Taoism

 

Taoism is a Chinese philosophical and spiritual tradition that focuses on living in accordance with the Tao. The Tao is the source, pattern, and substance of all that exists in Taoism. Taoism teaches about the different disciplines that might be used to achieve "perfection" by becoming one with the unplanned rhythms of the universe, which are referred to as "the way" or "Tao." Taoist ethics differ by school, but in general, they emphasize wu wei (intentionless action), "naturalness," simplicity, spontaneity, and the Three Treasures: "compassion," "frugality," and "humility."

Taoism has roots dating back to the 4th century BCE. Early Taoism derived its cosmological ideas from the School of Yinyang (Naturalists) and was profoundly affected by the I Ching (Yi Jing), one of China's oldest scriptures, which expounds a philosophical system about how to keep human behavior in harmony with nature's alternating cycles. Shen Buhai, a "Legalist" who preached wu wei realpolitik, could have also been a big influence. Together with Zhuangzi's later publications, the Tao Te Ching, a short book containing teachings attributed to Lao Tzu, is often regarded as the foundational work of the Taoist tradition.

The Taoist tradition is now one of the five official religious doctrines of the People's Republic of China. It is also a major religion in Taiwan, with followers in a variety of different societies, including Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asia.

Oprah Winfrey's "You Get a Car" Episode

 On September 13, 2004, TV talk-show host Oprah Winfrey gave away a brand-new Pontiac G6 sedan, worth $28,500, to everyone in her studio audience: a total of 276 cars in all. Oprah had told her producers to fill the crowd with people who “desperately needed” the cars, and when she announced the prize (by jumping up and down and yelling "You get a car! You get a car! Everybody gets a car!”), mayhem–crying, screaming and delirium broke out all around her. The "You get a car" episode became one of the biggest promotional stunts in the history of television.

Florida-Full of Flowers

 

In 1513, explorer Ponce de Leon gave the state of Florida its name. The word "Florida" is derived from the Spanish word "florido," which meaning "flowery" or "full of flowers." Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León became the first known European to make landfall, calling the region by that name due to its lush greenery and the Easter season.  With the Spanish colony of St. Augustine, founded in 1565, being the oldest continuously inhabited city in the continental United States, Florida became the first location in the continental United States to be permanently colonized by Europeans. Florida was contested by Spain and the United Kingdom several times before being given to the United States in 1819; it became the 27th state on March 3, 1845. The Seminole Wars (1816–1858), the longest and most extensive of the Indian Wars in American history, were fought mostly in Florida. On January 10, 1861, the state seceded from the Union, becoming one of the seven initial Confederate States. On June 25, 1868, Florida was returned to the Union following the Civil War.

Florida's climate ranges from subtropical to tropical in the north and south. It is the only state in the continental United States with both a tropical climate (near the lowest extremity of the peninsula) and a coral reef, aside from Hawaii. As a result, Florida is home to multiple distinct ecosystems, the most famous of which is Everglades National Park, the largest tropical wilderness in the United States and one of the largest in the Americas. The American alligator, American crocodile, American flamingo, Roseate spoonbill, Florida panther, bottle-nose dolphin, and manatee are among the region's unique species. The Florida Reef is the world's third-largest coral barrier reef system and the only extant coral barrier reef in the continental United States (after the Great Barrier Reef and Belize Barrier Reef).

The state's huge population and economy give it significant clout in national politics; it has been a prominent battleground in presidential elections since the late twentieth century, most notably in 2000. Miami is regarded as a global metropolis, along with Orlando and Tampa. 

Laika-Soviet Space Dog

 

Laika was a Soviet space dog that was one of the first animals to travel to space and orbit the Earth. Laika, a stray mongrel from Moscow's streets, was chosen as the first occupant of the Soviet spacecraft Sputnik 2, which was launched into low orbit on November 3, 1957.  

At the time of Laika's voyage, nothing was understood about the effects of spaceflight on live organisms, and the technology to de-orbit had not yet been invented, therefore Laika's survival was never predicted. Because some scientists feared that humans would not be able to survive the launch or the harsh environment of space, engineers saw animal expeditions as an essential prelude to human missions. The goal of the experiment was to show that a living passenger could survive being launched into orbit and surviving in a micro-g environment, paving the door for human spaceflight and providing scientists with some of the first data on how living beings react to micro-g situations.

Russian officials raised a monument to Laika on April 11, 2008. In her honor, a tiny monument was erected at the Moscow military research complex that developed Laika for her space mission. It featured a dog perched on a rocket. She is also shown on the Monument to the Space Conquerors in Moscow. 

Back to the Future-DeLorean

 

Marty McFly and Doc Brown were transported to the future in a DeLorean DMC-12 sports car. The DeLorean was the brainchild of John Z. DeLorean, an automobile engineer who founded the DeLorean Motor Company. A total of 9,200 automobiles were produced, consisting of three model years: 1981, 1982, and 1983. In 1982, the DeLorean Motor Company filed for bankruptcy, only days after its founder, John DeLorean, was arrested on drug trafficking charges. Though its production was short-lived, the car became widely known when it was featured as the time machine in the Back to the Future film franchise.

Scurvy

 

Scurvy is an illness caused by a deficiency in vitamin C. Weakness, fatigue, and painful arms and legs are early signs of deficiency. Reduced red blood cells, gum problems, hair changes, and skin bleeding may occur if left untreated. Scurvy can cause poor wound healing, personality changes, and death from infection or bleeding as it progresses.

During the Age of Sail, it was estimated that 50% of sailors would succumb to scurvy during a long voyage. In 1753, James Lind, a Scottish surgeon in the Royal Navy, is widely credited for establishing that scurvy may be successfully cured with citrus fruit. Nonetheless, it took health reformers like Gilbert Blane until 1795 to persuade the Royal Navy to administer lemon juice to its men on a regular basis.  

Before symptoms appear, it takes at least a month of eating little or no vitamin C. Scurvy is especially common in those with mental illnesses, strange eating habits, drunkenness, and elderly people who live alone in modern times. Intestinal mal-absorption and dialysis are two further risk factors. Humans and a few other species do not manufacture vitamin C on their own. Vitamin C is necessary for the formation of collagen's building blocks. Physical signs, X-rays, and improvement following treatment are commonly used to make a diagnosis.

When compared to other dietary deficits, scurvy is a rare occurrence. It is more common in developing countries and is linked to malnutrition. According to reports, refugee rates range from 5% to 45 percent. Scurvy has been documented from the time of ancient Egypt. It was a stumbling block to long-distance marine transport, which killed a large number of people. 

Million Dollar Baby

 

Million Dollar Baby is a 2004 American sports drama film directed, co-produced, scored, and starring Clint Eastwood, based on short stories by F.X. Toole, the pen name of fight manager and cutman Jerry Boyd, and based on a screenplay written by Paul Haggis. Morgan Freeman and Hilary Swank also star in the film.

The story is about Margaret "Maggie" Fitzgerald is an Ozarks waitress who turns up at the Hit Pit, a run-down Los Angeles gym owned and maintained by Frankie Dunn. Dunn is a grumpy Irish-American trainer who has just announced that he is estranged from his daughter. Maggie asks Frankie to coach her, but he declines since he doesn't train women and Maggie is too elderly to start boxing. Frankie's buddy and coworker, Eddie "Scrap-Iron" Dupris, who also serves as the film's narrator, supports and assists Maggie.

Clint Eastwood plays Frankie Dunn, an aging boxing trainer who is grumpy yet well-intentioned. Mary Margaret "Maggie" Fitzgerald, played by Hilary Swank, is a determined wannabe boxer who is taught by Frankie Dunn. Eddie "Scrap-Iron" Dupris, Dunn's gym assistant, is played by Morgan Freeman; an aging former boxer, he was blinded in one eye in his 109th and final battle.