“I have not yet assigned a cause to gravity.” (Newton 1643-1727)
“The cause of gravity is the curvature of spacetime caused by the presence of mass and energy.” (Einstein 1879-1955)
SLINGSHOT DIGITAL: REDUCING NOISE IN NEWS WHILE ELEVATING CONTEXTUAL UNDERSTANDING.
WEEKLY MAGAZINE (Fall 2024-2025): Updates will be published every Friday.
PINNED POST Slingshot Digital, Editorial: Person of the year 2025
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Image: Samira D. Fly (Reddit)
June 27-July 4, 2025
WHAT HAPPENED: The highly anticipated “F1” movie, featuring Brad Pitt, was set to launch this weekend and is already shaping up to be a tremendous hit. It has grossed an impressive $144 million globally, with $55.6 million coming from North America alone. This outstanding opening not only establishes Apple’s biggest weekend debut but also represents a career milestone for Brad Pitt, marking the most significant global launch of his impressive filmography.
June 27-July 4, 2025
“Rust”: The Alec Baldwin movie mired in controversy flops at the box office despite its stunning cinematography
WHAT HAPPENED: “Rust” fails to make an impact. The film features scenes and moments that pay homage to classic Westerns, but ultimately lacks originality. This deeply troubled project, which led to the tragic accidental death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during filming, struggled to gain any traction during its opening weekend. It’s a missed opportunity for what could have been a powerful film.
June 20-27, 2027
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are getting married on June 27th in Venice, Italy
The new romantics radiate joy and commitment. Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez remind us that positive stories matter; let us engage with and promote the good news that exists in our world.
June 20-27, 2025
Let’s take a moment to pause. Put the war news aside and focus on celebrating the magic of movies and the incredible talent of filmmakers.
June 20-27, 2025
Let’s dive into House of Cards and reflect on its brilliance before the departure of Kevin Spacey. ‘The Golden Era’ of the series House of Cards: Unpacking its most captivating plot twists that kept us on the edge of our seats.
******************
The fight for integrity: Ensuring the media remains a watchdog for democracy
In the early seasons of House of Cards, “Zoe Barnes” stands out as a pivotal character—a driven journalist who skillfully navigates a treacherous relationship with Frank Underwood, a ruthless congressman. Their connection serves as a powerful tool for Zoe, allowing her to obtain exclusive stories and rapidly advance her career. Fearless in her pursuit of success, she often resorts to unethical journalism, employing aggressive tactics and manipulation to secure information. However, this relentless ambition ultimately seals her fate. In a chilling moment of betrayal, Underwood, terrified that she might uncover his darkest secrets, pushes her in front of a moving subway train, leading to her tragic death.
https://hbr.org/1995/05/why-the-news-is-not-the-truth (Link)
ISSUE AT STAKE: The media plays a crucial role in uncovering corruption and abuse of power, but it faces significant challenges that threaten its effectiveness. Political and economic pressures, the spread of misinformation, and the safety and security of journalists all hinder this vital work. Research indicates that audiences tend to seek news that reflects their existing beliefs, prompting media organizations to cater to these preferences instead of providing unbiased coverage. Furthermore, corporate ownership, reliance on advertising revenue, and government influence often shape media narratives, compromising the integrity of journalism. It is essential to address these issues to ensure a free and fair press, which is fundamental to a healthy democracy.
******************
Public opinion as a double-edged sword in political comebacks
In the final season of House of Cards, Frank Underwood meets his end off-screen, a fitting conclusion for a politician whose moral compass has long since disintegrated. Even if Kevin Spacey had continued in the role, it’s evident that Frank’s political journey was heading toward inevitable ruin. The series finale chillingly illustrates how Doug Stamper poisoned Frank to protect his legacy and silence any further revelations of his transgressions. This observation is strikingly relevant to the real world: the revival of a political career is contingent on various factors, particularly public opinion, which can be highly unpredictable. Changes in public sentiment and unforeseen events can unexpectedly provide politicians with questionable opportunities. Furthermore, as societal issues shift, a candidate’s past actions may begin to lose significance. Consider the example of Donald Trump’s return to the presidency. While some may interpret this as a standard model of political resilience, it is critical to see it as an exception rather than a norm. The reality is that most politicians cannot count on such dramatic comebacks. Instead, we must demand accountability from those in power, ensuring that integrity and public trust remain central to our political discourse.
June 12-18, 2025
June 12-18, 2025
“Les Misérables” (Kennedy Center)
WHAT HAPPENED: In light of Donald Trump’s expected presence, the members of the North American touring production of “Les Misérables” are courageously choosing to boycott a performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. This bold stance directly addresses a fundraiser event hosted there that many believe contradicts the fundamental values of inclusion and respect that the arts should champion. It is essential to uphold these principles, and this boycott sends a decisive message about the integrity of our artistic community.
June-May 2025
Happy Birthday Duke of Wellington! (May 1, 1769)
“I outflanked my opponents.” (Duke of Wellington)
The Duke of Wellington defeated Napoleon Bonaparte in the Battle of Waterloo, which was fought on June 18, 1815, in Belgium. Wellington led a coalition of British, Hanoverian, and Dutch forces, along with the Prussians to triumph over Napoleon’s French Army. This battle marked the end of the Napoleonic Era.
“Waterloo” by R Hillingford, “Duke of Wellington” by T Lawrence (Image: Official Portrait)
June 2-11, 2025
The winners and honorees of the 78th Annual Tony Awards (Link below)
https://www.tonyawards.com/winners (Link)
June 2-11, 2025
June 2-11, 2025
Tribeca Film Festival (New York City, June 4-15)
Experience the vibrant creativity of the Tribeca Festival, an annual celebration in New York City that embraces storytelling across diverse mediums, including film, television, music, audio storytelling, games, and immersive experiences. Established in 2001 as a catalyst for revitalizing lower Manhattan post-9/11, this festival is not just an event but a movement showcasing a rich tapestry of independent films, compelling documentaries, and groundbreaking talent.
film schedule
https://tribecafilm.com/festival/schedule (Link)
************************
“Billy Joel documentary to launch Tribeca Festival”
June-May 2025
May 2025
r.i.p.
“Photography is the memory of our society. A conversation with South American photographer Sebastiao Salgado” (Link above)
https://www.instagram.com/sebastiaosalgadooficial (Link/Image below: Sotheby’s)
May 2025
Photo(s) by Sebastiao Salgado
1896 1996. The Taliban seized Kabul. “Women were forbidden to show their faces or to have any activity outside their homes except collecting food and medicine at distribution centres.” (British Journal of Photography)
Women around the globe, particularly in the Western world, have achieved remarkable advances. A notable milestone was reached in 1948 when the University of Cambridge (U.K.) finally granted women full membership and degrees, marking the end of a long and contentious struggle for equality in education. This significant step not only reflects progress but also highlights the ongoing fight for women’s rights. In 1974, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) was enacted, representing a crucial advancement in financial equality. This landmark legislation prohibited banks from discriminating in lending based on sex or marital status. As a result, women gained the ability to secure credit cards and open bank accounts in their own names, empowering them to take control of their financial futures. Women in the US had the potential to hold credit cards before the 1970s, yet they faced substantial barriers and discrimination. Prior to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) of 1974, married women often had to secure their husband’s permission or signature to obtain a credit card, while single, divorced, or widowed women encountered significant challenges.
May 2025
Capitol Hill: Plaque to honor Jan. 6 victims
“On behalf of a grateful Congress, this plaque honors the extraordinary individuals who bravely protected and defended this symbol of democracy on January 6, 2021. Their heroism will never be forgotten.”
May 2025 South American Poetry
Poesias da Bruna Lombardi
https://www.instagram.com/brunalombardi/?hl=en (Link)
May 2025 North American Poetry
“The Hill We Climb”
“When day comes, we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade? The loss we carry, a sea we must wade. We’ve braved the belly of the beast, we’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace and the norms and notions of what just is, isn’t always justice. And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it, somehow we do it, somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken but simply unfinished.” (Amanda Gorman)
May 2025
May 19, 2025, 1:30 am
“I am going to call for a major investigation into this (“unpatriotic entertainers”) matter.” (President Trump middle of the night meltdown) “Truth Social”
Public servants, such as Presidents, typically adopt a formal and authoritative tone when addressing the public. They often use a lower tone of voice to convey confidence and sincerity. This combination of a low tone, carefully selected language, and thoughtful delivery helps establish credibility and fosters a connection with the audience.
May 2025 Festival de Cannes
https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/press/press-releases/un-certain-regard-winners-list-2025 (Link)
Robert de Niro: “Art is a threat to autocrats/fascists”
May 2025 Festival de Cannes
Angelina Jolie, a renowned actress and prominent humanitarian, reiterated her support for Gaza and the Palestinian people
Festival de Cannes – International film festival for more than 78 years (Link)
May 2025
Angelina Jolie’s father: “The Israeli Army must protect their soil and people”
May 2025
“In my home, the America I love, the America I’ve written about, that has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous administration.” Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American experiment to rise with us, raise your voices against authoritarianism, and let freedom ring! ”The America that I’ve sung to you about for 50 years is real, and, regardless of its faults, is a great Country with a great people. So we’ll survive this moment. Now, I have hope, because I believe in the truth of what the great American writer James Baldwin said. He said, ‘In this world, there isn’t as much humanity as one would like, but there’s enough.” (Bruce Springsteen, May 15, 2025)
May 2025 Pompeii Archaeology
According to the Pompeii Parco Archeologico, press release, the (Pompeii) house “was still occupied by its inhabitants, who, faced with the eruption, elected not to leave their homes and met their deaths here”. As a desperate attempt to block the entrance of falling pumice/ashes into the room, the family put part of a bed against the bedroom’s door (Mount Vesuvius Eruption August 24, 79 CE). (pompeii_parco_archeologico Instagram)
May 2025
May 2025 Pope Leo XIV
The world’s 1.4 billion Catholics have a new leader — Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, The first American-born Pope
May 2025
“Romeo, Habemos Papam!”
May 2025 “The Sistine Chapel is where papal conclaves, the process of electing a new pope, are held. Cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel to vote until they select a new pontiff.”
The Romans have an expression about conclaves: “Chi entra ner conclave papa, ne risorte cardinale.”
“The one who goes into the conclave a pope, comes out a cardinal.”
Image: “The Creation of Adam,” a fresco by Michelangelo on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel (1508-1512).
Sistine Chapel of Vatican City – Useful Information (Link)
*************Image: Sistine Chapel Vatican City**************
The Sistine Chapel
Visit the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museums, Rome (Link)
Vatican Museums – Official Website (Link)
May 2025
https://www.gatesnotes.com/20-years-to-give-away-virtually-all-my-wealth (Link)
“I’d love for him to go in and meet the children that have now been infected with HIV because he cut that money.” (Bill Gates) Image below: Via Instagram
May 2025
Bulk shirts and hoodies–No order minimums
Gulf of America Day, 2025 – The White House (Link/Image: Etsy)
April 2025
r.i.p.
April 2025
Can I tell an unbeliever: “Yeshua died for Hitler too”?
Adolf Hitler’s Paintings: Hitler could not paint or draw faces and people
Nazi Looted Art | National Archives (Link)
“The Old Building in Stand of Trees”, 1909 and “Munich Town Hall”, 1910
April 2025
John Harvard, a former student at the University of Cambridge in the UK, passed away in 1638. In his will, he bequeathed his library, which contained about 400 volumes, and half of his estate, valued at approximately £1,700, to Harvard University. John Harvard was the first major benefactor of the university, donating these significant assets to support its establishment. (Harvard University Official Instagram)
Worldwide Benefactors
Consider making a donation to Harvard University to support its mission of educating outstanding students and leaders, while providing faculty with the resources needed to set the global standard for excellence in teaching, learning, and research.
Giving to Harvard | Harvard Alumni (Link)
April 2025
January-March 2025
What is female genital mutilation? | UNICEF (Link)
********************
FALL 2024 (Inaugural Articles: Archived)
Slingshot Digital Magazine, Fall 2024-2025
Copyright 2017-2025 ©Havah House Co. Policy Terms: the content of this website is a work of authorship and an intellectual property of Havah House Co. No portion of its content may be performed, reproduced, or used by any means, or disclosed to, quoted, or published in any medium without the consent of the owner.