#lyceum address

[reading-writing-revolution]

Lincoln reminded his audience that the torch of American democracy had been passed to them. The Founders had used their passions to create a system of laws, but the time for passion had passed, lest it tear the nation apart. The next generation must support democracy through “sober reason,” he said. He called for Americans to exercise “general intelligence, sound morality, and in particular, a reverence for the constitution and laws.” “Upon these let the proud fabric of freedom rest, as the rock of its basis; and as truly as has been said of the only greater institution, ‘the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’” What became known as the Lyceum Address is one of the earliest speeches of Lincoln’s to have been preserved, and at the time it established him as a rising politician and political thinker. But his recognition, in a time of religious fervor and moral crusades, that the law must prevail over individual passions reverberates far beyond the specific crises of the 1830s.

January 26, 2025 - by Heather Cox Richardson

[sweetestgirlintown111]

Henry Winter x reader

Chapter ii

A month from the first stroll I took to class the leaves now settled on the ground, me settled into my room, enough candles to last me the course of three college degrees, wool blankets and sweaters made by my grandma, my books nestled snug on the shelf. In the passing month i had managed to become incredibly close to Francis going shopping together sharing multiple dinners and an exhausting all nighter in the library. Generally having a good relationship with everyone in the class, well everyone except for Henry who wouldn't miss an opportunity to jump down my throat or fire questions at me in hopes of making me embarrass myself which so far hasn't happened, but in honesty, it did make me prepare better for classes because one thing I won't be doing is granting him the satisfaction of getting to me, and even when he did -which was quite often- he never knew of it, always making sure to match his coldness and ignore most of his snide remarks, playing the temperance card.

I walk to the lyceum almost automatically having made the walk about a dozen times before. I get to the office and everyone is already there, “late”, julian remarks although his face is plastered with a smile, i give him one in return and go sit between Richard and Francis, the lesson goes smoothly I don't engage in the talking which doesn't give henry a chance to make off handed comments.

“Should we invite Richard?” I look back at him half expecting Francis to say no but to my surprise, he agrees “I think it's a great idea plus we can make him decide what to cook”, we approach Richard as he's standing by the foot of the stairs looking uncertain “hey, Francis and I were going to have dinner together tonight and we would like for you to join us if you're free of course” he looked surprised that we even thought of him, he had the tendency to avoid all eyes almost ghost like “uhm yeah sure I don't have anything either way” “great! I'll be cooking so what do you think I should make?” Going back and forth we finally decided on lasagna, but while we were talking about it we gained the attention of Bunny who couldn't get the concept that he wasn't invited or that it wasn't an open invitation, so of course he went to Henry and the twins and told them all about the ‘dinner party’ Francis was hosting.

I, Francis, and Richard went to the store to get what we needed for cooking, went back home, and started dinner, richard sits the table while I prepare the lasagna and Francis is chopping vegetables for a salad. Bunny, Henry, and the twins arrive just as I'm putting the dish into the oven, Camilla holding a bottle of white wine. I greet her with a hug walking with her towards the table, she hands the bottle to Richard who pours everyone a glass of wine, Charles and Bunny seemingly continuing a debate they started on the way here something about golf Henry listening to their stupid arguments amused. I stare at him a moment too long, the blue of his eyes and jet black hair, his eyebrow raised his head tilted to the side, he might be a jerk and I might hate him but he's so painfully beautiful, and staring at him from across the table there's no denying that maybe had he been less mean I would've enjoyed his presence. I'm taken out of my trance as the timer on the oven rings loudly, I get up and serve (😜) everyone a slice before sitting down my own plate, after a few bites bunny points his finger at me mid chew “Did you cook this?” “I did, is it good?” My question addressed to all of them, they hum in agreement, Richard nods “It tastes amazing thank you” I smile at him, “Where'd you learn to cook like this?” Shockingly Henry is the one asking, i look at him skeptical expecting him to follow up with an insult of some sort, “My grandma, she taught me when I used to visit her during the summer” “hm well it's nice, thank you” I was completely taken aback by his niceness, I give him a nod and purse my lips into a thin line.

Hours later the dishes were piled in the sink, us thrown around the living room, the room stuffy with cigarette smoke, all of us half drunk, the room silent. Richard on one end of the couch, my legs in his lap and my head in Francis’s smoking what must've been my hundredth cigarette of the day humming the tune of California dreaming, Charles and Camilla have left, something about Charles feeling sick, Bunny went to meet Marion. It was just us and Henry on the seat across from us, smoking and nursing a glass of scotch. It was well past midnight, I was drunk, sleepy and I needed to get to my room. Lazily i drop my feet to the ground and sit up my head spinning from the sudden movement, i lean into Francis giving him a kiss on the cheek, “I'm taking a taxi” “you can stay the night if you want” i shake my head and stand up, stumbling again from the sudden movement and the alcohol running in my system “i need to shower, I feel disgusting” “but it's so late” “don't worry francie ill just call a cab” i go put on my coat by the door and as im ringing the car company, henry creeps up behind me “come I'll drive you I'm leaving anyway” “ thanks but no” “c’mon i insist” “but it's out of your way” “it doesn't matter” he opens the door for me to get out i hisetate for a second before walking out, too out of it to argue with him now and more comfortable with him driving me rather than a random taxi at this time of night, i walk down the stairs slow trying not to trip but ultimately failing my feet stumbling over and i lean back but henry catches me from behind, because of course he did, he leads me to the car his hand spread at the small of my back, my body growing warm despite the freezing weather outside. In the car I turn on the radio in an attempt to not fall asleep i sing along to whatever comes on it, the drive isn't long Henry stays quiet only looking at me through the mirror clearly amused by my drunken state. After about three and a half songs we get to campus he stops the car in front of my building, he turns looking at me, the moonlight highlighting his features. Fuck he's gorgeous “Thank you again for the food, it was really good” “Thank you for the ride” “Anytime” I get out of the car, I turn to look at him, but he's already looking at me, and again I'm warm all over despite the weather.

I lay in bed, but his touch still burns my skin as I drift off into dreams.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Timothy Snyder :: @TimothyDSnyder

“Freedom means you decide who you are, and then when things change around you, you continue to be that person. And in so doing, you do constructive work. You set an example for other people. You meet new people who are also trying to remain themselves.”

+

How then shall we perform it? At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant to step the ocean and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia, and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest, with a Bonaparte for a commander, could not by force take a drink from the Ohio or make a track on the Blue Ridge in a trial of a thousand years.

At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer: If it ever reach us it must spring up amongst us; it cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide.

—Abraham Lincoln, Address delivered before the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, IL, Jan 27, 1837

[elphin365]

This is absolutely terrifying.

"At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.” ~Abraham Lincoln, Lyceum Address (January 27, 1838)

Do not let this man take away our freedoms. Do not let him steal democracy. Get out and vote! Send a message that we will not give away what our country fought for.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

In thinking about the practical and philosophical threats to America’s principles and way of life, I thought it might be useful to look back to a notable American’s description of such threats in an earlier era. And since I come out of Claremont, you won’t be surprised that the person whose thoughts I chose to examine is Abraham Lincoln.

When Lincoln addressed the Young Men’s Lyceum in Springfield, Illinois, in January 1838, it was at a key moment in our history. It was just over 18 months after James Madison, the last surviving Constitutional Convention delegate, had died. This left the young country to…

[ivan-fyodorovich-k]

There are now, and will hereafter be, many causes, dangerous in their tendency, which have not existed heretofore; and which are not too insignificant to merit attention. That our government should have been maintained in its original form from its establishment until now, is not much to be wondered at. It had many props to support it through that period, which now are decayed, and crumbled away. Through that period, it was felt by all, to be an undecided experiment; now, it is understood to be a successful one.--Then, all that sought celebrity and fame, and distinction, expected to find them in the success of that experiment. Their all was staked upon it:-- their destiny was inseparably linked with it. Their ambition aspired to display before an admiring world, a practical demonstration of the truth of a proposition, which had hitherto been considered, at best no better, than problematical; namely, the capability of a people to govern themselves. If they succeeded, they were to be immortalized; their names were to be transferred to counties and cities, and rivers and mountains; and to be revered and sung, and toasted through all time. If they failed, they were to be called knaves and fools, and fanatics for a fleeting hour; then to sink and be forgotten. They succeeded. The experiment is successful; and thousands have won their deathless names in making it so. But the game is caught; and I believe it is true, that with the catching, end the pleasures of the chase. This field of glory is harvested, and the crop is already appropriated. But new reapers will arise, and they, too, will seek a field. It is to deny, what the history of the world tells us is true, to suppose that men of ambition and talents will not continue to spring up amongst us. And, when they do, they will as naturally seek the gratification of their ruling passion, as others have so done before them. The question then, is, can that gratification be found in supporting and maintaining an edifice that has been erected by others? Most certainly it cannot. Many great and good men sufficiently qualified for any task they should undertake, may ever be found, whose ambition would inspire to nothing beyond a seat in Congress, a gubernatorial or a presidential chair; but such belong not to the family of the lion, or the tribe of the eagle. What! think you these places would satisfy an Alexander, a Caesar, or a Napoleon?--Never! Towering genius distains a beaten path. It seeks regions hitherto unexplored.--It sees no distinction in adding story to story, upon the monuments of fame, erected to the memory of others. It denies that it is glory enough to serve under any chief. It scorns to tread in the footsteps of any predecessor, however illustrious. It thirsts and burns for distinction; and, if possible, it will have it, whether at the expense of emancipating slaves, or enslaving freemen. Is it unreasonable then to expect, that some man possessed of the loftiest genius, coupled with ambition sufficient to push it to its utmost stretch, will at some time, spring up among us? And when such a one does, it will require the people to be united with each other, attached to the government and laws, and generally intelligent, to successfully frustrate his designs.

Distinction will be his paramount object, and although he would as willingly, perhaps more so, acquire it by doing good as harm; yet, that opportunity being past, and nothing left to be done in the way of building up, he would set boldly to the task of pulling down.

Here, then, is a probable case, highly dangerous, and such a one as could not have well existed heretofore.

from "The Lyceum Address," Abraham Lincoln, 1838

[quintiriss]

Day 3 - Hero (Merlinverse Musical March)

This song explains the inner turmoil Merlin (pre-canon amnesia Azaryn) had regarding his feelings towards Hogan; all the things left unsaid by him. Keep in mind that this is only from a friendship standpoint; Merlin has a long way to go before he even addresses the... romantic aspects of it all. Merlin had closed himself off from any emotional attachment after becoming Magister Supreme and he intended it to stay that way, but... the human nature can often overcomplicate things. It does that to you after 2000 years, give or take.

When Merlin knew of Hogan's existence at the Lyceum to do some work, he let his impulsiveness speak for him for once and made Hogan oversee a paper-based exam for him. After that, Merlin made Hogan run around the Lyceum just to find him and give the papers. Why? Well... it was amusing. But, after that, Merlin found himself genuinely interested in Hogan's character from a "scientific" standpoint, but it eventually resulted in genuine interest. Then the two began talking, and only through their conversations and ever-developing bond did Merlin start doubting both Hogan and himself. Hogan was far too kind, selfless, mature, hardworking... Merlin thought it was all a ruse. It always was, wasn't it? Merlin found himself silently judging Hogan, because why would he have any business trying to get closer to the Magister Merlin unless he wanted something in return? Even if their friendship was growing everyday, Merlin couldn't help but still harbor distrust towards the man. More yap under cut, as always:

"Few things I really have to know / Before I go and let you in / Don't wanna be irrational / And make the same mistakes again"

The "same mistakes again" Merlin's referring to here are the numerous times he attempted to give his trust, only for it to be taken away like a knife from a fresh wound.

"Would you be there / 5 AM on a weekend? / Through the thick and the thin / Never second guessing with you"

Merlin always had these questions in mind: Would Hogan be there for him through his lows? Would he tolerate his lowest state of mind? Would he go out of his way to make his life harder just so Merlin could feel even slightly relieved? Teenage Merlin would have mostly likely believed so, but the Merlin of today regarded it as nothing short of a means to further exploit him by gaining his trust.

"Don't wanna wake up / Wishing I never gave love / Wishing I never gave trust / Knowing it wasn't true"

Merlin really hopes, if he did go through with his friendship with Hogan, that he didn't misjudge the situation again. He had been let down countless times before and each time only made him doubt his instincts more.

"If I was your hero, would you be mine? / I know this ain't a fairytale, this is real life / But if I were to save you, would you do the same? / And catch me if I'm fallin', fallin', fallin', fallin'?"

Merlin thought to himself: if he were to continue playing the "hero", would other people do the same for him? Would Hogan do the same for him? Or would he end up like the others, thinking that Magister Merlin was the most capable of them all. As a child, Merlin indulged in the stories he found and the stories he made up in his head, where every solution was linear and people always lived happily ever after. He desperately wished it were true in real life.

"Maybe I'm better off alone / At least that's what my mind is saying"

Self-explanatory.

"I think I've been through way too much / So you gotta assure / That this love is sure"

Merlin "tested" Hogan a lot without the latter knowing, all in the name of trying so hard to get rid of his own suspicions and to assure himself that yes, I can befriend him. There will be no consequences. Merlin is tough to love and he couldn't just fathom that there was someone out there willing to go through that.

"And I'll be fine if you leave / But I'm hoping this time you won't"

There were two voices in Merlin's head: one told him that it would be better if Hogan left on his own terms while the other told him that this might be their one chance to get the bond they've been trying to get for all these years. However, things didn't go as planned. Hogan never left Merlin's side, and so... Merlin chose to leave first.

Haha anyway end of today's song! Azaryn and Hogan make me physically ill. They aren't good for my health. Once Hogan becomes playable and I unlock his photobooth it's gonna be OVER for everyone.

[spoke9]

Nicanor Parra

It is oblivion

I swear I don't even remember her name, But I will die calling her Maria, Not out of a poet's whim: Because of her provincial-square appearance. Those were the days! I was a scarecrow, She was a pale and gloomy young woman. When I came back from the Lyceum one afternoon I heard of her undeserved death, News that caused me such disappointment That I shed a tear when I heard it. A tear, yes, who would have believed it! And yet I am a person of energy. If I am to give credit to what was said By the people who brought the news I must believe, without a moment's hesitation, That she died with my name in her eyes. A fact that surprises me, because She was never anything to me but a friend. I never had with her more than simple relations of strict courtesy, Nothing more than words and words And the occasional mention of swallows. I met her in my village (of my village only a handful of ashes remain), but I never saw in her any other destiny than that of a sad and pensive young woman, so much so that I even went so far as to address her with the celestial name of Maria, a circumstance that clearly proves the central accuracy of my doctrine. It may be that I kissed her once, who is there who does not kiss his friends! But remember that I did so without realizing what I was doing. I will not deny, however, that I liked her immaterial and vague company , which was like the serene spirit that animates domestic flowers. I cannot in any way conceal the importance that her smile had, nor distort the favorable influence that it exerted even on the very stones. Let us add, furthermore, that her eyes were a reliable source of the night. But, in spite of everything, it is necessary that you understand that I did not love her except with that vague feeling with which a sick relative is designated. Yet it happens, yet, That which to this day still amazes me, That unheard-of and singular example Of dying with my name in one's pupils, She, multiple immaculate rose, She who was a legitimate lamp. People are right, very right, Who spend night and day complaining That the treacherous world in which we live Is worth less than a stopped wheel: A grave is much more honourable, A rusty leaf is worth more. Nothing is true, nothing endures here, Not even the colour of the glass through which one looks.

Today is a blue spring day, I think I will die of poetry, Of that famous melancholic young woman I don't even remember her name. I only know that she passed through this world Like a runaway dove: I forgot her unwillingly, slowly, Like all things in life.

[maxlearnllc]

The Secret to Faster, More Affordable Learning Programs

Adaptive microlearning is revolutionizing the landscape of employee training by offering personalized, efficient, and engaging learning experiences. By leveraging adaptive learning technology, organizations can tailor training programs to meet individual needs, thereby enhancing knowledge retention and overall performance. This article delves into the concept of adaptive microlearning, its benefits, and how it integrates with various adaptive learning tools and platforms to optimize workforce development.

Understanding Adaptive Learning

Adaptive learning is an educational approach that utilizes technology to customize learning experiences based on individual learner's strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. By analyzing data on a learner's performance, adaptive learning systems adjust content in real-time to address specific needs, ensuring a more effective learning journey. This method contrasts with traditional one-size-fits-all training programs, offering a more personalized pathway to knowledge acquisition.

docebo.com

Microlearning involves delivering content in small, manageable segments, allowing learners to absorb information at their own pace. When combined with adaptive learning principles, microlearning becomes even more powerful. Adaptive microlearning tailors these bite-sized lessons to the individual's current knowledge level and learning style, enhancing engagement and retention. This approach is particularly beneficial for employees who need to balance training with daily responsibilities, as it provides flexibility and targeted learning opportunities.

Benefits of Adaptive Microlearning in Employee Training

Personalized Learning Paths: Adaptive microlearning creates customized training modules that cater to the unique needs of each employee, addressing specific knowledge gaps and reinforcing strengths.

Increased Engagement: By delivering content that is relevant and appropriately challenging, adaptive microlearning keeps learners engaged, reducing the likelihood of cognitive overload.

Improved Knowledge Retention: The combination of adaptive learning and microlearning ensures that information is presented in a way that aligns with the learner's cognitive processes, enhancing memory retention.

Time and Cost Efficiency: Organizations can save time and resources by focusing training efforts on areas where employees need the most development, rather than employing a blanket training approach.

Scalability: Adaptive microlearning platforms can easily be scaled to accommodate a growing workforce, ensuring consistent training quality across the organization.

Integrating Adaptive Learning Technology into Training Programs

To effectively implement adaptive microlearning, organizations should consider the following steps:

Select Appropriate Adaptive Learning Software: Choose platforms that offer adaptive learning capabilities, such as personalized content delivery and real-time performance analytics. Examples include Area9 Lyceum and other leading adaptive learning platforms.

Develop Modular Content: Create training materials in small, focused segments that can be tailored to different learning paths.

Utilize Adaptive Learning Tools: Incorporate tools that assess learner performance and adjust content dynamically to meet individual needs.

Implement an Adaptive Learning LMS: Leverage a Learning Management System (LMS) that supports adaptive learning functionalities to manage and deliver personalized training programs.

Monitor and Iterate: Continuously analyze learner data to refine and improve training content and delivery methods.

Adaptive Learning Software Tools and Platforms

Several adaptive learning software tools and platforms can facilitate the implementation of adaptive microlearning:

Area9 Lyceum: Offers a cloud-based adaptive learning platform that personalizes content delivery to enhance learning efficiency.

SAP Litmos: Provides a modern LMS that supports adaptive learning and microlearning, enabling efficient workforce training.

Whatfix: An adaptive learning platform that integrates with various LMS and digital adoption platforms to deliver personalized learning experiences.

Adaptive Learning Apps for On-the-Go Training

In today's fast-paced work environment, mobile accessibility is crucial. Adaptive learning apps allow employees to engage in training anytime, anywhere:

Duolingo: An example of an adaptive learning app that personalizes language learning experiences based on user performance.

Khan Academy: Offers personalized learning dashboards and adaptive exercises to help learners study at their own pace.

Implementing Adaptive Microlearning for Frontline Workers

Frontline workers often face unique challenges that make traditional training methods less effective. Adaptive microlearning addresses these challenges by providing:

Flexible Learning Schedules: Allows employees to engage in training during downtime, without disrupting their work routines.

Relevant Content: Delivers training materials that are directly applicable to daily tasks, enhancing the practicality of learning.

Immediate Feedback: Provides real-time assessments and feedback, enabling workers to correct mistakes and reinforce learning promptly.

Case Study: Laing O'Rourke's Training Transformation

Laing O'Rourke, a prominent construction company, restructured its staff training programs by adopting contemporary and accessible formats inspired by social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Partnering with SAP, the company aimed to address common issues with traditional training modules, such as their cumbersome nature and low retention rates. The shift to “bite-sized” courses significantly improved learning outcomes and engagement among its 5,500 employees.

Future Trends in Adaptive Microlearning

As technology continues to evolve, adaptive microlearning is poised to incorporate advanced features such as:

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Enhances the ability to analyze learner data and deliver highly personalized content.

[ericleo108]

01/03/2024 Be Like Kanye

Click here to hear on Spotify, Apple Music, or Youtube

“Be Like Kanye” is my 100th official release and 160th track published. The beat is by Anno Domini, the track was produced by Keyano, and the cover art is a royalty-free image. 

Last track was about how I do not want a rap beef. This track is about addressing a previous beef, specifically with Kanye West. I have a diis track about Kanye called “Take Your Medication” telling him to do so after he went on InfoWars defending Hitler. Look, I’ve never met Kanye, I don’t particularly want to, but he shows up and says negative things about the culture and I have an opinion that I want to share. So I did, to tell him to go fuck himself, and this is the follow-up. Since I published that I have found Yey has become addicted to nitrous. 

I don’t think Yey is sorry for any of this shit he’s done. So I’m still not here to coddle him. But I will say direct to him. Yey, if you don’t change, you will die, simple as that. But here’s a ditch effect to say “stop before it’s to late.” I tried. 

I hope Yey gets off the drugs, shows all of us his love for Jesus, and rubs it in my face, by representing the people. But we all know we’re a far ways away from ever getting back there. It’ll be better than what his fate will probably be, which is to die from the gas. We’ll miss the old you Yey, but a lot of us will be indifferent to happy about seeing you go.

Godspeed my brother, you lived a good life, take care of your family before you go.

I read this blog post in the latest Monday Update, Follow Lyceum Recordz on YouTube for more. Or follow on Instagram where I shoot the updated live at 9 am est on Mondays 

[mbbsblogsblog]

MBBS in Philippines: All that You May Like to Know!

 Dear visitors,

Grab the opportunities of studying MBBS in Philippines!

MBBS in Philippine is a cost-effective option for Indian medical aspirants wishing to study MBBS overseas. World-class facilities, top-notch medical education, and the most recent advanced procedures are used to deliver the instruction. Most of the nation's universities have received recognition from prominent institutions like as the World Health Organisation (WHO), NMC, and others. The Philippines is a secure nation that ensures housing for all MBBS students enrolled at Philippine Medical College. For Indian students, MBBS in the Philippines is the greatest choice since, in contrast to other nations, the Philippines offers MBBS courses at really affordable prices with a number of advantages.

 Indian students are increasingly choosing to study MBBS in the Philippines. It has one of the continent's top educational systems. Since it is the largest English-speaking nation in the area, students have the choice to pursue medical education in English. International students can receive high-quality, reasonably priced medical education in Philippine medical colleges. The finest medical schools in the Philippines: Students may enrol in the best medical schools in the Philippines, which have highly qualified teachers and the newest training tools. The colleges provide Indian students with a lot of affordable housing options, a calm and welcoming atmosphere, and the safest country for international candidates.

MBBS in Philippines: Highlights

Degree Awarded: MD (Equivalent to MBBS in India)

Approval: Recognized by MCI/NMC & WHO

Popular Course: MBBS

Duration: 6 Years (Including Internship)

Medium of Education: English

Eligibility: 50% Marks in PCB

Entrance Exam: NEET Qualification Required

·         MBBS in Philippines is most cost effective. Tuition fee is budget-friendly.

·         Affordable living and accommodation expenses.

·         Modern teaching techniques and advanced teaching-learning process.

·         Internationally recognized Medical colleges offer globally recognized MBBS degrees

·         Medium of instruction is purely English.

·         Majority of Filipinos speak English language and so Indian students feel comfortable in classes and also in interacting with their peers. There is no demand to learn the local language.

·         The Philippines exports more medical graduates than any other country in the world.

·         There is a lot of cultural variety on the college campus of MBBS in the Philippines.

 MBBS in Philippines: Top Medical Universities in Philippines:

 Emilio Aguinaldo College - School of Medicine

Address: Paco, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines

 University of Perpetual Help Rizal

Address: Alabang Zapote Rd, Las Piñas, 1740 Metro Manila, Philippines

 UV Gullas College of Medicine

Address: Banilad, Mandaue City, 6014, Cebu, Philippines

 Davao Medical School Foundation

Address: Medical School Dr, Poblacion District, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur, Philippines

 Lyceum Northwestern University

Address: Dagupan, 2400 Pangasinan, Philippines

 Southwestern University

Address: Urgello Street, Lungsod ng Cebu, 6000 Lalawigan ng Cebu, Philippines

 Our Lady of Fatima University

Address: 120 MacArthur Highway, Valenzuela, 1440 Metro Manila, Philippines

 Bicol Christian College of Medicine

Address: Legazpi City, Philippines

Are you looking for assistance with admissions to pursue an MBBS abroad? Are you looking for more detailed information about MBBS abroad?

If so, give us a call right now!

A trustworthy consulting firm that provides you with useful options for studying MBBS overseas is Ria Overseas.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

KEN BURNS' COMMENCEMENT SPEECH AT BRANDEIS

TCINLA

MAY 29, 2024

Something worthwhile to read and consider at this fraught time.

I am deeply honored and privileged that you have asked me here to say a few words at such a momentous occasion that you might find what I have to say worthy of your attention on so important a day in all of your lives. Thank you for this honor.

Listen, I am in the business of history. It is not always a happy subject on college campuses these days, particularly when forces seem determined to eliminate or water down difficult parts of our past, particularly when the subject may seem to sum an anachronistic and irrelevant pursuit, and particularly with the ferocious urgency this moment seems to exert on us. It is my job, however, to remind people of the power our past also exerts, to help us better understand what's going on now with compelling story, memory, and anecdote. It is my job to try to discern patterns and themes from history to enable us to interpret our dizzying and sometimes dismaying present.

For nearly 50 years now, I have diligently practiced and rigorously tried to maintain a conscious neutrality in my work, avoiding advocacy if I could, trying to speak to all of my fellow citizens. Over those many decades I've come to understand a significant fact, that we are not condemned to repeat, as the saying goes, what we don't remember. That is a beautiful, even poetic phrase, but not true. Nor are there cycles of history as the academic community periodically promotes. The Old Testament, Ecclesiastes to be specific, got it right, I think. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again. There is nothing new under the sun. What those lines suggest is that human nature never changes or almost never changes. We continually superimpose that complex and contradictory human nature over the seemingly random chaos of events, all of our inherent strengths and weaknesses, our greed and generosity, our puritanism and our prurience, our virtue, and our venality parade before our eyes, generation after generation after generation. This often gives us the impression that history repeats itself. It does not. "No event has ever happened twice, it just rhymes," Mark Twain is supposed to have said. I have spent all of my professional life on the lookout for those rhymes, drawn inexorably to that power of history. I am interested in listening to the many varied voices of a true, honest, complicated past that is unafraid of controversy and tragedy, but equally drawn to those stories and moments that suggest an abiding faith in the human spirit, and particularly the unique role this remarkable and sometimes also dysfunctional republic seems to play in the positive progress of mankind.

During the course of my work, I have become acquainted with hundreds if not thousands of those voices. They have inspired, haunted, and followed me over the years. Some of them may be helpful to you as you try to imagine and make sense of the trajectory of your lives today.

Listen, listen. In January of 1838, shortly before his 29th birthday, a tall, thin lawyer prone to bouts of debilitating depression addressed the young men's lyceum in Springfield, Illinois. "At what point shall we expect the approach of danger?" He asked his audience, "Shall we expect some trans-Atlantic military giant to step the earth and crush us at a blow?" Then he answered his own question. "Never. All the armies of Europe, Asia, and Africa could not by force take a drink from the Ohio River or make a track on the Blue Ridge in a trial of a thousand years. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of free men, we must live through all time or die by suicide." It is a stunning, remarkable statement, one that has animated my own understanding of the American experience since I first read it more than 40 years ago. That young man was of course Abraham Lincoln, and he would go on to preside over the closest this country has ever come to near national suicide, our civil war, and yet embedded in his extraordinary, disturbing, and prescient words is also a fundamental optimism that implicitly acknowledges the geographical forcefield two mighty oceans east and west and two relatively benign neighbors north and south have provided for us since the British burned the White House in the War of 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key.

Lincoln's words that day suggest what is so great and so good about the people who happen to inhabit this lucky and exquisite country of ours. That's the world you now inherit: our work ethic and our restlessness, our innovation and our improvisation, our communities and our institutions of higher learning, our suspicion of power. The fact that we seem resolutely dedicated to parsing the meaning between individual and collective freedom; What I want versus what we need. That we are all so dedicated to understanding what Thomas Jefferson really meant when he wrote that mysterious phrase, "The pursuit of happiness". Hint, it happens right here in the lifelong learning and perpetual improvement this university is committed to.

But the isolation of those two oceans has also helped to incubate habits and patterns less beneficial to us: our devotion to money and guns and conspiracies, our certainty about everything, our stubborn insistence on our own exceptionalism blinding us to that which needs repair, especially with regard to race and ethnicity. Our preoccupation with always making the other wrong at an individual as well as a global level. I am reminded of what the journalist I.F. Stone once said to a young acolyte who was profoundly disappointed in his mentor's admiration for Thomas Jefferson. "It's because history is tragedy," Stone admonished him, "Not melodrama." It's the perfect response. In melodrama all villains are perfectly villainous and all heroes are perfectly virtuous, but life is not like that. You know that in your guts and nor is our history like that. The novelist, Richard Powers recently wrote that, "The best arguments in the world," — and ladies and gentlemen, that's all we do is argue — "the best arguments in the world," he said, "Won't change a single person's point of view. The only thing that can do that is a good story." I've been struggling for most of my life to do that, to try to tell good, complex, sometimes contradictory stories, appreciating nuance and subtlety and undertow, sharing the confusion and consternation of unreconciled opposites.

But it's clear as individuals and as a nation we are dialectically preoccupied. Everything is either right or wrong, red state or blue state, young or old, gay or straight, rich or poor, Palestinian or Israeli, my way or the highway. Everywhere we are trapped by these old, tired, binary reactions, assumptions, and certainties. For filmmakers and faculty, students and citizens, that preoccupation is imprisoning. Still, we know and we hear and we express only arguments, and by so doing, we forget the inconvenient complexities of history and of human nature. That, for example, three great religions, their believers, all children of Abraham, each professing at the heart of their teaching, a respect for all human life, each with a central connection to and legitimate claim to the same holy ground, violate their own dictates of conduct and make this perpetually contested land a shameful graveyard. God does not distinguish between the dead. "Could you?"

[Audience applauding]

"Could you?" A very wise person I know with years of experience with the Middle East recently challenged me, "Could you hold the idea that there could be two wrongs and two rights?"

Listen, listen. In a filmed interview I conducted with the writer James Baldwin, more than 40 years ago, he said, "No one was ever born who agreed to be a slave, who accepted it. That is, slavery is a condition imposed from without. Of course, the moment I say that," Baldwin continued, "I realize that multitudes and multitudes of people for various reasons of their own enslave themselves every hour of every day to this or that doctrine, this or that delusion of safety, this or that lie. Anti-Semites, for example," he went on, "are slaves to a delusion. People who hate Negroes are slaves. People who love money are slaves. We are living in a universe really of willing slaves, which makes the concept of liberty and the concept of freedom so dangerous," he finished. Baldwin is making a profoundly psychological and even spiritual statement, not just a political or racial or social one. He knew, just as Lincoln knew, that the enemy is often us. We continue to shackle ourselves with chains we mistakenly think is freedom.

Another voice, Mercy Otis Warren, a philosopher and historian during our revolution put it this way, "The study of the human character at once opens a beautiful and a deformed picture of the soul. We there find a noble principle implanted in the nature of people, but when the checks of conscience are thrown aside, humanity is obscured." I have had the privilege for nearly half a century of making films about the US, but I have also made films about us. That is to say the two letter, lowercase, plural pronoun. All of the intimacy of "us" and also "we" and "our" and all of the majesty, complexity, contradiction, and even controversy of the US. And if I have learned anything over those years, it's that there's only us. There is no them. And whenever someone suggests to you, whomever it may be in your life that there's a them, run away. Othering is the simplistic binary way to make and identify enemies, but it is also the surest way to your own self imprisonment, which brings me to a moment I've dreaded and forces me to suspend my longstanding attempt at neutrality.

There is no real choice this November. There is only the perpetuation, however flawed and feeble you might perceive it, of our fragile 249-year-old experiment or the entropy that will engulf and destroy us if we take the other route. When, as Mercy Otis Warren would say, "The checks of conscience are thrown aside and a deformed picture of the soul is revealed." The presumptive Republican nominee is the opioid of all opioids, an easy cure for what some believe is the solution to our myriad pains and problems. When in fact with him, you end up re-enslaved with an even bigger problem, a worse affliction and addiction, "a bigger delusion", James Baldwin would say, the author and finisher of our national existence, our national suicide as Mr. Lincoln prophesies. Do not be seduced by easy equalization. There is nothing equal about this equation. We are at an existential crossroads in our political and civic lives. This is a choice that could not be clearer.

[Audience applauding]

Listen, listen. 33 years ago, the world lost a towering literary figure. The novelist and storyteller, not arguer, Isaac Bashevis Singer. For decades he wrote about God and myth and punishment, fate and sexuality, family and history. He wrote in Yiddish a marvelously expressive language, sad and happy all at the same time. Sometimes maddeningly all knowing, yet resigned to God's seemingly capricious will. It is also a language without a country, a dying language in a world more interested in the extermination or isolation of its long suffering speakers. Singer, writing in the pages of the Jewish Daily Forward help to keep Yiddish alive. Now our own wonderfully mongrel American language is punctuated with dozens of Yiddish words and phrases, parables and wise sayings, and so many of those words are perfect onomatopoeias of disgust and despair, hubris and humor. If you've ever met a schmuck, you know what I'm talking about. [audience laughs] Toward the end of his long and prolific life, Singer expressed wonder at why so many of his books written in this obscure and some said useless language would be so widely translated, something like 56 countries all around the world. "Why," he would wonder with his characteristic playfulness, "Why would the Japanese care about his simple stories of life in the shtetls of Eastern Europe 1,000 years ago?" "Unless," Singer paused, twinkle in his eye, "Unless the story spoke of the kinship of the soul." I think what Singer was talking about was that indefinable something that connects all of us together, that which we all share as part of organic life on this planet, the kinship of the soul. I love that.

Okay, let me speak directly to the graduating class. Watch out, here comes the advice. Listen. Be curious, not cool. Insecurity makes liars of us all. Remember, none of us get out of here alive. The inevitable vicissitudes of life, no matter how well gated our communities, will visit us all. Grief is a part of life, and if you explore its painful precincts, it will make you stronger. Do good things, help others. Leadership is humility and generosity squared. Remember the opposite of faith is not doubt. Doubt is central to faith. The opposite of faith is certainty. The kinship of the soul begins with your own at times withering self-examination. Try to change that unchangeable human nature of Ecclesiastes, but start with you. "Nothing so needs reforming," Mark Twain once chided us, "As other people's habits." [audience laughs]

Don't confuse success with excellence. Do not descend too deeply into specialism. Educate all of your parts, you will be healthier. Do not get stuck in one place. "Travel is fatal to prejudice," Twain also said. Be in nature, which is always perfect and where nothing is binary. Its sheer majesty may remind you of your own atomic insignificance, as one observer put it, but in the inscrutable and paradoxical ways of wild places, you will feel larger, inspirited, just as the egotist in our midst is diminished by his or her self regard.

At some point, make babies, one of the greatest things that will happen to you, I mean it, one of the greatest things that will happen to you is that you will have to worry, I mean really worry, about someone other than yourself. It is liberating and exhilarating, I promise. Ask your parents.

[Audience laughs]

Choose honor over hypocrisy, virtue over vulgarity, discipline over dissipation, character over cleverness, sacrifice over self-indulgence. Do not lose your enthusiasm, in its Greek etymology the word enthusiasm means simply, "god in us". Serve your country. Insist that we fight the right wars. Denounce oppression everywhere.

[Audience applauding]

Convince your government, as Lincoln understood that the real threat always and still comes from within this favored land. Insist that we support science and the arts, especially the arts.

[Audience cheering]

They have nothing to do with the actual defense of our country; They just make our country worth defending.

[Audience applauding]

Remember what Louis Brandeis said, "The most important political office is that of the private citizen." Vote. You indelibly... [audience applauding] Please, vote. You indelibly underscore your citizenship, and most important, our kinship with each other when you do. Good luck and godspeed.

[Audience applauding]

[frank-olivier]

Authenticity vs. Deception: The Complex World of Mediumship

Dr. Stephen E. Braude's presentation delves into the complexities of studying mediumship, particularly through his research with the Felix Experimental Group (FEG) led by Kai Muegge, where he focuses on the challenges and intricacies involved in investigating physical mediumship. His research with FEG included controlled séances where phenomena such as ectoplasm extrusion were observed. Despite stringent controls, including video documentation and physical searches, allegations of fraud emerged, complicating the assessment of genuine mediumistic phenomena.

Dr. Braude addresses the difficulties researchers face when mediumship is not studied under unrestricted conditions. The potential for fraud, whether conscious or unconscious, poses a significant concern in this field. He introduces the concept of "mixed mediumship," which refers to a blend of genuine and fraudulent phenomena. By comparing FEG's activities to historical cases, he notes that some phenomena might be authentic despite allegations of deception.

Emphasizing the need for rigorous scientific methods, Dr. Braude highlights the importance of careful experimental controls to distinguish between authentic and deceptive mediumistic activities. His presentation is part of a broader effort by the Parapsychology Foundation to explore physical mediumship from both historical and contemporary perspectives. The foundation aims to promote scientific inquiry into psychic phenomena, providing a platform for researchers to present their findings and challenges. The exploration of mediumship touches on significant philosophical questions about consciousness and the mind-brain relationship. Dr. Braude's work contributes to this discourse by investigating whether observed phenomena can be attributed to genuine paranormal activity or are products of psychological or fraudulent practices.

Dr. Stephen E. Braude: The Felix Experimental Group - The Mixed Blessings of Mixed Mediumship (Parapsychology Foundation Lyceum Forum, October 2016)

Transcending Boundaries: The Influence of Hans Bender on Kai Muegge‘s Mediumship

Kai Muegge, a social pedagogue and filmmaker, is known for his work with the Felix Experimental Group, which he founded to explore physical mediumship. The group claims to communicate with a spirit team led by a Zeta Reticuli personality named P'tha. A central figure in these séances is the deceased parapsychologist Hans Bender, who is said to act as a moderator and guide from beyond the grave.

Hans Bender was a prominent figure in parapsychology, having founded the Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology and Mental Health in Freiburg. He was known for his investigations into paranormal phenomena such as telepathy, psychokinesis, and hauntings. Bender's academic and media presence helped legitimize parapsychology in Germany during his lifetime. In the context of the Felix Experimental Group, Bender is considered a "trans-entity," providing instructions during séances. These sessions reportedly involve phenomena like ectoplasm and levitating objects, experienced by participants as manifestations of high energy. The spirit communication technique used is described as "free-associative," aiming to access the subconscious of listeners. This method is likened to hypnosis, where information is extracted from waking consciousness and processed multidimensionally by the subconscious.

Despite the intriguing nature of these séances, there have been controversies and allegations of fraud. Critics argue that some manifestations could be attributed to trickery rather than genuine paranormal activity. These controversies highlight the challenges of studying phenomena that lie at the fringes of conventional science. Muegge's work with the Felix Experimental Group underscores ongoing interest in physical mediumship and its potential implications for understanding consciousness and reality. While skepticism persists, his efforts continue to provoke discussion about the boundaries between science, spirituality, and the unexplained. Through his connection with Hans Bender, Muegge's séances offer a unique perspective on the legacy of parapsychology and its quest to explore the unknown.

Callings from the Spirit World (Kai Muegge, August 2023)

Sunday, September 29, 2024

[almackey]

Abraham Lincoln and "Fortifying Our Democracy"

This is part of the Lincoln Presidential Foundation’s series of mini documentaries about Abraham Lincoln’s political ideas. This installment looks at Lincoln’s Lyceum Address when he was a young man. The video’s description reads, “In a series of mini-documentaries, the Lincoln Presidential Foundation considered Abraham Lincoln’s political ideas. ‘Fortifying Our Democracy: Lincoln’s Lyceum…

[shivamthakrejr]

Sachin Dev Duggal | An interdisciplinary conference on ethics in artificial intelligence is hosted at Oxford University's Institute for Ethics in AI

On June 20, the Oxford University Institute for Ethics in AI, in a momentous collaboration with Stanford University and Demokritos, Greece's National Centre for Scientific Research, hosted a one-day conference titled "The Lyceum Project: AI Ethics with Aristotle." The event, strategically situated near the hallowed grounds of Aristotle's school in Athens, brought together some of the world's most esteemed philosophers, scientists, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to delve into the ethical regulation of AI, with Aristotelian philosophy as its guiding light.

In a conference with TIME, Sachin Dev Duggal emphasizes the necessity of defining ownership rights and creating clear rules for assigning authorship in AI-generated works. It may entail examining existing IP rules to ensure they are still relevant and effective in the age of AI and adopting ethical principles to govern the responsible use of AI technology.

The past few months have witnessed strong advocacy on the ethics of AI. To address the ethical concerns, Bill Gates has called for greater regulatory measures, such as transparency in AI models and datasets and tools to detect and mitigate biases. Sachin Dev Duggal emphasizes the importance of balancing innovation and ethics when developing AI, ensuring that advancements benefit society.

[techy-guy]

Sachin Dev Duggal | It's a ground-breaking conference that Oxford University's Institute for Ethics in AI will host in Athens

On June 20, the Oxford University Institute for Ethics in AI, in a momentous collaboration with Stanford University and Demokritos, Greece's National Centre for Scientific Research, hosted a one-day conference titled "The Lyceum Project: AI Ethics with Aristotle." The event, strategically situated near the hallowed grounds of Aristotle's school in Athens, brought together some of the world's most esteemed philosophers, scientists, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to delve into the ethical regulation of AI, with Aristotelian philosophy as its guiding light.

The past few months have witnessed strong advocacy on the ethics of AI. To address the ethical concerns, Bill Gates has called for greater regulatory measures, such as transparency in AI models and datasets and tools to detect and mitigate biases. Sachin Dev Duggal emphasizes the importance of balancing innovation and ethics when developing AI, ensuring that advancements benefit society.

The conference was a joint effort by Stanford University, Demokritos (Greece's National Centre for Scientific Research), and the World Human Forum. "There is no such thing as ethically neutral AI, and high-quality research on AI cannot ignore its inherent ethical aspects," said George Nounesis, Director and Chairman of Demokritos, adding that "ancient Greek philosophy can serve as a valuable resource guiding us in this discourse. In this respect, Aristotelian philosophy can play a pivotal role by nurturing ethical reasoning and a comprehensive understanding of the societal implications of AI."