Mixed Media Magazine

Comic book child star grows up to partner with writer father on Kickstarter horror titles

Jake Tinsley’s ‘ALTERNATIVE NARRATIVES’ joins Ben Tinsley’s ‘THE BLONDE ASSASSIN’ on sale as the TINSLEY BOYS continue their family business

FORT WORTH, Texas, April 25, 2023 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Since he was 12 years old, Jake Tinsley has written and promoted his own professional comic books. Usually he sold them in person at comic book conventions or comic book stores, on airplanes, or pretty much anywhere he could with anyone who would give him a moment to pitch his work. Now, the 28-year-old Jake is debuting a brand new adult horror title “ALTERNATIVE NARRATIVES” which is being sold in a powerful Kickstarter, side-by-side with “THE BLONDE ASSASSIN” title written by his father Ben Tinsley. The father and son comprise the TINSLEY BOYS writing team who work out of Jason Dube’s Sacramento-based Scattered Comics. They are best known for their NIGHT OWL character, a young shaman protecting the balance of the universe.

“ALTERNATIVE NARRATIVES” marks Jake’s first comic book title without his father’s writing assistance. Jake decided it was time to work alone on Alternative Narratives while his father focused completely on his other projects.

“Comic book production is a ferocious but rewarding process,” Jake Tinsley said.

“It takes an incredible amount of work on everyone’s part to get these comics finished — and that’s just the writing and editing,” Jake said in a recent interview, “After Dad and I finished THAT, our scripts then went to Mark Vuycankiat for art and Diego Vasquez for color on ‘Blonde Assassin’ and Alex Lopez for art and Mike Stefan for color on ‘Alternative Narratives.’ And insane number of top-level guest artists helped with the covers.”

Phil Lockler, who promotes TINSLEY BOYS projects with Tricia Locker, said both comics are a blast to read.

“Prepare yourselves,” Lockler chuckled. “They’re coming in HAWT!”

In a storytelling sense, “BLONDE ASSASSIn” and “ALTERNATIVE NARRATIVE” dovetail with one another, Jake explained. There is a loose but undeniable connection between assassin sisters Surrender (The Blonde Assassin) and Monique (The Blonde Bombshell from “ALTERNATIVE NARRATIVES”) who each live on alternate earths and each believe the other sister is dead. (Well, actually they ARE, in a WAY, but that’s a LONG STORY.)

“Be WARNED: Both of these comic books are more Rated R/Adults Only’ than most,” said Ben Tinsley, a writer, film actor, singer and former journalist.

“These are nowhere near the Rated G or PG stories you might expect reading ‘Night Owl,’” Ben Tinsley said. “Jake and I will be working together again on another horror title, ‘DJINN STALKERS,’ and some really cool other projects. But you’ll find with this title that his writers voice is a bit different from mine. Meanwhile, Jake’s getting so engaging with his writing. It’s a joy to watch him continue to grow.”

Jake marvels at the TINSLEY BOYS comic book titles now occupying a virtual spinner Kickstarter rack online — https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ba3-altnarratives/the-blonde-assassin-3-and-alternative-narratives-1

Jake described it as a menagerie of comic books with little artistic “add-ons” that do with comic books what an ice cream stores do adding nuts, chocolate and other items to flavors such as vanilla.

Inspired by the memory of Jack B. Tinsley, Jake’s grandfather and Ben Tinsley’s father, the Tinsleys have published an incredible amount of comic book material over the years. In addition to comic books, they produce the one-page, four-panel Night Owl web comic they circulate online for free die for fans.

Jake’s work has attracted much attention over the years. When Jake was 14, he was interviewed on The Today Show in recognition of his comic book “Amber Hagerman Deserves Justice: A Night Owl Story,” which despite his young age earned him critical acclaim.

Over the years, Jake Tinsley has appeared on numerous news shows, such as FOX, CBS and WFAA. During the “Amber Hagerman Deserves Justice” promotion, he spoke during a live stand-up WFAA news segment that was seen throughout the Dallas Fort Worth area.

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry named him a “Shining Star of Texas” in response to his work on on the later title “NIGHT OWL: Bullies Deserve Justice.”

Students vs. Professors: How Tech-Savvy College Kids are Winning the AI arms Race

There’s an arms race on campus, and professors are losing.

In recent years, the education landscape has witnessed a fascinating development—the AI arms race between college professors and tech-savvy students. As technology continues to advance at an astonishing pace, students armed with AI-powered tools are challenging traditional teaching methods and outpacing professors in certain aspects. This trend raises important questions about the evolving role of educators and the need to adapt to a new educational paradigm.

One of the primary reasons behind this shift is the proliferation of AI tools that empower students to access information and optimize their learning experiences. These tools offer sophisticated features such as personalized tutoring, intelligent content recommendations, and automated grading systems. As students embrace these AI-driven resources, they gain an edge in their academic pursuits, enabling them to learn more efficiently and effectively.

Meanwhile, college professors, although knowledgeable in their respective fields, often lack the time or expertise to keep up with the latest AI advancements. While they possess deep subject matter expertise and pedagogical skills, their traditional teaching methods are gradually being surpassed by AI-powered alternatives. Professors may find it challenging to compete with the personalized learning experiences that AI tools can provide, as they struggle to cater to the diverse needs of their students within limited time constraints.

Moreover, tech-savvy students are adept at utilizing AI tools to streamline their workflow and improve their academic performance. These students leverage AI-powered tools for tasks like automated research, essay writing assistance, and data analysis. By harnessing the power of AI, they can process and synthesize information faster than ever before, giving them a significant advantage over their peers who rely solely on conventional study methods.

However, it is important to recognize that the role of college professors remains essential in the educational process. They bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and critical thinking skills that cannot be replaced by AI tools. While technology can enhance learning experiences, it is the professors who inspire intellectual curiosity, encourage deep understanding, and foster critical analysis among students.

To stay relevant and address the challenges posed by the AI arms race, college professors must embrace technology and adapt their teaching methodologies. Rather than seeing AI as a threat, professors can harness its potential to enrich their classrooms. By incorporating AI tools into their teaching practices, professors can better cater to the individual needs of students, foster engagement, and promote deeper learning.

Furthermore, it is imperative for institutions and educational policymakers to invest in professional development programs to empower professors with the necessary AI skills. By offering training and resources, universities can equip their faculty with the knowledge and tools to navigate the evolving educational landscape effectively. Collaboration between professors, technology experts, and students can also foster innovation and drive the development of AI tools specifically designed to enhance teaching and learning.

The AI arms race between college professors and tech-savvy students signifies a significant shift in the educational landscape. While students armed with AI tools may have certain advantages in terms of access to information and learning efficiency, the role of professors remains indispensable. By embracing technology, adapting teaching methodologies, and investing in faculty development, educators can not only keep pace with tech-savvy students but also harness the power of AI to enhance the educational experience and prepare students for the challenges of the future.

Book Spotlight: Yosse ben Yosse

Esti Mayer’s latest book, “Yosse ben Yosse: An Annotated Translation,” is an impressive scholarly work that sheds light on a unique body of work that had never been translated into English before. The book presents the 15 liturgical poems (piyyutim) attributed to Yosse ben Yosse, a distinctive priestly voice who contested rabbinic claims to authority in 5th century Jewish Palestine.

Mayer’s annotations provide valuable historical context, highlighting the socio-political power relations between the priestly caste and the rabbis, and the rise of rabbinic Judaism. By comparing Yosse ben Yosse’s narrative to the corresponding rabbinic narratives, Mayer offers a fresh perspective on the power contest between the conservative priestly caste and the revolutionary rabbinic movement in the post-destruction era of the Second Temple.

The book contributes to our understanding of the cultural and religious diversity of Jewish responses to the historical upheavals of the time, and the political allegiances and religious loyalties that were being redefined in late antiquity. Mayer’s background in Judaic Studies, Political Science, International Relations and Middle Eastern Studies, Religion-Jewish Studies, and Painting, gives her a unique interdisciplinary approach to this subject matter.

“Yosse ben Yosse: An Annotated Translation” is a valuable addition to existing historical records that have survived from Late Antiquity, and an essential read for anyone interested in Jewish religious and political developments in late antique Palestine. It will make a great source material for future researchers hoping to dive into this subject matter.

For more information on this important work and Esti Mayer please visit www.estimayer.com

Exploring the Top Alt Search Engines: Discovering New Ways to Search the Web

Niche Search Engines for Books, Science, and Intelligent Information

A certain search engine is so powerful that it hides other search engines from us. We simply do not know about the existence of most of them.

As the internet continues to evolve, it is important for search engines to adapt. Perhaps more diversity in search engines could build new online ecosystems.

Meanwhile, there are still a large number of excellent search engines in the world that specialize in books, science, and other smart information.

Here a list of sites you’ve might never heard of.

www.refseek.com is a search engine for academic resources. More than a billion

www.worldcat.org – search the content of 20,000 global libraries.

https://link.springer.com – access to more than 10 million scientific documents: books, articles,

www.bioline.org.br is a library of published bioscientific journals

http://repec.org – Volunteers from 102 countries collected nearly 4 million publications

www.science.gov is a U.S. government search engine for more than 2200 scientific sites.

www.pdfdrive.com is the largest website for free download of PDF books. Claim more than 225 million titles.

www.base-search.net is one of the most powerful search engines for academic research texts. More than 100 million scientific articles, 70% of which are free

Do you know them?

Google, the world’s most popular search engine, has been a gateway to the internet for millions of users for over two decades. However, over the years, the internet has become a graveyard of forgotten websites, with many disappearing into oblivion or going inactive. According to estimates, there are over 4.5 billion internet users worldwide, and over 1.5 billion websites, but only a fraction of these websites are active and regularly updated.

One of the most significant challenges facing internet users today is the “dead internet” phenomenon, where websites that were once popular have disappeared or are no longer updated. The reasons for this are many, including changes in technology, lack of funding, or simply a lack of interest. For example, once-popular social networks like Myspace and Friendster have since disappeared, and other websites, such as Geocities, which was once the largest hosting platform for user-generated content, were shut down entirely.

Moreover, even newer sites that seem to have the potential to take off may not necessarily be successful. Many new websites fail to catch on and then close their doors, often due to fierce competition from established players or a lack of innovative ideas.

One consequence of this is that when people search for information on Google, they may find that many of the results are no longer relevant or up to date. This is particularly true when searching for older content, where many of the websites that once hosted that content have since disappeared. In such cases, users may have to rely on archive websites or other sources to access the information they need.

Another issue with Google search is that after page one, the entries are often the same in different orders for subsequent pages. This can be frustrating for users who are searching for specific information, as they may need to sift through multiple pages of search results to find what they are looking for. Additionally, because Google’s algorithms prioritize newer content, older but still relevant websites may not appear high in search results, making it difficult for users to find the information they need.

Despite these challenges, Google continues to dominate the search engine market, with a market share of over 90%. The company has made significant strides in improving its search algorithms to deliver more relevant and up-to-date results, such as the introduction of the BERT algorithm in 2019. Additionally, Google has launched initiatives such as the Wayback Machine, which allows users to view archived versions of websites, and Google Scholar, which focuses on academic research.

The “dead internet” phenomenon is a real challenge for internet users, and Google is not immune to this problem. While Google has made significant strides in improving its search algorithms, there is still room for improvement. As the internet continues to evolve, it is important for search engines to adapt. Perhaps more diversity in search engines could build new online ecosystems.

The Katsugyo Bag

Freshness and Peak Style: Discover the Katsugyo Bag, the Innovative Portable Aquarium for Live Fish

The Katsugyo Bag is a revolutionary carrying case designed in Japan to keep live fish fresh.

In today’s world, people are increasingly conscious about their food choices, the freshness of seafood is a critical factor for both food safety and overall taste.

With the advent of modern technology, food manufacturers and sellers have been coming up with new and innovative ways to ensure that the seafood they provide is fresh and of the highest quality. One such innovation is the Katsugyo Bag.

The Katsugyo Bag is a revolutionary carrying case designed in Japan to keep live fish fresh. It is essentially a portable aquarium that allows the fish to live within the case for a limited time before it is used. This design is especially useful in the food economy where freshness is paramount, as it enables the user to control when and where the fish is ultimately consumed.

The Katsugyo Bag’s prototype has options for setting oxygen and temperature levels, giving the user full control of the purchase-to-pan experience. It has an impressive capacity, with the ability to hold multiple small fish or one larger fish like a catfish. The design of the Katsugyo Bag ensures that the fish remains fresh until it is ready to be used, eliminating the need for frozen or processed seafood.

The Katsugyo Bag is still in the beta phase, and the prototype is subject to change as the designers move toward product release. However, the potential of this innovative carrying case is undeniable. With the Katsugyo Bag, consumers can be assured of the freshness of their seafood, which is especially important for sushi restaurants and other establishments that rely on fresh seafood as a key ingredient in their dishes.

The Katsugyo Bag is an impressive innovation in the world of seafood, providing a solution for keeping live fish fresh until it is ready to be used. Its ability to control oxygen and temperature levels ensures peak freshness and quality, making it a valuable tool for businesses and consumers alike. While still in the beta phase, the Katsugyo Bag has the potential to revolutionize the seafood industry and improve the overall quality of seafood available to consumers.

You Resemble Me: Review

“You Resemble Me”: A Provocative and Disturbing Debut Film by Dina Amer

Dina Amer, a former Vice News journalist, makes her feature film debut with “You Resemble Me”, a powerful and focused movie that offers a plausible and sympathetic backstory to a real-life case. With expert care and assurance, Amer aligns fictionalized mise-en-scène, news footage, and interviews to create a captivating story.

The movie is based on the case of Hasna Aït Boulahcen, who was radicalized by Islamic State and was killed during the raid on a Paris apartment building in 2015, after the terrorist attacks that took place in various locations including the Bataclan theater. Excited media reporters claimed that Aït Boulahcen was Europe’s first female suicide bomber, causing much prurient commentary about her troubled life as a party girl. However, forensic evidence showed that the bomber was actually an unidentified man.

Lorenza Grimaudo plays the young Hasna, who is inseparably close to her younger sister Mariam, played by Ilonna Grimaudo. After truanting and running away with Mariam, they are fostered and eventually split up into different families, causing a terrible psychic wound that may have contributed to Hasna’s final disaster. As an adult, played by Mouna Soualem, she is angry, depressed, abused, and drawn into drug addiction before being electrified by her cousin’s charismatic online presence as a jihadi.

Amer creates a disquieting effect by deepfake-morphing Hasna’s face into a different face, suggesting her alternative sense of self or selves, perhaps stemming from the spiritual amputation of her sister’s presence. This powerful touch gives “You Resemble Me” the bite-strength of a horror film, making it a strong and heartfelt film that is not to be missed.