American choreographer and dancer Alvin Ailey, Jr., formed his own company, the American Dance Theater—now called the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater—in 1958. Multiracial since 1963, Ailey’s dance company has been internationally acclaimed and has brought recognition to many African-American and Asian dancers. His works, influenced by jazz, Afro-Caribbean, and modern dance, explore a wide range of black experience, from gospel music to social inequality. What is his most popular work? Discuss
Month: January 2024
hot desking
The act or practice of sharing desks or workstations between employees in an office so as to cut down on the amount of office space required. Watch the video
Atari's Pac-Man Disappoints
In 1982, Atari published the first port version of Namco’s popular Pac-Man arcade game for their Atari 2600 console. Though the world’s favorite arcade game could now be played on the most popular console, the release met with criticism and slow sales. In Atari’s rush to bring the game to market, quality was sacrificed, shaking consumer confidence in both the company and video game industry. Why did Atari produce more copies of the game than there were users with compatible consoles? Discuss
spline
Sofia Liberated from Ottoman Rule (1878)
Sofia was established as a Thracian settlement around the 8th century BCE and has since developed into a major world city and the capital of Bulgaria, due in part to its central position in the Balkans. Today it is home to attractions like the 6th century Church of St. Sofia and 15th century Banya Bashi mosque. During its long history, the city passed through the hands of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires. After nearly 500 years of Turkish rule, Sofia was liberated by what country? Discuss
Sir Isaac Newton (1643)
Widely considered the greatest scientist who ever lived, Newton was an English physicist and mathematician. His most famous publication, Principia Mathematica, regarded as the seminal work of modern science, includes his works on the laws of motion, tidal theory, and the theory of universal gravitation. Newton also worked out the fundamentals of calculus, though this work went unpublished for more than 30 years. How might Newton’s study of alchemy have influenced his theory of gravity? Discuss
horse-trade
To negotiate, trade, or bargain in a shrewd, judicious manner. Primarily heard in US. Watch the video
The Golden Age of Whodunit
Beginning in the 1920s, the complex, plot-driven, whodunit genre of detective fiction experienced a 30-year Golden Age. In these stories, the puzzle takes center stage, and readers, who are provided with clues throughout the book, are challenged to deduce the perpetrator’s identity before it is revealed in the mystery’s final pages. Wilkie Collins’ The Moonstone (1868) is widely regarded as one of the first true whodunits. What famed children’s author also penned a whodunit in 1922? Discuss
farrier
Definition: (noun) A person who shoes horses.
Synonyms: horseshoer.
Usage: The farrier took a look at the limping horse and declared that a badly fitted horseshoe was the culprit.
Discuss
March of Dimes Established by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1938)
The March of Dimes is a US charity whose mission is to improve the health of babies. It was founded with the goal of eradicating polio, one of the most dreaded diseases of the 20th century, during the tenure of President Roosevelt, who himself contracted what was thought to be polio in 1921. The national, nonpartisan organization initially raised funds for research by urging the public to contribute a dime to the effort and came to be called the March of Dimes, but its original name was what? Discuss