Impossible Puzzle Films


Book Description

Narrative complexity is a trend in contemporary cinema. Since the late 1990s there has been a palpable increase in complex storytelling in movies. But how and why do complex movies create perplexity and confusion? How do we engage with these challenges? And what makes complex stories so attractive? By blending film studies, narrative theory and cognitive sciences, Kiss and Wilemsen look into the relation between complex storytelling and the mind. Analysing the effects that different complex narratives have on viewers, the book addresses how films like Donnie Darko, Mulholland Drive and Primer strategically create complexity and confusion, using the specific category of the impossible puzzle film to examine movies that use baffling paradoxes, impossible loops, and unresolved ambiguities in their stories and storytelling. By looking at how these films play on our mind's blind spots, this innovative book explains their viewing effects in terms of the mental state of cognitive dissonance that they evoke.




The Kural


Book Description

A new translation of the classical Tamil masterpiece on ethics, power, and friendship, bringing Tiruvalluvar’s poetry and philosophy to a new generation seeking practical wisdom and spiritual sustenance Drawing on the poetic tradition of W. S. Merwin, Wendell Berry, and William Carlos Williams, and nurtured by 2 decades of study under Tamil scholar Dr. K. V. Ramakoti, this new translation of the Kural by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma brings English readers closer than ever to the brilliant inner and outer music of Tiruvalluvar’s work and ideas. Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural is a masterwork of poetry and practical philosophy. On par with other world classics such as the Tao Te Ching, the Kural is a compendium of 1,330 short philosophical verses, or kurals, that together cover a wide range of personal and cosmic experience, such as— POLITICS: Harsh rule that brings idiots together—nothing Burdens the earth more HOSPITALITY: The life that cherishes strangers each day Never falls upon ruin FRIENDSHIP: Friendship is not a face smiling—friendship Is a heart that smiles GREED: Those who won’t give and enjoy—even with billions They have nothing Accompanying the translation is a foreword by the founder of the Institute for Sacred Activism, Andrew Harvey; an introduction by the translator and scholar Archana Venkatesan; and a “Commentary of Notes,” in which Pruiksma elucidates key words and shares insights from important Tamil commentaries. Rich with indelible wordplay, learning, and heart, Pruiksma’s translation transforms the barrier of language into a bridge, bringing the fullness of Tiruvalluvar’s poetic intensity to a new generation.




The Atheist's Primer


Book Description

The Athiest’s Primer is a concise but wide-ranging introduction to a variety of arguments, concepts, and issues pertaining to belief in God. In lucid and engaging prose, Malcom Murray offers a penetrating yet fair-minded critique of the traditional arguments for the existence of God. He then explores a number of other important issues relevant to religious belief, such as the problem of suffering and the relationship between religion and morality, in each case arguing that atheism is preferable to theism. The book will appeal to both students and professionals in the philosophy of religion, as well as general audiences interested in the topic.




Every Single Day


Book Description

“Bradley is an inspiration and a leader. He reminds each of us that we too can become consistent and unstoppable.” — Deanne Welsh Brendon Burchard said, "You need, more than anything else, daily momentum. It's the secret of all life happiness." "Secret of all life happiness?" Whoa. Sounds pretty good to me. Just a little "daily momentum"? No problem, right? But what if you're stuck? Maybe you've been trying to break through but just can't seem to get ahead. Every day seems like Groundhog Day: the same disappointment as yesterday. Or worse: one step forward and two steps back. Ugh. "Every Single Day" offers a simple prescription for building daily momentum that leads to true and powerful change that lasts. If you really want it, that is. HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE? HOW BADLY DO YOU WANT SUCCESS? Bradley Charbonneau's life drastically changed when, on Nov. 1, 2012, he accepted a challenge to Write Every Day for a month. What happened next changed his life in ways he could have never imagined. "Every Single Day" tells his story--and teaches you how to achieve what you're after. If you’re ready to do the same, get your copy of “Every Single Day” now. Because you are after something. You know it. We all know it. I'm rooting for you.




The Family Cookbook Devotional


Book Description

Families today are busy, and it's tough to make time for devotions. Parents want to pass on their faith to their children, but sitting down doing a devotion workbook might not be feasible or desirable for them. But everyone needs to eat! What if making time to dive into God's Word together could be the same as getting ready for breakfast, lunch, or dinner? The Family Cookbook Devotional combines family devotion time with the everyday experience of cooking and enjoying food together as a family. Each Weekly Devotion Includes: 1 fun, easy-to-do recipe for kids to follow (with simple ingredients and step-by-step instructions)--adults are the helpers! Easy-to-understand devotion to practically connect the recipe to the Bible lesson Memory verse 7 days of devotions (including discussion questions and prayers) Prayer prompts to use all week (before meals, at bedtime, etc.) Each devotion starts out with a fun, delicious treat for families to create together in the kitchen. This is not a complicated book of recipes for adults to make, but rather a fun activity book for kids to cook with them! The recipes are simple enough that even young children can participate, not just standing and watching. From cakes being baked to creating your own popsicle recipe, there are treats and snacks to delight kids of all ages. After the recipe is complete, families will read the devotion, learning from the Word of God by actually diving into and using their Bibles. Each devotion also includes scripted discussion time. Key Features: Flexible: Whether you're headed to the grocery store or just working with what you already have, pick any devotion or work through the book in order. Practical, Interactive Applications: Dive into a hands-on devotion, perfect for even the shortest attention spans, that helps illustrate Bible values to kids' lives in real ways they can understand. Fun and Healthy!: Enjoy having an exciting collection of recipes that have simple ingredients you can pronounce and includes a mix of fruit, veggies, grains, and more! Also includes fun dessert recipes as a treat! Short, Easy-to-Understand Devotions: Enjoy short devotions and memory verses that get straight to the point and are clear. These devotions are powerful and meaningful for older children and easy enough for even the youngest kids. Age-Appropriate: The recipes are simple enough that even young children can participate, rather than stand and watch adults cook. Safety instructions are available for when adults need to pitch in! 3 Easy Steps to Using The Family Cookbook Devotional Each devotion starts with you in the kitchen, making something together as a family, while serving up the Word of God. Pick any weekly devotion or work through the book in order! Start with the Day 1 devotion, where you will be making something yummy then tying it to the Word of God. Talk about the devotion using the provided discussion questions, go over the week's memory verse, then pray together. Spending time in the Word is that simple! The rest of the week will be based upon the Day 1 cooking devotion. You'll work on memorizing the same verse, all week, but each day will have different discussion questions and a sample prayer. Use the sample prayer, or pray in your own words using the prayer prompts from Day 1. Covers 50 Easy-to-Do Recipes with Bible Lessons across 4 Key Topics: Knowing God Homemade Pizza (The Foundation of God's Word) Root Beer Slushies (God Is a Miracle Maker) Breakfast Roll-Ups (God Is Our Comforter) Faith Foundations Confetti Krispies (Made to Praise) Rock Candy (The Rock of the Church) Chocolate Cake in a Mug (The Forgiveness of Sins) Christian Living Bird in the Nest (Give Your Worries to God) Sweeter than Honey Parfaits (Psalm 119:103) Fruity Earth Pie (Proclaim the Gospel) Holiday Devotions Easter Marshmallow Lamb Pretzels (The Perfect Lamb) Christmas Wreath Treats (Jesus Gives Everlasting Life) Thankful Harvest Popcorn Praise (In Everything Give Thanks)




Transgender Architectonics


Book Description

Combining transgender studies with the ’neomodernist’ architectures of the internationally renowned firm, Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R) and with modernist writers (Samuel Beckett and Virginia Woolf) whose work anticipates that of transgender studies, this book challenges the implicit ’spatial models’ of popular narratives of transgender - interiority, ownership, sovereignty, structure, stability, and domesticity - to advance a novel theorization of transgender as a matter of exteriority, groundlessness, ornamentation, and movement. With case studies spanning the US and UK, Transgender Architectonics examines the ways in which modernist architecture can contribute to our understanding of how it is that humans are able to transform, shedding light on the manner in which architecture, space, and the spatial metaphors of gender can play significant - if often unrealized - potential roles in body and gender transformation. By remedying both the absence of actual architecture in queer theory's discussions of space and also architectural theory's marginal treatment of transgender, this volume constitutes a serious intervention in the field of ’queer space’. It draws on modernist literature in order to reckon with and rebuild the architectural ideas that already implicitly structure common understandings of the queer and transgender self. As such, it will appeal to scholars with interests in queer theory, the body and transformation, gender and sexuality, modernist writing and architectural theory.




The Forgiveness to Come


Book Description

This book is concerned with the aporias, or impasses, of forgiveness, especially in relation to the legacy of the crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Nazis and their collaborators during World War II. Banki argues that, while forgiveness of the Holocaust is and will remain impossible, we cannot rest upon that impossibility. Rather, the impossibility of forgiveness must be thought in another way. In an epoch of “worldwidization,” we may not be able simply to escape the violence of scenes and rhetoric that repeatedly portray apology, reconciliation, and forgiveness as accomplishable acts. Accompanied by Jacques Derrida’s thought of forgiveness of the unforgivable, and its elaboration in relation to crimes against humanity, the book undertakes close readings of literary, philosophical, and cinematic texts by Simon Wiesenthal, Jean Améry, Vladimir Jankélévitch, Robert Antelme and Eva Mozes Kor. These texts contend with the idea that the crimes of the Nazis are inexpiable, that they lie beyond any possible atonement or repair. Banki argues that the juridical concept of crimes against humanity calls for a thought of forgiveness—one that would not imply closure of the infinite wounds of the past. How could such a forgiveness be thought or dreamed? Banki shows that if today we cannot simply escape the “worldwidization” of forgiveness, then it is necessary to rethink what forgiveness is, the conditions under which it supposedly takes place, and especially its relation to justice.




Notes on Matthew to 2Corinthians


Book Description

This a collection of commentaries written by G. Campbell Morgan. These include: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1Corinthians and 2Corinthians This is different from his Analysed Bible. Through he had no formal training for the ministry, G. Campbell's devotion to studying of the Bible made him one of the leading Bible teachers in his day. His reputation as preacher and Bible expositor grew throughout England and spread to the United States. These commentaries are the culmination of his study of God's Word.




Ten Lectures on Cognitive Linguistics and the Unification of Spoken and Signed Languages


Book Description

In Ten Lectures on Cognitive Linguistics and the Unification of Spoken and Signed Languages Sherman Wilcox suggests that rather than abstracting away from the material substance of language, linguists can discover the deep connections between signed and spoken languages by taking an embodied view. This embodied solution reveals the patterns and principles that unite languages across modalities. Using a multidisciplinary approach, Wilcox explores such issues as the how to apply cognitive grammar to the study of signed languages, the pervasive conceptual iconicity present throughout the lexicon and grammar of signed languages, the relation of language and gesture, the grammaticization of signs, the significance of motion for understanding language as a dynamic system, and the integration of cognitive neuroscience and cognitive linguistics.




A Time to Heal


Book Description

Christopher Marshall thought he was doing exactly what God called him to do, but then everything was taken from him.