The threat to humankind is not from artificial intelligence. The danger, for us all, comes from human intelligence, and the belief that we know best. When a stone falls down a well and there is no sound, we assume there must be an answer to that puzzle worth knowing about. Why is there no sound, do you think? And does it really matter? Just asking...
Dan Simpkins, although born in Narrandera on the Murrumbidgee River in the south west of New South Wales in 1942, spent his childhood and formative years on the far north coast of the state. Because of his father's nomadic lifestyle, he attended five different one-teacher bush primary schools, so small that on two separate occasions when larger families relocated and the little schools had to close, his education proceeded by correspondence. Stability was achieved with the award of a state bursary allowing attendance over five years at the Lismore High School. Dan worked as a bank teller in Canberra for twelve months after high school before entering the Royal Military College, Duntroon. This book commences by tracing Dan's forbears as they settled into Australia, and then follows his own upbringing from the bush at Dobie's Bight to the start of his life in the Army. It is another example of the value of hard work and education.
In the second book of this ongoing series, Royce continues his journey of self-discovery from age 14 to 18, as trauma lurks trying to hide him from himself. Navigating life's pains, strains and hardships while attempting to find oneself is a winding path travelled as best one can. Though often unaware, Royce moves slowly yet steadily forward despite the darkness. Dangers explode without warning - hidden perils that scar his soul and edge him further away from himself. Not wanting to lose himself, Royce needs his inner warrior. He needs love - for himself and the world around him - though the concept of love remains unclear, given his parents' hateful expressions of pain. Thankful for what little love comes his way, Royce intuits its importance. For it is love that helps one remember the self that dwells within. Being harsh or unkind to oneself betrays the heart of self-love. Through his ongoing trials, Royce journeys toward the light of self-understanding. It is only by embracing one's full humanity that true healing can begin.
In a world where one's field isn't just a piece of land but a reflection of their identity, each patch of soil represents a person's legacy, dreams, and their very essence. Family of Farmers tells the tale of such a world, where every individual is intrinsically connected to their field, and through it, to the very fabric of life itself. Dive into a narrative that intertwines personal destinies with the ebb and flow of nature, reminding us of the deep-rooted bond between mankind and the earth.
In this concise yet profound memoir, I share a true and vivid snapshot of a transformative period in my life, spanning from 1993 to the present. This journey begins with a life-altering car crash, an event that reshaped my existence in unimaginable ways. The book candidly explores my arduous path to recovery, weaving together the pain and the unexpected humour that accompanied me along the way. Delving into four key areas of my experiences, I offer a rich tapestry of insights gained. The narrative doesn't shy away from the raw and real, exploring various behavioural patterns and challenging situations I encountered, and my efforts to understand and confront them. Encouraged by friends and colleagues who found my stories both intriguing and inspiring, I was motivated to pen this book. My aim has been to encapsulate the essence of these experiences, maintaining a gripping narrative that leaves readers eagerly turning each page, hungry for more.
"Culture eats strategy for breakfast": this famous quote has become iconic for expressing the power of culture. Coined by management consultant Peter Drucker in 2006, while this expression may be an oversimplification of Drucker's work, there can be little doubt that culture is crucial in helping schools succeed. While culture has gained a lot of traction in educational literature, many merely discuss its importance, rather than the steps on how to assess, or create it. Worse, many seem confused on what culture is in relation to schools and can often use the term haphazardly. This book therefore offers a practical guide, which demystifies school culture, with accessible references to academic research. It also offers illustrative examples from the domains of business, education, and history. Finally, it provides a practical and workable model, which can be employed by school leaders to check and change the culture of their school.
1456, the night of Vlad's coronation: a dastardly plot, a joint venture between the Ottoman Empire and Catholic Hungary to kill the Impaler's beloved, sets off some of the worst atrocities in history, enshrining the name Dracula as a synonym for terror. He drank the blood of his victims, and filled the castles of the land with wretches destined for the stake: Scourge of the Saxons, champion of the peasants, national hero who saved his country from Islamic conquest, Vlad was all of these, and much, much more... His name has become a byword for cruelty, Vlad's draconian policies the horror of Europe. But who was the man behind the legend? Written off by historians, the Dacians were thought to have vanished immediately after the Roman conquest of Dacia, but Vlad, Son of the Devil, would revive the ancient Gaulish pride, bringing hope to the oppressed Wallach remnants of Transylvania through a dastardly series of impalements: he would become known in Romanian as Vlad ¿epe¿, the Impaler! A man more terrifying than any vampire.
My name is Bianca Mihaela Stratulat, and I am an 11-year-old artist living in Tipperary, Ireland. Born in Athens, Greece, my passion for drawing began when I was just a year old. My dream is to become a designer who brings beauty and joy to the world through my art. I am particularly passionate about encouraging children to embrace and love colours. I have created these drawings specifically for little girls, aiming to introduce them to a vibrant and colourful world. My love for what I do is immense, and I hope to share this passion with as many young girls around the globe as possible. I believe that through beauty, love, and devotion, we can create a better world. I invite you to enter my world of dolls, ready for you to bring them to life with colours. Colour them carefully and have fun, as each drawing was made especially for you. With love, Bianca.
Colony of Clones, the second book in an evocative sci-fi trilogy, explores the perilous politics bubbling up in an experimental community of human clones. Rex and Dago, cloned from iconic historical figures, grapple for control over their fledgling settlement isolated from the outside world. Brilliant outcast Ator, cloned from Galileo, challenges the colony's questionable doctrine before being banished by its authoritarian leader. The clones, copied from the bone shards of 'genetically superior' personages, grow up ingrained with a heightened sense of superiority, entitlement and independence. But as clones based on long-dead people struggle to find identity and purpose, fissures split wide open and they find themselves navigating a world that is anything but certain. When visitor Jake is brought to the secretive colony by the increasingly paranoid Dago, he bears uneasy witness to the psychological distress catalysed by experimental human cloning devoid of ethics. Dago's own sister Mary grapples to break free from the trauma of being a clone caught out of time. Probing the devastating ramifications of playing god in a lab, Colony of Clones examines human cloning through an absorbing character-driven narrative full of intrigue, thought experiments, and moral complexity.
On the French Riviera, summer was approaching, and Mary-Anne Walton was due back in Cannes. I could hardly wait! I'm Dougay Roberre, ex-pat Australian living in Nice, and Mary-Anne had employed me as a second unit director for international movie producer Harold Kempenski to supervise the filming of snow-capped Swiss mountains for his upcoming production of Heidi. Ahead lay an uncomplicated sensuous summer with Mary-Anne. However, suspect property developer Paul Villan; a Thai kick-boxer; a Swiss starlet; and meddlesome international lawyers had other ideas. Why does trouble search me out? And why can't people just keep their hands off my hedonistic dreams?
Grublin is a sticky, smelly little ball of challenging mischief who literally drops into Andrew's world. Both of them are very ordinary, if a bit dull, but the combination of these two proves to be the catalyst for some exciting adventures. How would you deal with a butt-pinching bully, family fury directed unfairly at you, a fire in your bedroom, not to mention aliens and dinosaur invasions? And who is this nasty character, Whingeling? He doesn't get much of a mention but he starts the whole sequence of events. Something warm, with a steady heartbeat, nestled in his pyjama pocket and gave Andrew a nice fuzzy feeling. Grublin proves to be the best friend Andrew ever had. It all happened in today's world. It could be happening to you. Is there something under your bed that would explain the disappearance of your ballpoint pens? Are you sure there's nothing swimming in your washing machine or hiding in the deep recesses of your bag? Better have a look and check. You never know.
Twelve original stories, with illustrations, about growing up, adventure, strange creatures, good and evil, imagination, and beauty. The stories have been lovingly crafted and presented by the author, Galya, to be told to children dear to her, but they can be read by anyone who enjoys the magic of fairy tales.
Beneath the veneer of simplicity lies a profound exploration of the mind's deepest quandaries. Journey with me through relentless internal battles, where the only opponent is oneself. Confront the pervasive dread of solitude and the challenges of discerning reality from illusion. If these pages resonate with even a single reader, every struggle shared will have been worth the journey. Discover a narrative that seeks connection in our shared human experience.
Have you ever found yourself wondering about the role of Faith in life? Questioned the relevance of Church, religion, or the existence of God, especially when faced with the world's hardships? Or perhaps you're grappling with religious studies homework and seeking some clarity. This book offers a unique perspective from someone who isn't ordained, doesn't claim to be a theological expert, but is, as the title suggests, just an ordinary bloke. A bloke who has turned to his faith during tough times and found comfort and solace. Despite acknowledging the confusing and contradictory nature of faith, he believes he has uncovered some answers and is ready to share them. Musings on Faith by an Ordinary Bloke provides a refreshingly honest insight into one person's journey with faith. It's an engaging read for anyone of any age seeking understanding and comfort when traditional avenues seem inadequate. This book isn't about having all the answers; it's about sharing the journey of finding them.
Harmony Harringdon is a teenager with her whole life ahead of her. She is beautiful, sweet, and talented. Harmony and her best friend Jake Butler are inseparable. As the pair grow from children to teenagers, their friendship becomes love. They weren't to know what fate has planned for them. It would all become too much for Harmony, despite having Jake there to support her. Fleeing the shame and devastation she believes she has caused, Harmony leaves all she knows behind her. Bearing witness to the cruel realities of life, this time fate is kind and brings Harmony a Carnival. With newfound purpose, Harmony's talent and tenacity propels her on an unexpected journey. However, all Harmony longs for more than anything is for something or someone to save her.
Of course, I'd shied away from traveling to Croatia! Why embrace the unknown with Venice, Nice, Rome, and Constantinople calling? I'd heard whisperings of a city dubbed the 'Pearl of the Adriatic' but had little idea where that soul-stirring nirvana might have been located. You can imagine my surprise and delight, when I was invited to accompany five friends and their two young sons to Dubrovnik, Croatia, for a five-day stint in the scorching Balkan sun. Words cannot express that first glimpsing of the red-roofed, white-walled, brilliant-blue -sea-skirted city when our sleek, silver, chauffeur-driven van tumbled into town from the brooding, cobalt-crusted Dubrovnik mountains. Lord Byron had it right: Heaven on Earth! The following five days for our 'party of eight' included beaches, swimming pools, 'Old Town' treasures, Wall-walks, Croatian food to die for, and best of all - a delightful 'Game of Thrones' tour, which had two little boys searching every nook and cranny on the 'Kings landing' for that elusive Iron Throne. Who's never wanted to play kings or queens? So you'll be joining us on this pink-pearler tour in one of the world's most Instagram-able spots? Thought so!
We were created by the Bestower, and placed on the world to rid it of its native life, unpleasing to Him. He gave us the living Bestowed to sustain us and replace what was there before. Thus say the priests, but now that myth is questioned: Native life has evolved; why not ourselves and the Bestowed that came with us? Are not all native, and necessary for survival? The evidence is contentious: Exterminate, or conserve? There is increasing dissension and the threat of war. In this struggle, a policeman, a conservationist professor, a refugee, an archaeologist, an archpriest and many others play their parts. Amid the rising tension, a historian digs deep into the myth and its origins. It is, though, the development of her physicist husband's wild cosmological theories that add to the confusion; material can be made to vanish, but to where, and how? It is a masterful colleague who sees a practical use for the discovery, and by trial and error, the great Evaporator is developed in secret, its true purpose concealed. As rumours abound, both sides in the conflict seek to prevent its use. At the last moment, an attempt at sabotage has far-reaching consequences.
What if your bedroom wasn't always what it seems? What if your bedroom could transform within your dreams? Imagine all the stories and the secrets you could keep, Of the marvellous, incredible adventures in your sleep. If your bedroom could take you anywhere while you slept, where would you like to go? You could go to the park, or the sweet shop, or the zoo, or even the circus! Would you tell your parents? Would you tell your little brother? Would you keep it as your own little secret? Read about the wonderful experiences of one little girl as she sleeps in her AMAZING bedroom.
Things change all the time, after all. Welcome to my book! This is a collection of poems on events that have occurred between 2019 and mid-2023. There was, to my great surprise, a lot of change in my life during this timeframe. However, things have also changed a lot in general from how they were in the past. As a result, you will probably come to notice that at least some of the poems contradict each other-but that's just what happens when things change-and I changed with them. I admit, part of me is tempted to disclose the topics of the poems within this book, but that would spoil the mystery of it all, wouldn't it? Although all of the poems in this book share my personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences, I am honoured if you find comfort in any of the poems. I hope you enjoy the book and I sincerely thank you for reading it.
Is it okay to be pathetic and poetic? Pathetic & Poetic is an exclusive collection of fifty-five poems exploring what it means to be an adult. The collection tries blending the immature nature of still being young and trying hard to be cool with the harsh reality that it is maybe time to stop being pathetic and start to grow up. The poems pose some interesting and philosophical questions whilst still being utterly ridiculous. Each poem tells a thought-provoking story each blurring those two behaviours of still wanting to be silly and childlike but also acknowledging that being an adult comes with important consequences and responsibilities. Is it ok to still be a silly adult? Do we have to grow up? Some of the themes explored include mental health, childhood, curious questions, helpful advice, inspiring tales, quotes, silly songs, vivid memories, grumpy grumps, rants and raves, moans, dislikes, likes, odes, and dedications. Cover original artwork by Edith Harry.
Imagine a cloud that doesn't move, just hovering above you. Odd, right? Now, picture someone perched in that cloud, watching you from above. Even stranger!But what if these cloud-dwellers were plotting revenge? Their targets: the unsuspecting puddle hoppers, who live their lives peacefully in puddles below.The situation in the town takes a bizarre turn as people start waking up bald. Yes, completely hairless!In the midst of this chaos, Gabriel and Jules find themselves embroiled in yet another adventure. And things only get more hectic when the mischievous twins arrive, stirring up their usual brand of trouble!
This book contains simple business management principles that the author wishes they had been told when they were embarking on their management career. These simple business management tips, idioms and sayings: could revolutionise and standardise corporate language; consolidate decades of management experience and leadership courses, to assist busy new managers; and will continue to be applicable to various situations in business and organizations, well into the future. The highly experienced, recognized and qualified author seeks to: save new managers from embarrassment and frustration; assist managers to be more productive; and equip managers with common sense, practical, business management principles, to guide their decision making and actions on a daily basis.
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