https://arab.news/n9pa8
Author: Chris Mattison
Descended from prehistoric lizards, snakes have been slithering across the earth for more than a hundred million years.
There are some 4,100 species known to exist, and many are venomous, but many more are not.
Snakes experience the world in unique ways, seeing in just two colors, smelling the air with their tongues, and relying on signs of movement for orientation.
In 1865, Clara Barton traveled to the site of the notorious Confederate prison camp in Andersonville, Georgia, where she endeavored to name the missing and the dead.
The future founder of the American Red Cross also collected their relics—whittled spoons, woven reed plates, a piece from the prison’s “dead line,” a tattered Bible—and brought them back to her Missing Soldiers Office in Washington, DC, presenting them to politicians, journalists, and veterans’ families before having them photographed together in an altar-like arrangement.
With rising global temperatures, pollution, overfishing, ocean acidification, and other problems caused by humans, there’s no question that today’s coral reefs are in trouble.
As predictions about the future of these ecosystems grow increasingly dire, scientists are looking in an unlikely place for new ways to save corals: the past.
The reefs of yesteryear faced challenges too, from changing sea level to temperature shifts, and understanding how they survived and when they faltered can help guide our efforts to help ensure a future for reefs.
Author: Youssef Ziedan
“Azazeel” by Youssef Ziedan, winner of the 2009 International Prize for Arabic Fiction, is a profound exploration of faith, doubt and the complexities of the human spirit. The novel is set against the backdrop of the early Christian era and unfolds through the eyes of Hypa, a young monk navigating the tumultuous world around him.
Ziedan’s storytelling, translated by Jonathan Wright, is rich and immersive, transporting readers to the deserts of Egypt in the fifth century. His ability to weave together historical facts and fictional elements creates a vivid tapestry that illustrates the conflicts between different religious ideologies.
Hypa’s journey of self discovery, particularly his encounters with the enigmatic figure of Azazeel, invites readers to reflect on the nature of temptation and the struggle within us all.
One of the most compelling aspects of the novel for me was its exploration of the tension between science and religion. As a scholar and healer, Hypa embodies this struggle, grappling with rational thought and blind faith.
Ziedan addresses the historical context of early Christianity, highlighting the schisms and debates that shaped the faith. This was not just a personal journey for Hypa; it mirrored broader existential crises that resonate even today.
The philosophical musings and theological discussions sprinkled throughout the narrative invited me to ponder my own convictions and the nature of belief.
The lyrical quality of Ziedan’s prose brings the ancient world to life, with evocative descriptions that lingered in my mind. The characters are richly developed, each representing different facets of faith and morality.
Hypa’s internal struggles also reflect the external conflicts of a society grappling with change, a theme that resonates with many of us in today’s world.
I found some sections of the novel a bit slow, particularly where philosophical discussions took precedence over action. However, these moments are essential for the thematic depth Ziedan aims to achieve, prompting reflection and contemplation.
“Azazeel” is a thought-provoking novel that challenges readers to confront the complexities of faith, reason, and the human experience. Ziedan’s masterful storytelling and rich historical detail make it a compelling read, especially for those interested in the intersections of religion and philosophy.
This book is not merely a journey through history, it invites us to contemplate the timeless questions that define our existence, making it a profoundly rewarding experience.
Authors: Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor
Confused about AI and worried about what it means for your future and the future of the world? In “AI Snake Oil,” computer scientists Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor cut through the confusion to give you an essential understanding of how AI works and why it often doesn’t, where it might be useful or harmful, and when you should suspect that companies are using AI hype to sell AI snake oil—products that don’t work, and probably never will.
How do ordinary people come to know or believe what they do? We need an account of this process to help explain why people act as they do. You might think I am acting irrationally—against my interest or my purpose—until you realize that what you know and what I know differ significantly.
My actions, given my knowledge, might make eminently good sense. Of course, this pushes our problem back one stage to assess why someone knows or believes what they do. That is the focus of this book.
