ART & CULTURE

“I Want to Be a Writer So My Brother Can Come Home Alive.” Jesmyn Ward A Place Where Black People Can Only “Sleep, Wake Up, Struggle, and Survive” American author Jesmyn Ward was born into poverty in DeLisle, Mississippi, in the southern United States. What kind of place is DeLisle? Jesmyn describes it as a place where Black people in the South “endured catastrophe and enslavement”, where they “organized under the threat of terrorism and lynching to gain the right to vote”, and where people can only “sleep, wake up, struggle, and survive.” From 1877 to 1950, there were 654 cases of racially motivated lynchings in that area. Jesmyn was the only Black person from her community to leave and receive a higher education in a big city. My Family History Is Littered with the Cor...

The narrative begins in a middle-class Jewish family, where two young sisters share a deep, intimate bond. The elder sister, who identifies as a lesbian, finds herself in a tumultuous conflict with their parents. Unable to defend her identity and unwilling to conform, she adopts silence as a form of rebellion, remaining mute for a year and a half. In response to the growing whispers and stigma from society, her parents commit her to a sanatorium. Ultimately, she makes the tragic decision to end her life by lying on the train tracks. She was 18 years old; her younger sister was just 11. “That’s when I began planning my escape. I believed it was the only way I could survive.” The parents sought to conceal the reality of their elder daughter’s suicide, while psychiatrists warned them t...

“Marriage is obscene in principle insofar as it transforms into rights and duties those mutual relations which should be founded on a spontaneous urge.” Simone de Beauvoir Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre: one a pioneering feminist, the other an existentialist scholar. This philosopher couple is perhaps the most famous example of an “open relationship” in history. Their unconventional love story challenged the moral norms of French society in their time, becoming the star-crossed lovers of the French intellectual scene in the 1930s. Questioning Monogamy From the beginning of their relationship, Beauvoir and Sartre upheld a free and open relationship: living separately, never marrying, and not interfering in each other’s lives. They even signed a “love contract” to ens...

https://youtu.be/myWVu7OZcyE About the Rare 29-Year Saturn Return The Saturn Return is a fascinating and mysterious astrological concept. Saturn completes its orbit approximately every 29.5 years. In other words, each person’s Saturn Return happens around the age of 29, marking a significant time of personal growth. This period often brings noticeable changes in relationships and can be a pivotal turning point in various aspects of life. “I didn't set specific goals based on age or year, but coincidentally, everything happened during this period.” JACE remarks. Regardless of whether Saturn is influencing her, JACE took this crucial juncture to leave her record company and reinvent herself as an independent singer-songwriter. You might have heard about her over the past two year...

Cath Wong has a unique philosophy, which she calls "Wong's Philosophy": Be willing to endure hardships; don’t focus solely on immediate gains. Be kind; others' attitudes should not influence your principles. Recognize and praise yourself; after all, surviving is already an incredible feat. "I’m quite stubborn. What might seem like trivial principles to others are philosophies I will adhere to for life," Cath asserts. In line with this, she recently released a new song, 《黃言》, a self-praising anthem. During our interview, I asked her to list three things she deserves praise for. After some thought, she said, "I think I sing quite well, I cook decently, and I write songs pretty nicely." Her tone carried a hint of uncertainty, and she sounded slightly reserved. "In the past, ...

Japan's First Woman to Host Her Own Living Funeral On February 19, 1993, 500 people gathered at the Tokyu Hotel in Tokyo to attend a living funeral for the esteemed entertainer Mizunoe Takiko, who was about to celebrate her 78th birthday the following day. As the "deceased," Mizunoe began the ceremony with a speech: "To be able to see my own portrait and flower-adorned altar while still alive is truly a blessing." Thus began this unprecedented event. "I just want to hug Takiko one more time," actor Nishimura Ko offered his eulogy in front of Mizunoe’s portrait, while Mizunoe herself, seated in a wicker chair beside him, burst into laughter. A year prior, Mizunoe attended a memorial concert for the musician Imaizumi Takao, where she was inspired by producer Ei Rokusuke to organize he...

Stardom vs. Academia When someone advises you to focus on your studies rather than chasing stardom, they might be onto something. Reality shows that becoming a star is significantly more challenging than getting into a prestigious university. Take, for instance, the University of Tokyo, Japan's top institution, with an acceptance rate of 22%. In contrast, the acceptance rate for the renowned Takarazuka Revue, a theater troupe blending song, dance, and drama, is a mere 3.7%. There's a catch, though: you must be female. Founded over a century ago, the Takarazuka Revue is an iconic all-female musical theater troupe. Each year, thousands of girls from across Japan vie for a spot at the Takarazuka Music School, with only about 40 to 50 making the cut. Once admitted, they undergo ...

We frequently discuss the revolutionary impact of artificial intelligence (AI) as numerous entities, ranging from governments to corporations, rush to harness AI in various sectors like recruitment, policing, criminal justice, healthcare, product development, and marketing. Generative tools such as Chat GPT have also become a staple in our daily digital interactions. However, Ruhi Khan, a researcher at the London School of Economics (LSE) Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), casts a spotlight on a critical issue: despite the strides in AI, its embedded gender and racial biases significantly endanger women. Khan is championing a worldwide feminist movement to confront these challenges by promoting awareness, inclusivity, and regulatory measures. But does AI genuinely harbor ...