand Dante's concept of love, void the Renaissance and Romanticism out of your thinking.[09:48] An impregnated pilgrim brings up the sexual basis of desire (or love).[12:50] The pilgrim asks a crucial question for any religion: How am I responsible?[15:22] The allegory of Virgil and Beatrice comes close, even while Beatrice remains a physical draw for desire.[19:01] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XVIII, lines 40 - 48.

In this episode of the Celebrate Kids podcast, we explore the complexities of relationships in a hyper-sexualized world and how the church can play a pivotal role in guiding our understanding of friendship and romantic partnerships. Dr. Kathy discusses the challenges parents face in teaching their children about meaningful connections amidst cultural pressures that often misconstrue appreciation between individuals. She references biblical figures like David and Jonathan to highlight the need for a renewed perspective on relationships, emphasizing that we are designed for connection. Dr. Kathy provides insights and scripture-based guidance, encouraging listeners to foster healthy relationships that bring light to dark times. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion aimed at equipping parents with the tools they need to navigate these important conversations.

Greetings and welcome to Episode 3 of Panosopher's Podcast.   In this conversation, Rudolf meets with Australian Freemason Travis Trinca.  This autumn, Travis released “The Temple and the Vault” (Lewis Masonic Publishing); a dedicated cross-tradition study of landscape and ritual in the search for Truth.  Gentle yet candid, our author shares his personal initiatory journey- starting out in an a-religious family home, an extended journey with Rosicrucianism, and then entering into Freemasonry after the birth of his son. In non-Temple life, Travis holds an MBA and the accomplishments of adulthood. Within the Temple, he celebrates an ever-unfolding journey to spiritual maturity.  Travis and Rudolf explore the landscape of mythic truth, Romanticism, and the interface of historic legend in our current time.  They look at the implications of 20th Century “research” focused regard of historical figures, versus a past tolerance for thematic embellishment.  Do mythic landscapes and ritual translate effectively over centuries?  To what extent is it the responsibility of an Order to adapt and re-present the themes of the original analogies?  To what extend is this the responsibility of the individual truth-seeking Initiate?  What are our capacities? In their collective cornucopia of knowledge, Travis and Rudolf enthusiastically speak not only about Freemasonry, but also the Ancient and Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC); The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn; and the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (SRIA).  Unity is found in diversity, and the interface between text, tradition, and Truth-seeking.  May this conversation prompt Meaning in all listeners.  Music played in this episode Ritualistic music exists in different forms and from all cultures of the world - initation and music have always been linked.  In this episode, we play derivates of such music. 1) GAMELAN MUSIC FROM INDONESIA (Track starts at 4:38) 2) CLAUDE DEBUSSY - PAGODES from Estampesperformed by Claudio Arrau (Track starts at 51:28) 3) DAVID SKIDMORE - RITUAL MUSIC - for 4 percussionists (Track starts at 1:29:33) Intro and Outro Musicespecially written and recorded for the Pansophers Podcast by Chris Roberts

Has modern humanity lost its connection to the world outside our heads? And can our experience of art and poetry help train us for a more elevated resonance with the cosmos?In today's episode, theologian Miroslav Volf interviews philosopher Charles Taylor about his latest book, Cosmic Connections: Poetry in the Age of Disenchantment. In it he turns to poetry to help articulate the human experience of the cosmos we're a part of.Together they discuss the modern Enlightenment view of our relation to the world and its shortcomings; modern disenchantment and the prospects of reenchantment through art and poetry; Annie Dillard and the readiness to experience the world and what it's always offering; how to hold the horrors of natural life with the transcendent joys; Charles recites some of William Wordsworth's “Tintern Abbey” and Gerard Manley Hopkins's “The Windhover”; how to become fully arrested by beauty; and the value we find in human experience of the world.Production NotesThis podcast featured Charles Taylor and Miroslav VolfEdited and Produced by Evan RosaHosted by Evan RosaProduction Assistance by Emily Brookfield, Alexa Rollow, Kacie Barrett, and Zoë HalabanA Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/aboutSupport For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

Welcome back to The Literary Life podcast and the wrap up of our series on Samuel Taylor Coleridge's Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Today Angelina and Thomas cover the second half of the poem, beginning with some more discussion about the Romantic poets and what they were trying to do through their work. They talk at some length about the importance of imagination and fantasy in response to the focus on realism and science. After this, Thomas reads aloud some of the most important passages in this section of the poem. Angelina brings up the importance of understanding Deism in relation to Romanticism. To see all the books and get the full show notes for today's episode, visit our website for the complete show notes here: https://www.theliterary.life/249/.

In discussions about technology, and maybe especially within climatetech, the concept of the "Faustian bargain" is common. But what does it actually mean, and is it as simple as concept as it is typically considered? In today's special Halloween episode, Reversing Climate Change host, Ross Kenyon, intros the show by giving the necessary historical context to understand Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust, and to contrast it against Christophe Marlowe's Doctor Faustus. Get ready for a dose of Romanticism. When the Faustian bargain is invoked, it usually means a bad deal—one with no upside except for a short-sighted one. And that may be true for Marlowe's Faust, but Goethe's Faust wins his bet with Mephistopheles and his soul is never damned. What does that mean for how we use the term, when persistent survival if not actual upside is reintroduced into the Faustian bargain? What if, at least according to Goethe, making a deal with the devil isn't always as straightforwardly bad as one might think? Today's guest is frequent podcast alumni and multihyphenate, Daniel Backer. Daniel produces virtuosic music, writes insightful novels, and creates video content about literary fiction on both his YouTube and TikTok channels. Be sure to follow his work! Daniel and Ross spend much of the show exploring what it does to one's brain to take claims of high strangeness, the paranormal, and the occult seriously, and why horror films (especially those of Ari Aster) deserve a better reputation. Happy Halloween!N.B. Reversing Climate Change is no longer a Nori podcast, but its own show. Outdated assets will be updated if and as possible. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/support

On today's episode of The Literary Life, Angelina and Thomas discuss the first half of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's Rime of the Ancient Mariner. They review some of the ideas covered last week, particularly Romanticism and the harkening back to the medieval tradition in contrast to the Neo-Classicism that preceded this period. Thomas sets up the plot with an explanation of the “frame tale,” then reads several of the opening stanzas, pausing frequently for commentary and discussion with Angelina. They talk about the symbolism of the albatross, plus so much more! To see all the books and get the full show notes for today's episode, visit our website for the complete show notes here: https://www.theliterary.life/248/.

J.D. Peabody joins Chris once again, this time to talk about the third and (for now) final installment of his Inkwell Chronicles series: Operation Bungaree.   Here's the link to the book from JD's page.   We've still got a lot of episodes for Season 4. Thanks for the very kind five-star reviews! At the moment, it's all I can do to juggle my teaching load and editing/releasing twice a month, but please do keep the ratings and reviews coming, and as always, email me at inklingsvarietyhour@gmail.com with any responses, requests, or ideas. Next time: The Inklings and Romanticism!

An interview with Marc James Léger00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement00:13 Mark James Leger on Identity Politics05:25 Personal Experiences and Public Secrets10:21 The Impact of Identity Politics on Academia14:22 Historical Context and Marxism22:48 The Shift from Class to Identity Politics29:29 The Professional Managerial Class and Cultural Shifts40:45 Post-War Cultural Changes and Consumerism53:32 Emergence of New Social Mores54:16 The Cultural Impact of Barbie54:54 Current State of Society55:33 Challenges in Publishing56:19 Slide156:28 Critique of Bernie Sanders' Campaign58:02 Slide358:05 Obama's Official Portraits Controversy59:51 Identity Politics and Class Struggle59:51 Slide401:01:47 Slide501:03:43 The Rise of Fascism and Identity Politics01:19:47 Slide1201:21:28 Art and Identity in Academia01:33:06 Slide601:37:08 Historical Perspectives on Art01:39:11 Renaissance Humanism and Artistic Evolution01:40:29 The Shift from Feudal to Bourgeois Art01:41:39 Romanticism and the Bohemian Avant-Garde01:43:22 The Rise of Autonomous Art and Van Gogh01:45:30 Post-War Cultural Shifts and the Petty Bourgeoisie01:49:06 The Professional Managerial Class and Identity Politics01:55:41 The Left's Struggle with Class and Identity02:11:10 Cultural Production and Critique in Modern Times02:16:31 Slide3002:17:27 Slide3102:19:50 Slide3302:22:59 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsMarc on AcademiaTo financially support the Podcast you can make:a per-episode donation via Patreon or one-off donation via credit card; orone-off or regular donations via Paypal orif you are into Cryptocurrency you can send Satoshis. We Livestream every Monday night at 8:00 pm Brisbane time. Follow us on Facebook or YouTube. Watch us live and join the discussion in the chat room.You can sign up for our newsletter, which links to articles that Trevor has highlighted as potentially interesting and that may be discussed on the podcast. You will get 3 emails per week.We have a website. www.ironfistvelvetglove.com.auYou can email us. The address is trevor@ironfistvelvetglove.com.auYou can send us a voicemail message at SpeakpipeWe have a sister podcast called IFVG Evergreen. It is a collection of evergreen content from the weekly podcast. Transcripts started in episode 324. You can use

In this episode we commemorate the life and work and ongoing influence of Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849), 175 years after his death. Poe is a fascinating historical figure and his literary work is known throughout the world. In this episode, we explore both his complicated life story as well as his ongoing influence on all forms of creative production. We discuss the loss of his mother and his early years in London; we examine the role of Romanticism in his writing; we take you through his time in Baltimore and his role in the development of the horror genre; and lastly, we discuss his continual presence in contemporary pop culture. Gottfried Haufe moderates this episode with special guest Dr. Verena Adamik from the University of Potsdam.

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom podcast, host Stewart Alsop welcomes guest Neal Davies, a former computer science professor and nuclear engineering PhD, currently working at the Urbit Foundation. Their conversation covers a range of intriguing topics including the Deseret Alphabet, a phonetic alphabet from the 19th century, Neal's experiences balancing generalist and specialist roles, and the influence of AI in both his work and the world at large. Neal also shares his insights on syntax, symbols, and the cultural shifts that have shaped modern consciousness. You can connect with Neal on Twitter @Sigilante or find him on Urbit as @Lagravnokvap.Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!Timestamps00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast00:19 Exploring the Deseret Alphabet04:02 Challenges and Rewards of Being a Generalist06:47 Impact of AI on Generalism and Specialization08:24 AI in Code and Image Generation13:43 Salvador Dali's Paranoiac Critical Method17:18 Symbolism in Art and Language20:49 The Spiritual Connection with Language30:05 Greek Influence on Language and Zero32:59 Exploring Number Systems35:10 Rational Numbers and Greek Innovations38:12 The Evolution of Linguistic Systems40:29 Cultural Shifts: 1870s to 1960s45:46 The Impact of the 1960s on Modern Thought49:58 The Role of Illegible Spaces in Innovation56:11 Concluding Thoughts and Future DirectionsKey Insights1-Deseret Alphabet as a Cultural and Linguistic Experiment: Neal Davies is deeply fascinated by the 19th-century Deseret Alphabet, a phonetic alphabet created to help immigrants in Utah become literate. Its unique structure and religious origins present a profound example of how language can be intentionally shaped to serve a community, although this project ultimately didn't gain widespread adoption.2-Balancing Generalism and Specialization: Neal shares his personal journey of pursuing generalist roles while maintaining expertise in specific fields like computer science and nuclear engineering. He emphasizes the value of broad, diverse knowledge in a world that often rewards specialization. His approach allows for flexibility and creativity in problem-solving, despite the professional challenges generalists may face in a society focused on specialization.3-AI as a Tool for Productivity, Not Replacement: Neal highlights the utility of AI in his work, particularly in code generation and ideation. He discusses how tools like GitHub's Copilot act as force multipliers for developers, offering a starting point that saves time without replacing the critical thinking required for final implementation. AI is seen as a support system for creativity, especially in programming and image generation.4-Syntax and Symbols as Catalysts for Thought: Neal discusses the profound relationship between syntax, symbols, and thought. By exploring different symbol systems, such as mathematical notation or alphabets like Deseret, he argues that they can unlock new ways of thinking. Symbol systems not only shape reasoning but allow people to build layers of understanding and explore more complex ideas.5-Cultural Experimentation and Enclaves: Reflecting on the importance of high variance in human endeavor, Neal supports creating enclaves of culture and thought outside the mainstream. He argues that monoculture, driven by surveillance and conformity, limits the ability to think freely and explore novel solutions. Platforms like Urbit, which emphasize privacy and decentralized communication, provide a space for communities to experiment and innovate without being surveilled or controlled.6-The Failure and Legacy of the 1960s Counterculture: Neal suggests that the cultural revolution of the 1960s was an ambitious attempt at societal transformation that ultimately failed. Co-opted by commercialism, politics, and other forces, the movement couldn't fully realize its vision of reshaping consciousness. However, it planted seeds for future cultural shifts, much like the influence of the Romanticists in the 19th century.7-The Importance of Illegibility in Innovation: Neal explains that true freedom in innovation comes from creating spaces where ideas and communities can evolve without constant oversight. He draws a parallel to Hemingway's theory that the unseen parts of a story are as important as the visible ones. Similarly, innovation flourishes when parts of a system or community remain illegible and unobserved, allowing for creativity and growth beyond the constraints of external control.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comBill Wasik is the editorial director of The New York Times Magazine. Monica Murphy is a veterinarian and a writer. Their first book, Rabid: A Cultural History of the World's Most Diabolical Virus, was a bestseller, and they're back with a new one: Our Kindred Creatures: How Americans Came to Feel the Way They Do About Animals.For two clips of our convo — on the beginnings of dog welfare, and the “Uncle Tom's Cabin” for animal activism — pop over to our YouTube page. Other topics: writing a book as a married couple; the mass extinctions of early America; bison at the brink; how horses increased after the Industrial Revolution and drove the early movement for animal welfare; “the best humanitarian ideas came from England”; bullfighting in Spain; the profound role and colorful character of Henry Bergh; his founding of the ASPCA; the absence of vegetarianism among early activists; PT Barnum's sympathy and exploitation; transporting Beluga whales by train; the public clashes between Barnum and Bergh; journalism's role in animal welfare; George Angell's magazine Our Dumb Animals; the anti-slavery Atlantic Monthly; animal activism growing out of abolitionism; Darwin; Romanticism; George Bird Grinnell and first Audubon Society; fashion and consumerism; wearing hats with whole birds; the emotional lives of dogs; the activism around strays; the brutality of early shelters; rabies and dog catchers; Louis Pasteur and the rabies vaccine; Anna Sewell's Black Beauty; how she was robbed of royalties; the treatment of horses in Central Park; reform movements driven by elites; class resentment; Animal Farm and Watership Down; the cruelty of today's food industry; pig crates; Pope Francis; and Matthew Scully's Dominion.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy (the first 102 are free in their entirety — subscribe to get everything else). Coming up: Walter Kirn on his political evolution, Musa al-Gharbi on wokeness, Sam Harris for our quadrennial chat before Election Day, and Damon Linker on the election results. Wait, there's more: Peggy Noonan on America, Anderson Cooper on grief, Christine Rosen on humanness in a digital world, Mary Matalin on anything but politics, and John Gray on, well, everything.Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.

If the strained relationship between science and Romanticism had an anthem, it might be today's poem. Happy reading. Get full access to The Daily Poem Podcast at dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom podcast, host Stewart Alsop welcomes guest Neal Davies, a former computer science professor and nuclear engineering PhD, currently working at the Urbit Foundation. Their conversation covers a range of intriguing topics including the Deseret Alphabet, a phonetic alphabet from the 19th century, Neal's experiences balancing generalist and specialist roles, and the influence of AI in both his work and the world at large. Neal also shares his insights on syntax, symbols, and the cultural shifts that have shaped modern consciousness. You can connect with Neal on Twitter @Sigilante or find him on Urbit as @Lagravnokvap.Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!Timestamps00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast00:19 Exploring the Deseret Alphabet04:02 Challenges and Rewards of Being a Generalist06:47 Impact of AI on Generalism and Specialization08:24 AI in Code and Image Generation13:43 Salvador Dali's Paranoiac Critical Method17:18 Symbolism in Art and Language20:49 The Spiritual Connection with Language30:05 Greek Influence on Language and Zero32:59 Exploring Number Systems35:10 Rational Numbers and Greek Innovations38:12 The Evolution of Linguistic Systems40:29 Cultural Shifts: 1870s to 1960s45:46 The Impact of the 1960s on Modern Thought49:58 The Role of Illegible Spaces in Innovation56:11 Concluding Thoughts and Future DirectionsKey InsightsDeseret Alphabet as a Cultural and Linguistic Experiment: Neal Davies is deeply fascinated by the 19th-century Deseret Alphabet, a phonetic alphabet created to help immigrants in Utah become literate. Its unique structure and religious origins present a profound example of how language can be intentionally shaped to serve a community, although this project ultimately didn't gain widespread adoption.Balancing Generalism and Specialization: Neal shares his personal journey of pursuing generalist roles while maintaining expertise in specific fields like computer science and nuclear engineering. He emphasizes the value of broad, diverse knowledge in a world that often rewards specialization. His approach allows for flexibility and creativity in problem-solving, despite the professional challenges generalists may face in a society focused on specialization.AI as a Tool for Productivity, Not Replacement: Neal highlights the utility of AI in his work, particularly in code generation and ideation. He discusses how tools like GitHub's Copilot act as force multipliers for developers, offering a starting point that saves time without replacing the critical thinking required for final implementation. AI is seen as a support system for creativity, especially in programming and image generation.Syntax and Symbols as Catalysts for Thought: Neal discusses the profound relationship between syntax, symbols, and thought. By exploring different symbol systems, such as mathematical notation or alphabets like Deseret, he argues that they can unlock new ways of thinking. Symbol systems not only shape reasoning but allow people to build layers of understanding and explore more complex ideas.Cultural Experimentation and Enclaves: Reflecting on the importance of high variance in human endeavor, Neal supports creating enclaves of culture and thought outside the mainstream. He argues that monoculture, driven by surveillance and conformity, limits the ability to think freely and explore novel solutions. Platforms like Urbit, which emphasize privacy and decentralized communication, provide a space for communities to experiment and innovate without being surveilled or controlled.The Failure and Legacy of the 1960s Counterculture: Neal suggests that the cultural revolution of the 1960s was an ambitious attempt at societal transformation that ultimately failed. Co-opted by commercialism, politics, and other forces, the movement couldn't fully realize its vision of reshaping consciousness. However, it planted seeds for future cultural shifts, much like the influence of the Romanticists in the 19th century.The Importance of Illegibility in Innovation: Neal explains that true freedom in innovation comes from creating spaces where ideas and communities can evolve without constant oversight. He draws a parallel to Hemingway's theory that the unseen parts of a story are as important as the visible ones. Similarly, innovation flourishes when parts of a system or community remain illegible and unobserved, allowing for creativity and growth beyond the constraints of external control.

In this episode, pastor, author, and Christianity Today columnist Andrew Wilson uses the acronym W.E.I.R.D.E.R. (W-western, E-education, I-industrialized, R-rich, D-democratic, E-ex-Christian, R-romantic) to explain how our Western culture is distancing itself from Christianity, even though Christianity is the foundation of Western society. He discusses seven major developments from the year 1776— globalization, the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, the Great Enrichment, the American Revolution, the rise of post-Christianity, and the dawn of Romanticism—and explains their relevance to social changes happening today. Listen in as Andrew helps us understand why many aspects of our society feel unfamiliar right now and calls us to intentionally operate in our Christian values. Resources Check out Andrew's book, Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West. Apply the THINQ Framework to pressing cultural issues. Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com. Attend THINQ events where you can gather with like-minded leaders, ask better questions and have conversations that lead to wisdom: Host Faithfulness in our Political Moment in your local community on October 3, 2024. Register for Next Gen Summit, November 8-9, 2024 in Nashville. Bring the 28-Day Digital Fast to your family, workplace, or church throughout the month of January. More from the THINQ Podcast Network: The InFormed Parent with Suzanne Phillips NextUp with Grant Skeldon NeuroFaith with Curt Thompson UnderCurrent with Gabe Lyons

In this episode, the Pugs use an article from The Imaginative Conservative called “The Artistic and Intellectual Temperaments” by Michael De Sapio as a jumping off point to discuss art, intellectual life, and the connections and disconnections between the two. The guys discuss medieval and Renaissance art, modern art, Romanticism, poetry, intellectual life and academia, and roller skating down the Gugenheim. Article: https://theimaginativeconservative.org/2024/07/artistic-intellectual-temperaments-michael-de-sapio.html Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 The Theology Pugcast is a ministry of Trinity Reformed Church in Huntsville Alabama. To view more media from TRC, visit their website: https://trinityreformedkirk.com/trc-media/

In this episode, the Pugs use an article from The Imaginative Conservative called “The Artistic and Intellectual Temperaments” by Michael De Sapio as a jumping off point to discuss art, intellectual life, and the connections and disconnections between the two. The guys discuss medieval and Renaissance art, modern art, Romanticism, poetry, intellectual life and academia, and roller skating down the Gugenheim. Article: https://theimaginativeconservative.org/2024/07/artistic-intellectual-temperaments-michael-de-sapio.html Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 The Theology Pugcast is a ministry of Trinity Reformed Church in Huntsville Alabama. To view more media from TRC, visit their website: https://trinityreformedkirk.com/trc-media/