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I just had a tour of your newly renovated theme park. I hate to be that guy, but I just want to mention that, while you refer to your destination as a theme park, it would be more accurate to describe it as a motif park.

See, a theme is the central subject your experience is about, like lost love, patriotism in wartime, or the allure of social status. What you have is a cluster of motifs, distinct features of your work that attempt to develop a theme.

I say “attempt” because the imagery here is unhinged. On the map we have a castle, a geodesic dome, a haunted house, and a Chinese pavilion with a dragon poking out of it. What thematic concept, in the abstract, are you going for? Amusement? Yes, but what about amusement are you saying?

Most great themes are about conflict. For example, while the title of your park, Cedar Coppice, evokes the arboreal, the attractions are more man-made. So maybe your theme is “man versus nature.” Then one of your motifs would be that thirty-foot-tall plexiglass treehouse. Or there’s “man versus machine,” exemplified by rides like the Tungsten Titan.

- by Margaret Sibley

Read at Aeon

We were her foster family for two and a half years. We had no claim to her, but she became part of us

- by Kelsey Day

Read on Psyche

This revelation allows us to live more fully

The post The Past Is a Ghost and the Future a Fantasy appeared first on Nautilus.

A surprising reversal at sea brings a big change

The post Saltier, Hotter Sea Springs a Leak in Ice Sheets appeared first on Nautilus.

How nomad bee species rely on deceit to provide for their offspring

The post These Bees Are Tricksters appeared first on Nautilus.

In trying to proscribe Palestine Action, the British government has in one move united the movement for Palestinian liberation in Britain, rendering the refrain ‘we are all Palestinians’ truer than ever. The government has decided that anyone expressing support for Palestinians should be treated as Palestinians are treated by their coloniser: that they should only […]

Before we get into the most recent developments of the war between Russia and the Ukraine, I want to focus a little bit about how Russia is outstripping the West technology. We all know necessity is the mother of all invention. And war is the mother of all necessity. The Russians haven’t missed a beat innovating. One of the most terrifying weapon systems is Russia’s thermobaric weapons. They now have at least three operating platforms to deliver these utterly destructive weapons. Thermobaric weapons are not illegal under the rules of war. They are accepted as valid and while the Ukrainians might complain, no one is listening.

Israel claimed early victory. Iran hit back harder. Now, as both sides go quiet, the real winner is only beginning to emerge.

The post Beyond the Bombs: Who Really Won the 12-Day War Between Israel and Iran? appeared first on MintPress News.

As Israeli leaders fly to Washington, bombs fall on Gaza and peace talks offer cover for a strategy of civilian punishment and engineered displacement.

The post Ceasefire Theater: Gaza Talks Mask Israel’s Push for Ethnic Cleansing appeared first on MintPress News.

A pedestrian “safety island”

Enjoy lounging on this six-foot urban oasis of grass, cement, and paper plates stained with sunset-hued pizza grease.

The line outside Clinton Street Baking Company

Instead of standing for forty-five minutes in the sun, why not sit? Just remember to scoot your cabana forward a few inches every three minutes. It isn’t so very different from migrating with the rising tide.

The above-ground subway platform in Astoria

Great for tossing a frisbee around—but watch out for the third rail when you’re going long.

The magazine section of Barnes & Noble

Plenty of beach reads here and zero chances a seagull will poop on you.

The allegedly leaked document undermined the White House’s case for an immigration crackdown.

The post Tulsi Gabbard Is Hunting for “Deep-State Criminals.” Is She Even Following the Law? appeared first on The Intercept.

“Parents with religious objections to storybooks with LGBTQ themes may withdraw their children from public schools when the books are discussed, the Supreme Court ruled on Friday.” — New York Times

Once upon a time, I never got involved in politics. But when the developments of a kingdom far, far away threaten my role as the fairest groomer of them all, I feel no choice but to use my platform to ensure future generations are fed my one and true model for what everyone’s happily ever after shall be. Which is why I, Cinderella Charming, wife and spouse and known pretty girl, applaud the Royal Court in all of the land for waving their magic wands and bibbidi-bobbidi-booing the right for LGBTQ families to be fairly and freely represented in school books, for I believe parents have a right to opt out of stories not revolving around one female stranger, one male stranger, and their quickie, looks-based marriage.