fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
Defining Design System Contributions
By: Nathan Curtis
Tags: Contribution, Design, Design Systems

Contributions = Tangible, Recordable Change

So, if contributions aren’t an infinite array of different interactions with a design system program, then what exactly are they? I’ve had success in recent interviews with system leaders and adopting designers and developers setting a conversation’s context concretely with:

A design system contribution is…

any proposal, design, code, documentation, or design asset of

a new feature, enhancement, or fix

completed by someone not on the system core team and

released through the system for other people to reuse.

Let’s break that down line by line, shall we?

First, a contribution is a measurable completion of a step in a process used to deliver a system output. Different teams have different processes. What’s important is that a contribution is assignable with a concrete definition-of-done that gets a feature at least part of the way there.

Process steps from Design System Features, Step-by-Step

Second, a contribution has an impact commensurate with the scale of work involved. Terminology of new, enhancement and fix echoes semantic versioning. However, the takeaway here is that a contribution is a change that exists on a scale. More on that later.

Classification of tangible changes used to version design systems

Third, the contributor must be outside a core team maintaining a system as primary responsibility of their job. This relationship invokes the concept of federated contributions coming from a wide community.

Diagram of federated contributions from Team Models for Scaling a Design System

Lastly, a contribution must be released through the system as available to the broader adopting community. Systems invest in documenting change through release histories, a sprint‘s email update, and other artifacts. Contributions as a subset of all delivered features suggests how to track, highlight and celebrate the work.

Takeaway: Be concrete in defining what does and does not constitute a contribution: What’s produced? Who produces it? How big is it? Where does it go so other people can get it? With those well understood, workflowS for jobs that need to get done come into view.
Introducing Code Snippets
By: Edward Boatman
Tags: Design, Digital Asset Management, Design Systems, UX, Design Tools

Lingo is the source of truth for anyone in your organization to get the images, logos, colors and fonts they need. But when it comes to digital products, many components need to built in code. Translating a design into code not only takes time, it leaves room for details to get lost.

We are happy to announce that you can now add code snippets to Lingo!

Keeping code and visual assets in Lingo means it can truly be the single source of truth for digital product teams, ensuring that nothing is lost in translation.

Give it a try

To add a Code Snippet simply drag the “Code” icon from the insert panel and drop it in the gallery, once added you can paste in your code. When you finish editing the code it will automatically be highlighted. You can also manually choose a language by clicking the dropdown next to the “Copy” button.

Code snippets are available to all Lingo customers using the latest version of Lingo’s Mac app.

As always we’d love to hear what you think, so leave a comment below, shoot us an email or tweet at us.
Someone over yonder
By: Roshan Thyagarajan
Tags: Betrayal, Poet, Poetry On Medium, Love, Poetry

He spilt over her like milk on the boil. Unencumbered when unattended.

She gave his edges a light golden tint with her smile.

She rested her head on his shoulder. Trapping air he bubbled on.

She played her hair. Let her breasts carrot his stare.

She straightened up, slid this delicate fingers out of his hold.

He was too drunk to notice the game, not enough to miss the change.

Chairs slid away for eyes to face. Slouch he did. Dominance she assumed.

Stale time swept his face.

Cannonball suspended in his gullet, the floor was his only friend.

‘Confused’ she claimed, the string would come handy someday. And strung another with a facade of tender.

She understood his pain. He tore in shame. The bill was paid but the drink wasn’t there.

Educating a fool is an expensive affair. She had time and an another to spare.

She looked over at me while he crouched in defeat. She knew I knew.

She smiled. Viciously beautiful. Cold-blooded, hot in the veins.

A fire forged in a cauldron of sacrificed puppeteers and killers.

He was still clay, adulthood only a claim. Running out of air on a counter, he looked desperately at the wave.

She smiled again. Genuine. He undressed her, game as minimal as riding the crest.

The trough came when she walked away.

He chased. She gathered pace. Leash revealed.

She shot me another glance.

You’re next it said.
Tribute to the Indian Poet Kaifi Azmi on his 101st Birthday
Tags: Kaifi Azmi, India, Poet, Doodle, Google

Introduction

Sayyid Athar Hussein Rizvi, well known as Kaifi Azmi

He was born on 14 January 1919.

Died on 10th May 2002 (aged 83)

Azmi was born into a Shia Muslim family in the village of Mizwaan in Azamgarh district, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Azmi was married to Shaukhat Azmi. Out of that marriage, they have a daughter, Shabana Azmi, and a son Baba Azmi. Azmi’s daughter-in-law Tanvi Azmi (wife of Baba Azmi) is also a famous Television actor.

Early Life & his Career

At the age of eleven, Azmi wrote his very first ghazal ‘ Itna To Zindagi Mein Kisi Ki Khalal Pade’ & he managed to get himself invited to a mushaira, where he recited a ghazal, rather a couplet of the ghazal which was appreciated by the President of the Mushaira, Mani Jaisi, but most of the people, including his father thought he recited his elder brother’s ghazal. When his elder brother denied the fact, his father & clerk decided to test his poetic talent. Then, Azmi was given with one of the lines of a couplet & asked him to write a ghazal in the same meter & rhyme. Azmi has not just accepted the challenge, fortunately, he completed a ghazal.

Azmi joined the Communist Party at the age of 19, & started writing for the party’s paper, ‘Qaumi Jung’ & moved to Bombay.

And, shortly thereafter became a full-time Marxist when he accepted membership of the Communist Party of India in 1943.

He wrote his first lyrics for the film Buzdil directed by Shahid Lateef in 1952.

Famous songs are from:

Shama, Kaagaz ke Phool, Shola Aur Shabnam, Anupama, Aakhri Khat, Haqeeqat, Hanste Zakhm, Arth and many more.

Apart from writing songs, he also wrote Chetan Anand’s film Heer Ranjha entirely in verse & created history in dialogue writing.

He won the National Award & Filmfare Award for the screenplay & dialogue of M.S. Sathyu’s masterpiece, ‘Garm Hawa’.

His major Awards include:

Padma Shri Sahitya Akademi Fellowship Sahitya Akademi Award Maharashtra Gaurav Award by Government of Maharashtra Yash Bhartiya Award by Government of Uttar Pradesh Delhi Government State Award Soviet Land Nehru Award Afro-Asian Writers Lotus Award

He’s been honored with Doctorates from Purvanchal University, Vishwa Bharti University in Shanti Niketan, and many more.

Purvanchal University has instituted the ‘ Kaifi Azmi Media Centre’ in Jaunpur.

He was the All India President of the Indian People Theatre Association (IPTA).

Famous books: https://amzn.to/2uI97yh

https://amzn.to/3a670EN

https://amzn.to/2QORHIZ

He set up an NGO Mijwan Welfare Society that runs

The Kaifi Azmi High School for Girls

Kaifi Azmi Inter College for Girls

Kaifi Azmi Computer Training Centre

Kaifi Azmi Sewing & Embroidery Centre

In a period of 15 years, he transformed Mijwan, a village frozen in time to a model village.

Tribute

The government has also inaugurated a train named ‘Kaifiyat Express’ which runs from his hometown Azamgarh to Old Delhi.

Also refer: http://www.azmikaifi.com/

Special books:

Kaifi and I: A Memoir https://amzn.to/2soGOEv

Awara Sajade https://amzn.to/2RjMOGO

www.dejamallow.com
Honoured to be a poet
Tags: Poets, Life, Blue Insights, Writing, Poetry

Poetry is a right, a right to write your heart and not be judged for the meaning, or logic, or grammar.

Poetic licence is the greatest and the most powerful licence on earth.

We poets love our job. To hell with appreciation.

We can’t not do this.

When a poet is suddenly pregnant with a new idea, it feels thrilling. The joy at the birth of a newborn poem is unparalleled. We’re parents to poems.

But, the pain of the inability to translate emotion into words is real and fatal. We may break our heads, scratch our chins, or yank our hair for ideas. But, when the time is ripe for an idea to be translated into words, all the forces of the world cannot stop us.

Poets live in a world of fantasy, which is their only home. They’re strangers to the world outside home.

Each time I finish a poem and submit it, I emerge with a sense of accomplishment which is similar to having won a war. And it is a set of battles, in my head, indeed. A battle of words, a battle of emotions, a battle of choices, a battle of expressions. And then there is the need to feel satisfied on all fronts.

Poetry ain’t just fun. It ain’t just a way to let off or to gain popularity. It is not just a right to express oneself. It is a sacred duty, a duty that every poet that undertakes this journey has to do justice to.

Writing poetry is not a privilege, it’s an honour. Not all people are gifted with their words. Not all people are men/women of letters. Those that have the power of words ought to wield it with prudence.

We must never splurge on words. Brevity would drive home the point better, and also convey the desired emotions, while making it a shorter, concise read.

Brevity is the soul of the wit. — William Shakespeare

Poets don’t just look at the world around them, they observe the world through deep eyes, and ingest it with an air of understanding and reproduce it in words of beauty.

The life of a poet is not an easy one. Every word that they write, they tear a part of themselves and put that on paper. Every word that they write affects them.

Poets feel emotions in the extreme. Little things are enough to touch their hearts. They’re moved easily, and yet, their words easily move all our hearts.

Poets are the real artists, and poetry, the noblest art.

Never look down upon them or their work, for theirs too is a profession, the profession of giving life to words. Words come alive in their presence and narrate stories for you.
Tributes to Kavi Pradeep, the great poet-singer and master of the patriotic songs, on his 104th birth anniversary today.
Tags: Poet, Music, Bollywood, Bollywoodirect, Kavi Pradeep

Tributes to Kavi Pradeep, the great poet-singer and master of the patriotic songs, on his 104th birth anniversary today. Bollywoodirect Feb 6, 2019·2 min read

Tributes to Kavi Pradeep, the great poet-singer and master of the patriotic songs, on his 104th birth anniversary today.

Kavi Pradeep was a renowned poet and lyricist who is best known for his patriotic song ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon’ written as a tribute to the soldiers who had died defending the country during the Sino-Indian War. He was conferred the title of Rashtra Kavi (National Poet) by the government of India and came to be known as Kavi Pradeep.

In a career spanning over five decades Pradeep wrote nearly 1700 songs, hymns and fiery, nationalistic poems including the lyrics for some 85 films, many of them box- office hits because of his contribution. But it was for his patriotic songs like “Door hato aye duniya waalon . . . Hindustan hamara hai”, that Pradeep was best known.

Kavi Pradeep was at his creative zenith when he wrote for the films Nastik (1954) and Jagriti (1954). He even lent his voice for the evergreen song “Dekh Tere Sansar Ki Halat Kya Ho Gayi Bhagwaan, Kitna Badal Gaya Insaan” from the film Nastik (1954). Jagriti is considered to be his best work and it includes hit songs such as Aao Bachcho Tumhein Dikhayen Jhanki Hindustan Ki, Is Mitti Se Tilak Karo, Yeh Dharti Hai Balidan Ki” (sung by himself), “Hum Laaye Hain Toofan Se Kishti Nikal Ke, Is Desh Ko Rakhna Mere Bachcho Sambhal Ke” and “De Dee Humein Azadi Bina Khadag Bina Dhal, Sabarmati Ke Sant Tu Ne Kar Diya Kamaal”.

His songs were so popular that fans would see his movies repeatedly just to listen to his soulful songs. Kavi Pradeep always believed in writing songs in simple words portraying a meaning fitting into the situation. The popularity of his songs was due to his down-to-earth lyrics and simple language that was well understood by everyone.
TALL TALES: A Poem
By: The Rambling Pirate
Tags: Tall Tales, Poem, Poems On Medium, Poet, Poetry

TALL TALES

Have you ever been caught in a barroom conversation that leaves you scratching your head? Perhaps it’s not limited to a barroom, I’ve had many such conversations in a variety of locations coffee shops, bus stops, waiting rooms and so forth, in fact, the potential for such a conversation to take place is vast and I believe they are possible in any location but they do appear more common whenever you are captive for any period of time and escape seems futile. Smokers I believe endure this frequently and such conversation have led to many prematurely discarded cigarettes. Tall Tales is a poem I wrote inspired by such conversations.

TALL TALES

A man wearing a suit and a tie

Speaking in such detail

Anyone was sure to believe his lies

Always wins and never seems to fail

Nobody was asking him why

He ordered another pale ale

He’s set to stay a while

Talking to anyone willing to listen to his tall tales

I was waiting for time to pass by

Drinking another cocktail

With a heavy pour of Sazerac straight rye

But the customers bailed

And I must have caught his eye

Said he graduated from Yale

With a Phd in Poli-Sci

I was like a dog chasing his tail

Not achieving much listening to this guy

It felt like blackmail

As my next drink he did buy

His words floated like a contrail

Just hanging in the sky

Told me he found the Holy Grail

When he rode the Sante Fe Trail

On the back of a majestic Clydesdale

Said it only took him a few days

Then he made his way east

Leaving behind his magnificent beast

He went on to set sail

But his boat capsized

And he was swallowed whole by a whale

Sure he would die

He still found a way to survive

And made it out of the belly alive

He told me

He tamed a lion in Nairobi

Became a well- respected Yogi

And wandered for months in the Gobi

His lies were making me tired and sick

I don’t know about Moby

But he certainly seemed like a dick

Yet I kept listening because

He wanted me to believe

He was the man he wanted to be

And not the man who he was

Who was I to turn and be gone

After all is said and done

I don’t know if I’m the man I want to be

Or just the man I’ve become
Sugar
Tags: I Tried, Wannabe, Poet, Writing, Aspiring Writer

Sugar

(Explained:The following“poem” refers to a woman who lost her mother at a very young age from drug overdose (cocaine specifically) and as she grew up she started following her mother’s steps while practicing prostitution.So we see two different views being expressed in each sentence:one of the young, innocent girl and that one of the grown up,self destructive woman who has been cursed by dark childhood memories and is slowly lead to a “like mother like daughter” ending.)

Gets up at 8

Dizzy and hazed

Begins the day with sugar.

Mom’s yelling again

Once more running late

Classes replaced by sugar.

Arriving at 9

Her friends are aligned

though hard to obey when.. sugar.

Dolly cosplays

They play with their toys

Even more fun with sugar.

Where magic begins

New unexpected tricks

Under the influence of sugar.

They tie Johhny up

Start jumping around

Spinning head, dancing sugar.

A king on his throne

His birthland is Rome

The past and the base of her sugar.

Gross sweat won’t stop dripping/your cute nose is bleeding

The sun’s forceful rays/three cubes of her sugar.

Persistently sleeping

That bell just keeps ringing

You can’t get involved with her sugar.

Time to pick her up

Some resting at last

The shape of her mom, reflected on sugar.

White’s been in that place

Blue’s one recent case

Another betrayed by that witch,their sugar.

A brothel in bequest

Most hated last request

And signing in one’s stead is sugar.

Deliver it to you

Reforge a new one soon

Didn’t choose it but now do

You choose to stay with sugar.
OPERA ON TV IS :: POST-PRODUCTION REFLECTIONS BY JAMES LOWELL BRUNTON :: FIELD NOTES
By: Adrian Silbernagel
Tags: Books And Authors, List Poem, Poet, Creative Process, Poetry

OPERA ON TV IS

1. An ode to / a product of duration, written while my wife was at work and the baby slept or learned to roll over on the carpet next to my desk.

2. A series of enunciations punched out on the keys of a gray Olympia typewriter in a drafty apartment.

3. A consideration of what it means to live a certain kind of life with someone else (to work, to come home to each other), of what it means to be queer in this context of security.

4. What occupied my time while the cats stalked invisible prey around the rooms.

5. Amused.

6. Looking for definitions.

7. A prescient document. It knew ________ before I did, for instance.

8. An imaginary conversation with real effects (laughter, indignation, confusion, etc.).

9. An ode to my teachers, whose lessons I realized in its creation.

10. Evidence that ________.

11. Envious of the tactile.

12. Queer as a three dollar bill.

13. An artifact from a time just before ________.

14. Best read early in the morning, late at night, or in the library.

15. Indebted to the sensibilities of The Smiths, Julie Ruin, and Neko Case.

16. Evocative of great dark swaths of Midwest farmland, distant factory lights, inscrutable warehouses as observed from a speeding car on the highway at night.

17. A study in atmosphere.

18. Really just a lot of love poems, right?

19. Given to bouts of nostalgia.

20. Interested in asylums, each other’s bodies, symbols and what we do with them.

21. Jealous of cinematographers.

22. Just like me, I’m told.

23. Bored during the lecture.

24. Hungry for music.

25. A bad dancer.

26. Following a train of thought back to when I stayed awake for days waiting for a sense of rightness (right body, right love) or the look that would annihilate the concept of right.

27. Feminist.

28. A book that wouldn’t exist if not for Brigit Pegeen Kelly, whom I dearly miss.

29. Desirous of an audience.

30. Occasionally looking over its shoulder.

31. Suspicious of desire.

32. Still grieving certain losses suffered during its production.

33. Enamored of you, truly.

34. Comfortable with its obsessions, symptoms, refusals.

35. Nevertheless, ecstatic.
Notice Me, Senpai!
By: Swagata Deshmukh
Tags: Introduction, Writer, Illumination, Feminism, Poet

Two things about me might have been evident by now. First, I really love cats. Please tell me if there is a potion that turns humans into cats so I can sleep all day and have furry friends. Second, I am quite an introvert. No wonder I prefer books over people. I am an ardent book lover which is one of the reasons why I write. Books made me realize how powerful words can be. Few of my other obsessions are Harry Potter, minions, and BuzzFeed quizzes. Currently, I am working for Restronomy.com, a website that emphasizes on recent updates and resources for the restaurant industry.

As a kid, I was very shy and silent. My family was worried if I will ever talk. Always watched T.V. or played alone. It took me some time to open up. The reason I was like that is that my mother, sister and I left my abusive father’s house when I was almost 5 years old. We started our lives from scratch in a different city with the help of my mother’s family.

My mother worked for many years in the world of accountancy but now that my sister has grown up and taken over the steering wheel, she is living her best life. My sister is a Chartered Accountant. I am pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management. My end goal is to have my own food truck and flourish as a writer. I love the idea of being my own boss.

Living in an all-female house, knowing how our previous life was, has encouraged me to learn and read about intersectional feminism and activism every day. It inspired me to make my voice heard. One of the best ways to express oneself is to write. So, I started writing poetry on Instagram. But now that I have my own personal space here on Medium where people would really want to know and read what I have to say, there’s no going back.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

To sum up what you can expect from me as a writer, I wrote a little poem.
Laying down.. There are numerous ways to say this but…
By: Nonik Vir
Tags: Poem, Poem Prompt, Poet, Writing, Poetry

𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐰, 𝐈 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐲.

There are numerous ways to say this but I’ve come to a conclusion I need to conclude.

It is time to close the story.

How can I finally forget your voice?

I kind of longing (not missing) your laughter.

I begin to understand which ones are real and which ones are not.

The bed and good talks.

Then we are also like, not knowing a lot, yet not planning to seek all answers.

Apathetic? Maybe not.

Bringing false hopes and yes we did say things we cannot keep.

Are you acknowledging that at some point we need some closure?

We were so young and unstoppable, when the dark skies turns to red and we see the sunrise, I found an excitement.

I cannot sleep afterwards, I guess you wouldn’t have to care much.

No, we do not fast asleep earlier that day.

“I’ll reply you soon, I have to take care of some patients” you said. Then all day you’ll be gone.

Could you see that the part we chose to live does not encourage us to decide?

Although all my heart was and might still ready to be waiting like a fool, who am I to decide.

One ever said, never make a decision when you are angry, sad, or confused.

At last, someone or something soothes you better than I ever could.

Underneath your skin,

Alongside your breaths,

Inside your heartbeat.

For much longer, you are feeling alive.

Endure with me, a sanctuary to reside have not been founded.
Caelis Poetry
By: Caeli Mckamey
Tags: Writer, Poet, Poetry, Poem

You can read more here: Caeliswords.com. http://caeliswords.com/2020/06/01/daydreaming-of-poetry/

Some quotes “ I wonder how you sleep at night

knowing the world

is dying

one by one”

Do you know who this quote is about? I bet you can guess?

WICKED WINDS OF THE WEST-http://caeliswords.com/2020/05/28/wicked-winds/

http://caeliswords.com/2020/05/25/im-glad-im-alive-video/

Living is much harder than giving up. Keep your eyes open, just for today. Decide tomorrow.

Chapter from my book, http://caeliswords.com/2020/05/25/caelis-book-chapter-2weight-growing-up/

“I lost 10 pounds a week from not being able to stop moving and not liking the taste of food. Not wanting to eat?! That is NOT me! Something must be up”

My resume just in case you need a writer. If this does not convince you,

MAY 15, 2020WORDS FOR THE SOULEDIT “I LOVE YOU LITTLE MOON, A POEM REPRESENTING HOW HONEST LOVE FEELS IN EACH MOMENT”

I want to be close to you again

cradling me in the moon

thoughts dance in our sky

like language

warmth of tenderness

scribe of my heart

take me across your planets

tell me why you made us our home

and remind me

i love you little moon
Let me Walk
By: Kojo Omar
Tags: Poem, Poet, Poetry On Medium, African Literature, Poetry

Let me walk you through my pain

It is a very hot afternoon out here

And the rivers have closed their doors

Our dreams are in the hands of bad nights

Our dreams are in the hands of a mad country which we love so much.

But I blame the rappers that said

We could touch the sky and the baddest whores

I blame fathers who were brave enough to think

Educating us and eradicating us, were not the same

I blame Gods who never had parents

I blame devils that do not invent

I blame African chiefs that sold their people

And slaves that owned Bibles

This thing i write has no form!

It becomes a dirge when it's time to be

It becomes John Keats, when the hideous shadows of men, rise from the grave

While more youth return

By suicide or which ever means be,

I too, will return.

But now, loneliness no-girl-wants-usness

Is essential for the win

This ma vim no go die

Dragons utilized all their chances and

Man is glad man will be free chale

Moriah Mills got us

So we’re in good hands chale

We’re in good hands chale
The concept of life is such a strange and magical idea
By: Miriam Serkez
Tags: Life, Universe, Positivity, Light

We as the human race cannot even comprehend what the universe around us offers day in and day out. We build ourselves up to be the most dominant creatures on earth, when in reality we are not much more than a speck of dust in the universe. What does make us unique however, is our power within. If we approach life with the egotistical view that our strength of body and being is the most important and powerful aspect of life, we will get nowhere. What we must do in order to achieve the truth and peace that the universe has to offer, is join the harmony.

We must remember our place and stay humble. We must understand that we are not put in this world to grow high in the leadership ladder of the institutionalized life, we are placed here in order to spread the love and positive energy throughout all that is and all that will ever be around us. So many have lost their ways without ever having the chance of even understanding what it is that they came here to do. We cannot blame however, those that have fallen to the ridden path. Our minds have the ability to understand so much more that our thoughts can ever show, but when they are not exercised they will not be. Evil is the term that so many fear and too many others turn to be. Evil is a bacteria. When it infects, it grows and grows and exponentially becomes that much harder to contain.

It is therefore so important to aspire towards goodness, where the light is shining bright. One who has fallen towards evil must never be forgotten. When we forget, this is when we start to hate. Hatred is worse than evil. We must realize that we are all of the same matter, filled with same but different conflicts from within. If the evil feels no love, it grows darker even faster. We must be strong. We must spread the light throughout without endangering our minds and souls. Those who properly make an impact are the ones who are capable of entering the evil and spreading the light. We must not fear the evil as we do, rather reveal the power that the light has to offer. There will be those who have dug themselves in too deep, and we must trust that they will come to understand what is clarity when they enter the next stage. We must make sure that we don’t hurt ourselves trying with the ones who have receded this low. But, we must not give up. This is the most common and worse mistake that we can make on this journey.

​

​
I, too, discovered the secrets of the universe
By: Komal Dhobe
Tags: Universe, LGBTQ, Books, Gay, Queer

I, too, discovered the secrets of the universe

Books have to be heavy because the whole world’s inside them.

– Cornelia Funke

We all have read books which made us almost wish “if only this book worked like the Tom Riddle’s diary” or “I so badly want to crawl inside this book and just reside in those pages, forever”.

But some books are a little different; the ones that make me really happy. I actually get so engrossed as if I were a part of the story all along.

This year I read two of such books that got me immersed, drowning out almost everything else. Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe and Simon Vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda helped me discover some of the secrets about myself; rating them 5 out 5 stars on Goodreads didn’t seem quite enough.

Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe

Photo by Alex Bertha on Unsplash

I guess it was around midnight when I finished reading Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe. When I placed the book on my lap and looked up, I was phased out. I continued gazing out of the window and I figured it would rain — like it could actually rain. The feeling was so real. I was so happy as though I had smoked pot. I couldn’t rest or sleep; I lingered for hours, awake, tuning in to happy, chill songs.

I don’t know how to depict the book. I preferred it to such an extent.

Guess a really really really good book is enough to make me high. Isn’t it a wonderful — although weird — secret of the universe I discovered?

Simon vs the homo sapiens agenda

THE FEELING: When you end up sleeping at 4 in the morning reading a really really brilliant book and you don’t even want to sleep anymore. You just can’t stop thinking about it. You just want to Google all the fanart that are on Tumblr; download & listen to all the songs that have been mentioned in the book; reread the favourite paragraphs. Even three hours of sleep won’t make you feel tired or drowsy the next day.

I guess a good book always help us learn and uncover a lot of truth about ourselves while also offering us different perspectives to look at situations or people, even. So here’s to me hoping you find a book that helps you discover some of the secrets about yourself!
~ 63 weeks to my ‘Tees’ (30th) ~
By: Dipti Kamath
Tags: Universe, Training, Life, Family, Dichotomy

~ 63 weeks to my ‘Tees’ (30th) ~

(22–28 July 2019)

Half of this week I was at the HAZMAT course -where we were being trained on how to respond if ever there were a HAZMAT (Hazardous Material) incident in our locality (like the Tokyo Sarin attack or the Bhopal gas tragedy) and what would be the steps we would take as the frontlines of the healthcare system. Whilst training to be an Emergency Medicine physician and being an adrenaline junkie, I find thrill in the acute cases that present to the Resuscitation room -a Mass Casuality Incident of this order wouldn’t be something I’d ever look forward to.

On one hand, we hold hands, talk about ‘One World Family’ and are sincere peace crusaders; on the other hand, some countries are at outright war, while others are ever-ready for attack, including that from terrorist organisations. The sheer dichotomy gets to me sometimes and often, I fail to understand, how despite being an educated species, we still can bring harm to one another. But the poignant truth is that, it all stems from inequality and discrimination, and one’s perception of such unfairness, and the subsequent frustration. The means will never be justified, though the alleged triggers might just be eh? I spent the lone bus rides to and fro, in my own thoughts and how the world could very well be a peaceful place, but perhaps we are just far away from that ideal universe, if there were such a thing at all.

In my own little universe, as ever, I found little moments of peace for myself and my family. Mid-week, met the husband for a foot massage and later, for a cheesy date at this quaint place called “Awesome Cafe” -absolutely loved the vibes and the attentive service there. As the weekend dawned, met a couple of our friends, for cocktails atop Marina Bay Sands; we also handed them some gifts which Prantik had picked up from Wimbledon, their 5 year old was elated to receive a Wimbledon jacket and couldn’t stop smiling :) We also got a chance to witness the (National Day practice) fireworks prior to heading for a movie. The movie wasn’t great, but we did have a good evening together.

Later on Sunday, we finally went for ‘brunch’ — something that has been on Prantik’s mind for a while. We went to this cafe called “Lokal” and enjoyed regular brunch fare, while the little one was kept busy with colouring pencils and puzzles. We then walked over to Wallich residence, and chilled there, enjoying the breeze, while Ayaan ran around, blowing bubbles.

I thought to myself again: We all live in our little bubbles; if not all, most of us. By nature, we are all self-centred individuals and often, our lives revolve around us, our immediate family and a handful of friends perhaps. When at work, at the hospital it often feels like I’m in a different Universe altogether. I oft wonder, what will make that bubble burst? And if and when the bubble bursts, what then? But I guess, we’ll deal with it when it occurs; until then, stay happy, stay peaceful and enjoy your coffee, in blissful oblivion.
“What was your life for?”
By: Daniel Rapoport
Tags: Universe, Life, Matrix, Self Improvement, Humanity

Life is a short period of available time for taking creative actions. Being unique is essential for human existence. Although humans are mentally and physically different from each other, we share the same Universe simultaneously.

Thoughts become things

God created this Simulation so perfect that we call it Realty, so the current life is an illusion, and we need only one tool for getting into this dream: the human body!

Illness is the panic of the machine, so the physical death is the total pane of the tool we call body. This fantastic engine developed by God has one purpose: serving as a platform for the soul!

The short period we stay in the Matrix is supposed to be creative, different, unique and fruitful for both the Lord’s and Human’s intentions. We chose to be here! The Name created this “reality” for His and our advantage.

Life is a collective dream, and it’s co-creators are supposed to make it the most excellent place ever. The only way to make it happen is to act!

Nice to hear that all roads from your city lead home, however, it’s tragic to assume that most of the time we are at our comfort zone, not taking those streets that lead to incredible places, and wasting the precious time: the life. Only you can stop it!

Remember that any moment will never come back to you, so face now as a single opportunity for creating a new reality, or you’ll die having wasted your whole life having had the chance of utilizing it!

Once we are all going to die, we’ll arrive at heaven, then we may be asked there: “What was your life for?” We must be prepared to answer this! The only way to do it is to work in this World and rest on The Next World.
Is it a coincidence that you are reading this?
Tags: Universe, Life, Science, Physics, Philosophy

Is it a coincidence that you are reading this?

We’re all big fans of moments when dissonant elements just fall together into something meaningful. Be it in movies, stories or real life, coincidences are interesting and more often than not, the icing on the cake.

As a concept, I have been intrigued by coincidences for a long time now. Maybe it was the in-numerous movies that I was watching while growing up, or maybe it was real life situations which got me thinking about it.

I was just trying to figure out the mechanics of events and occurrences, and what all factors affected them. Was it all in our control or was the world on auto-pilot, or maybe it was something in between.

Being a student of science early in my life, I have a natural disposition of looking at things from a similar perspective initially. So I looked at this ‘mystery’ of how events unfold, from a technical perspective.

While in school, I had learnt about ‘isolated systems’ and how they are self contained, without any influence from outside the boundary, that defines them. So I will discuss a thought experiment. Let’s assume our universe to be an isolated system, devoid of any influence from outside of it. So anything happening inside of it, is happening on its own. And if things are happening by themselves, following a set of rules (laws of nature) then there can be no coincidences, since then, they can be predicted using those laws. Everything is being executed according to a set of rules, and coincidences happen when something which can’t be explained by reason or rules, occurs. So it can be argued that there are no coincidences.

Now one might counter argue, that we can imagine multiple sub-systems within the universe. These systems are not isolated and can be influenced externally. And thus, possibility of coincidences exists within these. So another element to keep in mind is to think about when this ‘isolated system’ came into being. That is when things were set in motion and were allowed to progress through a process of enclosed interaction over billions of years. Sounds fascinating that you reading this right now was bound to happen and one might have predicted it so far back in time, but obviously, theoretically.

If one looks at events under these lenses which add an element of prescience to them, it becomes hard to believe how coincidences have been defined conventionally. To understand this better, imagine the sub-atomic events that ultimately lead to how we perceive things through our senses on a macro level. Those particles are just following the rules that they are supposed to, since the beginning of time. And they have always been here, the building blocks, just changing shape and form, but without consciousness or an independent ‘mind’. It is time that is taking them through this journey of transformation.

So did you choose to like or dislike this article, or was it just supposed to always happen this way?

(Happy to hear about/discuss any counter-arguments, assumptions or nuances to this!)
10 Interesting facts about Space
Tags: Universe, Space, Mars, Space Facts, Earth

Space is very interesting to know. It contains a lot of secrets in it. Here are some interesting facts about space.

Jupiter attracts most of the asteroid moving towards earth with its high gravitational force that why its called dumping ground of earth.

Mars has only 1 % atmosphere as compare to earth because of it the sun set at mars is blue. You cant use pen in space as it has not gravity. Light takes only 1.3 seconds to reach from moon to earth. Milky way is known as Silver river. Coca-cola is the first soft drink which was drunk in space. Space is completely silent as sound needs medium to travel. In 2016, our scientist get a signal which comes from 5 billion light year away, this mean when is started earth did not existed. We can only see one side of the moon. International Space Station takes only 92 minutes for a single revolution around earth. As moon has no atmosphere, the foot print of Neil Armstrong is still exist at moon.

For more amazing facts in hindi

For more facts about space in Hindi :

Source : Factoon
An Ode to God — as He is to me!
By: Tejinder Singh Bedi
Tags: Universe, God, India, Almighty, Faith

An Ode to God — as He is to me!

Tejinder Singh Bedi

@tsinghbedi

Image Courtesy _Hand_Of_God_Unsplash

I think, think & think

But never can I

As never ever any other can

To me

He is in every Breath

In every Sight

In every Sound

In every Syllable, may I speak

Or Sing at times

In every Fragrance,

In each Breeze. Cool or Hot

In every Touch

In Fire, in Earth, in Water, In Air,

Through all the nights, through all the days

In my Dreams,

I dream whether; asleep or awake

All the deities, do I worship

Merge in Him

Just as

They emanated from Him

Truth remains His name

Like true alone can with truth ever be

The only Doer, the only Fearless

Sans enmities any, ever

Beyond Times

Beyond Forms

Never ever Born

And never to Die

With Guru’s grace

Can only the ONLY One be followed

Image_Courtesy_Shuttersstock.com

I think, think & think

But can just feel Him

In His countless bounties blessings and bliss

and, all the breaths He has bestowed

From whence I came

Until thence I will go!!

Copyright — tejinder singh bedi
Your Thoughts: Not Always Yours
By: Rohan Vankar
Tags: Universe, Decision Making, Physics, Thoughts, Thinking

Nobody owns their thoughts and ideas. Brain acts as a radio transmitter, where it receive thoughts and vibes in form of invisible frequency from the great Universe. Every single flash of thought is a reflection of your tuned frequency in the brain. Just like radio waves, thoughts and vibes has their own waves which flows across the Universe. It starts from the point of origin, the spot where individual is, and travel persistently in the Universe. When individual think about great vision with higher tuned and set frequency, waves of thoughts travels endlessly in the surrounding environment. Consistent thinking with voluntary efforts to stick on those frequency can have fruitful reaction from the Universe. If any other individual or group of individuals, set their own frequency which match pure content of original waves, they can blend their minds in one another. If group of ambitious people, match their waves and blend their minds, can create a separate World and communication system, through which their brains can communicate with or without intention of individuals. Brain communication system works without technical failures, once the connection establish. Blending of brain into one another is just like mixing individual bodies into one soul. Then one supereme soul form and direct each of them to take action in certain manner, to realise their single combined goal. Under brain communication system, every single thought wave from each single brains connected, can travel and reach to other connected receiver brain. These thought waves are powerful and magnetic in nature, which can travel and move without any hurdles and no material things of the World can stop it. Thought waves with higher frequency moves and spread in each part of the Universe, and other brains receive and interpret original content of thought. If some other brains also tuned for the similar content and vision, their brains starts to receive similar magnetic thought waves from across the Universe.
The Secret of Dark Energy
By: Neve L.
Tags: Universe, Astronomy, Dark Energy, Science, Space

Introduction

Why is our universe expanding faster and faster? Theoretically, it should slow down, but it has been proven to be speeding up! Physicists name this odd phenomenon “dark energy” and have found that 69 percent of our universe is composed of this “energy”. This force puzzles scientists, and its nature and origin remain unknown. Some agree that it is made up of unknown particles, others suggest it could be a fifth fundamental force of the universe, an addition to weak force, strong force, gravity and electromagnetism! So, what do we know about dark energy so far?

Discovery

Discovered in 1998, dark energy came as an exciting surprise to everyone, especially the two teams who conducted an experiment leading to its accidental discovery, led by Adam Riess, Saul Perlmutter and Brian Schmidt. Initially, the astronomers wanted to measure the rate of the Hubble Constant (expanding universe), but ended up making a brand-new shiny discovery. They already knew the true brightness of a specific supernovae star type Ia, commonly known as “standard candles” since they always emit the same amount of light, so next they needed to estimate the appearing brightness from Earth. This would allow them to determine the rate of expansion in the universe. After making their calculations, they noticed the supernovae was 25 percent fainter than they had expected, proving that the universe isn’t slowing down like the theories had affirmed, but speeding up. This is what we call dark energy.

A Mysterious Stopwatch

As confusing as dark energy already is, there’s an additional twist to it: dark energy doesn’t originate from the Big Bang. It took control around six billion years later, after an unknown “antigravity” force dominated gravity, causing to break the expansion. Later, dark energy randomly kicked in and reversed the deacceleration of the universe to speed everything up. Why did this force appear out of nowhere? Scientists believe a more complete timeline of the universe will allow us to deepen our understanding of dark energy and its creation. But for now, our complex universe leaves us in the dark.

Conclusion

Dark energy is one of the many mysteries of our world. Physicists have only reached the surface of this phenomenon and will need to keep digging to find the answer they are looking for. Scientists are also curious to find what triggered dark energy kick in suddenly. In conclusion, there are still so many questions to be asked about this mystery and answers to be found!
California in Bloom: 5 Bay Area Trails Painted With Wildflowers
By: Matt Charnock
Tags: Wildflowers, Hiking Trails, Spring, San Francisco, Nature

1. Windy Hill’s Anniversary Trail

Photo: Flickr/btwashburn

Located in the South Bay near Portola Valley, Windy Hill has a ton of trails you could choose— but the one you absolutely need to walk down is the Anniversary Trail. Set an alarm early, lace up your shoes, and drive up into the hills, and park in the main lot, which opens 30 minutes before sunrise; this will give you enough time to make your way up to the peak through the wildflower-scattered trails and watch the sunrise over the Bay.

Visit AllTrails for more info.

2. Point Reyes’ Chimney Rock Trail

Photo: Flickr/Pic16Bit

This easy, two-mile out-and-back hike snakes along coastal cliffs and offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean (as well as migrating humpback and blue whales and herds of elephant seals). The trail erupts with blossoms from February through August, featuring a kaleidoscope of California buttercups and poppies, pale pink checkerblooms, and more.

Visit AllTrails for more info.

3. Russian Ridge Open Preserve’s namesake trail

Photo: Flickr/mjmonty

This 3,000-acre preserve in Redwood City is full of lush greenery and rolling hills that offer scenic glimpses of the Pacific. Wildflowers start to come into the picture around early February — poppies, blue lupine, and fuchsia currant bush blossoms are just a few of the natural flora to sprout inside the green space.

Blackberry bushes are abundant here and heading up to the park’s highest point at Borel Hill will afford you sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay, as well as the Pacific Ocean to the west.

Visit AllTrails for more info.

4. Sunol’s Little Yosemite Hike

Photo: Flickr/Images by John ‘K’

Lovingly dubbed “Little Yosemite,” this 2.2-mile, out-and-back trail in Sunol (a small town between Fremont and Pleasanton in the East Bay) is a must-walk for nature lovers looking for some off-the-beaten-path Bay Area hiking. If you start your trek at the Visitor’s Center, you can view a map of the land and find the passage that’ll lead you to the Canyon View Trail.

Taking the round-trip hike gives you spectacular views of the wildflower-soaked canyon that may also feature the occasional waterfall.

Visit AllTrails for more info.

5. Mount Diablo’s North Peak Trail

Photo: Flickr/jacksonwwightman

Mount Diablo is arguably East Bay’s most scenic, picturesque green space (that just so happens to be perched nearly 4,000 feet above sea level). Those who trek up are rewarded with panoramic views of the Bay Area. Along the way, the oak- and pine-lined trail is shouldered with monkeyflower, poppies, purple Chinese houses, and more.

If you’re lucky, you’ll come across the striking lemon-yellow bulbs of Mount Diablo fairy lanterns, a rare lily that only blooms here.

Visit AllTrails for info.