Latest news with #Dostoevsky
The Spinoff
2 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- The Spinoff
Help Me Hera: There aren't enough hours in the day
There's so much I want to do before I die, and nowhere near enough time to do it. Want Hera's help? Email your problem to helpme@ Hi Hera, I've recently gotten into consistently going to the gym, and rowing, this year. Over 100 workouts, and consistent rowing trainings per week. I'm stoked! I made a tough decision to stop boxing during lunch, in order to focus on rowing and gym. I'm pretty stoked about my lifestyle, but… There are dozens of unread books on my to-be-read list. There are unwritten poems and short stories. There are un-made DJ sets I'd like to spend hours working away on. There are also volunteering commitments I'd like to get involved in. Please, how do I manage the mental process of opportunity costs? I wish I had more hours in the day… if only the earth rotated slower (with all respect to natural physics)! Sincerely, Temporally Challenged Dear Temporally Challenged, Not only is the earth not rotating slower, it's actually rotating faster than usual for complicated gravitational factors relating to the proximity of the moon, costing us valuable milliseconds that could otherwise be spent pumping iron and reading Dostoevsky. Even the solar system isn't exempt from shrinkflation. Thanks for your question. I don't know what sort of disease you have which makes you want to spend your lunchtimes exercising instead of mindlessly scrolling your newsfeed, but good for you. It's nice to get a problem where someone's so enthusiastic about the abundance of opportunities this world has to offer they're having to earnestly reckon with the fact of their own mortality. The bad news is that you are going to die. Not only will you die, but you'll die without experiencing more than a fraction of the world's bounty, and no amount of pomodoro timers or productivity hacks will make this any less devastating. So how do you make the most of the time that you have? There are two ways to think about this.. The first is by accepting that life is scandalously brief, there's a limit to what one person can meaningfully accomplish, and you need to prioritise the things that matter most before you're dead. The second is accepting that life is meant to be lived, not ergonomically optimised for maximum efficiency. Let's start with the big picture. Your question is probably beyond the scope of a single advice column, but I do have a book recommendation for you. Oliver Burkeman's Four Thousand Weeks is an excellent book about deciding how to allocate your time. He makes a good case that choosing the areas of your life in which you want to excel also means choosing the areas of your life which will suffer. As Burkeman points out, if you really want to write that novel or build that canoe, the only way to get it done is to prioritise it at the expense of your never-ending list of chores and responsibilities. That doesn't mean you can get away with ignoring the dishes in your singleminded pursuit of greatness. But you need to be intentional about the amount of time you devote to this stuff, because you are what you do, and what you don't want to be is 'someone who is really fast at replying to emails.' However, there's such a thing as being too optimised. Time isn't a currency to be invested, or a resource to be exploited. Time is first and foremost, our home. In the words of Larkin: Days are where we live. They come, they wake us Time and time over. They are to be happy in: Where can we live but days? It would be a shame, I think, to be so clinical about your ambitions, that you don't leave any time for laying around on your ass ' totally watching television.' In general, I think it's empowering to make a few big decisions about how you want to spend your life, and quietly work towards them. But accidents and failures often pave the way for big revelations which change our lives in ways we can't anticipate. We're only just beginning to grapple with the consequences of living in a world in which it's possible to completely eradicate boredom, and I worry about what this means for our attention spans. Failure can lead to profound emotional discoveries. Boredom engenders creativity. Childhood is precious, precisely because it's wasted. All of which is to say, things will go wrong with your plans, and that's fine. There's no shame in abandoning a dream which no longer suits you. The big thing is to have a dream. I think there's also a good case to be made for delaying a few pleasures. Don't trudge your way through the entire canon of Russian literature at age 16, just because it's on your list. There's always the risk you die young without ever having read Crime and Punishment. But life isn't to be gotten out of the way early. It's fine to save a few aspirations for the correct psychological moment. Maybe that solo trip to Nicaragua hits harder at 40 than it does at 19. My one boring time management tip is to get into audiobooks. In my opinion, there are very few activities in life (cooking, cleaning, gardening, exercising) that can't be improved by a dramatic retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo. So next time you hop on the rowing machine, cue up Four Thousand Weeks and give it a try.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
9 anime only a genius will understand
Source: Wikifandom Some anime is popcorn. These are puzzles . This isn't your Saturday background binge — it's a full-brain workout. These shows twist timelines, question reality, and unpack psychology like it's a party trick. They're not just deep — they're intelligent, complex, and emotionally exhausting (in the best way). If you love symbolism, layered storytelling, and debating endings on Reddit at 2 AM, you're in the right place. Welcome to the top 9 anime for geniuses — the kind of stories that make you smarter just by surviving them. Buckle up. You're about to be entertained, emotionally ruined, and intellectually blessed. 9 anime series for geniuses like you Monster Source: Crunchyroll This slow-burn thriller is the anime's answer to Dostoevsky. Dr. Tenma's decision to save one life over another unleashes Johan Liebert — a villain so softly terrifying, he'll haunt your brain like a quiet scream. Monster isn't about action — it's about morality, guilt, trauma, and what happens when you stare too long into the abyss. Every frame oozes tension, every arc peels back something darker. It's not for casuals — it's for smart, introspective viewers who want a brilliantly written psychological mystery that feels less like anime and more like literature. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Undo Steins;Gate Source: Crunchyroll Time travel with real stakes? Steins;Gate is a rare mix of genius-level sci-fi and emotional depth. Okabe's goofy exterior hides a painful descent into tragedy as he realises that every timeline costs something — sometimes everything. Quantum physics, butterfly effects, multiple world theories — all wrapped in a narrative that's both heartbreaking and head-spinning. This isn't your average smart anime. It breaks you emotionally and intellectually at the same time. El Psy Congroo, bb. Serial Experiments Lain Source: Crunchyroll Lain is what happens when the internet becomes self-aware and your sense of self disintegrates. What starts as a shy schoolgirl navigating digital messages quickly spirals into a slow, glitchy unravelling of reality. This show predicted internet identity, digital consciousness, and online isolation before those were even terms. There's no hand-holding — just silence, static, and one of the most brilliant, disturbing, intelligent plots in anime history. Lain doesn't explain itself. But if you're smart enough to decode it, you're in for a philosophical masterpiece. Neon Genesis Evangelion Source: Crunchyroll People think Evangelion is about robots. Those people are wrong. It's about broken kids, metaphysical trauma, religious symbolism, and the sheer existential weight of being alive. Shinji, Asuka , and Rei aren't just characters — they're case studies. Every angel battle is a metaphor, and every ending (yes, all of them) makes less sense until it makes too much sense. It's uncomfortable, abstract, and dense — an intelligent, emotional fever dream that leaves you spiritually shaken. Welcome to the anime that launched a thousand therapy sessions. Paranoia Agent Source: Crunchyroll A golden bat. A boy on rollerblades. And society is crumbling under the weight of its collective delusions. Paranoia Agent starts as a murder mystery and morphs into a cultural critique wrapped in surrealism. Every character represents a social lie, every scene a symbol. It's smart, weird, and way too real. For viewers who love symbolism, psychological chaos, and complex narrative structures, this anime hits different. Satoshi Kon didn't come to comfort you — he came to wake you up. Ergo Proxy Source: Crunchyroll Ergo Proxy drops you into a bleak future and doesn't explain a thing — and that's the charm. It's dystopian, philosophical, and unapologetically smart. As Re-L investigates a string of murders involving ' AutoReivs ,' the show dives into themes like identity, death, memory, and free will — all while quoting Descartes and Nietzsche like it's casual conversation. The story is cryptic, the visuals gothic, and the existential dread? Chef's kiss. It's for people who love deep, intelligent anime that isn't afraid to make you feel lost. Paprika Source: Crunchyroll Before Inception made dreams cool, Paprika turned them into technicolour chaos. This Satoshi Kon film is a visual and philosophical explosion, diving into dreamscapes, identity, and subconscious desire. It's dazzling, overwhelming, and designed to make your brain go 'wait, what?' every 10 seconds. But underneath the madness lies a brilliantly intelligent commentary on the boundary between reality and imagination. You'll need multiple viewings — and maybe a strong espresso — but the genius is worth the effort. Kaiba Source: Crunchyroll Looking like a Saturday morning cartoon but thinking like a post-human thesis, Kaiba is a brilliant sci-fi story about memory, class, and consciousness. In a world where your soul can be copied, stolen, or erased, what does it mean to be 'you'? Beneath the strange shapes and pastel colours is a deep, emotional exploration of inequality and loss. This is smart anime in disguise — unsettling, beautiful, and impossible to forget. The Tatami Time Machine Blues Source: Crunchyroll This hilarious yet intricately plotted time-travel anime proves that genius doesn't always have to be grim. A busted AC sets off a temporal mess of overlapping loops, ridiculous logic, and surprisingly deep thoughts. It's the perfect follow-up to Tatami Galaxy , but this time with more chaos, more meta, and more room for brainy laughs. A great pick for the smart viewers who love clever writing, complex structure, and time loops that fold in on themselves like origami. These aren't anime you watch while folding laundry. These are the ones you pause, analyse, rewatch, and emotionally recover from. They're layered, experimental, and perfect for genius-level viewers who want more than surface-level thrills. So, whether you're chasing symbolism, decoding philosophy, or just looking for a story that respects your IQ, this list is your playground. Also read| Top 10 Naruto wallpapers for desktop, mobiles, tablets and more every true fan will love
Yemenat
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yemenat
When Translation Betrays the Text: How Errors Create Entirely New Meanings
Translation is far more than the mechanical act of converting words from one language to another; it is an intricate art that requires deep cultural and contextual understanding. While the primary aim is to preserve the original meaning, translation errors can sometimes result in unintended consequences, ones that reshape concepts and introduce entirely new interpretations never intended by the original author. These mistakes may result from a misinterpretation of context, an overly literal translation, or an inadequate understanding of linguistic and cultural nuances, all of which can be a recipe for disaster. Throughout history, mistranslations have played a role in shaping significant events. One of the most infamous examples is the mistranslation of Japan's response during World War II. When the United States demanded Japan's unconditional surrender, the Japanese Prime Minister used the word 'Mokusatsu', which can mean either 'no comment' or 'contempt' in Japanese. When it was mistakenly translated into English as 'contempt,' the U.S. assumed Japan was rejecting negotiations, a misunderstanding that contributed to the decision to drop atomic bombs on 'Hiroshima and Nagasaki'. Overly literal translations often produce unintended and, at times, absurd meanings. For example, directly translating the English phrase 'It's raining cats and dogs' into Arabic would make no sense, as the intended meaning is 'heavy rainfall,' not animals falling from the sky. Similarly, the phrase 'Lost in translation', when translated word-for-word into other languages, fails to capture its intended nuance, which refers to the inability to convey meaning accurately across linguistic boundaries. In business, mistranslations have led to branding disasters. A well-known example is Pepsi's slogan, 'Come Alive with the Pepsi Generation,' which was mistranslated into Chinese as 'Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the dead.' The unintended phrase caused confusion and amusement among Chinese consumers, demonstrating the importance of linguistic precision in marketing. 3. The Impact of Translation Errors on Literature and Film: Translation errors can also significantly affect literature and cinema. A notable instance is the translation of Russian author Dostoevsky's works, where certain English translations altered complex philosophical ideas, making it difficult for readers to grasp his original intent. Additionally, film titles and dialogue have suffered from poor translations, altering the audience's perception of the movie. One famous case is 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,' whose title was translated differently across languages, sometimes making it seem like a lighthearted comedy rather than the deep, philosophical narrative intended by the filmmakers. Translation has the power to shape and even transform cultural understanding. Words like 'Freedom' and 'Respect' may seem straightforward, but their translations carry varying connotations across societies. For instance, 'Freedom' is typically translated as 'حرية' in Arabic, yet in different political contexts, it can imply independence, personal liberty, or even rebellion. Likewise, 'Respect' is rendered as 'احترام,' but in some cultures, it encompasses not only politeness but also deep-seated obedience and social hierarchy. In the realm of translation, there is a saying: 'Translation is a beautiful betrayal.' It reflects a paradox at the heart of the translator's craft, true fidelity to a text often requires sacrificing something in the process, whether it's cultural nuance, rhythm, or tone. Yet, when this so-called 'betrayal' is undertaken with intention and artistry, it can give rise to something wholly original. A striking example lies in the Arabic translations of 'Saadi Youssef', particularly his renditions of Lorca's poetry. Rather than cling to literal meaning, Youssef used the full force of his poetic sensibility to breathe new life into Lorca's voice, reshaping it in a way that resonated with Arabic readers while preserving its soul. Likewise, 'Guy Deutscher's' English interpretations of Al-Mutanabbi demonstrate that straying from the original meter can be a brave and respectful choice in service of deeper meaning and poetic power. Consider also 'The Little Prince', whose many translations differ subtly yet significantly. Each version reflects the translator's vision, sometimes enriching the text in ways the original never imagined—proof that a faithful betrayal can unlock new dimensions. Here, betrayal is not failure. It is creativity in motion, an act of interpretation that transforms the translator into a co-creator of art. Sometimes, to honor a voice, we must dare to reinvent it. In brief, translation errors do not always result in failures; sometimes, they lead to new meanings and unexpected cultural insights. However, the art of translation demands more than linguistic accuracy, it requires sensitivity to context and a keen awareness of how words resonate across cultures. Whether in diplomacy, literature, business, or everyday communication, translators must not only convey words but also capture the essence and intention behind them.
New Statesman
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Statesman
If literature is dead, at least the funeral is well attended
Illustration by Charlotte Trounce Saturday morning, I am sitting on a temporary stage in a church in leafy, coastal, suburban Dublin – a kind of Hampstead-on-Sea – with the New Yorker literary critic Merve Emre (brag). We are trying to answer a question posed by the schedule: why does Gen-Z dig Dostoevsky? I wasn't aware of this Russo-rennaissance until asked to discuss it a few weeks ago. But what the hell, sure! I am precisely four months too old to count as Gen-Z but I know enough about Dostoevsky to say this: if he really is this generation's literary lodestar, is it any wonder they are all so morbid and reclusive? There are a few of them in the audience to help us get to the bottom of that. And the other question Russian literature invariably asks: could we all just lighten up a bit? We are at Dalkey Book Festival, an inky Glastonbury for the Irish cognoscenti, where the long arm of the 20th century New York salon meets the mannered sensibilities of the Hiberno-elite. Speakers are of the type you might expect – at one point an Icelandic poet asks me over a glass of wine in the green room if everyone here but her works for the Financial Times. 'No! I work for the New Statesman,' I reply, not getting the joke. 'And Michael Lewis is over there – you can spot Americans because they love white chinos.' If the social gravity of London is slowly shifting away from east to west, then a turbocharged version of the phenomenon happens in Dublin for one weekend in June: the city clears out and descends on the county's ersatz and Joycean coast with force. And not just for my excoriatingly clever ideas about Dostoevsky. One event asks: what books changed the world? Erm, the Bible? I suggest, with tremendous banality. Another panel asks: why does history matter? A good one to put to the Irish. As we sit at the midpoint of the 2020s, we are well inured to cerebral handwringing about the death of the literary scene. They say it's the phones, the iPads, the declining ambition of the West… Well, I'm not fretting any more, not least if the proliferation of the literary festival is anything to guide me. There is Hay: a socks-and-sandals Remainer mecca on the Welsh border (150,000 attendees in 2025); Cheltenham: Stephen Fry fans, line up here (100,000 of them did in 2024); Edinburgh: a two-week bonanza of clipped Scottish accents (somehow as popular as Cheltenham); and Dalkey: population, Bono. With Dalkey as a noble exception, it all trends to the uncool. But if we can reduce these things to equations of footfall and star power, then the death of the written word has been declared somewhat prematurely. John Updike thought of the novel as an 'individual moral adventure' – a spiritual anathema to the literary festival, which from the green room down, is a collective occasion (a suburban book club meets the megachurch). And a cynic might swap the 'moral adventure' of Updike's mid-century American imagination for the very 2025 sneer: 'status signalling'. To which I say, yes – and? Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Maybe this is what literature is now: the author as entertainer; where Dua Lipa has a book club; and where cooing over Zadie Smith in a 500-capacity tent on the Welsh border is normal activity for the literary parvenu. Demur if you must: why should novelists have to explain themselves to a coterie of drunk fans in cardigans? One visit to the green room, where the novelists and déclassé journalists are having as good a time as the audience, provides its own answer. Saturday evening now, and I am sitting in a garden in Dalkey – is this Ireland's nicest town? – eating fish and talking to my Icelandic poet friend again. I am a long way from a dusty attic, parsing Ulysses in solitude, a more obviously honourable route through the literary realm. But I am optimistic: thanks in part to Dostoevsky's feted renaissance; thanks in main to the fact that this is fun. The Edge is also here – why not! And so, if literature is dead, at least the funeral is well attended. There is money behind the bar. And plenty of poached cod for the mourners. [See also: The rise of the west] Related
Arab Times
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
June 12
On June 12 Russia celebrates its national holiday. Historically, this day marks the adoption exactly 35 years ago of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. It was the official name under which Russia was known in the Soviet period of its being. Our country's continuous history, however, spans more than a millennium. Modern Russia is the successor to Ancient Rus' (also known as Kievan Rus), the Tsardom of Moscow, the Russian Empire, and finally the Soviet Union. Stretching for thousands of kilometers from the Baltic Sea in Europe to the Pacific Ocean in the Asian Far East, Russia represents a unique and distinctive civilization with its own rich traditions. The Russian culture is an integral part of the global cultural heritage. It is impossible to imagine world literature without the works of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, or music without the creations of Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich. Throughout its history, Russia has faced uncountable challenges and harsh trials. Numerous foreign invaders – from Genghis Khan's Asian hordes in the early Middle Ages to the European conquerors such as Napoleon and Hitler in 19th and 20th centuries – have tried to subdue it. However, our country not only withstood these onslaughts but also helped other subjugated peoples to break free. The Soviet Union's contribution to the liberation of the peoples of Asia, Africa, and Latin America from Western European colonialism is also widely recognized. In light of recent geopolitical transformations, the collective West, which is undergoing a systemic crisis, does not shy away from using all means to pressure those who refuse to submit to its dictate. Economic sanctions, political pressure and threats of force are being employed. In such conditions, Russia is standing up to Western hegemonism, which is seeking to isolate our country and inflict on it a strategic defeat. Together with our like-minded partners, we are advocating for a new, just and multipolar world order, based on true equality without dictate or double standards. The West-promoted concept of the so-called rules-based international order does not serve the interests of the global majority. As for the Arab world, Russia has always aspired to build friendly relations based upon mutual respect and consideration of common interests. This fully applies to Kuwait. Our first bilateral contacts date back to the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, when Russian warships began visiting Kuwait during the rule of the legendary Emir Mubarak the Great. Diplomatic relations with the USSR were established in 1963 with Kuwait being the first of the Gulf nations on this track. We pay due respect to the wise and consistent policy of the Kuwaiti leadership. It always stays focused on promoting national interests while striving to maintain balanced relations with the major global players. Hence, our bilateral relations have withstood the test of time and are not affected by the changing international political climate. It is important to note that during the Iraqi aggression of 1990–1991 our country firmly supported Kuwait politically and diplomatically. In those days, masterpieces of Islamic art from the Kuwaiti collections were protected in the largest Russian museum, the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, where they had been displayed just before the aggression within the framework of an exhibition exchange. Politically, our countries maintain regular dialogue. Just in 2024, Russian and Kuwaiti foreign ministers met twice – in New York in July and in October in Moscow. More contacts are to follow. In September, the Russian city of Sochi will host the eighth regular ministerial round of the Russia-GCC Strategic Dialogue, with Kuwait currently presiding in the Gulf Cooperation Council. In October, the first-ever Russia-Arab summit is scheduled to convene in Moscow. Economically, our countries, being major oil producers and exporters, closely cooperate within the OPEC+ format to maintain stability in the global oil markets. There are shared interests in other areas. For instance, shipments of high-quality Russian agricultural products to Kuwait are growing year after year. Tourism has recently become another important area of bilateral cooperation. Nowadays, Russia is one of the most popular new destinations for GCC tourists. In 2024, fifteen thousand Kuwaitis visited our country, double the figure of the previous year. They are attracted by Russia's rich cultural and historical heritage, picturesque nature, well-developed infrastructure, safety and security, and simplicity of obtaining electronic entry visas. Easy transport access plays an important role as well. In addition to existing direct Jazeera Airways flights from Kuwait City to Moscow, a new route to Sochi—a famous Russian resort on the Black Sea — will be added this month. Cultural ties complement existing cooperation in the tourism and humanitarian fields. Last September Kuwaiti Culture Week in Moscow was held successfully.
