Best Of
Re: Which book are you reading?
Just finished The Radium Girls by Kate Moore.
The dark story of Americas shining women.
The Curies’ newly discovered element of radium makes gleaming headlines across the nation as the fresh face of beauty, and wonder drug of the medical community. From body lotion to tonic water, the popular new element shines bright in the otherwise dark years of the First World War.
Meanwhile, hundreds of girls toil amidst the glowing dust of the radium-dial factories. The glittering chemical covers their bodies from head to toe; they light up the night like industrious fireflies. With such a coveted job, these “shining girls” are the luckiest alive – until they begin to fall mysteriously ill.
But the factories that once offered golden opportunities are now ignoring all claims of the gruesome side effects, and the women’s cries of corruption. And as the fatal poison of the radium takes hold, the brave shining girls find themselves embroiled in one of the biggest scandals of America’s early 20th century, and in a groundbreaking battle for workers’ rights that will echo for centuries to come.
Written with a sparkling voice and breakneck pace, The Radium Girls fully illuminates the inspiring young women exposed to the “wonder” substance of radium, and their awe-inspiring strength in the face of almost impossible circumstances. Their courage and tenacity led to life-changing regulations, research into nuclear bombing, and ultimately saved hundreds of thousands of lives.
Vastmind
Re: New Pope on her way...
I must admit he wasn't half bad when compared to some of the others...
Shoshin1
Re: No Buddhist Quotes
“This constant lying is not aimed at making the people believe a lie, but at ensuring that no one believes anything anymore.
A people that can no longer distinguish between truth and lies cannot distinguish between right and wrong. And such a people, deprived of the power to think and judge, is, without knowing and willing it, completely subjected to the rule of lies.
With such a people, you can do whatever you want.”
~Hannah Arendt, German historian and philosopher (1906–1975)~
Shoshin1
Re: What documentary are you watching?
Just finished Frontline: Battle for Tibet. It’s from January, this year and I wanted to get the latest info/update
Also, just finished The Dark Money game on hbo/max. Good breakdown of how big business changed the laws to make bribery to politicians legal in the US and the ways money is running legislation now
Vastmind
Re: No Buddhist Quotes
@Jeroen said:
“A perfect man is a meeting of heaven and earth.”
— Taoist saying
"Keep your head in the clouds and feet on the ground"
"Open heart, strong back"
person
Re: Funny Stuff
I think Judas drew the short straw. He's been vilified and painted as the bad guy, but he rejected the 30 pieces of silver in disgust, then went and hanged himself. And let's not forget that Christ's wing-man ('You are the rock on which I will build my church') Peter, denied 3 times that he even knew Jesus.
Judas tried to be honest and felt Jesus was over-stepping the mark, and confided in those running the show.... Jesus wasn't the only thorn in the side of the Roman - or Jewish - authorities, which is why he had to identify Jesus to those who came to arrest him. According to historical evidence, there were probably more than 3 crucifixions planned for that weekend - which was Passover - and several Jews met the same fate as Jesus, being dispatched more quickly than usual so that the Passover feast on Shabbat would not be sullied by the suffering of Jews. Poor Judas. Maligned and misunderstood.
And if he had carved the turkey, he would have been carving the breast - front - of the roast, not the back. So even that accusation is unfair.
You're all very welcome!
Signed, this weekend's resident wet blanket! 😆😆😆
federica
Re: What documentary are you watching?
I came across this beautiful short documentary (37 mins) about the life story of a native woman from Peru who had a rough childhood, left to travel the world, lived in New York but found she got depressed, was given Ayahuasca by a friend and received powerful visions to return to the jungle and become a curandera. I very much enjoyed the story, great cinematography and an engaging sound track!
Jeroen