The ribbon curse is a mythical tale that has been passed down through generations. It is said to be a curse that brings misfortune and suffering to anyone who comes into contact with a particular ribbon. According to the legend, the ribbon originally belonged to a young girl who was renowned for her beauty and grace. One day, a jealous witch cast a spell on the ribbon, imbuing it with dark energies. From that moment on, anyone who wore or touched the ribbon would be plagued with misfortune. The curse was said to bring about a series of unfortunate events in the person's life, ranging from accidents and illnesses to financial ruin and failed relationships.
The earliest era of structural biology made clear the necessity of molecular visualization for even small proteins, such as the 62-amino acid snake venom toxin shown here (PDB ID 3EBX). In this process, (a) atomic coordinates are visually rendered on a computer display as (b) lines, “sticks,” spheres, etc., thereby creating a representation of the protein’s 3D structure. Though useful for detailed, atomic-scale analyses, e.g., of enzyme mechanisms, such renditions are too visually cluttered and complicated (incomprehensible, essentially) to enable one to grasp a protein’s overall architecture and topology. For that purpose, (c) ribbon diagrams are a blessing: these diagrams are powerful abstractions of a single protein entity, but do they (d) mask other features and relationships.
The brilliantly conceived and executed Critical Assessment of Structure Prediction CASP , held since 1994 3 , has shown the significant progress in structure prediction over the years; but, all efforts fell far short of what was achieved by AF2 and its predecessor, AlphaFold 4 , and by other efforts, notably RoseTTAFold 5. In gazing at ribbon cartoons on a page, we abandon the physicochemical properties that underlie the structure; consider dynamics as only variations of the ribbon; and we think less about solvent, other interacting molecules, cellular location, evolution, and function.
The curse was said to bring about a series of unfortunate events in the person's life, ranging from accidents and illnesses to financial ruin and failed relationships. The exact origins of the ribbon curse are unknown, but it is believed to have originated in a small village centuries ago. The tale has been passed down through the generations, serving as a cautionary tale of the dangers of envy and the consequences of meddling with dark forces.
The ribbon and the curse – Cournilhoun, Massello
Today I’ll bring you into the high valley of Massello, in a place called Cournilhoun, a woody ridge near the Eidût hill country. It is said that once upon a time in this place lived some fairies (also called fantine) in a cot under a rock. They spent their days picking flowers and herbs, in perfect harmony with nature. Many people recounted of wonderful treasures which were scrupulously guarded in huge chests by the beautiful fairies.
A young man from Pradidiè, which stands in front to Cournilhoun, on the other side of the valley, was wondering if all the rumours about the fantine were truth or not. Finally, a night he took the decision to go and see where was their house. When he got to the cot he saw the lights from the windows, and, when he watched inside… What a wonder! He saw three beautiful girls around the firelight. Taking courage, he knocked at the door and then entered to meet them. He spent all the evening in company with them chatting and joking.
It seems that there are some small footsteps!
Coming back home he was feeling like he was flying… He couldn’t stop to think about the stunning eyes of one of them… He fell in love at the first sight! After that first encounter he began to visit her more and more, and she appeared to reciprocate his love, covering him by kindnesses. A day, the mother of the boy discovered the reason of his night escapes, and she wasn’t happy to discover that the love of his son was for a fantina! The fantine weren’t well–judged by the inhabitants of the valley, because of their magical powers. And so, she began to forbid him to go out at night, totally sure that sooner or later he would have abandoned that unreasonable crush.
But the love refuses to listen to reason, and so the boy succeeded in escaping on the sly to go and meet his girlfriend.
What a great outlook from here!
A night, desperate because of the difficult situation, he talked with the beautiful fairy, and she told him: «No problem! If your mother doesn’t want that we get married, I’ll convince her with magic. Tie this red ribbon around her neck and you’ll see that she’ll change her mind!»
The boy, overjoyed by the idea, took the ribbon and started to run breathlessy towards home, but near Ciancoutan, just below Pradidè, he had to stop to rest. Worried about what he should have told to the mother to excuse his night escape, he decided to try to tie the ribbon, with the intention of make a nice bow to show the gift at its best. So, he tied the tape around the trunk of a larch. But in an instant the flames flared up around the tree, which in a few minutes got charred! The boy, amazed by the fright and misty–eyed thinking about what he could have done to his mother, ran to home.
When the fairies, who observed the scene from their home, saw that their bad intent had been discovered, they flied off the handle! Furious with the young man who betrayed their confidence, they packed up their things and got on their chests full of trasures. Because the chests were magic, they used them to descend the valley passing over the river, destroying everything they crossed and pledging to never come back to that valley.
The Rio Rabbioso (Riou Rabioûr), the way from which, probably, the fantine descended the valley
They only spared the destiny of the bridge of Masselli, near Pomaretto village, because there was an old man passing by there, who said: «Beautiful fantine, low your heads and spare the bridge!». Because they weren’t indifferent to praises, they decided to not destroy that bridge, and followed their descent towards the valley floor to go away and never get back.
The bridge of Masselli
How to get there
From Pinerolo go to Villar Perosa, then follow the indications to Perrero, overstep it and follow on the Strada Provinciale 170 to Massello. Then go straight on for 1.5 Kms until your reach the Gros Passet hamlet. Here you’ll have to leave your car and go by feet taking a trail just above the hamlet which runs along Rio Rabbioso. You’ll find the Cournilhoun hamlet on your left.
Do you want to read the tale in Italian ?
Are there other examples where our thinking becomes “locked in”? Taxonomies and ontologies come to mind. The tree of life, while an evolutionary anchor point, is more accurately viewed as dynamic and changeable. If Woese and Fox [10] had not thought so, the discovery of Archaea would have been delayed.
Many people believe in the existence of the ribbon curse and take precautions to avoid any interaction with cursed ribbons. It is said that the curse can be passed on through the simple act of touching a cursed ribbon, and once the curse takes hold, it cannot be lifted. Some believe that the ribbon curse is nothing more than a superstition or an old wives' tale, while others claim to have witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of the curse. Regardless of its veracity, the ribbon curse continues to be a popular topic of conversation and intrigue. In recent times, the ribbon curse has inspired numerous works of literature, film, and art. It has become a symbol of the dangers of envy and the power of curses. Whether the ribbon curse is real or not, its impact on popular culture is undeniable. In conclusion, the ribbon curse is a mythological tale that has captivated people's imaginations for centuries. Whether it is a cautionary tale or a mere superstition, the ribbon curse serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of jealousy and the dangers of dabbling in dark forces..
Reviews for "The Ribbon Curse: Strange Phenomena and Mysterious Happenings"
1. John Doe - 2/5 - I found "The Ribbon Curse" to be quite underwhelming. The storyline was confusing and disjointed, making it difficult for me to fully grasp what was happening. The characters lacked depth and their actions felt forced and unrealistic. Additionally, the writing style was mediocre at best, with excessive repetition and a lack of engaging descriptions. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Jane Smith - 1/5 - I honestly couldn't finish reading "The Ribbon Curse" due to its poor quality. The plot was unoriginal and predictable, offering no surprises or twists. The writing was flat and lacked any depth or emotional resonance. The characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting, making it impossible for me to connect with them. Overall, I found this book to be a waste of time, and I regret picking it up.
3. Robert Johnson - 2/5 - "The Ribbon Curse" failed to capture my attention from the beginning. The pacing was slow, and the story lacked any sense of urgency or excitement. The dialogue felt stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to believe in the interactions between the characters. Moreover, the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying, leaving many loose ends unresolved. I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging read.
4. Emily Thompson - 3/5 - While "The Ribbon Curse" had an intriguing concept, it fell short in its execution. The plot was meandering and lacked focus, making it challenging to stay engaged. The characters were underdeveloped and their motivations were unclear, making it difficult to empathize with them. However, I appreciate the author's attempt to explore complex themes, even though it fell flat in the end. Although it wasn't a terrible read, I wouldn't consider it a memorable one either.
5. David Wilson - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The Ribbon Curse," but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The writing style was dry and lacked any flair or creativity. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, with unnecessary subplots that detracted from the main story. Additionally, the characters were uninteresting and their actions felt contrived. Overall, I found the book to be a disappointment and wouldn't recommend it to others.