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Reflections and Perspectives

Society, technology and ethics under the reflective lens

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21st Century Education

Innovations and challenges in modern education

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Travel Anecdotes

Discover hidden corners and stories
that emerge when you least expect them.

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Through Our Lens

Selection of rare or little-known photographs.

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Entertainment: Film and Music

Timeless songs, unforgettable movies, and something more.

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Horizons of Knowledge:
Welcome

A warm greeting to our visitors from Columbus, United States of America. We invite you to join a space where we reflect on education, artificial intelligence, the arts—especially music, and occasionally great cinema—and other ideas that influence how we live and think. This subdomain is dedicated to tracing those connections.

According to the forecast, the current weather in your area is scattered clouds, with a temperature around 69°F, humidity at 69%, and winds of 10.31 mph. Whatever the sky may hold—clouds or light—it’s always a good time to wander the quieter labyrinths of the mind. And somewhere near latitude 39.9612 and longitude -82.9988—give or take a few decimal points—you’ve found your way here.

We draw inspiration from Maria Montessori, the Italian educator, psychiatrist, and philosopher who revolutionized our understanding of learning. In this spirit, we might say:

Education cannot be imposed: it emerges naturally when people interact with their environment. We learn not by listening, but by doing. Therefore, teachers are not mere transmitters of information, but creators of rich environments that spark curiosity and the desire to learn for oneself.

Though this idea is over a century old, it still resonates today—even in the digital world. Many compare current artificial intelligence systems to highly intelligent students... who merely memorize without truly understanding what they learn.

Scientist Judea Pearl states clearly in his book The Book of Why: data alone cannot comprehend causes or consequences. This ability to see relationships, to question the why of things, remains a human capacity. The next frontier will be teaching AI to reason about cause and effect, much as Montessori taught children to explore relationships in their environment.

The parallel is evident: in both learning and technology, true growth occurs when we replace repetition with discovery. Whether it happens in a classroom, on a screen, or in the planet's most remote corners—when discovery occurs, when the unknowable gains significance, that's when true transformation happens.

The intersection between the human and the technological, inspired by filmmaker Werner Herzog, leads us to share this perspective:

True cinema, like meaningful education or authentic travel, must shake us from complacency. It's not about passive entertainment, but encounters that alter our perception. Those who film with awakened eyes in remote landscapes seek moments where external scenery reflects unexplored inner territory.

Herzog, like Duchamp with chess, saw his art as a means to map the extraordinary within the ordinary. His approach resonates with how great composers transform notes into universal emotions. Leonard Bernstein asserted: "Music can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable."

In this section, we'll explore these connecting threads: how AI can amplify (not replace) human creativity, what the world's most innovative education systems teach us, how authentic travel transforms us, and why cinema and music remain indispensable mirrors of the human condition.

We offer both open content and in-depth analysis for subscribers, always from multiple enriching perspectives. We invite you to discover patterns where others see disconnected fragments.

Thought-Provoking Topics:
Reflections and Perspectives

Certain questions never really go away. They stay with us—not because we lack answers, but because the answers keep changing.

This section brings together ideas and lines of thought that challenge the way we see the world: artificial intelligence, the future of work, ethical dilemmas, and the occasional puzzle designed to pull us out of our mental comfort zone.

You won’t find final conclusions here. Only viewpoints—sometimes firm, sometimes provisional—that hope to prompt a pause, a second thought, perhaps even a shift in perspective. And if that happens, then this space will have served its purpose.

The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

The Ethics of Creative Artificial Intelligence

Innovation or exploitation? The thin dividing line
— SUMMARY —

With the growing prevalence of AI-generated music, art, and literature, a central question emerges: Is AI merely a tool of creativity, or is it now substituting human expression itself? Content created by machines complicates our conventional notions of authorship and originality. Who truly owns a song composed by an algorithm? This debate extends beyond ethics—it touches legal rights, intellectual labour, and the very future of creative work.

Note: The image accompanying our note here is an adaptation of the cover from the book Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, edited by S. Matthew Liao, Oxford University Press, 2020.

Shadowbanning y la mano invisible de las redes sociales

Shadowbanning and the Invisible Hand of Social Media

Who Controls What We See?
— SUMMARY —

Social media platforms use complex algorithms to determine which content reaches users and which remains obscured. one of the most ambiguous and debated methods is shadowbanning—a strategy where a user's posts become less visible or are effectively concealed from others, often without any warning or explanation. While companies claim these actions seek to limit harmful content, many people perceive them as tools that suppress free speech and quietly shape public opinion.

For those interested, K. Jaidka and S. Mukerjee (National University of Singapore), together with Y. Lelkes (University of Pennsylvania), explore these issues in depth in Silenced on Social Media: The Gatekeeping Functions of Shadowbans in the American Twitterverse.

Retrograde Chess Puzzle: Can Black Castle?

The Chess Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes

Raymond M. Smullyan

Black to move. But this is no ordinary position. Every piece seems undisturbed—yet something doesn’t add up.

Both rooks and the king are in their initial squares. So the question seems natural enough:

“Can Black still castle?”

The answer isn’t in what you see on the board—but in what must have happened before.

What was White’s last move? Could it have been a pawn move? If so, which pawn, and why now? And if something was captured just before, what piece was it? And more mysteriously—who made the capture?

In this retrograde puzzle, logic must do the heavy lifting. Can you retrace the hidden history and solve the riddle?

Innovations and Challenges in Modern Times:
21st Century Education

The Changing Landscape of Education. Who holds responsibility for student success?

Education in today’s world comes with no shortage of debate. Social norms shift, classrooms change, and technology reshapes the learning space almost daily. Still, beneath all this movement, one familiar question lingers: who carries the weight of student success—or failure?

Empty classroom bathed in the golden light of sunset
A classroom at day's end—silent witness to the challenges of learning.

In decades past—particularly before the 1980s—the answer seemed more straightforward. Teachers and parents alike generally held pupils accountable for poor performance. There was a widespread belief that qualities like perseverance, self-discipline, and personal responsibility were key to educational success. But does that view still stand today?

Since the 1990s, this model has changed considerably. As education systems have broadened to include more diverse learners, expectations have also shifted. Has academic rigour, some ask, been compromised in the name of inclusion?

Crumpled paper sheet with handwritten logical scheme: If p, then q.
Does the physical medium matter, or just the inference?

Why should students strive for excellence if they know they’ll pass regardless of the effort they make? Meanwhile, the role of parents has changed markedly. Why has their task shifted from setting boundaries to challenging the system itself?

Critics argue that, in seeking to ensure access for all, we may have encouraged a culture that neither fears failure nor learns from it—a culture where standards are softened, assessments more lenient, and repeating a year has become increasingly rare.

Today, in many places, underperformance is no longer regarded as a matter of effort or personal responsibility. The blame often falls on government policy, institutional frameworks, or even on teachers as individuals.

Parents—once partners in encouraging children to take ownership of their learning—are now more likely to question teachers, dispute grades, or challenge school policies. Has this shift fostered a culture in which pupils are shielded from the natural consequences of their own choices?

In the meantime, the advent of social media and digital technology has added layers of complexity. These technologies have made knowledge more accessible than ever before, but they have also introduced genuine challenges.

Are young people struggling to maintain focus on long-term goals because their attention is constantly drawn to instant gratification? Studies suggest attention spans are declining, deep reading is on the wane, and excessive reliance on technology may at times hinder the development of critical thinking.

Teacher guiding a student as they solve an exercise together on the blackboard.
Teaching isn't always about solving: sometimes it's knowing when to step back.

How can we expect young people to concentrate on complex academic content that involves time and reflection, when they're used to getting bite-sized information curated by algorithms?

Global assessments like the PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) tests reveal a disturbing trend: children in most nations today perform worse in reading, science and mathematics compared to earlier generations, despite increased investment in education.

Is this a question of pedagogy? Of technological distraction? Or does it reflect a deeper cultural shift in how we relate to knowledge itself?

Beyond teaching their subjects, they must manage behaviour, accommodate different learning styles, integrate technology effectively, and meet parental expectations—all while trying to keep students engaged in an age of relentless distractions. Are we, then, holding teachers responsible for making up for systemic shortcomings and cultural dislocation beyond their reach?

Here is the central question: how to achieve genuine academic success through collaborative effort from everyone concerned—policymakers, teachers, parents, and students themselves.

Do we encourage a return to an education system based on formalized learning and personal responsibility? Or do schools continue to evolve to accommodate shifting cultural and technological trends—even when this comes at the expense of time-tested academic standards?

Answers will naturally differ by country, generation, and worldview. And yet if education is seriously supposed to prepare young people—not just for exams, but for the challenges and unknowns of real life—then the real question might not be who's in charge, but how we strike a balance between responsibility that builds character on one hand and knowledge on the other.

Moments in Other Latitudes:
Travel Anecdotes

In this section, we compile various travel anecdotes. Some are certainly remarkable; others are simply entertaining. You will encounter moments of excitement and surprise, along with cheerful stories that might bring a grin or two. Yet it’s not just about humour: there is also room for thoughtful reflections—insights gained from unexpected encounters, observations noted along the way, and practical tips that other travellers may find genuinely helpful.

Some stories may inspire awe or empathy. Others may share moving experiences or awaken the reader’s curiosity about different cultures, lifestyles, and customs.

Each article features a title, the author’s name, and the publication date. It also includes links for readers who want to know more.

Although the section does not allow comments, readers are free to share their impressions via the contact form.

📘 Vol. 1, No. 1 — April 2025

Recommended reading:

Soweto, Phuket, and the Value of the Unnecessary  by ✍️ Julio GC

Through Our Lens:
Scenes and Snapshots

Travel is far more than visiting places; it's about hidden corners and stories that emerge when least expected. This collection brings together unpublished photos, spontaneous videos and captivating tales—fragments of laughter, wonder and the quiet magic found along the way.

Some photographs are striking, others thought-provoking. We believe they all form part of a story that reveals the reality of travel beyond postcards and itineraries. In this spirit, we invite you to relax and observe the magic of the unexpected, and perhaps even find inspiration for your own travels.

🔍 If you click on the photos, new images will open to reveal a complete or complementary version of them.

Sounds and stories that inspire:
Entertainment

Welcome. This is a space to talk about music and film—two forms of artistic expression that surround us, move us, and, in many ways, continue to shape our everyday lives.

The goal isn’t to repeat what’s already been said, but to tell the lesser-known stories behind iconic songs, explore the evolution of cinema, and reflect together on how both art forms influence—often without us realizing it—how we feel and make sense of the world.

Some music albums have left a mark on entire generations. Some films changed the way stories are told on the big screen. Here, we revisit these works not only for what they meant back then, but for what they still mean today.

We’ll also pause to reflect on soundtracks and melodies we discover—or rediscover—through film, paying attention to their emotional power, cultural weight, or the personal memories they stir. The aim is not to write reviews, but to ask ourselves a simple question: What moves us, and why?


  • Benson Boone tells haters to 'at least have a good reason'

    23 Apr 2025

    [Credit: BBC] Benson Boone, the 22-year-old American singer, achieved global success with his hit "Beautiful Things," amassing over two billion streams in 2024. Despite topping charts and earning Grammy and Brit Award nominations, Boone has faced criticism. In response, he addressed detractors on TikTok, urging them to provide constructive feedback rather than vague negativity. Known for his energetic performances and signature sparkly jumpsuits, Boone's recent Coachella appearance featured a collaboration with Queen guitarist Brian May. While some critics, like Pitchfork, have been harsh, Boone remains focused on his music and growth.

  • The new album 'Who Believes In Angels?'

    5 Feb 2025

    [Crédito: www.eltonjohn.com] Elton John and Brandi Carlile announce details of their collaborative studio album Who Believes In Angels?, set for release on 4th April via Island EMI Records. Also unveiled today is the new single from the album, the eponymous song 'Who Believes In Angels?'. The concept for Who Believes In Angels? was devised by close friends and regular collaborators: Elton John; eleven-time GRAMMY-winning US superstar Brandi Carlile; and multiple GRAMMY Award-winning producer and songwriter Andrew Watt.

  • 2025 GRAMMYs: See The Full Winners & Nominees List

    3 Feb 2025

    [Credit: www.grammy.com] At the 67th GRAMMY Awards, Beyoncé made history by winning Album of the Year and Best Country Album for Cowboy Carter, becoming the first Black woman to achieve this feat. Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" swept five categories, including Record and Song of the Year. Sabrina Carpenter's Short n' Sweet earned Best Pop Vocal Album, while Chappell Roan was named Best New Artist. Charli XCX's BRAT won Best Dance/Electronic Album. The ceremony, hosted by Trevor Noah, also served as a fundraiser for MusiCares Fire Relief.

  • The Dark Side Of The Moon Redux Super Deluxe Boxset

    10 de enero de 2025

    Roger Waters has announced that a Super Deluxe Edition of The Dark Side of the Moon Redux will be available on March 14, 2025. This edition includes live versions recorded during his performances at the London Palladium in October 2023.

    For more details, visit his official website: rogerwaters.com.

  • Who hosted the 2025 Academy Awards? All about Oscars host Conan O'Brien

    3 Mar 2025

    TV funnyman Conan O'Brien took the stage as host of the 97th annual Academy Awards on Sunday night as the 2025 Oscar nominees competed for top honors.

    O'Brien inherited hosting duties from fellow comedian and late-night star Jimmy Kimmel, who presided over the Oscars four times before. [Credit: cbsnews.com.]

  • The 97th Academy Awards | 2025

    2 Mar 2025

    [Credit: www.oscars.org.] The 97th Academy Awards, held on 2 March 2025 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, celebrated 2024's cinematic achievements. Hosted by Conan O'Brien, the ceremony saw Anora dominate with five wins, including Best Picture, Best Director (Sean Baker), and Best Actress (Mikey Madison). Adrien Brody secured Best Actor for The Brutalist. Notable performances included a Wicked medley by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The event also featured tributes to Quincy Jones and the James Bond franchise, blending glamour with poignant moments.

  • The First Season of 'The Eternaut' Will Release Globally on Netflix on April 30th

    30 Jan 2025

    [Credit: netflix.com.] Netflix’s The Eternaut, released globally on 30 April 2025, is a six-episode Argentine sci-fi thriller based on the iconic 1950s graphic novel by Héctor G. Oesterheld and Francisco Solano López. Set in Buenos Aires, the series follows Juan Salvo (Ricardo Darín) and fellow survivors as they confront a deadly snowfall heralding an alien invasion. Directed by Bruno Stagnaro, the show blends post-apocalyptic suspense with political undertones, earning critical acclaim and a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. A second and final season has been confirmed.

  • Emilia Pérez makes Oscar history with 13 nods

    23 Jan 2025

    This year's Academy Award nominations have been announced, with the Netflix production Emilia Pérez achieving an unprecedented milestone. The film's remarkable 13 nominations surpass previous record-holders Roma (2019) and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2001), which each received 10 nominations in the foreign language category.

    The musical crime drama earned recognition across multiple categories, including Best Picture. Its star, Karla Sofía Gascón, makes history as both the second Spanish actress and first transgender performer to receive an acting nomination.

  • Interstellar: ¿por qué la película de Nolan volvió a las salas de cine?

    16 Ene 2025

    Lo relativo del tiempo, frecuente en la cinematografía de Cristopher Nolan, le ha pasado factura a la audiencia, porque ya trascurrieron 10 años desde que se estrenó 'Interstellar', que ha vuelto a las salas de cine en todo el mundo para celebrar su primera década.

    La épica de ciencia ficción, que ha vuelto a los ojos de los cinéfilos, es recordada porque Matthew McConaughey se embarca en un viaje espacial para encontrar un lugar con las condiciones necesarias para reemplazar a la Tierra y comenzar una nueva vida allí. [Credit: www.eltiempo.com.]

At the Cultural Crossroads
Musical Pop (1950–2025)

This selection offers a personal yet historically aware tour through pop music from 1950 to the present, guided by an individual perspective but attentive to the social pulses and aesthetic shifts that left their mark on each era.

My own view was profoundly shaped by three Uruguayan radio stations that accompanied entire generations. First came CX 50 Radio Independencia (AM), whose legendary programme Impactos, conceived by Berch Rupenian, was powered by a team with a near-instinctive grasp of what would become a hit. Then CX 32 Radiomundo (AM) widened the scope with Old Hits, curated by Pablo Lecueder and his team — a project that revived the link between youth and musical memory with renewed clarity. And on 95.5 FM Del Plata, Antonio Devitta’s FM Noche...Del Plata brought something else entirely: elegance, introspection, and moments that lingered long after the music faded.

Another turning point: growing up in a home where technology was welcomed. My father, curious and quick to adopt, brought home compact cassettes well before anyone spoke of playlists. That opened the door to my earliest personal recordings. Later came CDs, another path for discovery — and thanks to a persistent, travel-loving temperament, I managed to collect hundreds of albums, some of which would have been nearly impossible to find otherwise. The internet, finally, dissolved all barriers: it removed distances, expanded access, and allowed hidden treasures from the past to reappear. So this journey moves through eras, formats, and continents — but is always guided by one constant: music as both mirror and compass of its time.

This archive is also a generational witness — and an open invitation. It speaks to those who lived through these decades with intensity, and to newer generations — or even older ones elsewhere — who, due to cultural gaps or market filters, might never have truly listened to certain songs, voices or textures. I hope they’ll find here something that resonates, unsettles or at least sparks curiosity.

Craftsmanship in Code
Site Validation & Compatibility

This website has been crafted with deliberate care: each page has been meticulously validated against current web standards, with equal attention given to semantic structure and responsive design.

Particular effort has been devoted to optimisation for Windows and Android devices—from desktop displays to high-end mobile screens—though other systems have by no means been overlooked. This decision arises from the tools currently at our disposal—but the aim has never strayed from ensuring access remains open to all.

A traditional loom weaving the <html> and <body> tags with the initials JGC.
Weaving code: form, language and time.

Some underlying considerations:

▢ The layout has been built with deliberate simplicity and purpose, so that browsers—and assistive tools—can parse the content accurately. The result: HTML that means what it says.

▢ The design adjusts itself gracefully to a wide range of screen sizes, maintaining both clarity and a consistent aesthetic.

▢ Only what is strictly necessary is included. Scripts and images are delayed in loading, helping the site respond swiftly and with minimal overhead.

▢ The structure of the code is orderly and easy to maintain, leaving room for future changes without requiring full redesigns.

But beyond structural integrity lies a deeper aim: to create a digital environment that holds value and withstands the test of time. This project is ongoing—evolving steadily, in rhythm with technology itself, without losing sight of its identity or purpose.

A webpage resembles a tapestry in progress: like those medieval weavings that took years to complete, thread by thread. Each visit leaves its mark—some fleeting, others more enduring—all woven into the narrative fabric of the site.

The code is the hidden foundation; design is the form that breathes life into it. And though the process never truly ends—the web is ever in motion—this very openness is part of its allure.

We continue to refine and adjust. Not in pursuit of some unreachable perfection, but because we believe in the value of the journey. Like Penelope, weaving and unweaving, we trust that time plays a vital role in what emerges. Nothing here is to be taken as final: each enhancement reflects a quiet conviction—that technical precision and visitor experience must evolve together, without erasing the essence.

Should you spot a flaw, have a suggestion, or simply wish to share a thought, it will be most welcome. For this project—like the network it inhabits—grows stronger when shaped collectively.

Let the art of design and the substance of ideas stand as mirrored counterparts—one revealing the visible, the other the essential. For, as in Borges’ Aleph, the internet holds within it spaces that are, that have ceased to be, and those yet to come.

Montevideo:
Hidden Coordinates

This project is based in Montevideo and continues an initiative that began in 1995. It arises from a desire to reflect deeply on various subjects, and to uncover what remains when everything seems to be falling apart.

Amid chessboards and equations that reveal imperceptible harmonies, we are convinced that knowledge unfolds over time and within the beauty of well-crafted structures.

In this corner of the world, where the essential still endures, we offer a haven for lucidity—a quiet pause in the whirlwind of the irrational.