Category: Planet
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Rediscovering Nature and Harmony: Lessons from Princess Mononoke
Read more: Rediscovering Nature and Harmony: Lessons from Princess MononokeI just realized that this marks my 100th post on Instagram, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to share something close to my heart. During my first year of high school in France, I watched Princess Mononoke (1997) in the movie theater. It was the first Studio Ghibli film I encountered, as…
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How a Manga, a Middle School Friendship, and a Global Perspective Shaped My Vision
Read more: How a Manga, a Middle School Friendship, and a Global Perspective Shaped My VisionMy short trip to Paris to visit my dad also gave me the chance to reconnect with my best friend from middle school. We met at a prestigious middle school in Paris, located near the Eiffel Tower, surrounded by stereotypically wealthy French students. He comes from Algerian ancestry, and I am of Chinese descent, which…
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Resident Evil 5: A Controversial Journey and a Call for Unity
Read more: Resident Evil 5: A Controversial Journey and a Call for UnityReleased in 2009, Resident Evil 5 stands as a significant entry in the iconic horror series that first captivated audiences in 1993. Known for its gripping storylines and terrifying gameplay, the series has become a classic in the zombie-horror genre. This installment, however, sparked heated debates due to its setting and cultural implications. Set in…
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Ranma ½: A Nostalgic Dive into Identity and Society’s Evolving Norms
Read more: Ranma ½: A Nostalgic Dive into Identity and Society’s Evolving NormsI recently discovered that Netflix has released a new version of the anime Ranma ½, created by Rumiko Takahashi. It brought back memories of watching the original series on French TV through the iconic program “Club Dorothée.” France was ahead of its time in importing and broadcasting Japanese animation, giving us the privilege of experiencing…
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Oshakashama by Radwimps: A Reflection on Hypocrisy and Society
Read more: Oshakashama by Radwimps: A Reflection on Hypocrisy and SocietyI was introduced to the song “Oshakashama” by Radwimps by yet another drummer friend. As a bass player, I have often sympathized quickly with drummers—the rhythm section of a band needing to play in sync to create the foundation on which the other instruments and vocals can work freely. The better the foundation, the better…
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Uplift Spice’s “Justice”: A Dark Reflection on Society and Inequality
Read more: Uplift Spice’s “Justice”: A Dark Reflection on Society and InequalityI first discovered Uplift Spice through their song Kanojo, introduced by the now-defunct French television channel, NoLife TV. Despite not being as famous as the major hits dominating the Japanese music scene, their music left a lasting impression. I was surprised when a drummer friend of mine turned out to be a big fan of…
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From the Rose of Versailles to a Vision for Global Equality
Read more: From the Rose of Versailles to a Vision for Global EqualityThe Rose of Versailles is a classic shojo manga written by Riyoko Ikeda, which I first encountered as the anime adaptation, Lady Oscar, on French TV during my childhood. As a boy, enjoying a show targeted toward girls meant keeping it somewhat secret. The weight of peer and societal pressure was astonishing, even as a…
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Building Empathy: Lessons from “Another Day in Paradise”
Read more: Building Empathy: Lessons from “Another Day in Paradise”A French friend I met in Japan once sang Another Day in Paradise by Phil Collins during a karaoke session. While I knew Phil Collins as the drummer of Genesis (yes, I’m not that young, though it’s still not my generation), I hadn’t heard this particular song before. The beauty of karaoke, especially when you…
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Exploring the Universe: From Interstellar to the Marvel of the Human Brain
Read more: Exploring the Universe: From Interstellar to the Marvel of the Human BrainI recently began reading A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking, and it immediately brought to mind the 2014 film Interstellar by Christopher Nolan. This movie, though lengthy and dense, is the kind of masterpiece that leaves you curious, inspiring deep dives into the unfamiliar concepts it explores. Terms like space travel, wormholes, and…
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The Impact of Sleep on Our Perception and Well-Being
Read more: The Impact of Sleep on Our Perception and Well-BeingThe movie Ring by Hideo Nakata left a profound impact on me, particularly in how I viewed sleep. Now that I understand more about the brain and its functions, I realize how incredibly powerful it is and why it deserves to be at the center of our attention. I first watched Ring during high school,…