Ep. 611: "Integrity Olympics"

Foundation is the first book in Isaac Asimov's renowned Foundation series. It introduces Hari Seldon, a psychohistorian who predicts the imminent collapse of the Galactic Empire and the ensuing dark age. To mitigate this, Seldon establishes the Foundation, a group of scientists and scholars on the planet Terminus, aimed at preserving human knowledge and laying the groundwork for a new civilization. The book is a collection of interrelated short stories that follow the early history of the Foundation as it navigates various crises and challenges predicted by Seldon's psychohistory.

John Carter of Mars is a science fantasy series by Edgar Rice Burroughs that follows the adventures of John Carter, a Virginian who is transported to Mars (Barsoom). On Mars, he discovers a dying planet with a complex ecosystem and various warring races. Carter possesses enhanced strength and agility due to Mars's lower gravity, making him a formidable warrior. He becomes embroiled in the planet's conflicts, fighting alongside and against various Martian factions. The series blends elements of adventure, romance, and science fiction, creating a vibrant and imaginative world. Burroughs's novels popularized the concept of Mars as a romantic and exotic setting for adventure.

This book, written by Betty Edwards, is a classic in the field of art instruction. It teaches readers how to draw by shifting their focus from symbolic thinking to visual perception. Edwards argues that anyone can learn to draw by accessing the creative potential of the right hemisphere of the brain. The book includes various exercises such as contour drawings, negative space, sighting, portrait drawings, and working with colors, light, and shadow. It also features techniques like upside-down drawing to help learners overcome the interference of verbal thinking and engage more fully with the visual aspects of drawing. The book is highly recommended for beginners and has been praised for its ability to transform one's approach to drawing and artistic expression.