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What happens when science fiction, African culture, and technology collide? 🌍✨ Afrofuturism reimagines the future through a Black cultural lens, blending the creativity of the African diaspora with bold visions of what is possible. From its roots in the works of pioneering musicians like Sun Ra, who merged cosmic themes with jazz, to speculative fiction by writers such as Octavia Butler, Afrofuturism is a beacon of creativity and empowerment. By imagining advanced technology or distant planets, Afrofuturistic artists reclaim narratives, centering Black voices in stories of innovation and possibility. This movement has shaped popular works like “Black Panther”, which offered a vision of Wakanda as a technologically advanced African society rooted in cultural heritage. Afrofuturism invites us to question dominant histories, dream of expansive futures, and celebrate the richness of Black culture. Discover the story of Afrofuturism and its transformative impact across art ➡️ https://w.wiki/6NWr

On this day in 1875, Jeanne Calment was born. She still holds the record for the longest confirmed lifespan at 122 years and 164 days. Living through two world wars, the invention of airplanes, television, antibiotics, and the internet, and meeting Vincent van Gogh as a child, Jeanne Calment witnessed more history than most could read about. Her extraordinary life was filled with remarkable moments. Reports point out that she took up fencing at 85, rode a bike at 100, smoked until 117, and kept her sharp wit. Asked about her longevity, she credited olive oil, chocolate, port wine, and a great sense of humor. Calment outlived her entire family, including her daughter and grandson, all her childhood friends, and even the man who bought her apartment in a life annuity deal, expecting to inherit it – only for her to outlive him. Over the span of three centuries, her record remains unbroken, her story a testament to endurance, humor, and a life well-lived. Jeanne Calment still fascinates historians, researchers, and longevity experts today. There have been various speculations about the authenticity of her age, but no claims have ever been proven. Read more on Jeanne Calment’s life ➡️ https://w.wiki/3k56 

It is believed that there are more people who speak multiple languages in the world than people who speak just one. Languages are not just communication tools. They are vessels of cultural heritage, traditions, and shared histories. The loss of a language equates to the loss of unique perspectives and wisdom. Multilingualism, which is the use of more than one language by an individual speaker or by a group of speakers, plays a key role in safeguarding linguistic treasures. By embracing multiple languages, societies can ensure the transmission of cultural identities and knowledge across generations. Multilingualism is beneficial for people who want to engage in trade and cultural exchange. Being proficient in multiple languages can help with participation in international business, conferring an economic advantage. A study in Switzerland has found that multilingualism is positively correlated with an individual's salary, the productivity of firms, and the gross domestic production. The authors state that Switzerland's GDP is augmented by 10% by multilingualism. Celebrated annually on 21 February, the International Mother Language Day emphasizes the significance of linguistic diversity and the preservation of mother tongues worldwide. Learn more about the relationship between multilingualism and language preservation ➡️ https://w.wiki/A7QF

The debate about toilet paper orientation might seem trivial, but it has sparked countless conversations in households, workplaces, and scientific studies 🧻 Research suggests the "over" method is more popular, often seen as more convenient, while "under" is preferred by some for tidiness. We are not weighing in, but the 1891 patent for perforated toilet paper shows illustrations with the "over" position. What does your preference say about you? Explore the science, history, and social dynamics behind this surprisingly complex debate ➡️ https://w.wiki/L3n

On 16 October 1968, during the Olympic medal ceremony for the 200-meter race, American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos used their moment of victory to protest racial discrimination. As the US national anthem played, they each raised a black-gloved fist, wore black socks without shoes to symbolize Black poverty, and wore beads to protest lynchings. Smith and Carlos had won the gold and bronze medals respectively. Their silent gesture was a call for human rights and solidarity with oppressed people worldwide. However, it led to their suspension from the US team, and they were kicked out of the Olympic Village. The athletes were reportedly inspired by sociologist Harry Edwards’ arguments in favor of Black athletes boycotting the Olympics. The intention of the protest was to highlight racial injustice, for example, through the athletes receiving their medals shoeless to represent Black poverty, but Carlos said that he also had his tracksuit top unzipped to show solidarity with all blue-collar workers. Smith later declared that his gesture was not only a "Black Power" salute, but a "human rights" salute. In the immediate aftermath, the athletes were widely criticized by US media and sports institutions. Smith eventually went on to play American football, become an assistant professor of physical education, and in 1999, he was awarded the California Black Sportsman of the Millennium Award. Carlos tied the 100-yard dash world record the following year. He briefly played football as well, and later worked with the Organizing Committee for the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Read more about this event, which has been called “one of the most overtly political statements in the history of the modern Olympics” ➡️ https://w.wiki/3qpv

Looking for your next favorite director? Safi Faye was a trailblazing filmmaker and ethnologist from Senegal, renowned as the first Sub-Saharan African woman to direct a commercially distributed feature film. Her debut feature, "Kaddu Beykat" (also known as "Letter from My Village"), offered an intimate portrayal of rural Senegalese life, blending ethnographic detail with cinematic storytelling. Faye's work is celebrated for its authentic depiction of African culture and its emphasis on the experiences of rural communities. Her films, including "Fad'jal" and "Mossane", are distinguished by their focus on the daily lives, traditions, and challenges of Senegalese villagers, providing a platform for African voices in global cinema. Learn more about Safi Faye's life and work ➡️ https://w.wiki/Cj3P

How big is that island, really? The Mercator projection, introduced by cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569, revolutionized navigation by representing lines of constant course, known as rhumb lines, as straight segments. This innovation was invaluable for sailors charting their paths across the seas. However, this projection comes with significant distortions, especially near the poles. For instance, Greenland appears comparable in size to Africa, when in reality, Africa's area is about 14 times larger. Similarly, Alaska seems similar in size to Australia, though Australia is actually 4.5 times as large. To create the map, a cylinder is wrapped around the Earth’s spherical surface, which is then unwrapped onto a flat surface. Areas near the equator, where the sphere touches the cylinder, are represented accurately. As you move toward the poles, the cylindrical projection stretches distances more and more, causing landmasses to appear much larger than they actually are. These distortions have sparked debates about the Mercator projection's impact on our perception of the world. By enlarging regions farther from the equator, it can create a skewed sense of the relative importance of various countries and continents. Get to know the use, and the limitations, of the Mercator projection ➡️ https://w.wiki/3rjK

The unmistakable sound of ragtime, with syncopated beats dancing against steady rhythms, transformed music in the United States at the turn of the 20th century. This piano-driven genre, rooted in Black musical traditions, emerged from the US saloons and parlors of the late 19th century. It combined African rhythmic patterns with European musical forms, creating a style that was innovative and lively. Ragtime embodied the spirit of its time with a mix of elegance, experimentation, and resilience. It gave voice to the creativity of Black artists during a period of immense societal change, leaving a mark on music and culture. Musicians like Scott Joplin, known as the "King of Ragtime", wrote pieces that helped lay the foundation for modern music composition. Beyond Joplin, figures like James Scott and May Aufderheide expanded the ragtime sound with their own unique voices. Ragtime’s influence extended far beyond its era, into today, paving the way for the development of jazz and modern American music. Discover the story of ragtime ➡️ https://w.wiki/6iGn

What do NASA physicists, "Jurassic Park", and fractals have in common? The dragon curve, a mesmerizing geometric pattern that defies expectations. First studied by NASA researchers and popularized by writer Martin Gardner in "Scientific American" magazine, this fractal begins with a single line and transforms, through a simple set of rules, into an endlessly intricate design. The dragon curve can fill a two-dimensional space without overlapping, making it a mathematical marvel with practical applications in computer graphics. Its striking appearance has also captured the imagination of popular culture, famously featured as section art in Michael Crichton’s "Jurassic Park". Learn more about its properties ➡️ https://w.wiki/Cj22

Where is the line between romance and longing? Coined by psychologist Dorothy Tennov in the 1970s, limerence describes an intense emotional state of romantic desire and longing for another person. Limerence includes intrusive thoughts, mood swings tied to perceived reciprocation, and a deep yearning for connection. According to some experts, limerence can be considered romantic love, passionate love, infatuation, or lovesickness. It has also been compared to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and addiction. Anthropologist Helen Fisher argued that the addictive qualities of limerence are no different from romantic love and that it can be positive or negative depending on the situation. Understanding these nuances can help in navigating relationships and emotional well-being. Go deeper into the intricacies of research on limerence ➡️ https://w.wiki/94Sq