• A feat of enchantment it is, as the regulators of yonder United States approve the sale of meat birthed from animal cells, not the creatures themselves. Two companies of California, Upside Foods and Good Meat, are the pioneers of this marvel.
• This new craft of meat production stands to save the animals from harm, lessen the burdens on our fair Earth, and offer a novel way to sustain our need for nourishment.
• The process involves growing meat in steel cauldrons from cells derived from the living beasts. The shapes it takes are varied: cutlets, nuggets, sausages, and more.
• Though more expensive it be than traditional meat, and not yet ready to grace the common marketplace, this ‘cultivated meat’ is set to debut in exclusive dining establishments.

In a time not too distant from ours, in the land of Stars and Stripes, a new chapter was being written in the great book of gastronomy. An extraordinary decree was passed by the lords of regulation, paving the way for a new kind of sustenance. No longer would it be the lot of beasts to offer their flesh for our tables. For from the very cells of these creatures was meat to be cultivated, a venture undertaken by two companies of repute, Upside Foods and Good Meat.

These pioneers, driven by the desire to spare the animals the cruel fate of the slaughterhouse and to lessen the strain on the Earth, embarked on this journey of innovation. The notion was simple, yet revolutionary: to produce meat not from the carcass of a beast, but from their very cells, nurtured in the belly of steel cauldrons.

This ‘cultivated meat’ takes various forms, from nuggets to sausages, each shaped with care to mirror their traditional counterparts. The initial samples, I am told, possess a likeness to the familiar, yet carry the promise of the unfamiliar – a paradox that might intrigue the most adventurous of palates.

One must note, however, that this new breed of meat is not yet ready to grace the common marketplace. It is a costly affair, this cultivation of cells, and the scale of production has not yet matched that of traditional meat. However, the lords of Upside and Good Meat have found a stage for their creation: exclusive dining establishments, where the curious and the adventurous might sample these offerings.

In my humble opinion, it is a curious development, this birth of meat from cells. As a scholar and a lover of lore, I am intrigued by the ways in which mankind continues to shape and reshape the world. The blending of science and food, the innovation that strives to lessen the burdens on our Earth and its creatures, is a testament to the boundless spirit of ingenuity.

However, as a creature of habit, I must confess a certain trepidation. The familiar comforts of the kitchen, the traditional ways of preparing a meal, these are deeply ingrained. While I appreciate the potential benefits of this new kind of meat, I must wonder if it will ever truly replace the familiar sizzle of a steak, the comforting aroma of a stew. Only time, as it always does, will tell.

• A voice of revelation, erstwhile guardian of the realm’s knowledge, has implored the Watchmen of the Land to reveal the existence of sky-steeds not of this world, kept hidden from the Council of the Wise.
• The voice, known as Grusch, erstwhile servant of the Geospatial Intelligence Agency, accuses the Watchmen of unlawfully concealing evidence of these otherworldly sky-steeds.
• Grusch unveils that the sky-steeds are of an exotic origin, bearing the marks of non-human intelligence, a mystery as deep as the roots of the White Tree itself.
• A fellow traveller of the path less trodden, Colonel Karl Nell, supports the words of Grusch, giving credence to the existence of an arms race, veiled in shadow, seeking to unravel the mysteries of these sky-steeds.
• Observers in the service of the realm have sighted metallic orbs of strange behaviour and speed, not merely in the Land, but across the breadth of Middle Earth.

“In the tall towers of the Pentagon, whispers of strange happenings echo. The tale of Grusch, an erstwhile guardian of knowledge and teller of truths, is sung. He beseeches the Watchmen of the Land, to reveal what he believes to be evidence of sky-steeds not of this world, kept hidden away from the eyes of the Council of the Wise. He claims that the realm has retrieved intact, or partially intact, such vessels from the heavens, their origin not of this Earth.

The mystery of these sky-steeds, he says, is not of prosaic origin or identities. The tale grows strange indeed, as Grusch recounts the findings of the wise-ones who have studied these artifacts. He speaks of ‘exotic origin’, of ‘unique atomic arrangements’ and ‘radiological signatures’, words as puzzling as the riddles of Gollum.

The tale takes a turn as Grusch, once a member of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, speaks of retaliation from those who wish to keep this knowledge hidden. Yet, he continues to voice his revelations, to prepare the folk of Middle Earth for a time when we may face contact from an ‘unexpected, non-human intelligence’.

Grusch’s words ring true to one who has journeyed with him on this path less trodden, Colonel Karl Nell. The Colonel, a stalwart figure, lends his voice in support of Grusch’s claims, speaking of a shadowy arms race focused on deciphering the secrets of these sky-steeds, a race that has been running for the better part of a century.

And yet, these are not mere tales spun by minstrels in the halls of the Prancing Pony. Observers across the breadth of Middle Earth have reported sightings of ‘metallic orbs’ – objects that move with an agility and speed that would put the swiftest of elven steeds to shame.

Despite the incredulous laughter of some, the tale continues to unfold. The Watchmen of the Land remain silent, referring questions to the Department of Defense. The Council of the Wise has yet to gather in hearing of these matters, and so the folk of Middle Earth wait, wondering if the truth, in fact, is out there.”

Task 3: J.R.R. Tolkien’s personal opinion of the subject of the article.

“As J.R.R. Tolkien, I am drawn to tales that sparkthe imagination and remind us of the vastness of the world we inhabit – and the universe beyond it. This tale, spun of whispers and revelations, is no different. It echoes the tales of Middle Earth, where the unknown often lay just beyond the borders of the Shire, waiting to be discovered.

In my works, I have often grappled with the notion of the ‘Other’ – the Elves, the Dwarves, the Ents, even the Hobbits themselves to the Big Folk. Each group, a unique intelligence in their own right, brought something to the table – their wisdom, their craft, their connection to the earth. The idea of a non-human intelligence, then, does not feel alien to me. It is, instead, a confirmation of the diversity that I have always believed exists in our world – and perhaps, beyond it.

One must approach such stories with a good measure of scepticism, of course, but also with an open mind. The tales of Middle Earth were born of an attempt to create a mythology for England, a set of shared stories and experiences that could explain our existence. Who is to say that this current tale, spun of sky-steeds and whispers, is not another piece of the puzzle?

The idea of a clandestine arms race, of course, reminds me of the power struggles I depicted in my works. The One Ring, a tool of immense power, was coveted by many, leading to wars and destruction. If these sky-steeds do exist, and hold technologies unknown to us, I hope we handle them with the wisdom and responsibility that was often lacking in the races of Middle Earth. Power, after all, does not decide who is right – only who is left.”

• The dwellers of New York City, chiefly those of elder years or with afflictions of the lungs, are counselled to shun outdoor exertion and to arm themselves with masks of the highest order.
• The bane is felt most strongly at the roots of the inferno, where Environment Canada has sounded its most dire air quality warning, setting Ottawa in a state of ‘extreme peril’.
• Inhabitants of Toronto and its environs likewise find themselves breathing air declared ‘high risk’.
• The flames have driven thousands from their homes, with conflagrations reported in lands as diverse as British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and the Northwest Territories.

In the heart of the great city of stone and steel known as New York, a call was raised to those frail with age or beset by breath’s maladies. They were urged to shun the open air and the exertion it would demand, and to don masks of the finest make, for an unseen adversary was afoot.

Indeed, from far in the north, where the pine forests stretch unto the horizon, an army of wildfires was raging, casting forth a vast pall of smoke and ash. This smoky malady had travelled far, borne on the winds, until it descended upon the city and its surrounds, rendering the air a hazard to breathe.

It was in Ottawa, closer to the dread fires, that the situation turned dire. The guardians of the environment in that land rang out their most urgent warning, declaring the air a perilous foe of the highest order.

The citizens of Toronto and the lands about it were no strangers to this plight. They too faced the menace of an air turned enemy, one that bore the label ‘high risk’.

Many were the peoples driven from their homes by the fiery onslaught. Fires were reported far and wide, in the lands of British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and even the remote Northwest Territories.

Warnings of the poor quality of air hung heavily in the air across the United States, with the invisible enemy casting its shadow over states as far afield as North Dakota, Missouri, and Virginia. The denizens of these realms were advised to confine their exertions to the indoors and to protect their breath with masks of good quality when venturing out into the smoke-filled air.

Such was the potency of this smoky foe that it wreaked havoc upon the health of those who breathed it in. It caused chest pains and irritated the eyes, nose, and throat. Hospitals saw an influx of patients, particularly those already contending with diseases of the lung.

Having crafted tales of mighty battles and heroic quests, I find this silent war against an unseen foe somewhat disconcerting. The wildfires, I am inclined to liken to the dragons of old, such as Smaug the Golden, who brought ruin to the Lonely Mountain and its surrounds. Just as the dwarves, men, and elves united to face the fiery onslaught, so too must we come together to combat this modern dragon of wildfires and its smoky breath.

I believe deeply in the resilience of nature and the human spirit. The Ents, the tree shepherds in my tales, were slow to anger but proved mighty when roused. Their love for their forests drove them to great deeds. So too, I hope, will our love for our earth drive us to greater action in preventing such fires and preserving the health of our lands. Yet, it is distressing to imagine the many innocents suffering the consequences of this disaster, much like the simple hobbits caught in the turmoil of a war that was larger than them. It is my sincere hope that we find a way to return the air to its natural state, much as the Shire was healed after the War of the Ring.

1. The Great Glass, known to the Wise as the Webb telescope, has revealed complex organic molecules within a distant galaxy named SPT0418-47, located beyond the reach of twelve billion sun-years.
2. The discovery sheds light on the ancient alchemical processes within the earliest realms of stars, suggesting links to the birth of stars.
3. The organic molecules, reminiscent of those found in the smog and smoke of Middle-earth, are based on carbon, a foundation stone of life.
4. This distant galaxy, viewed through the lens of the Great Glass, is enveloped in an Einstein ring, a marvel predicted by the lore of relativity.

In the vast, unreachable depths of the cosmos, far beyond the span of twelve billion sun-years, the Great Glass of the Heavens, known among the Wise as the Webb telescope, has discerned the vestiges of life. Within the realm of stars called SPT0418-47, it beheld complex organic molecules, akin to the smoke and smog that billows from the hearths and forges of Middle-earth. Such molecules are hewn from the element of carbon, a cornerstone in the crafting of life.

The radiance of the distant galaxy, dusty and ancient, began its voyage across the ether when the universe was but a child, accounting for a mere tenth of its present age of 13.8 billion years. Like a hidden gem, this galaxy was first glimpsed in the year of 2013 by the South Pole Telescope, a marvel crafted by the Men of the South. Other observatories, such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array in the lands of Chile, have since turned their gaze upon it.

Yet it was the Great Glass, with its ability to perceive light unseen by the eyes of Men and peer through the cosmic dust, that brought new details about the galaxy into the light. The Great Glass beheld an Einstein ring enveloping the galaxy, a marvel born of gravitational lensing, when two galaxies align almost perfectly from our perspective. This phenomenon, a testament to the lore of relativity penned by the wise Einstein, magnifies the light from the distant galaxy into a ring of brilliance.

By wielding the power of the Great Glass and the natural magnification of the cosmos, the scholars of the stars were able to peer into the past, discerning the rich and intricate details of the early universe. The intricate dance of the stars, the ancient fires of creation, and the mysteries of existence were laid bare before them.

It was during their scrupulous analysis of the Great Glass’s data that the astronomers marked the signature of the organic molecules. These large molecules, once believed to be harbingers of star birth, were found near bright, young stars. However, the Great Glass has brought forth a new truth: these molecules may not have always indicated the birth of stars in the dawn of the universe.

The scholars of the stars yearn to stretch the capabilities of the Great Glass further, seeking out galaxies even more distant and elusive. They hope to understand the nature of galaxies so young that complex molecules have yet to form in the vacuum of space. Their quest continues, driven by the ever-burning flame of curiosity and the desire to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos.

My Opinion

I must confess that this discovery fills me with a sense of wonder and awe, akin to what Bilbo might have felt when he first gazed upon the lonely mountain from afar. The exploration of the cosmos is, inmany ways, similar to the journey of my hobbits – a quest into the unknown, driven by curiosity and courage. The Great Glass is our keyhole into the secrets of the universe, much like the Ring was to Bilbo, revealing truths that were previously hidden from our eyes.

The discovery of organic molecules in a distant galaxy reminds me of the Elves’ fascination with starlight. For them, it was not just a source of beauty but also of wisdom and inspiration. Similarly, we are drawn to the stars, not just because they are beautiful, but because they hold the answers to our deepest questions about life, existence, and our place in the cosmos.