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Tag: Arthur C. Clarke

Leo Tolstoy, The City and the Stars, 28 Days Later, Sadhguru, and a Bible Passage

Leo Tolstoy, The City and the Stars, 28 Days Later, Sadhguru, and a Bible Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 30, 2023

Sunday Supplement #116 (July 30th, 2023)

Below is another Sunday Supplement with a quote worth sharing, a book worth reading, a movie worth watching, brainfood worth consuming, and a spiritual passage worth pondering.

Please take something away from these recommendations that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”

– Leo Tolstoy

Book of the Week:

The City and the Stars – Arthur C. Clarke

Arthur C. Clarke is one of the legends of science fiction. His novel 2001: A Space Odyssey is probably his most well-known due to the Stanley Kubrick adaptation.

However, his bibliography of over 50 novels, novellas, and short story collections has many gems worth exploring.

The City and the Stars is set in the future city of Diaspar. Humanity built the Utopian city that ended up being the last refuge from alien invaders.

For a millennia, its protective dome shuts out the creeping decay and danger from the world outside. A Unique, born into the human population, sets out to test the city’s boundaries.

I’ve featured another Arthur C. Clarke novel in Sunday Supplement #49 worth checking out if you like the brilliant and thought-provoking The City and the Stars. 

Movie of the Week:

28 Days Later

Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later follows a London bike courier, Jim, after he wakes up from a coma one month after a zombie-like virus was unleashed in the UK.

Jim, played by Cillian Murphy, has no idea what transpired during his coma and has to adapt quickly with the help of survivors Selena (Naomie Harris) and Frank (Brendan Gleeson).

I’m not a huge fan of horror or zombie movies, but this film is a brilliant story about humanity in chaos and the will to survive.

The popular show The Walking Dead (adapted from the comics) took part of the premise of 28 Days Later for their story, which is a testament to the concept of the story.

I never watched The Walking Dead, but I can’t imagine it explores the premise more profoundly than 28 Days Later. Check the film out, and let me know what you think.

Brainfood of the Week:

Resisting Change is Resisting Life | Sadhguru

Sadhguru is an Indian yogi and bestselling author. His YouTube page has over 11 million followers and over 1.5 billion video views.

In this video, a woman asks Sadhguru about change and how she looked forward to change when she was younger but avoided it as she grew older.

Sadhguru discusses the comfort zones we create as we get older and how change creates disturbances in those comfort zones.

When we resist change, we create suffering through non-acceptance of life and what we can do about it.

I’ve featured Sadhguru videos in a few previous Sunday Supplements. Check them out if you enjoyed this video.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

– Ecclesiastes 3:1

This Bible passage could have many different interpretations. For me, I think of learning to accept situations and changing how you view them.

A classic example is a rainy day being miserable for some, but if you wear the appropriate clothes and have an umbrella, it can still be beautiful.

The seasons change, and this Bible quote reminds me to stay aware of the seasons in our life and to adjust appropriately.

It’s easy to wallow in bad times, but after accepting and processing any situation, it’s time to move forward.

See what situations you can positively change your approach to, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Barbara Hall, Childhood’s End, Eddie the Eagle, Matt Cutts, and a Japanese Proverb

Barbara Hall, Childhood’s End, Eddie the Eagle, Matt Cutts, and a Japanese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on April 17, 2022

Sunday Supplement #49 (April 17th, 2022)

Below is another Sunday Supplement with a quote worth sharing, a book worth reading, a movie worth watching, brainfood worth consuming, and a spiritual passage worth pondering.

I hope you take something away from these recommendations that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“The path to our destination is not always a straight one. We go down the wrong road, we get lost, we turn back. Maybe it doesn’t matter which road we embark on. Maybe what matters is that we embark.” 

– Barbara Hall

Book of the Week:

Childhood’s End – Arthur C. Clarke

Arthur C. Clarke is probably most known for his A Space Odyssey series, but his entire bibliography of over 50 novels, novellas, and short story collections is worth checking out.

His standalone novel Childhood’s End tells the story of Earth’s citizens after the Overlords appear suddenly over every city.

The alien entities are superior to humans in every capacity. They benevolently take the reins of the human race, unify the earth, eliminate poverty, and end war. 

As humanity begins to enter a golden age, questions arise around the cost of the Overlords and their forced Utopia. It’s clear the Overlords have a plan, but the endgame is a mystery.

Many elements of the story raise questions about the purpose of life, the future of the human race, and the problems of a Utopian society. 

Childhood’s End was nominated for a retroactive Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2004, 50 years after its original publication, and it still reads brilliantly today.

Movie of the Week:

Eddie the Eagle

Eddie the Eagle tells the story of Michael “Eddie” Edwards and his journey to becoming an Olympic athlete.

The film is a fictionalized account of the true story of Edwards and drifts away from actual events with certain narratives, but the simple movie hits its mark.

Taron Egerton and Hugh Jackman star as Eddie and coach Bronson Peary. The real-life Eddie confirmed that Bronson is a fictional character but helped bring out the message of his story.

Eddie the Eagle is a film that you can watch with the family. The overall message of trying for something and giving it your all might come through cheesy at times, but it’s fun and uplifting.

This movie is on my list of pick-me-ups. It is worth adding to your watchlist and checking out on a day when you need a lighthearted and positive message.

Brainfood of the Week:

TED-Ed | Matt Cutts – Try Something New for 30 Days

Matthew Cutts is a software engineer whose resume includes former Administrator of the United States Digital Service as well as various roles at Google.

Cutts got in a rut but found inspiration in Morgan Spurlock’s 30-day experiments. However, instead of taking on various social experiments, he looked to things he always wanted to do.

The software engineer went on to take on multiple 30-day challenges. 

Cutts found the months were much more memorable instead of flying by. His self-confidence also grew from the completion of each 30-day challenge. 

In the video, Cutts prompts you to think about something you’ve always wanted to add to your life and try it for the next 30 days. 

In Sunday Supplement #8, I highlighted James Clear’s Atomic Habits. His book is an excellent resource for building or removing habits.

What’s something you’d like to try for the next 30 days?

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“We’re fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance.”

– Japanese Proverb

This Japanese proverb reminds me of the foolishness of doing something or not doing something depending on how we’d be seen.

The quote brings to mind the image of a school dance where people are lined up against the walls and an empty dance floor in the middle.

For a long time, I would be one with my back against the wall pretending that any social engagement was stupid or pointless.

Finally, I realized that I would never go anywhere or accomplish anything if I didn’t try.

This Japanese proverb is a perfect push for us to get out on the dance floor. The best part is that we get to decide what music to listen to and what moves to make.

Check off something on your to-do list, and have a blessed week ahead!

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