Today I'm exploring a collection of famous quotations from scientists, philosophers, writers, and political thinkers and leaders.

Today, I'm looking at Ignition, the second studio album by The Offspring, originally released on October 16, 1992, through Epitaph Records. It's an album that shaped my youth.

Another experimental episode where I do a trial run of my standup routine for next week. It's definitely awkward, including because it's not before a live audience, so my timing isn't as good here.

There are also many different variables in life performances, too. It's all strange. Obviously, I hope to improve what I have hear by next week, when the actual show takes place.

Sorry for using AI for the main image, but I probably wouldn't easily find some image of Abraham Lincoln with snot emanating from his nose.

And yes, I say "you know" way too often, too. I guess that might be better than "Umm," but still probably isn't that good. And yes, I know I am probably not the funniest person of all time and all of that, so I don't need those stupid "keep your day-job" type of comments (it also doesn't help that some people viciously criticize some all-time greats, because everybody has critics regardless of how well they do).

This is a bit of an experimental episode, and I hope I make sense. But today I'm exploring a fascinating idea about art, theatre, and what it means to be human. I will be mostly looking at two different types of performance, with one getting a little bit more focus than the other.

Throughout history, people have often been told that hierarchy is inevitable. We are told that society requires bosses, rulers, governments, and economic elites to function. We are told that competition, inequality, and domination are simply part of human nature...

Today I am recommending you check out "The Power to Believe," King Crimson's thirteenth studio album, released in 2003. More than two decades later, it remains the band's most recent full-length studio album, giving it a special place in their remarkable history.

Today, we're exploring one of the oldest and most powerful storytelling patterns ever created: the death-rebirth motif.

I also get into how we imitate the idea when it comes to personal crisis and national tragedy.

(IMAGE: Ultimate source unknown, but is meant to represent the legendary phoenix. If you own this image, please do not sue my ass. Just ask nicely and I can replace it with something else. Ya prick. Just kidding, you are probably not a prick...unless you threaten to sue me. Then again, maybe you'd only sue me because I wrote "you prick" here, in which case maybe I'm the prick. Oh well. Aren't we all just pricks in the end?)

Review of the video for Ry Cooder's version of “Get Rhythm,” from his 1987 album of the same name. Originally recorded by Johnny Cash in 1956, the song was transformed into something cinematic and atmospheric through a striking black-and-white visual treatment directed by David Fincher.

When people think about their favorite movies, they usually remember the characters, stories, and unforgettable scenes. But another element often shapes those memories just as powerfully: the music.

John Williams did more than most to shape the sound of cinema.

The bank itself acknowledges its historical links to Nazi atrocities, as you can see in this example:

https://www.db.com/who-we-are/history/historical-institute?language_id=1

So, why is Trump so closely aligned with Deutsche Bank anyway?

IMAGE: The Nazi Dictatorship and the Deutsche Bank by Harold James