Chicago in the 1920s was a city of vice, corruption, and murder, with gangster leader Capone at the forefront. During Prohibition, Capone operated and organized speakeasies, and his control soon extended to gambling, brothels, and politics. “Scarface” Capone had his rivals murdered, and he forcibly controlled election results throughout Chicago. At the peak of his power, he was arrested—ironically—for tax evasion. He served time in the new Alcatraz prison before being released for what reason? Discuss
Month: January 2022
on the gravy train
In a state, position, or job where one makes an excessive amount of money without expending much or any effort. Watch the video
The Megalithic Temples of Malta
The Mediterranean Republic of Malta is home to 11 prehistoric monuments known as the Megalithic Temples, seven of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Though researchers have struggled to date the temples—the sites were intruded upon by later settlers—the oldest temples are now attributed to the Neolithic period. They boast impressive architectural designs, like carved patterns and alignment with the Sun during solstices and equinoxes. According to Maltese folklore, who built the temples? Discuss
stentorian
waist
drop waist – One that has the seam at the hips, rather than the waist. More…
blouse – First a garment, usually belted at the waist, worn by peasants or workmen. More…
midriff – Based on the Old English hrif, “belly,” it is the front of the body between the chest and the waist. More…
calypso – The style in which a shirt’s tails are tied in a knot at the waist. More…
Ennis Cosby Murdered during Robbery (1997)
In 1997, Ennis Cosby—son of actor Bill Cosby—was driving to visit a friend in Los Angeles, California, when his car got a flat tire on the highway. As Ennis changed the tire, a man with a gun approached him, demanded money, and shot him in the head. The case remained unsolved until the National Enquirer received a tip linking Mikhail Markhasev—an 18-year-old gang member with a history of racist attacks—to the crime. What shocking thing did Markhasev do while serving his life sentence? Discuss
Pongal
A colorful four-day harvest celebration in southern India, Pongal honors the sun, the earth, and the cow. The first day is for cleaning everything in the house. On the second day, freshly harvested rice and jaggery (palm sugar) are put to boil in new pots, and people cry out, “Pongal!” (“It boils.”) On the third day, village cows and oxen are bathed, decorated with garlands of bells, beads, and leaves, and worshipped. On the fourth day, bundles containing money are tied to the sharpened horns of bulls. Young men who are brave enough try to snatch the money from the bulls’ horns. Discuss
Franz Clemens Honoratus Hermann Brentano (1838)
Nine years after being ordained, Brentano renounced the priesthood due to religious doubts and immersed himself more deeply in the study and teaching of philosophy. With his 1874 text Psychology from an Empirical Standpoint, he sought to establish psychology as an independent science. He founded act psychology, or intentionalism, which concerns itself with the mind’s “acts”—such as perception, loving, and hating—rather than its contents. Which philosophical luminaries did he influence? Discuss
through the grapevine
Through or via an informal means of communication or information, especially gossip. Watch the video
The Eight Evil Thoughts
Evagrius Ponticus struggled with adulterous desires and physical illness before devoting his life to Christianity, becoming an ascetic monk in 383 CE. Despite later accusations of heresy, Evagrius exerted a tremendous influence on the church through his writings and is best known for categorizing eight forms of temptation. These eight evil thoughts are gluttony, greed, sloth, sorrow, lust, anger, vainglory, and pride. Who later revised the list to form the more commonly known Seven Deadly Sins? Discuss