Alan Turing: Heroic Life and Tragic Death

Jun 12 2021

Alan Turing was instrumental in beating the Axis Forces during World War II. Considered by many to be the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence, his intelligence contributed to ending one of the world’s bloodiest conflicts. However, he was not awarded for this achievement – quite the opposite in fact. And all because of his sexuality.

In the 1950s, homosexuality was illegal in the United Kingdom. Despite this, Turing was fairly open about his sexual orientation. Having started a relationship at the age of 39, he was later discovered after his fiancee burgled his house and his sexuality emerged during the case. He was imprisoned for ‘indecency.’

One of Turing’s biggest contributions came when the war broke out in 1939. He helped to tackle the very difficult problem of deciphering German naval Enigma, which were a series of codes used by the enemy forces to pass information. By cracking the code, Turing gave the Allied Forces several advantages to beat their enemy before they could act.

Despite his contributions, which included developing more complicated technology to aid the war effort, being homosexual was for the UK at the time too much of a problem. He was forced to take ‘medication’ to correct his sexuality, but it simply affected him negatively.

Turing allegedly took his own life in 1954, found by a maid with a slightly eaten apple. It was discovered that the apple had been laced with cyanide, prompting many to believe he committed suicide. Some however believed Turing was deliberately poisoned due to fear of him leaking vital information in retribution for all the pain he suffered.

Alan Turing was, whatever his actual cause of death, an incredibly intelligent man, scientist, mathematician, logician and philosopher. Granted a pardon by Queen Elizabeth II in 2013, his contributions to science and all of humanity are to be remembered. And his heroic deeds go beyond what other people believe about one’s sexuality.

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Photo Source: DW

Famous logos and their mythical origin

Jun 12 2021

Nike

Many think that Nike’s logo is check mark but in actuality, it represents a single wing. And not just any wing but the wing of Greek goddess of victory Nike… hence the name. The name hints at the brand’s suggestion that wearing Nike leads to victory itself.

Starbucks

Starbucks’s logo is represented by a twin-tailed siren that suggests desire to their coffee. Sirens were beautiful mythical creatures which lured men to a drowning death. Despite not drowning people in coffee, the brand hits at their products being immensely desirable.

Goodyear

Goodyear is an American tire manufacturing company which hints at its transportation enhancing services through the winged sandal. The footwear belonged to Hermes, Greek deity of travel and messengers – boding safe travels to all who use their tyres to roam around.

Versace

Should Versace’s logo have actual mystical power, we would all be turned to stone. This is because the fashion company uses the head of Medusa, a Gorgon who turned people to stone whenever they looked at her. The intention was to make those who used their products as being so enamoured with them that they would be forever bound to it.

Ajax

Ajax pops up in multiple logos – whether it be the Amsterdam Football Club or the popular detergent brand. The name makes reference to Ajax, a Greek hero who fought in the Trojan War who fought on the side of the Greeks. Well, at least that’s what one Ajax did – Ajax the Great. Ajax the Lesser was also another separate figure from Greek myth.

NBC

The connections between the myth and the broadcasting network’s logo are rather vague, but quite noticeable. According to myth, Greek goddess Hera had a monster with hundreds of eyes. After Hermes killed the monster, Argus, Hera took his eyes and spread them onto a peacock’s feathers. Thus, the broadcasting network casts its vision on every story it addresses similar to how Argus could see everything.

Pandora

The name for the Danish jewellery manufacturer brand makes reference to a particular myth from Greek mythology about a woman created solely to punish humanity. There are multiple renditions of the story, but the general outline explains how she was created by the gods and subsequently opened a jar which contained all the evils of the world.

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Brooklyn Nine Nine cast with emotional goodbyes as final season wraps filming

Jun 12 2021

The fan favourite comedy Brooklyn Nine Nine has officially wrapped up filming, and the entire cast and crew are sharing their heartfelt goodbyes and series memories. Melissa Fumero, who plays Amy Santiago, shared a photo of her very first security badge, with Terry Crews sharing a side-by-side comparison picture of himself in his Terry Jeffords role.

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A post shared by Melissa Fumero (@melissafumero)

Joe Lo Truglio, who plays the vibrant Charles Boyle added a photo of himself in an Elvis costume, and revealed how on that particular filming day, he discovered Fumero was going to be a mother.

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A post shared by Terry Crews (@terrycrews)

The upcoming season’s synopsis reads; ‘Jake and the squad must try to balance their personal lives and their professional lives over the course of a very difficult year.’ It sounds like Brooklyn Nine Nine is ending the series with a bang, and we just cannot wait!

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A post shared by Brooklyn Nine-Nine (@nbcbrooklyn99)

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Photo Source: LADbible

Surge in holiday seekers as travel restrictions in Germany ease

Jun 12 2021

Germany is experiencing holiday-mania following the widespread relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions at home and abroad. With the prospect of travel back on the table, the country considers summer break to be a basic human right. Everything prompted the frenzy for holidays – a 42% decrease of cases on last week, a vaccine campaign which picked up pace from its slow initial rollout and even the relaxation of measures of other countries and tourist favourite hotspots with Malta being included.

With the foreign ministry taking several countries off a list of high-risk regions in recent days, hundreds of thousands of Germans are planning to make their holiday a reality in the coming weeks. Germany, along with France and Greece, are still carrying a warning. Travelling Germans require proof of full vaccination or negative PCR tests.

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Photo Source: Tim Guow