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nairiporter
The map above shows roughly who controlled what parts of Africa in 1880.
This is just 5 years before the Berlin Conference in 1885 that would launch the so-called “Scramble for Africa,” of full European domination and conquest of the continent.
However, as you can clearly see in the map above European colonisation was already well underway at this point.
(Source)
mahnmutMuch on the subject, eh? Examples of tasks given to AI gone awry abound, I'm sure you've realized by now. Well, for instance this article collects a series of AI-generated images where image-generation tools misinterpret prompts so wildly that the results are just... surreal.
Way to go, AI?
( SEE MOAR )
Way to go, AI?
( SEE MOAR )
mahnmut
Happy Friday, everyone!
As we wrap up another week of debates, deep analysis, and the occasional keyboard-smashing moment, it's time for something far more important than politics: beverages!
This morning, scientists* announced the results of a groundbreaking study aiming to settle one of humanity's oldest divisions: Is coffee or tea the superior drink?
*Scientists, in this case, meaning a group of very tired grad students who realized their grant money ran out three months ago.
Key Findings:
Coffee drinkers reported higher alertness, increased productivity, and a 97% chance of starting a sentence with "Okay, but hear me out..."
Tea drinkers reported lower stress, better digestion, and a 97% chance of saying "I could stop anytime I want" while brewing their fifth cup.
Both groups agreed unanimously that decaf doesn't count and that anyone who microwaves water "should be monitored".
Unexpected Discovery:
During the "peace talks", both factions bonded deeply over their shared distrust of people who say they "don't like any hot drinks". Negotiations immediately shifted from beverage supremacy to forming a unified front against these monsters.
Conclusion:
After hours of heated debate (and increasingly shaky hands), the panel reached a historic agreement:
Both coffee and tea are valid, noble, necessary survival fluids, and anyone trying to rank them must first drink a glass of water and calm down.
So in the spirit of bipartisan beverage cooperation, grab your mug of choice, take a sip, and enjoy a peaceful Friday! You’ve probably earned it.
fridiIgnacia Fernández, 27-year-old model and vocalist of progressive death metal band Decessus went viral last week for her brutal performance in the seminfals. She showcased her extreme vocals and stunned the judges.
Then last Sunday, she was crowned Miss World Chile and will advance to the Miss World and Miss Universe contests.
https://blabbermouth.net/news/death-metal-singer-ignacia-fernandez-crowned-miss-world-chile-2025
Her performance:
VIDEO
asthfghlSo apparently, Russia has found a new enemy of the state - and it's not NATO, not the West, not TikTok... it's Masha and the Bear.
Yes, you read that right. A Russian political scientist and pro-Putin activist named Vadim Popov has proposed that the beloved children's cartoon "Masha and the Bear" be restricted - or even banned - because it allegedly "contradicts traditional Russian values". Whatever that means.
His argument? Brace yourselves.
A little girl shouldn't live alone.
She shouldn't be talking to animals.
And, generally speaking, no child should ever experience magical or unrealistic things - because that apparently "confuses children and leads them away from the true path of Russian spirituality".
Popov also took aim at other dangerous Western influences like Pippi Longstocking, Alice in Wonderland, and of course Harry Potter. (Someone please check if Winnie the Pooh is already on the sanctions list!)
So yeah - the battle for Russia's moral soul now officially includes cartoon bears, talking teapots, and imaginary friends.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the Kremlin:
"Comrade, what about the economy?"
"Forget the economy! Masha is corrupting our youth!"
Happy Friday, comrades - may your cartoons remain unbanned and your bears remain cute and friendly. 🐻😂
Yes, you read that right. A Russian political scientist and pro-Putin activist named Vadim Popov has proposed that the beloved children's cartoon "Masha and the Bear" be restricted - or even banned - because it allegedly "contradicts traditional Russian values". Whatever that means.
His argument? Brace yourselves.
A little girl shouldn't live alone.
She shouldn't be talking to animals.
And, generally speaking, no child should ever experience magical or unrealistic things - because that apparently "confuses children and leads them away from the true path of Russian spirituality".
Popov also took aim at other dangerous Western influences like Pippi Longstocking, Alice in Wonderland, and of course Harry Potter. (Someone please check if Winnie the Pooh is already on the sanctions list!)
So yeah - the battle for Russia's moral soul now officially includes cartoon bears, talking teapots, and imaginary friends.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the Kremlin:
"Comrade, what about the economy?"
"Forget the economy! Masha is corrupting our youth!"
Happy Friday, comrades - may your cartoons remain unbanned and your bears remain cute and friendly. 🐻😂
fridiHeavy metal may sound loud and aggressive, but research says it actually makes fans happier. Psychologist Nico Rose, in his book Hard, Heavy and Happy, explores how metal music boosts well-being, helping listeners manage anxiety and depression. Even Wacken, one of the world's biggest metal festivals, has become a haven for happiness, showing that for many "heavy metal" really means "happy metal":
In short, the reasons:
In short, the reasons:
Reason 1: Metal fans have a strong sense of community
Reason 2: Metal provides an outlet for stress and anger
mahnmutYou knew this was coming, didn't you?
This ingenuous piece is courtesy of Ultimate Epic Battle Simulator 2, the most ridiculous and insane battle simulator in existence!
This ingenuous piece is courtesy of Ultimate Epic Battle Simulator 2, the most ridiculous and insane battle simulator in existence!
asthfghlInternational relations tells us that we really don't know why wars happen! Well now you know!
luzribeiro"People don’t know this, but the leaders of Europe - Macron, Merkel, the Italians with their pizza, all of them, crying, literally crying - they come to me, they say, ‘Sir, please, please, be the President of Europe.’ And I said, look, I’ve already been the greatest President of the United States, everybody knows it, but Europe - Europe needs me even more.
The EU, folks, total disaster, so many flags, nobody knows what they mean, too many stars, maybe 27, maybe 48, I don’t know, nobody knows.
They said, ‘Sir, you have the biggest brain, the best words, we want your words instead of our laws.’ And I said, sure, I can do that, I can be President of Europe, and maybe also King, why not, a very stable genius King, the first, the best, people will love it.
And Brussels - have you seen Brussels? Waffles everywhere, the best waffles, but no leadership. Under Trump, the waffles will be crispier, stronger, not soggy. Germany, France, Poland - all of them - they’ll stand in line, they’ll say, ‘Sir, please tweet for us, your tweets are like constitution, stronger than NATO, much stronger.’
And I’ll tell you, NATO will be called TRUMPO - much better name, very powerful. And the Queen of England - very nice lady, very royal - she told me, ‘Sir, you would look tremendous in a crown.’ And it’s true, folks, nobody wears a crown better than me.
So yes, the leaders want me, the people want me, the ducks, the wizards, even the baguettes - they all want me as President of Europe. And it’s going to be huge, the biggest Europe you’ve ever seen, believe me!"
Actual news: Donald Trump makes up title that he claims Europeans call him
The EU, folks, total disaster, so many flags, nobody knows what they mean, too many stars, maybe 27, maybe 48, I don’t know, nobody knows.
They said, ‘Sir, you have the biggest brain, the best words, we want your words instead of our laws.’ And I said, sure, I can do that, I can be President of Europe, and maybe also King, why not, a very stable genius King, the first, the best, people will love it.
And Brussels - have you seen Brussels? Waffles everywhere, the best waffles, but no leadership. Under Trump, the waffles will be crispier, stronger, not soggy. Germany, France, Poland - all of them - they’ll stand in line, they’ll say, ‘Sir, please tweet for us, your tweets are like constitution, stronger than NATO, much stronger.’
And I’ll tell you, NATO will be called TRUMPO - much better name, very powerful. And the Queen of England - very nice lady, very royal - she told me, ‘Sir, you would look tremendous in a crown.’ And it’s true, folks, nobody wears a crown better than me.
So yes, the leaders want me, the people want me, the ducks, the wizards, even the baguettes - they all want me as President of Europe. And it’s going to be huge, the biggest Europe you’ve ever seen, believe me!"
Actual news: Donald Trump makes up title that he claims Europeans call him
mahnmutOf course there'd be memes after the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska, you didn't expect there wouldn't be, did you?
My fave:
( Also these )
My fave:
( Also these )
nairiporter
How does a culture reshape familiar stories to reflect its own values and worldview? Well, the Russian (or rather, Soviet) version of The Lord of the Rings, titled The Last Ringbearer, reimagines Mordor as a misunderstood industrial power. Tolkien’s tale becomes biased history told by the victors, challenging the moral simplicity of the original.
Mordor is portrayed as a center of science and progress, threatening the magical elites of the West. Rational innovation clashes with feudal stagnation, turning the story into a battle of ideas rather than good versus evil.
Gandalf and the Elves are recast as colonial aggressors, waging war to suppress Mordor’s rise. Their campaign is driven by fear of change, not moral righteousness.
This retelling reflects Russian skepticism of Western narratives and embraces moral ambiguity. It questions historical authority and asks who decides what’s “good” or “evil.”
The Last Ringbearer has a niche but passionate following. Some praise its depth; others critique its heavy-handedness. Still, it remains a bold cultural reinterpretation of a beloved classic.
More on Wiki.