January 2025 – Hey, World

«I don’t know what gave them the idea to put a city in the middle of all this sand.»

An ‹Ur-Berliner› is someone who was born in Berlin. Ideally, their parents were also Berliners—and their grandparents too. Even better if you can trace your ancestors back to a local mammoth hunter clad in a bearskin. Back when Berlin actually belonged to the Berliners, and people knew their neighbors. Of course, the place wasn’t yet called Berlin.

Humanity Isn’t Ready Yet: Why Colonizing Mars is Pure Science Fiction

«Misdirection. False signals. Spreading confusion. This is the Tao of deception.» David Ignatius

There have been some pretty wild ideas throughout American history, some of which were dreamt up by presidents who were ahead of their time or, at times, just completely out there.

The 10 Greatest Episodes of The Sopranos

Tony Soprano orders a round of delicious onion rings for the family at a diner with red leatherette booths. Meadow isn’t there yet—still struggling to park her car, despite a trillion attempts. It’s supposed to be a nice evening, even for Anthony Junior, whose perpetual depression has him contemplating a future as a «helicopter pilot for Donald Trump.»

Then, in an instant, the screen fades to black. Just a few seconds, but too long to fade to the next scene. Finally, the darkness leads to the end credits. The curtain fell—because everything had been told.

«Courting the Devil»—The Witches of Berlin

Belief in witchcraft is ancient. The Germanic tribes already knew sorceresses, and to them, magic was an undeniable part of reality. During the Easter expansion into the Mark Brandenburg in the 12th and 13th centuries, the idea that witches had turned their backs on God and made a pact with the devil gradually spread throughout the German-speaking world.

When the Ancient Greeks invented Thanksgiving

In ancient Greek culture, Thalysia was a harvest festival held in honor of the god Apollo, typically celebrated during the month of Pyanepsion, which corresponds roughly to October or November in the modern Gregorian calendar.

«Na, ma kieken!»—Socialist East Berlin in 15 pictures

Gaskokerei Dimitroffstraße (Danziger Straße), Gerd Danigel, ddr-fotograf.de.

The Gaskokerei Dimitroffstraße, also known as the IV. Städtische Gasanstalt or Gaswerk IV, was a significant gas production facility in Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg district. It began operations in 1873 and was in service for 108 years until its closure in 1981, making it the longest-operating gasworks in Berlin. After the closure, the site was to be transformed into the Ernst-Thälmann-Park, a residential and recreational complex.

Scents of the Bible

Incense has played a significant role in spirituality and mysticism since ancient times, often used to facilitate prayer, meditation, and altered states of consciousness. Its pervasive presence in both religious and secular rituals highlights its importance in creating an atmosphere conducive to spiritual experiences. This ancient tradition is reflected in literature, film, and religious practices, where incense is often a key element in the exploration of perception, mysticism, and the boundaries of human experience.

Roots of Power: The Three German-American Presidents Who Shaped U.S. History

More than half of all U.S. presidents have Irish ancestry, while only three of the 45 presidents to date have or had German roots. These three—whose ancestors all came from the Electoral Palatinate, one of the main sources of German emigration to the U.S.—had little to no close connection with their ancestral homeland.

«Far in the crimsoning east, wakeful Dawn threw wide the shining doors of her rose-filled chamber.»

*The Gates of Dawn*, Wikimedia, Public Domain.

Herbert James Draper (1864–1920) was an English artist renowned for his works in the Pre-Raphaelite style, blending mythological themes with highly detailed, emotive depictions of the human figure. One of his most celebrated works, The Gates of Dawn (1900), exemplifies his characteristic luminous and ethereal quality.

Hohenzollernküchlein—A Little Known Pastry

The House of Hohenzollern is one of the most prominent royal families in European history, with origins dating back to the medieval era. The family, which emerged in the 11th century in what is now Germany, rose to prominence within the Holy Roman Empire. The family name is derived from Hohenzollern Castle, their ancestral seat, located atop the 855-meter-high Hohenzollern Mountain in Swabia.