SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN

25 years ago, no one could think that our lives would be revolving around the Internet in less that two decades. Now a day, after passing nine years of the 21^st century, no one can imagine living in this world without the Internet. Internet represents the web consisting of billions of websites. There is almost nothing you can’t find on this widespread network!

One of the most magnificent websites that I have ever seen, ScientificAmerican.com, Unlike all the magazine's website, advertising for their magazine and trying to convince you to pay for the subscription, offers you a widespread range of services on its website; As a matter of fact, the magazine is just a tiny part of their service.

The most interesting part of the website, which I want to present, is the Podcasts section. This part comprises four different categories which are 60-second science, science talk, 60-second earth and 60-second psych.

In 60-second parts you can listen to news or different pieces of information just in one minute. Besides gaining useful info about different aspects of science, earth and psychology, it is of use to English learners, who want to get to know and cultivate their American accent. The concepts are mostly broad and not too technical so that everyone, having general knowledge, can grasp them readily.

Science talk consists of interviews with science experts, but this part, being lengthy, doesn't have scripts and might not be as useful for learners as 60-second parts, in which you can have access to the exact transcript of podcast.

At the end, Scientific American is worth visiting and exploring for either technical and general purposes.

Start With Yourself

The following words were written on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in the Crypts of Westminster Abbey:
When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it, too, seemed immovable. As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.
And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed my self first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.

Anonymous

True Love

Moses Mendelssohn, the grandfather of the well-known German composer, was far from being handsome. Along with a rather short stature, he had a grotesque hunchback.

One day he visited a merchant in Hamburg who had a lovely daughter named Frumtje. Moses fell hopelessly in love with her. But Frumtje was repulsed by his misshapen appearance. When it came time for him to leave, Moses gathered his courage and climbed the stairs to her room to take one last opportunity to speak with her. She was a vision of heavenly beauty, but caused him deep sadness by her refusal to look at him. After several attempts at conversation, Moses shyly asked, "Do you believe marriages are made in heaven?" "Yes," she answered, still looking at the floor. "And do you?" "Yes I do," he replied. "You see, in heaven at the birth of each boy, the Lord announces which girl he will marry. When I was born, my future bride was pointed out to me. Then the Lord added, 'But your wife will be humpbacked.' "Right then and there I called out, 'Oh Lord, a humpbacked woman would be a tragedy. Please, Lord, give me the hump and let her be beautiful.'"

Then Frumtje looked up into his eyes and was stirred by some deep memory. She reached out and gave Mendelssohn her hand and later became his devoted wife.

Barry and Joyce Vissell