"In this study, Michael Hundley explores the diverse deities of ancient Near Eastern and biblical literature, from deified doors and diseases to the masters of the universe. Using data from Mesopotamia, Hittite Anatolia, Egypt, the Levant, and non-priestly Genesis and Exodus, Hundley explains their context-specific approach to deity, which produces complex and seemingly contradictory portraits. He suggests that ancient deities gained prominence primarily by co-opting the attributes of other deities, rather than by denying their existence or inventing new powers. He demonstrates that the primary difference between biblical and ancient Near Eastern presentations lies in their rhetorical goals, not their conceptions of gods. While others promote divine supremacy, Genesis and Exodus promote exclusive worship....>>

"Pointing to the triumph of artificial intelligence over unaided humans in everything from games such as chess and Go to vital tasks such as protein folding and securities trading, many experts uphold the theory of a “singularity.” This is the trigger point when human history ends and artificial intelligence prevails in an exponential cascade of self-replicating machines rocketing toward godlike supremacy in the universe. Gaming AI suggests that this belief is both dumb and self-defeating. Displaying a profound and crippling case of professional amnesia, the computer science establishment shows an ignorance of the most important findings of its own science, from Kurt Gödel’s “incompleteness” to Alan Turing’s “oracle” to Claude Shannon’s “entropy.” Dabbling in...>>

"365 mantras and self-love lessons to help you live each day to the fullest. Never miss a day of inspiration with 365 mantras from bestselling author Shannon Kaiser, the luminous founder of PlayWithTheWorld.com. Start each day off with a new motto from Find Your Happy Daily Mantras and get the right guidance you need to live life with flair and enthusiasm. Each mantra includes a set of insights, affirmations, and a guiding question to direct your meditation. Whether it’s greeting the day head-on with “I am brave and courageous with my heart” or celebrating self-love with “I appreciate who I see in the mirror,” Shannon’s daily self-accepting and life-affirming mantras will open your...>>

"Although the theme of bloodied nuptial sheets seems pervasive in Western culture, its association with female virginity is uniquely tied to a brief passage in the book of Deuteronomy detailing the procedure for verifying a young woman's purity; it seldom, if ever, appears outside of Abrahamic traditions. In Signs of Virginity, Michael Rosenberg examines the history of virginity testing in Judaism and early Christianity, and the relationship of these tests to a culture that encourages male sexual violence. Deuteronomy's violent vision of virginity has held sway in Jewish and Christian circles more or less ever since. However, Rosenberg points to two authors—the rabbinic collective that produced the Babylonian Talmud and the early Christian thinker Augustine...>>

"Identify dragons in the wild with the Dracopedia Field Guide! Have you ever stumbled upon a dragon egg and thought to yourself, "I wonder which type of scaly beast will burst forth from this delicate and dappled shell?" Well, wonder no more. This fantasy field guide is required reading—and required packing—for both budding and expert dragon enthusiasts. Don’t leave home without it. This comprehensive and elucidating manual identifies the dragons of the world from Amphipteridae through Wyvernae. Each genus of dragon is meticulously chronicled—from winged Coatyls and Sea Orcs to itty, bitty Feydragons to fire-breathing Great Dragons—then broken down into additional subsets to help you discover what sets these magnificent creatures apart. Uncover the biology,...>>