The Lord of the Rings, written by J.R.R. Tolkien, is an epic high fantasy novel set in Middle-earth. The story follows Frodo Baggins, a hobbit who inherits the One Ring from his uncle Bilbo. The Ring, forged by Sauron, holds the power to control all other Rings of Power and must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom to prevent Sauron's return. Frodo is joined by a fellowship of other characters, including Gandalf the Grey, Samwise Gamgee, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Boromir, as they embark on a dangerous quest across Middle-earth. The novel explores themes of good vs. evil, the corrupting influence of power, and the struggle between fate and free will[3][4][5].
In 'Nomadland', Jessica Bruder delves into the lives of older Americans who, unable to afford traditional housing, have taken to living in vehicles and traveling for seasonal work. The book highlights the resilience and creativity of these individuals while exposing the darker aspects of the American economy. It follows characters like Linda May, who navigates this lifestyle with hope and determination.
Fire & Blood is a detailed historical account of the Targaryen dynasty in the world of Westeros. Written in the style of a historical text, it covers the conquest of Westeros by Aegon the Conqueror and his sisters, the reigns of subsequent Targaryen kings, including the long and complex reign of King Jaehaerys I, and the tumultuous events such as the Dance of the Dragons. The book is illustrated with over seventy-five black-and-white illustrations by Doug Wheatley and includes family trees and other historical details. It is the first volume of a planned two-part history, with the second volume still in the works[1][3][4].
J+M discuss Meta's new text-to-video tool and what the future of creativity might look like (2:59), then they break down Zuck's grand plan (14:49) before discussing what a recession might mean for startups (27:18) and SoftBank reportedly cutting 30% of its Vision Fund staff. (36:41)
(0:00) J+M intro today's segments!
(2:59) Meta announces text-to-video tool
(13:33) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist
(14:49) Breaking down Zuckerberg's grand plan
(21:58) Meta freezes hiring, signals that we've entered a recession
(25:52) LinkedIn Marketing - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at https://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups
(27:18) How a recession and big tech layoffs will impact startups
(35:28) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist
(36:41) SoftBank is reportedly planning to cut at least 30% of Vision Fund staff
(41:29) Jason welcomes Lon Harris and the pair discuss HBO's House of the Dragon and its 10-year time jump
(51:37) Warner Bros Discovery sued for allegedly misrepresenting HBO Max subscribers by 10M during the Discover / WarnerMedia merger
(57:48) Favorite actors to watch doing anything, rockstars in today's world
(1:03:03) CCP censors a popular film for its realistic depiction of rural life in China
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