Consonance and dissonance

In music, consonance and dissonance form a structural dichotomy in which the terms define each other by mutual exclusion: a consonance is what is not dissonant, and reciprocally. However, a finer consideration shows that the distinction forms a gradation, from the most consonant to the most dissonant. Consonance and dissonance define a level of sweetness / harshness, pleasantness / unpleasantness, acceptability / unacceptability, of the sounds or intervals under consideration. As Hindemith stressed, "The two concepts have never been completely explained, and for a thousand years the definitions have varied" (Hindemith 1942, p. 85).

The opposition can be made in different contexts:

TALON (database)

TALON (Threat and Local Observation Notice), was a database maintained by the United States Air Force after the September 11th terrorist attacks. It was authorized for creation in 2002 by Deputy Defense Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz, in order to collect and evaluate information about possible threats to U.S. servicemembers and civilian workers in the US and at overseas military installations. The database included lists of anti-war groups and people who have attended anti-war rallies. TALON reports are collected by various US Defense Department agencies including law enforcement, intelligence, counterintelligence and security, and were analyzed by a Pentagon agency, the Counterintelligence Field Activity. CIFA had existed since 2004, and its size and budget are secret.

On August 21, 2007, the US Defense Department announced that it would shut down the database, as the database had been criticized for gathering information on peace activists and other political activists who posed no credible threat, but who had been one topic of this database due to their political views. The department is working on a new system which would replace TALON, but for the time being, information on force protection threats will be handled by the FBI’s Guardian reporting system.

Alternative versions of Robin

Robin is a fictional character, a superhero in publications from DC Comics. Robin has long been a fixture in the Batman comic books as Batman's sidekick. Since 1940, several different youths have appeared as Robin. In each incarnation, Robin's brightly colored visual appearance and youthful energy have served as a contrast to Batman's dark look and manner.

This page is a list of the alternative versions of Robin in comic books, including DC Comics, the multiverse, Elseworlds, and other sources.

In mainstream comics continuity

Talon (Marvel Comics)

Talon is a feline Inhuman in the Earth-691 timeline of the fictional Marvel Universe, sorcerer apprentice to Krugarr. Created by Jim Valentino, Talon debuted in Guardians of the Galaxy #18 (Nov. 1991). He is a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Publication history

Origins

Initially, creator Jim Valentino wanted to use Wolverine in a storyline where the Guardians had briefly returned to Earth, but Bob Harras, the X-Men editor of the time, did not want it established that Wolverine could live that long. Thus, Valentino created Talon, influenced by Steve Englehart's take on the Beast during Beast's "party hearty" time with the Avengers.

Fictional character biography

Talon is an Inhuman born in the city of Attilan on the Blue Area of the Moon, circa 31st Century A.D. in an alternate future. He becomes a student of the mystic arts, and an apprentice to Krugarr. In one of his earliest appearances, he helps the team battle a gang of murderous criminals who take after the Punisher. One of the gang injures Major Victory with a shot to the forehead. Talon deflects a shot fired at Vance Astro, and sends Krugarr to save Vance's life. With the assistance of Hollywood, Krugarr manages to save the Major's life. Alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy and the Commandeers, Talon battled the Punishers, and then joined the Guardians.