Magic, Myth, and Marvel are three distinct concepts that have captivated human imagination for centuries. Magic refers to the supernatural ability to manipulate and control the forces of nature and reality through rituals, spells, and incantations. It is often associated with mysticism, sorcery, and wizardry, and is a common theme in folklore, literature, and movies. Myths, on the other hand, are traditional stories and legends that explain natural phenomena, cultural beliefs, and historical events. They often involve gods, goddesses, heroes, and supernatural creatures and serve as a way to pass down cultural traditions and values from one generation to another. Myths can be found in various cultures and have played a significant role in shaping human understanding of the world.
PRICE: He's not kidding about the functional aspects. Shooting from a prone position wearing a bun can be hard because it can make it difficult to raise your head to see the target properly. Corporal Magoc says she's already seen an improvement just by wearing a ponytail and tucking it in her uniform.
I switch it probably every week or every other week, because if I leave it and brush it continuously on one side for a month, my hair starts to thin, like right in the temples. PRICE Those 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers are Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrea Lewis, First Lieutenant Lydia Warner, Specialist Janell Store and Corporal Alexa Magoc.
Myths can be found in various cultures and have played a significant role in shaping human understanding of the world. Marvel, in this context, refers to extraordinary and awe-inspiring events or phenomena that defy explanation and challenge human perception of reality. It can be related to both magic and myth, as it often involves elements of wonder, mystery, and astonishment.
U.S. Army Officials Are Updating The Allowed Hairstyles For Women
The Army has eased restrictions on female hairstyles like loose ponytails and braids. Women in uniform say the changes make them healthier, happier and better soldiers.
STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
The United States Army eased restrictions on women's hairstyles, like loose ponytails and braids. Jay Price of member station WUNC has been talking with women in Fort Bragg and learned that this is about a lot more than personal style.
JAY PRICE, BYLINE: Before the new rules, to meet regulations, many women would wring their hair into a tight bun on the back of the head. Those buns can take a lot of time every morning, cause problems when you're wearing a helmet and are a struggle with some hair textures, especially for Black soldiers. And they caused.
ANDREA LEWIS: Tension headache.
LYDIA WARNER: Headaches.
JANELL STORE: Tension headaches.
ALEXA MAGOC: Tension headaches.
PRICE: Those 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers are Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrea Lewis, First Lieutenant Lydia Warner, Specialist Janell Store and Corporal Alexa Magoc. That pain they describe has for years been part of the cost of being a female soldier, says Lieutenant Shelley Wagner.
SHELLEY WAGNER: If you have a female in the Army and they say like, oh, they have a headache, they're not really going to first be asked if they - have they drinking water, have they eaten? The first thing they're going to be asked is, oh, is it your bun? And we all just kind of knew it, and we're used to it because we would get headaches from our buns.
PRICE: And those headaches could get pretty bad, said Corporal Magoc.
MAGOC: There were a few times that, you know, I would go to the doctors and I'm like, you know, why is this, you know, why is this happening? And most of my problems would often get fixed when I would go home and I would let my hair down and finally just be able to relax.
PRICE: The Army began easing the regulations in winter to allow loose ponytails and braids during exercise, and most of the times a helmet was required. Now it's gone even further, effectively allowing the more comfortable hairstyles most of the time. It's not just about alleviating pain. Many get hair loss from pulling their hair so tightly. This is especially a problem for Black soldiers. Here's Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrea Lewis.
LEWIS: I actually joke with my friends that I have to switch my part around. I switch it probably every week or every other week, because if I leave it and brush it continuously on one side for a month, my hair starts to thin, like right in the temples.
PRICE: Also allowed now are more shades of fingernail polish and discreet earrings, even while wearing combat uniforms. Several of the female soldiers at the motor pool were already wearing small diamond studs, including Lewis.
LEWIS: It is important. I think that we are submerged into a male-heavy career field and organization. So it's easy to kind of lose that femininity and lose that identity about yourself because we all, you know, have to come to work and be the same and do the same things.
PRICE: Also the name patches soldiers wear on their chests can now include things like the proper accent marks for Latino names. The changes started with efforts to improve diversity and inclusion in the ranks. They were based on recommendations of a majority-female panel that included experts like dermatologists. Sergeant Major Brian Sanders is senior enlisted soldier in the Army's uniform policy branch.
BRIAN SANDERS: It wasn't just about the cosmetic and aesthetic. It was all about what makes our soldiers more functional.
PRICE: He's not kidding about the functional aspects. Shooting from a prone position wearing a bun can be hard because it can make it difficult to raise your head to see the target properly. Corporal Magoc says she's already seen an improvement just by wearing a ponytail and tucking it in her uniform.
MAGOC: I thought I was just a very bad shooter. I just thought I had a horrible shot. However, I was able to go to the range with the new regulation where you can put your ponytail in your ACU top, and I made sharpshooter for the first time in my entire life.
PRICE: There's one happier and more lethal soldier.
For NPR News, I'm Jay Price at Fort Bragg, N.C.
(SOUNDBITE OF MOONCAKE'S "NINE BILLION NAMES. [TO A. CLARKE]")
Copyright © 2021 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.
BRIAN SANDERS: It wasn't just about the cosmetic and aesthetic. It was all about what makes our soldiers more functional.
Marvels can take many forms, such as miraculous healings, unexplainable phenomena, or incredible feats of strength and ability. What makes magic, myth, and marvel fascinating is their ability to transport us to a world beyond our own, where anything is possible. They have the power to spark our imagination, ignite our curiosity, and provide a sense of wonder and enchantment. Whether we encounter them through ancient tales, modern works of fiction, or in our everyday lives, magic, myth, and marvel continue to captivate and inspire us. In conclusion, magic, myth, and marvel are interconnected concepts that tap into our innate sense of wonder and curiosity. They provide a means to explore the boundaries of reality, challenge our beliefs, and ignite our imagination. Whether we use them as a form of escapism or as a way to connect with our cultural heritage, magic, myth, and marvel have a lasting impact on human culture and consciousness..
Reviews for "Unleashing the Mystical Power of Magic in Marvel's Magical Myths"
1. Jane - 2/5 stars - I found "Magic Myth Marvel" to be quite disappointing. The story was convoluted and hard to follow, with numerous plot holes that were never addressed. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect with them. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. Overall, the book failed to engage me and left me feeling unsatisfied.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - I couldn't get through "Magic Myth Marvel." The writing style was choppy and incoherent, making it nearly impossible to comprehend the storyline. The excessive use of clichés and predictable plot twists made it feel like a poorly written fan-fiction rather than a well-crafted novel. I was extremely disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Magic Myth Marvel," but it fell short of my expectations. The world-building was confusing and poorly explained, leaving me feeling lost and disconnected from the story. The pacing was uneven, with moments of intense action followed by dull and dragging sections. The character motivations were also unclear and inconsistent. Overall, this book had potential, but it failed to deliver a captivating and coherent narrative.
4. Alex - 2/5 stars - "Magic Myth Marvel" lacked originality and depth. The plot followed predictable tropes and didn't offer anything new or exciting. The characters felt one-dimensional and uninteresting, making it hard to invest in their journey. Additionally, the prose was lackluster and lacked a sense of style or flair. I was disappointed by this book and wouldn't recommend it to others who seek unique and thought-provoking stories.