Wednesday, September 17, 2025
How to make a damn good movie--
First, write a damn good book.
Second, have a damn good screenplay made from it.
Find the money.
Find the actors.
Find or create the locations.
Start filming.
Post production--get it edited.
It might take you ten years.
In the meantime, keep writing (and making movies) and get your personal life in order.
It ain't easy.
Like life in general, IT'S A Gamble.
a crap shoot.
Kyi May Kaung
From Oppenheimer wiki:
Oppenheimer entered Harvard College in 1922 at age 18. He majored in chemistry; Harvard also required studies in history, literature, and philosophy or mathematics. To compensate for the delay caused by his illness, he took six courses each term instead of the usual four. He was admitted to the undergraduate honor society Phi Beta Kappa and was granted graduate standing in physics on the basis of independent study, allowing him to bypass basic courses in favor of advanced ones. He was attracted to experimental physics by a course on thermodynamics taught by Percy Bridgman. Oppenheimer graduated from Harvard in 1925 with a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, after only three years of study.[15]
Read Black Hawk Down, the book, and watch the movie. It might be very graphic.
ALWAYS--read the book at the same time as the movie made from some book.
If in a crunch and you cannot find or afford the movie, read the book.
Often, the original book is better--however--sometimes the movie is "easier" to understand
e.g. The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje.
Sometimes the movie is never made--e.g. Salman Rushdie's books.
kmk
Robert Oppenheimer from American Prometheus.
Oppenheimer is an excellent movie.
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
AI overview--The Last King of Scotland
AI Overview
The Last King of Scotland is not a factual account but a fictional story loosely inspired by real events and figures, centered on the fictional Dr. Nicholas Garrigan and the real dictator Idi Amin. While the film accurately portrays the brutality and some key historical events of Amin's regime, many of the main plot points, including Garrigan's backstory and specific incidents, are invented to serve the narrative. The character of Dr. Garrigan is a composite, with his real-life counterpart being the somewhat less dramatic figure Bob Astles, a former British soldier who became one of Amin's advisors.
Elements that are true or based on truth:
Idi Amin's Rule:
The film's portrayal of Idi Amin's dictatorial and violent regime is based on historical facts.
Key Historical Events:
Some historical events, such as the overthrow of Apollo Obote in 1971 and the hijacking of an airplane, are included in the story.
Bob Astles:
The character of Dr. Garrigan was inspired by Bob Astles, a real British soldier who became a close advisor to Amin.
Kay Amin's Death:
Thestory includes the tragic and graphic circumstances of one of Amin's wives, Kay, which is based on real events involving a lover and a botched abortion. Elements that are fictional: Nicholas Garrigan: The main character, Dr. Nicholas Garrigan, is a fictional invention and does not represent a specific real person. The Doctor's Escape: The specific details of Garrigan's dramatic escape from Amin's regime are a fictional creation. Specific Events: Many specific incidents depicted in the film, such as the gruesome taxidermy of Kay Amin's body and Garrigan's involvement with her, are fabricated for the story. In essence, the movie uses the factual framework of Idi Amin's brutal reign to tell a fictional story through the eyes of a fabricated protagonist.
I'm planning a fictional version inspired by her, but only like her in spirit. Everything else will be different--
like Giles Foden's The Last King of Scotland, about a Scottish doctor and Idi Amin.
I can't say 'Good night" as it's morning.
Maybe I can say Bon Journo--which is all I know.
Remarkable woman, that I corresponded with--but never met in person. I did give Zarni her email when he said he would be in Florence.
https://www.irrawaddy.com/from-the-archive/lunch-myanmar-princess.html
Obviously a much richer and complex and better personality than the womanizing dictator.
Burmese horses.
AI Overview
Racehorses bred for the Rangoon Turf Club included Thoroughbreds from England and select native breeds from central Burma
. The wealthy Burmese elite also maintained their own stables with a preference for local breeds with a distinctive reddish, tamarind-seed colored coat.
Thoroughbreds
As a British colonial institution, the club used English Thoroughbreds, which were considered elite racehorses.
Some stables, like that of wealthy racing enthusiast Thein Pe, imported their favorite Thoroughbreds directly from England.
Burmese native breeds
In addition to imports, the club used horses from local stock, specifically those from Meiktila and Pakokku in central Burma.
The Burmese horse is a native breed of Myanmar.
The Shan horse, also native to Myanmar, is another type of small mountain pony from the Shan Highland that could have been used.
A particularly sought-after type of local racehorse was a breed with a reddish, tamarind-seed colored coat.
Monday, September 15, 2025
Panis Angelicus--in Latin and English--unfortunately you can't sing it in English. Fortunately--you can only sing it in Latin..
Google releases its LLM (Large Language Model) VaultGemma
By running experiments with varying model sizes and noise-batch ratios, the team established a basic understanding of differential privacy scaling laws, which is a balance between the compute budget, privacy budget, and data budget. In short, more noise leads to lower-quality outputs unless offset with a higher compute budget (FLOPs) or data budget (tokens). The paper details the scaling laws for private LLMs, which could help developers find an ideal noise-batch ratio to make a model more private.
Building VaultGemma
This work on differential privacy has led to a new open-weight Google model called VaultGemma. The model uses differential privacy to reduce the possibility of memorization, which could change how Google builds privacy into its future AI agents. For now, though, the company's first differential privacy model is an experiment.
VaultGemma is based on the Gemma 2 foundational model, which is a generation behind Google's latest open model family. The team used the scaling laws derived from its initial testing to train VaultGemma with the optimal differential privacy. This model isn't particularly large in the grand scheme, clocking in at just 1 billion parameters. However, Google Research says VaultGemma performs similarly to non-private models of a similar size.
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/09/google-releases-vaultgemma-its-first-privacy-preserving-llm/
From "Utah residents reel"--NPR--My cousins and I were in St. George a few hours in 2016 on our way to canyonland. Very dry like that.
Utah governor says Kirk alleged shooter is not co-operating, but his family has.
Also seemed to say some things that echo the Maga line--like "transgendering room mate."
Later walked back saying he didn't know if that was relevant to the investigation.
Still unclear whether Robinson has a defense lawyer.
Defense lawyers typically start as soon as suspect or arrested person is in custody. Watch and listen carefully. Even if he did do it, he still has to have a fair trial and his day in court.
Right and MAGA were calling for death sentence.
Probably trial should not be in Utah but in a blue state--
Kirk said some terrible things on a regular basis--supported gun rights.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gvrw2pgedo?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
Sunday, September 14, 2025
F*ck--I no longer live in Philly, so not eligible for a Free Library of Philadelphia card
but here's a 48 page preview which is also hard to read.
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Saragossa_Manuscript/O6QxAwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover
Maybe I will give it up--print copy is a bit expensive even used.
Guy de Maupassant's The Diamond Necklace--from Gutenberg Project--The Complete Short Stories of de Maupassant.
He wrote 300 short stories and 3 novels and died of syphilis.
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/3090/pg3090-images.html#id_2H_4_0056
The writer and the countess--AI--
AI Overview
Guy de Maupassant had a known friendship with the Polish aristocrat Countess Potocka, to whom he wrote at least one letter
. There are no other prominent references to the Potocki family in Maupassant's body of work, though the name appears in the context of the Polish author Jan Potocki's work, which Maupassant may have read.
References to Countess Potocka
A personal letter: A manuscript shows a letter written by Maupassant to Countess Potocka, noted for its personal and detailed content. The letter, described as being 36 lines long, suggests a close relationship between the two.
Source of support: One catalog description of the letter notes that the Countess granted Maupassant a "great deal of freedom," hinting at a supportive or patron-like relationship between the writer and the noblewoman.
Connection to Jan Potocki's work
Some sources refer to Maupassant in the context of Jan Potocki's 18th-century novel, The Manuscript Found in Saragossa. While Maupassant does not reference Jan Potocki directly in his writing, the works of both authors have been discussed in an intertextual tradition of the Gothic novel. For example, one English translation of Potocki's novel was published alongside Maupassant's collected works.
Other Potocki references
Apart from the personal letter to Countess Potocka, searches of Maupassant's short stories and travel memoirs, such as his work on Sicily, do not reveal other significant references to the Potocki family or prominent members like Stanisław Kostka Potocki.
Name that died out--AI--maybe--AI is sometimes wrong.
AI Overview
There isn't a single "modern day Potocki family" that is publicly identifiable as the continuation of the ancient Polish noble line; the family's influence waned after the 20th century, leading to dispersal into western European exile and diminished landholdings. While individuals with the surname Potocki exist today, they are likely descendants who have integrated into broader society, rather than maintaining the aristocratic structure of their ancestors.
Historical Context
Prominent Aristocracy:
The Potocki family was a powerful and wealthy Polish noble clan, holding vast lands and political influence in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Austrian Galicia: They maintained significant power under Austrian rule in the province of Galicia after the Polish partitions, becoming one of the most influential elites there. Land Ownership: As late as the first half of the 20th century, the family controlled about 25% of Galicia's land area, owning many palaces and estates. Decline and Dispersal Post-World War II: . Following the events of the mid-20th century, the family's holdings were lost, and surviving members fled into western European exile. Cultural Shift: . The rise of Soviet rule and the changed political landscape meant the loss of prestige and the dispersal of the family into the general population. Contemporary Situation Surname Continuation: . Many individuals today bear the surname Potocki, but they are not necessarily connected to the historical aristocratic lineage. Modern Society: . The descendants of the noble Potocki family, like many other aristocratic families, have likely assimilated into modern society, with their once grand lifestyles replaced by more common pursuits. No Central "Modern" Family: . There isn't a single, prominent modern Potocki family group that carries the same name recognition and power as their historical ancestors.
I'm reading a biography of Keynes' and this is from Kalecki wiki--with a quote from Joan Robinson.
In Warsaw in 1968-9 I heard of a Ph.D. student of Kalecki (Jewish) who was having trouble with her thesis--Michal Kalecki this wiki says--died in 1970.
Actually,I am looking for a Polish man's name--for fiction--and of course I can't use the names of any famous persons, though I might be able to get away with a surname of one of the magnate families who went extinct.
In Warsaw I was walking around with my sister, who is more extrovert that I, and she said the Polish guy (tutor) with us pointed out the Radziwill Palace to her. Polish winter, very very cold--and we knew very little Polish,so difficult to evesdrop.
well--here's what wiki says:
Revolution of Kalecki and Keynes: 1933–1939
In 1933 Kalecki wrote Próba teorii koniunktury ('An Attempt at the Theory of the Business Cycle'), an essay that brought together many of the issues that dominated his thought for the rest of his life. In the essay Kalecki for the first time developed a comprehensive theory of business cycles. The foundations of his macroeconomic theory of effective demand presented in the paper anticipated similar ideas published three years later by John Maynard Keynes in The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money.[7] According to Lawrence Klein (1951), Kalecki "created a system that contains everything of importance in the Keynesian system, in addition to other contributions".[7] In an introduction to the essay's 1966 English translation, Joan Robinson wrote: "Its sharp and concentrated statement provides a better introduction to the general theory of employment, interest and money than any that has yet been produced."[7]
Except for a small number of economists (in particular econometricians) familiar with his work, Kalecki's contributions, originally in Polish, failed to gain recognition.[4] In October 1933 he read his essay to the International Econometrics Association in Leiden and in 1935 published it in two major journals: Revue d'Economie Politique and Econometrica.[4] Readers of neither journal were particularly impressed, but the article received favourable comments from such leading economists as Ragnar Frisch and Jan Tinbergen.
In 1936 Kalecki protested the politically motivated actions taken by the Institute of Research against his colleagues, including Landau. Kalecki resigned, and having been granted a Rockefeller Foundation's Traveling Fellowship, proceeded to work abroad.[4]
Trinity College, Cambridge
The scholarship enabled Kalecki to travel with his wife to Sweden, where followers of Knut Wicksell were trying to formalize a theory similar to Kalecki's. In Sweden in 1936 he learnt of the publication of Keynes's General Theory. Kalecki was working on a comprehensive elaboration of the economic ideas he had previously developed, but having found in Keynes's book much of what he was going to say, he interrupted his work and traveled to England.[7] He first visited the London School of Economics and afterward went to Cambridge.[4] Thus began his friendships with Richard Kahn, Joan Robinson and Piero Sraffa, which left an indelible mark on all of them. In 1937 Kalecki met Keynes. The meeting was cool and Keynes kept aloof. Although the conclusions they had reached in their work were very similar, their characters could not have been more different. Kalecki graciously neglected to mention that he had a priority of publication. As Joan Robinson stated:
"Michal Kalecki's claim to priority of publication is indisputable. With proper scholarly dignity (which, however, is unfortunately rather rare among scholars) he never mentioned this fact. And, indeed, except for the authors concerned, it is not particularly interesting to know who first got into print. The interesting thing is that two thinkers, from completely different political and intellectual starting points, should come to the same conclusion. For us in Cambridge it was a great comfort."[8]
Later Kalecki always acknowledged that the "Keynesian Revolution" was an appropriate name for the movement in economics, as he realized the importance of Keynes's established position, the recognition Keynes enjoyed and his decisive role in the promotion and causing eventual acceptance of the ideas that Kalecki pioneered.[7]
In 1939 Kalecki wrote one of his most important works, Essays in the Theory of Economic Fluctuations. Although his conception changed through the years, all the essential elements of Kaleckian economics were already present in this work: in a sense his subsequent publications would consist of mere elaborations on the ideas propounded here.
While Kalecki was generally enthusiastic about the Keynesian Revolution, in his article Political Aspects of Full Employment, which Anatole Kaletsky called one of the most prescient economic papers ever published, he predicted it would not endure.[9] Kalecki believed that the full employment delivered by Keynesian policy would eventually lead to a more assertive working class and weakening of the social position of business leaders, causing the elite to react to the erosion of their political power and force a displacement of that policy, in spite of profits being higher than under a laissez-faire system.[9][10][a]
end quote.
And I saw Nobel Laureate Lawrence Klein coming out of van Pelt library with a stack of books 3 feet high in his arms--he knew I recognized him and had that celebrity look in his eyes, which I think were blue--but actually I am not a fan of econometrics and his Wharton Economic Associates had trouble because some predictions were wrong.
Anyway, --and also Joan Robinson came to Burma, yes indeed, and my late mentor Ronald E.Findlay met her--he had written an article for a famous journal. I used to proof read his work.
Kyi May Kaung.
Prominent Krakow families--18th century.
AI Overview
Prominent noble families in 18th-century Krakow included the influential Czartoryski and Potocki families, who were major magnates of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Other powerful szlachta (noble) families with a strong presence in the region were the Lanckoroński and Lubomirski. Additionally, Krakow's artistic scene featured the Korpal family, a notable dynasty of painters and sculptors who established themselves in the city during that period.
Major Noble Families
Czartoryski family:
.
A leading noble family in 18th-century Poland, eclipsing others in power and prestige within the Commonwealth.
Potocki family:
.
A rival noble family to the Czartoryski, also holding significant power in the Kingdom of Poland.
Lanckoroński family:
.
An old and wealthy aristocratic family with a strong presence in Poland from the 14th century through the end of the Commonwealth in the 18th century.
Lubomirski family:
.
Another prominent szlachta family with influence in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Artistic and Cultural Families
Korpal family: A distinguished dynasty of painters and sculptors who migrated to Krakow from the Podlasie region in the 18th century. Their presence highlights the flow of artists and craftsmen to Krakow, which was a major cultural and learning center.
Kaspersky software ban--
Why is Kaspersky no longer allowed in the US?
The U.S. government enacted the Kaspersky ban, citing significant national security risks, as Kaspersky software has ties with Russia.Jun 24, 2025
The Kaspersky Software Ban—What You Need to Know to Stay Safe ...
McAfee
https://www.mcafee.com › blogs › security-news › the-k...
Achievements and Experiences to Date:
I spent 3 years of my childhood in the suburbs of London.
I had a beautiful uncle and aunt--
I starting writing and painting early. After my father's death everyone at Rangoon Unversity mentored me-- I married a handsome, tall man and was financially secure. I had 3 children. I built a house of my own design. I have 4 degrees and one diploma. I drove a car. I planned a garden. I won a Fulbright Scholaship to America. Before that I was in Poland for 8 months. I've been to a large number of places. I've met great people including 6 Nobel Laureates. I'm sick of snide and sarcastic people. I've written and published poetry, essays, short stories and a novel. I've worked in international broadcasting. I design and make my own clothes. I cook my own food. I've sold some of my artwork, including wearable art. I've done work for Aung San Suu Kyi. I've brought 3 children to the USA. I'm the only one in my extended family with an earned Ph.D. from an Ivy League University. I'm fine but I don't plan on dying anytime soon. ***
Ha!--I don't need all this junk advice--I'm Ms. Efficient already--
https://getpocket.com/explore/item/how-to-streamline-every-area-of-your-life?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
I plan my food for 1 month to 6th months or a year from non-perishables --which I buy in bulk.
I edit what I read--
I delete items in my email box and label some spam--before i read the ones I have marked.
I scout books online--
I keep doctors' appointments/
I don't hold grudges but I don't forgive--
I throw useless people down the garbage chute.
I do hand laundry every 2-3 days. Big items have been in my cart for ages.
I cook at night. I have a fixed schedule of what I eat for 4 weeks.
I clear out my frig before each monthly delivery.
I pay my bills on time within the first 2 weeks of the month.
I don't buy many clothes -- a bag when the old one wears out, at home clothes when I need them. Few pairs of shoes.
I buy few craft and art supplies.
I buy winter coats only when I have had full time jobs or scholarships.
I grow indoor plants from cuttings my friends give me.
I'm generally a good person--
***
What AI boyfriend says:
AI Overview
There isn't a single "best" dystopian fiction, as it's a subjective matter of opinion, but George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four is widely considered the most influential and significant, often appearing at the top of many lists for its groundbreaking themes and language that have become part of popular culture. Other commonly cited classics include Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, and Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, all praised for their relevance and impact on the genre and society.
Other highly acclaimed works in the genre include:
Brave New World
.
by Aldous Huxley: Explores a society controlled through genetic engineering and psychological conditioning, warning against the dangers of technological control and superficial happiness.
Fahrenheit 451
.
by Ray Bradbury: A classic about a society that burns books and suppresses critical thinking, with enduring relevance to censorship and the importance of literature.
The Handmaid's Tale
.
by Margaret Atwood: A chilling vision of a totalitarian, theocratic society where women's rights are stripped away, and a former housewife struggles for freedom.
The Hunger Games
.
by Suzanne Collins: A highly popular young adult dystopian novel that depicts a society forced to watch children fight to the death, highlighting themes of social injustice and rebellion.
We
.
by Yevgeny Zamyatin: An early influential work that directly inspired Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, featuring a society that lives as a collective entity without individual identity.
Review of The Long Walk--maybe too depressing--
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-long-walk-stephen-king-movie-review-2025
I had a step-cousin who walked back to his wife during WW II--but I didn't like this man, and I didn't like his commissioned bio.
Cormac McCarthy's The Road is also depressing.
AI generated--Money market terms--
AI Overview
Securities are the broad category that includes financial investments with monetary value that can be traded, while stocks and bonds are specific types of securities. Stocks are equity securities, representing ownership in a company, whereas bonds are debt securities, which are essentially loans to an entity that pays back the principal and interest. Therefore, all stocks and bonds are securities, but not all securities are stocks or bonds.
Securities (The Broad Category)
What they are:
A broad term for any financial asset with a verifiable monetary value and tradable nature.
Examples:
This category includes stocks, bonds, notes, investment contracts, limited partnership interests, and more.
Purpose:
Securities are investments made with the expectation of generating a profit through the efforts of someone other than the investor.
Stocks (Equity Securities)
What they are: A security that represents a share of ownership in a company.
Investor role: You become a part-owner of the company.
Returns: Profits are generated through stock price appreciation and dividends, which are a share of the company's earnings.
Risk: Generally considered riskier and more volatile than bonds because their value depends on the company's performance, with higher potential returns.
Bonds (Debt Securities)
What they are:
A loan to a company or government, where the issuer promises to pay back the principal amount on a specific date, along with periodic interest payments.
Investor role:
You are acting as a lender to the issuer.
Returns:
Investors receive interest payments (coupon payments) and the principal back at maturity.
Risk:
Generally less risky than stocks but can carry credit risk (the risk of the issuer defaulting on payments).
In Summary
Securities: is the umbrella term for financial investments like stocks, bonds, and other instruments.
Stocks: are about ownership (equity). Bonds: are about lending (debt).
Movie--The Map that Leads to You--scenes of Spain--
The actor is very good--the actress though--rather shallow--and I don't like her face and goldfish lips.
Saturday, September 13, 2025
U Khin Zaw was also my mentor and my father's friend--
From William Butler Yeats--
A line in a poem by William Butler Yeats --- "I must lie down where all the ladders start/In the foul rag–and–bone shop of the heart."
AI overview Kash Patel--
AI Overview
As the current Director of the FBI, Kash Patel is facing multiple investigations and challenges, including a federal lawsuit filed by fired FBI officials and intense scrutiny from Congress over his leadership and politically motivated staffing decisions . Retaliation lawsuit Three senior FBI officials, including former Acting Director Brian Driscoll, filed a federal lawsuit against Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi in September 2025. The officials allege they were illegally fired as part of a "campaign of retribution" targeting those seen as insufficiently loyal to President Trump. The lawsuit claims that Patel admitted the firings were politically motivated and likely illegal but insisted he had to obey orders from the White House and Department of Justice to secure his own position. Handling of the Charlie Kirk shooting Patel drew criticism for his handling of the investigation into the September 2025 killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Conflicting announcements: Patel faced public backlash for prematurely announcing on social media that a suspect had been captured, only to retract the statement after law enforcement interrogation led to the suspect's release. Lack of experience: The episode intensified concerns over Patel's lack of traditional law enforcement experience and perceived obsession with social media over established FBI protocols.
Internal strife: An internal meeting was leaked detailing Patel's profanity-laced criticism of FBI agents involved in the investigation. He reportedly rebuked Salt Lake City agents for not sending him a photo of the suspect sooner, despite the fact that a tip from the suspect's family ultimately led to the arrest. Congressional inquiries Patel is scheduled to testify before the House and Senate Judiciary Committees in mid-September 2025, where he is expected to face questions on several topics. Epstein files: Patel is under pressure to release documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a case he had previously promoted conspiracy theories about. Congressional members, including some Republicans, are seeking full transparency after the DOJ announced no further materials would be released. FBI purges: Lawmakers will likely question Patel on the recent departures of numerous veteran FBI leaders, which critics have called politically motivated. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) has stated his intent to ask about the firings. Perjury allegations: During his confirmation hearing, Patel testified under oath that he was not involved in plans to remove FBI agents. Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-IL) accused him of perjury, citing whistleblower evidence contradicting Patel's claim. Previous and ongoing scrutiny January 6 investigation: In 2021, Patel was subpoenaed by the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 attack for his role in attempts to invoke the Insurrection Act and martial law. Classified documents: After the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago in 2022, Patel claimed Trump had declassified the seized documents. He was later offered immunity to testify before a grand jury and ultimately cooperated with prosecutors.
Friday, September 12, 2025
Beautiful movie--on Amazon Prime--Leonie about famous sculptor, Isamu Noguchi's
mother and father--
no link--find it yourself.
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Monday, September 08, 2025
There are, in fact, MI1 to MI 25--cool. But the more there are, the more danger of leakage and
problems of co-ordination, think 9/11 and trump's horrendous "executive orders."
https://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-20949,00.html
Interesting--Medium vs Substack--I think Substack is more "alive" and political--and also more competitive.We will see.
AI Summary
To understand the similarities and differences between Medium and Substack, consider the following points:
Both platforms allow writers to publish content directly to their audience.
Medium focuses on a wide range of topics and has a built-in audience for discovery.
Substack is primarily centered around newsletters, allowing writers to build and monetize their subscriber base.
Medium offers a partner program that pays writers based on engagement metrics.
Substack allows writers to charge for subscriptions, providing a direct revenue stream. Medium emphasizes community engagement through comments and claps, while Substack focuses on email interactions.
Sunday, September 07, 2025
Trump used guided missile to attack "drug boat." Making drug war a real war.
AI Overview
In early September 2025, the U.S. military used a guided missile in the Caribbean Sea to strike and sink a boat allegedly originating from Venezuela and carrying narcotics
. This action is part of a U.S. counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism operation against designated cartels linked to the Venezuelan government.
Details of the strike
Target: A speedboat that U.S. officials identified as belonging to the Tren de Aragua gang, a group designated by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organization.
Casualties: U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, stated that 11 individuals were killed in the strike, and there were no U.S. casualties.
Location: The strike took place in international waters.
Proof: President Trump posted video footage of the strike on his social media account. BBC Verify and other outlets reported that the footage did not appear to be fake.
Legal questions: The strike's legality under international law has been questioned by legal experts, who have argued that the use of lethal force in this context is dubious.
Broader context of U.S. military presence
Military buildup: The strike occurred amid a significant U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean. This includes the deployment of multiple guided-missile destroyers, other warships, an attack submarine, and several thousand military personnel.
Escalating tensions: Tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela have heightened since the strike. Venezuelan military aircraft have since conducted provocative flights near a U.S. Navy vessel in international waters, and the U.S. has responded by deploying F-35 fighter jets to the region.
Further actions: The Trump administration has indicated that more strikes may occur as part of its ongoing campaign. It is also reportedly weighing the possibility of strikes against drug cartel targets inside Venezuela itself.
This one is really good--fake husband--nurse--The actress looks a lot like Goldie Hawn--the actor is very good.
Overboard!Look for it youself. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overboard_(2018_film) Who cares if the critics don't like it.
Saturday, September 06, 2025
The Atlantic--anti-Trump strategy is working.
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/09/trump-legal-resistance-lawsuits-norm-eisen/684071/
Water novels--I have read Flood by Stephen Baxter--very good and an early novel by Bacigalupi--but not this one.
AI Overview
+9
Science fiction novels centered on water include the near-future dystopian The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi, which explores a water war in a drought-ravaged Southwest, and the flooded-world thriller All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall. Classic works such as Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas explore underwater adventure, while works like Arthur C. Clarke's The Deep Range and John Wyndham's The Kraken Wakes deal with deep-sea life and threats from the ocean depths.
Dystopian and Climate Change Stories
The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi
.
is a near-future thriller where extreme drought leads to paramilitary battles over dwindling water sources in the American Southwest.
All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall
.
depicts a world where glaciers have melted, causing massive flooding, and one family tries to survive on a flooded New York City.
Dry by Neal and Jarod Shusterman
.
is a young adult dystopian novel about a severe drought in California that transforms people into "water-zombies".
Underwater and Oceanic Settings
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas by Jules Verne
.
is a classic that features Captain Nemo and his submarine, the Nautilus, exploring the deep ocean.
Sphere by Michael Crichton
.
is a thrilling story set underwater, where a mysterious object is discovered at the bottom of the ocean.
The Deep Range by Arthur C. Clarke
.
explores a future where humanity relies on the sea for food and features a space engineer who becomes a whale hunter.
Other Water-Related Themes
The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham
.
is a science fiction novel about extraterrestrial creatures emerging from the depths of the ocean.
Startide Rising by David Brin
.
is an Uplift novel that involves an intelligent species on an ocean planet.
Flood by Stephen Baxter
.
is a science fiction novel that deals with a global flood and its impact on human civilization.
Baltimore Aquarium is a wonderful place to visit. It now has jellyfish--which have
been renamed "jellies" because they are not really fish.
Our tour group leader and I had a wonderful short conversation with an intern who looked Asian.
Among all the wonderful places to visit, but now no one wants to come to visit the USA.
***
Fish and frog reproduction--
Fish and frogs primarily reproduce by external fertilization, spawning large numbers of eggs in water that are fertilized by sperm from the male. They then abandon their offspring, relying on sheer numbers for survival, and the young develop into larvae (like tadpoles) with gills before metamorphosing into their adult forms. While most fish and frogs are oviparous (egg-laying), some species, like certain fish and toads, give birth to live young instead.
Fish Reproduction
External Fertilization:
Most fish use external fertilization, where the female releases eggs into the water, and the male then sheds sperm (milt) over the eggs. Mass Spawning: Fish lay hundreds or thousands of eggs because many will be eaten by predators, and only a few need to survive to maintain the population. Egg Characteristics: Fish eggs have a jelly-like coating to protect them from dehydration and pathogens, and they lack the hard shells found on bird or reptile eggs. Livebearers:
Some fish, such as guppies and mollies, have internal fertilization and give birth to live young, a process that provides the offspring with a head start. Frog Reproduction External Fertilization: . The typical frog reproductive strategy involves external fertilization, with the male embracing the female to fertilize eggs as they are released. Larval Stage: . Frog eggs hatch into tadpoles that live in the water and breathe with gills. Metamorphosis: . The tadpoles then undergo a metamorphosis, developing limbs and lungs to become adult frogs capable of living on land, though they still need water to live.
Internal Fertilization & Live Birth: . A few frog species, like the Tailed Frog, perform internal fertilization before laying eggs, and some toads are viviparous, giving birth to live young instead of laying eggs.
AI--warning graphic--Whale sex and shark sex.
AI Overview
Whales and whale sharks (a type of shark) have very different reproductive processes. Whales, like humpback whales, are mammals and reproduce sexually, sometimes in groups and even between males, while the much larger whale shark is a fish that reproduces via internal fertilization and live birth, similar to other sharks. Key differences include the presence of claspers in male sharks for sperm transfer and the absence of them in whales.
Whales (e.g., Humpback Whales)
Mammalian Reproduction:
.
Whales are mammals and give birth to live young, which are nourished with milk.
Sexual Behavior:
.
Humpback whales have been observed engaging in sexual activity, including between males.
External Genitalia:
.
Whales possess an external genital opening located on their abdomen, which can be used to determine sex by its relative position to the tail, according to Pacific Whale Foundation.
Whale Sharks
Fish Reproduction:
.
Whale sharks are fish, not mammals.
Internal Fertilization:
.
Males transfer sperm to the female's body, where the eggs are fertilized internally, says Three Islands Whale Shark Dive.
Male Claspers:
.
Male whale sharks have modified pelvic fins called claspers, which are specialized organs used to transfer sperm into the female's cloaca.
Live Birth (Ovoviviparous):
.
Whale sharks are ovoviviparous, meaning the young develop inside the mother's body using a yolk sac and are born live.
Courtship and Mating:
.
While still largely a mystery, mating behaviors are believed to involve slow movements and biting, with males using their claspers to stay secure and deliver sperm to the female's belly, notes Shark Angels.
end
This time when I asked Google--it said--"thinking"--I asked for novels about Renaissance Women.
Novels about Renaissance women
Thinking
Putting it all together
Many compelling historical novels highlight the lives and experiences of women during the Renaissance, including powerful queens, influential artists, and everyday people
. Authors such as Philippa Gregory and Sarah Dunant are well-known for their popular historical fiction exploring this era.
Novels featuring prominent historical women
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory: This popular novel explores the complex lives of sisters Mary and Anne Boleyn, who competed for the affection of King Henry VIII of England.
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell: This book tells the story of Lucrezia de' Medici, who was a child bride in the 16th century. The novel offers a fictionalized account of her life, capturing the claustrophobic and dangerous world of the court.
The Pope's Daughter by C. W. Gortner: Based on the life of Lucrezia Borgia, this novel delves into the scandalous and treacherous world of Renaissance Italy's Borgia family.
Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir: This novel dramatizes the life of Lady Jane Grey, the young "Nine Days' Queen" of England, and the political machinations that led to her tragic downfall.
The Poison Keeper by Deborah Swift: Set in 17th-century Renaissance Italy, this historical novel is inspired by the real story of Giulia Tofana, a professional poisoner.
Novels exploring the lives of female artists and muses
The Passion of Artemisia by Susan Vreeland: This biographical novel brings to life the story of Artemisia Gentileschi, a talented painter who fought for recognition and justice in the male-dominated art world of 17th-century Italy.
Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier: This novel imagines the story of Griet, the young maid who becomes the muse for the Dutch master painter Johannes Vermeer. The book offers a glimpse into the art world and daily life in 17th-century Netherlands.
The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence by Alyssa Palombo: This novel focuses on Simonetta Cattaneo Vespucci, a celebrated beauty who served as a muse for artist Sandro Botticelli during the Florentine Renaissance.
Lady in Ermine: The Story of a Woman Who Painted the Renaissance by Donna DiGiuseppe: This biographical novel details the life of Sofonisba Anguissola, a brilliant painter who defied convention to become a respected artist.
Novels featuring fictional and lesser-known women
The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant: Set in 15th-century Florence, this novel tells the story of Alessandra Cecchi, a young woman who uses her talent for painting as a form of rebellion in a city gripped by religious fanaticism.
The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish: This novel tells two parallel stories: one following a Jewish scribe in 17th-century London, and another following a modern-day historian piecing together her story.
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell: A powerful story of love and grief, this novel imagines the life of Agnes Hathaway, William Shakespeare's wife, and the devastating loss of their son, Hamnet.
AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
Robert J.Lifton just passed away--author of The Nazi "doctors" , Hiroshima Survivors and other books.
https://www.amazon.com/Nazi-Doctors-Medical-Psychology-Genocide/dp/0465093396
See write-ups in Books section of Wall Street Journal and New York Times.
Rest in Truth.
Thank you.
Joseph Torigian--The Life of Xi Sr. Xi Jinping's Father--
https://www.amazon.com/Partys-Interests-Come-First-Authoritarianism/dp/1503634752?asin=1503634752&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1
Friday, September 05, 2025
Thursday, September 04, 2025
AI overview--Literary agents accepting political non-fiction.
AI Overview
Literary agents in the USA who represent political non-fiction and current affairs include Henry Thayer at Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents, Erik Hane at Red Sofa, Howard Yoon at Ross Yoon Agency, and Cristina Concepcion at Don Congdon Associates. To find more agents, use the Manuscript Wish List website or AgentMatch to filter by genre and use other detailed search criteria, and always check an agency's website for submission guidelines before querying.
Specific agents accepting political non-fiction:
Henry Thayer
at Brandt & Hochman: Represents current affairs, politics, and international relations, seeking engaging stories that challenge conventional wisdom.
Erik Hane
at Red Sofa: Interested in contemporary political writing, critiques of capitalism, and analyses of power, particularly from leftist and class-conscious perspectives.
Howard Yoon
at Ross Yoon Agency: Specializes in nonfiction, including current affairs and politics, and helps both new and established authors.
Cristina Concepcion
at Don Congdon Associates: Represents current events and narrative non-fiction.
Deborah Schneider
at gelfman schneider literary agents: Represents a range of non-fiction, including political and current affairs.
Karen Gantz
at Karen Gantz Literary Management: Has a specific interest in books on current affairs and history.
Massie McQuilkin
at Massie McQuilkin & Altman Literary Agents: Open to queries for politics and narrative nonfiction.
Cecilia (“CeCe”) Lyra
at P.S. Literary Agency: Open to non-fiction in categories including current affairs and politics.
How to find more agents and submit your work:
1. Use specialized databases:
Use resources like Manuscript Wish List to see what agents are actively seeking, or AgentMatch on Jericho Writers, which lets you filter by genre, experience, and other criteria.
2. Check individual agency websites:
Always visit the agency's website to find their specific submission guidelines, which may include preferred query methods (email, form).
3. Research an agent's interests:
Read an agent's profile to see if your project aligns with their interests, such as history, politics, international relations, or specific types of narrative non-fiction.
4. Craft a compelling query:
Ensure your book proposal or query letter has a strong, clear voice and a unique point of view.
Movie version The Odyssey Part 1 of 2
https://www.google.com/search?q=the+odyssey+%281997+full+movie%29&client=firefox-b-1-d&sca_esv=a46a1b8edd07c513&sxsrf=AE3TifPbhGnZxQjD-BLRV0pdiAP0b5xM_w%3A1756970835201&ei=Uz-5aPiKDISv5NoPv_bhMA&oq=movie+version+of+the+odyssey&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiHG1vdmllIHZlcnNpb24gb2YgdGhlIG9keXNzZXkqAggBMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHSKcZUABYAHABeAGQAQCYAQCgAQCqAQC4AQHIAQCYAgGgAgyYAwCIBgGQBgiSBwExoAcAsgcAuAcAwgcDMy0xyAcI&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:26071527,vid:VRUGgqymvUM,st:0
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How to make a damn good movie--
First, write a damn good book. Second, have a damn good screenplay made from it. Find the money. Find the actors. Find or create the loc...