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Steiner speaking at the Nexus Institute, the Netherlands, 2013

Francis George Steiner (April 23, 1929 – February 3, 2020), was an influential European-born American literary critic, essayist, philosopher, novelist, translator, and educator. He wrote extensively about the relationship between language, literature and society, and the impact of The Holocaust. A polyglot and polymath, he is often credited with redefining the role of the critic.

Popular Article: Pear

European Pear (Pyrus communis) branch with fruit

A pear is the common name for any of about 30 species of small trees or shrubs comprising the plant genus Pyrus, as well as the name for the fruit of these plants. Pyrus is a genus in the rose family (Rosaceae), which also includes apples (genus Malus), plums (genus Prunus), roses (genus Rosa), and strawberries (genus Fragaria), among others. There are now over 5,000 varieties of pears cultivated in temperate climates worldwide. The most popular species for commercial production are the European pear (Pyrus communis) and the Asian pear (Pryus pyrifolia). The fruit of the Asian pear, with a more rounded appearance and harder flesh, appears more similar to the apple than does the fruit of the European pear, which is typically juicy when ripe and more pyriform in shape (bell-shaped).

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The island of Java has over 100 volcanoes, over 40 of which are active (source: Java)

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