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My rule of thumb: If any ideology requires that the fundamental nature of man be changed for its political aims to be workable, run away like a flaming pig.
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Alexander G. Rubio retweeted
Some abandoned Cold War military objects are very interesting.
Communist Yugoslavia built secret submarine tunnels like this one on Croatian island of Vis.
Vis was Yugoslavia's most heavily militarized island in the Adriatic.
During the Cold War era such naval tunnels were kept secret, with camouflage designed to blend into the rocky coastline.
The main purpose of this particular secret tunnel on Vis called Jastog Tunnel was to be used as a shelter for torpedo boats during an air attack.
Vessels could enter the tunnel, remain hidden, and sortie when needed.
Vis Island was restricted to foreigners and largely closed as a military zone by the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) from 1945 until 1989.
Today, the island has more than 30 abandoned military buildings from that era such as underground command centers and artillery bunkers, and around 20km of underground tunnels.
The abandoned military buildings on Vis like the Jastog Tunnel are open to the public and can be explored by visitors.
In my opinion, very interesting Cold War aesthetics. It looks like something out of a James Bond movie.
Alexander G. Rubio retweeted
Křivoklát Castle is one of the oldest and most important medieval royal castles in the Czech Republic.
Its origins go back to the 12th century, when it was used as a hunting lodge for Bohemian princes. Understandable when you look at the magnificent forests surrounding the castle.
Then in the 13th century, the “Iron King” Přemysl Ottokar II, who famously pushed the borders of Bohemia deep into today’s Austria and beyond, further developed the site into a massive royal fortress and center.
Even the future Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV of the House of Luxembourg was held at the castle under house arrest as a child following medieval royal power struggles.
King Vladislaus II (Jagiellon) rebuilt and expanded the castle in the late 1470s, turning it into a grand Late Gothic royal residence.
Alexander G. Rubio retweeted
Africans who enrich Europe are needed at home.
Africans who do not are not needed in Europe.
Alexander G. Rubio retweeted
There is a work of history called "Philippica." It was written by a contemporary of Alexander the Great and Philip of Macedon, a Greek historian called Theopompus.
The work is meant to be a history of the Macedonian Empire, but the author seems to have gone on various tangents, causing it to be a universal history of the world. It's 58 books long and naturally would be an invaluable source for the ancient world; it's also completely lost.
But a later, written Latin work succinctly called "Philippic Histories and the Origin of the Whole World and the Places of the Earth (Historiae Philippicae et Totius Mundi Origines et Terrae Situs)" by Pompeius Trogus likely draws heavily from it. It's somewhat shorter, 44 books long, so perhaps it is a kind of Latin summary of the work of Theopompus. Also like Theopompus' work, it's lost as well.
But an abridgment of this Latin version of the Greek history was made in the second century: "Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus" by Justin. It's "one-sixth the length of the original" and has been described as a "capricious anthology." Naturally, "the work was very popular at the time of its release, quickly overtaking the principal," and survives to this day.
Family picture taken on occasion of the funeral of my great-great-great-grandmother (had to do some math on that one) Maren Sofie Pettersen, who died at the ripe old age of 101 in 1930. My grandfather is 3rd from the bottom left, and his grandparents behind him.
Alexander G. Rubio retweeted
#FolkloreSunday
European folklore says that if a bat flies into your house on Halloween, it is a sign that your house is haunted.
It was believed that the ghosts would invite the bat into the house.
🎨 Tom Shropshire
3/The eight-pointed star is directly linked to the astral worship of the Near East—specifically to the symbol of Ishtar (the Akkadian goddess of love, war and fertility)—as well as to the Egyptian deity Hathor. It appears to have been used as an amulet and an emblem of authority.
Alexander G. Rubio retweeted
Replying to @teachrobotslove
It's a play, like so much of being human is, not in the sense of being dishonest, but being aware of the base animal forces, and tapping into it, while keeping up with the dance steps and the script.
"You're a whore, but my whore." xitter.cf/AlexanderGRubi2/status…
Replying to @aimeeterese
It's levels of refinement. Explicit sexuality is porn. Sublimated porn is erotica. Sublimated erotica is art. Brute strength sublimates to power, power to authority. Its always rooted in base sex and violence. What makes us human is alchemically transforming ourselves.
Alexander G. Rubio retweeted
Lord knows I have no problem with women being kinky. And I've no problem with them indulging it vicariously through erotic stories. But it IS porn. Most men don't issue TikTok ultimatums to people in their lives that they have to approve of their porn collection.
Alexander G. Rubio retweeted
The good thing about women is they follow the rules. The bad thing about them is the same.
"You have to bake the buns a bit longer next time."
"But the recipe says 15 minutes."
"Not every oven is the same."
"But the recipe says..."
"They're as white as a Welshman's arse, woman!"
Lord knows I have no problem with women being kinky. And I've no problem with them indulging it vicariously through erotic stories. But it IS porn. Most men don't issue TikTok ultimatums to people in their lives that they have to approve of their porn collection.
The good thing about women is they follow the rules. The bad thing about them is the same.
"You have to bake the buns a bit longer next time."
"But the recipe says 15 minutes."
"Not every oven is the same."
"But the recipe says..."
"They're as white as a Welshman's arse, woman!"
Alexander G. Rubio retweeted
"Few men desire freedom; the majority want merely just masters." - Mithridates the Great, in his letter to King Arsaces.
Alexander G. Rubio retweeted
In the 9th century Charlemagne established a bishopric in Halberstadt, Saxony, to foster Christianity there.
Today, there is a beautiful Gothic cathedral here, and also the biggest medieval cathedral treasury outside the Vatican, including a wonderful exhibition about medieval bird worlds I visited.
“Masters of the skies” — as symbols of power, strength, self-sacrifice, love and beauty, birds appear frequently in the liturgical vestments, pictorial tapestries and embroidered hangings.
Different kinds of birds symbolized different parts of medieval life and culture and Christian imagery.
The eagle, for example, was prized as an exceptionally valuable hunting bird, represented royal (one-headed eagle) and imperial (two-headed eagle) rulership, and was regarded as the winged Word of God.
Alexander G. Rubio retweeted
Hever Castle is a 13th-century romantic castle located in Kent. It's the famous childhood home of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII.
The estate features splendidly restored Tudor paneled rooms, historic tapestries, and a rare collection of Tudor portraits.
Outside, visitors can explore 125 acres of award-winning gardens, a giant maze, and a scenic boating lake.




































