Carlos Menendez

Picture this: a 14-year-old who “hates science” just stayed up until 3 a.m. reading about a spaceship crew fighting entropy itself… and now he’s in your DMs asking how fast a generation ship would really have to go and whether CRISPR could actually make super-soldiers.   That, my friend, is science Continue Reading

 Have you ever picked up a book written thirty years ago and felt like the author time-traveled to right now and started taking notes? That’s this mind-blowing Parable series for me—especially this year. Octavia Butler dropped *Parable of the Sower* in 1993 and the mind-blowing *Parable of the Talents* in Continue Reading

The experiences of combat veterans often share many similarities — courage under fire, bonds forged in adversity, and the lifelong echoes of war. Yet, the story of those who served in Vietnam stands apart. For many of us, returning home did not mean returning to gratitude or understanding. Instead, it Continue Reading

In the sweltering jungles and firebases of Vietnam, a portable radio or a reel-to-reel tape became more than entertainment—it was a soldier’s lifeline. Songs like Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son,” The Animals’ “We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” and Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries” weren’t just background noise; they Continue Reading

Vietnam was unique in many ways. For those who served there, Vietnam wasn’t just another war—it was a 365-day countdown that defined every waking moment. Unlike other conflicts where rotations or specific tour lengths dictated your time, Vietnam had its own rhythm, its own rules. You counted down your days, Continue Reading

Vietnam was unique in many ways. For those who served there, Vietnam wasn’t just another war—it was a 365-day countdown that defined every waking moment. Unlike other conflicts where rotations or specific tour lengths dictated your time, Vietnam had its own rhythm, its own rules. You counted your days—one through Continue Reading

During the Vietnam War, the average age of an American soldier was just 19 years old — barely out of high school, yet facing the harsh realities of combat and survival. For these young men, music became more than entertainment; it was a form of connection, courage, and comfort. The Continue Reading

When The Animals released “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” in 1965, it became an anthem for restless youth, a cry for escape from small-town life and limited dreams. However, for young soldiers fighting in Vietnam, those lyrics took on a far deeper and more haunting meaning. For them, Continue Reading

The Animals’ 1965 hit “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” became an anthem for restless youth across America — but for thousands of young soldiers in Vietnam, it carried a much deeper meaning. To them, those words weren’t just about escaping small-town limits; they echoed a desperate wish to Continue Reading

There’s something haunting about Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Run Through the Jungle.” The song captures both the chaos and the pulse of survival that defined the Vietnam War for so many young soldiers. For a soldier deep in-country, the jungle wasn’t just a backdrop—it was an enemy of its own. The Continue Reading