What if moving forward isn't a straight line. What if it bends like memory. What if it circles back.There's a kind of map that I carry in my body. It's not the kind you fold. It's made of green grease, the hum of box fans and hurricane winds.This map has names like Scots, Ghouls, Chocolate City, and Overtown in it. I am asphalt and fire ants, sweet blood for mosquitoes. I am the daughter of tobacco fields. I am the grandchild of mustard greens of mustadines fermented and turned into moonshine.I come from do ...

The island’s unique plants are being preserved in the world’s biggest seed bank https://t.co/obf5eBpNw2 ...

Historical Context & Preservation Debate - The report highlights a debate in 1949 Beijing regarding preserving ancient buildings versus prioritizing rapid industrial construction [4][5] - The Yang Chen program in the 1950s advocated for protecting ancient architectural clusters while developing a new administrative center, but it was rejected due to economic needs [6][7] - Economic considerations led to large-scale demolition of ancient buildings in Beijing, causing irreparable losses to the city's integrity [8] - Despite widespread demolition, some scholars and leaders, like Joe Life, actively advocated for the protection of ancient architecture [9][10] Modernization & Reflection - The report questions whether high-rises always represent progress and whether old houses signify backwardness, urging reflection on the value of historical preservation [11] - The report emphasizes the importance of preserving the "temperature of the streets, the breath of a community, the soul of a city" found in quiet corners [12] Current Efforts & Global Perspective - As of May 18, 2020, Beijing aimed to build a history museum, signaling a shift towards coexisting preservation and development [13] - Since the late 20th century, efforts to restore historic structures have steadily increased, including the restoration of the bell and drum tower in 1984 and the reconstruction of pagodas in 1990 [14] - The State Council issued the 14th Five-Year Plan in 2021 to protect and innovate cultural relics, focusing on relic safety, technological innovation, and museum revitalization [14] - The struggle to preserve ancient buildings is not unique to China, with examples of destruction in Italy, the United States, and Syria highlighting the fragility of cultural heritage [16] Call to Action - The report calls for individual action through visiting and supporting historic sites, sharing their stories, and speaking out against demolition [17] - Communities are encouraged to repurpose ancient buildings, and governments should strengthen legal protection and ensure development respects cultural heritage [18] - The report advocates for global cooperation in sharing funds, expertise, and technology to protect endangered architecture [18]

Core Argument - The presentation addresses the balance between preserving tradition and embracing innovation in the modern world [1][2][3] - It challenges the perceived dichotomy between preservation and evolution, arguing it's a false dilemma born from a specific cultural moment in the West [9][10][11] - The speaker introduces three concepts from classical Arab Islamic tradition: imitation, innovation, and emulation, to provide a nuanced understanding of the relationship between past, present, and future [16][17] Key Concepts - **Imitation:** Reproducing something with strong foundations and principles, aligning oneself with higher moral or spiritual truths [18][19][20] - **Innovation:** Creating something entirely new, but always anchored in moral principles and higher truths, not for its own sake [23][24][25][26] - **Emulation:** Following an exemplary model and creating new variations of it, a middle ground between imitation and innovation [28][29][30] Practical Application - The presentation suggests applying the right approach (imitation, emulation, or innovation) in the appropriate domain of life [30][31][32][33] - It advocates for evolution within preservation, innovation within tradition, and creativity within continuity [34] - The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of rooting oneself in the past to be creative pioneers of the future [34][35]

Personal Growth and Reflection - The speaker reflects on the changes and realizations that come with turning 15, including recognizing past "idiotic" actions and navigating new social expectations [1][2] - The speaker discusses the challenges of transitioning to adulthood and observing similar changes in family members, such as her mother turning 50 and her sister entering college [3][4] - The speaker explores the evolving dynamics between family members as they go through different life stages, contrasting childhood sleepovers with current interactions [4][5][6][7] - The speaker shares a childhood memory of being frightened by her mother's discussion of climate change and the possibility of dying young [8][9] - The speaker recounts the experience of her grandfather's death during the COVID-19 pandemic and the guilt she felt for not having a closer relationship with him [10][11][12][13][14][15] - The speaker emphasizes the importance of realizing and preserving past mistakes, using her relationship with her grandmother as an example of childhood misbehavior and the lasting impact of those actions [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] - The speaker advocates for embracing one's "cracks" or flaws, learning from them, and using them to become a better person in the present [25][26][27]

New Orleans is a project that begets more projects. To preserve it will be costly. How long can this carry on? https://t.co/TmZUMCozRz ...