Month: December 2022

Perfect Pitch

Perfect pitch, also known as absolute pitch, refers to the ability to sing or recognize the pitch of a tone by ear. Experiments have shown that this skill, a form of memory, can be acquired through practice, but in some individuals, it appears to be inborn. Although there does not seem to be a correlation between absolute pitch and musical genius, many celebrated composers—like Mozart and Beethoven—are thought to have had perfect pitch. What is the more common skill known as “relative pitch”? Discuss

China Adopts its Current Constitution (1982)

Adopted under the watchful eye of Deng Xiaoping, China’s de facto leader from 1977 until his death in 1997, the 1982 Constitution of the People’s Republic of China reflects his determination to lay a lasting foundation for domestic stability and modernization within the confines of socialism. It provides a legal framework for the liberalizing economic policies of the 1980s and encourages foreign participation in China’s economy. How many times has it been amended since its adoption? Discuss

Siaosi Tupou I Day

King George Tupou I, also known by his Tongan name of King Siaosi Tupou I, was the first king of the Pacific island nation of Tonga. He took on the title on December 4, 1845, and the date is a Tongan national holiday. Tupuo’s rule was marked by a number of landmark events. He abolished serfdom and introduced the nation’s first written laws. He also opened the country’s first parliament and introduced its first constitution. Tonga honors King Tupou I for establishing much about their country, both good and bad, that still distinguishes it today. Discuss

Dennis Wilson (1944)

In 1961, brothers Dennis, Brian, and Carl Wilson formed The Beach Boys, one of the most influential bands in rock and pop music history. Dennis, the group’s drummer, vocalist, sometime songwriter, and sex symbol, also had a successful solo career. His longtime battle with drug and alcohol abuse had a profound impact on his life, and, at age 39, Dennis died in an alcohol-related drowning. What was the nature of his relationship with cult leader and murderer Charles Manson? Discuss

The Rubik's Cube

In 1974, Erno Rubik, a Hungarian architecture professor, invented the puzzle now famed as the Rubik’s Cube. The standard 3x3x3 version has colored faces made of 26 smaller colored blocks attached to an internal pivot. The object is to rotate the blocks until each face of the cube is a single color. The cube’s popularity has sparked many competitions—some emphasize speedy solving, while others require participants to solve it blindfolded. What did Rubik initially want to call his invention? Discuss

Worst Industrial Disaster in History (1984)

The accidental release of methyl isocyanate gas from the Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India, immediately killed at least 3,000 people and ultimately caused 15,000 to 20,000 deaths. Another 500,000 survivors have since suffered ailments related to the disaster. The company paid $470 million in compensation to the victims, and several former employees were convicted of death by negligence in relation to the incident. Yet, it maintains that it is not to blame for the gas release. Why? Discuss