Explore how pulp magazines and dime novels of the 19th and early 20th centuries popularized the Western myth, creating iconic characters and moral archetypes that would shape the genre. Discover the roots of cowboy legends and the role these stories played in building America’s frontier mythology.
Continue reading
Imagine listening to a song in a language that sounds like English, but you can’t quite understand any of the words. Your brain keeps trying to make sense of the lyrics, but it’s a futile effort. Welcome to the fascinating world of “Prisencolinensinainciusol,” the iconic 1972 song by Italian singer and songwriter Adriano Celentano. While the title alone is a mouthful, the song itself is even more perplexing—a song that sounds like English but is completely and utterly gibberish.
Continue reading
In this insightful blog article, we dive into Sebastian Mallaby’s The Power Law, which explains how venture capitalists operate in a world of high risks, where a small number of winning startups provide massive returns that outweigh the majority of failures. Through a blend of storytelling, research, and critical analysis, this review highlights the triumphs and pitfalls of the venture capital industry, offering suggestions for a more ethical and inclusive future. If you’re intrigued by the intersection of finance, tech innovation, and global economics, this article is a must-read.
Continue reading
About 15 years ago, I won a large Jade bonsai at a raffle during a visit to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens with my sons. Over time, caring for the bonsai became more of a duty than a passion, but recently, I joined the Midlands Bonsai Society (MBS) for guidance on how to properly look after it. With help from members, I learned about techniques such as back budding and successfully repotted the bonsai. My initial journey with bonsai care has been rewarding, and I look forward to continuing this process with the support of the MBS.
Continue reading
This article provides a retrospective on the 20th anniversary of Jeffrey Dean and Sanjay Ghemawat’s seminal paper, “MapReduce: Simplified Data Processing on Large Clusters”. It explores the paper’s lasting impact on data processing, its influence on the development of big data technologies like Hadoop, and its broader implications for industries ranging from digital advertising to healthcare. The article also looks ahead to future trends in data processing, including stream processing and AI, emphasising how MapReduce’s principles will continue to shape the future of distributed computing.
Continue reading
I’m pleased to share that Horkan.com has been recognised as the 12th most widely read tech blog from the UK by Feedspot, based on RSS feed aggregation in their recent article “Top 70 UK Tech RSS Feeds“. This acknowledgement is a significant moment for me, reflecting a journey that began over 17 years ago.
Continue reading
In the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence, video generation technologies are shaping up to be the next frontier in digital media creation. As companies strive to leverage AI for more realistic and creative video content, OpenAI’s Sora is emerging as a standout contender. A recent evaluation by the Financial Times, which tested several AI video models including Sora, Runway, and Pika, revealed intriguing results about their capabilities. This article delves into why Sora appears to be leading the pack, potentially redefining how industries like advertising, animation, and real estate utilize video content in the digital age.
Continue reading
Explore the fundamentals of sorting data with a concise guide on ascending and descending order definitions and applications.
Continue reading
The article discusses the various reasons why organizations may choose not to implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), despite its significant security benefits. These reasons range from cost and complexity to technical and regulatory challenges, emphasizing the need for a balanced assessment of MFA’s advantages and drawbacks.
Continue reading
This article outlines Lester Dent’s Master Plot Formula, a systematic approach designed to help writers craft engaging and tightly structured stories. Originating from the pulp fiction era, Dent’s formula divides a story into four equal parts, each with specific goals and challenges for the protagonist, culminating in a resolution that ties up the narrative threads. It offers a practical framework for narrative development, emphasizing pacing, character predicaments, and a satisfying conclusion.
Continue reading