The ritual importance of the mundane: white cloth among the Tai of Southeast Asia

Article Abstract:

The ritual significance of plain white cloth among the Tai speaking populations of mainland Southeast Asia gives an insight into their culture. White cloth symbolizes purity and alienation from the mundane, and hence is a significant aspect of ceremonials and rituals irrespective of status. White cloth has many religious utilities, the most notable being to help in initiating the transition to monkhood. Most significantly, the textile represents the sacred powers of Brahminism, a religion that preceded Buddhism.

Thailand, Rites, ceremonies and celebrations, Popular culture, Religious aspects, Southeast Asia, Cotton fabrics

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PATRICK BEDARD

Article Abstract:

Much of the heat produced by an internal combustion engine is wasted, and could be put to better use. A car enthusiast describes how he tried to cook meat for dinner by setting food in the engine, but the meat never successfully cooked all the way. The inefficiencies of engines are described.

Cooking, Environmental aspects, Humor and anecdotes, Cookery, Internal combustion engines

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The little creepy crawlers who will eat you in the night

Article Abstract:

Silicon valley is populated with cubbyholes of young engineers, mostly male, working on the Next Big Thing. The culture of innovation, and the rate of technology cycles, prevent big companies from dominating the industry. The NASA incubator, one such lab of innovation, is analyzed.

Cover Story, Practice, Training, Silicon Valley, Computer programmers, United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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